MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 5
CONTRIBUTORS & ADVISORY BOARD THOTA THARRANI Re-branding is in a sense the rebirth of personality. This year Brew enters a bigger dimension, panning across a wider reader base. And who better to stand by us igniting this big step forward, but the one and only Thota Tharrani. With a logo designed by a legend such as him, it brings to light this indescribable honour to carry this year. This is a heart-warming thank you note to the legend for his
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
interest and contribution to Brew Lifestyle.
ANIL JAIN
VEEJAY SAI
An Intensive desire to succeed and redefine the
An award-winning writer, editor and a culture critic. He has
parameters of success, Anil Jain was always cut out to
written and published extensively on Indian classical
be an Entrepreneur, taking active interest in Bussiness
music, fashion, theatre, food and art, and loves traveling,
right from an early age. Aged 40, he is the promoter of
researching literary and cultural history. He is an editorial
Refex Industires Ltd; Refex Trading(s) Pvt. Ltd, and Anil
consultant with over 40 brands and designers in and
Jain Investments.
outside India and is on the jury for several prestigious awards in the arts sector across the country
MALLIKA SARABHAI
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
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
for children
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
INTERNAL TEAM PUBLISHER & CEO Sameer Bharat Ram SUB-EDITOR Padma Murughappun FEATURES WRITERS Nanditha Vijayaraghavan Akila Sridhar CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aishwarya Sridharan Tushar Kanoi Priyanka Venkataramani
S T R A T E G Y
&
D E S I G N
Published and Edited 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
Write to editor.thebrewmagazine@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/
for editorial queries/feedback
thebrewmagazine
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.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 6
DESIGN Aashbir Kaur CIRCULATION K.Sathish kumar
Celebrating the ubiquitous inspirational power that women are today, every year, the month of March takes on a new light being vibrant, lively and empowered. Taking forward the bourgeoning power of women, this year’s Women’s Day special issue brings to you a concoction of stories of the lives of women from numerous fields. So much so, it is more than an acknowledgment or mere celebration. It is a quiet reminiscence of decades and centuries of the powerhouses that women have grown to become. On those lines, the cover features a writer, director, an embodiment of the neoteric, multi-faceted woman who is also the daughter of the Superstar Rajinikanth, Aishwaryaa R Dhanush. Quite proudly, she was also appointed as the UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador for South India. With myriad layers of achievement, she stands tall as a source of inspiration for every woman out there. The Think section brings to you a musing on the prevailing scenario of the various aspects of a woman’s life, followed by stories on two mavericks Jeyashree Ravi and Dr. Sheela Nambiar. The story on Kirthi Jayakumar, a dynamic stalwart of change, is also not to be missed. Opening with a colourful rendition of exclusive photographs shot by women, of women, the Create section features Preeti Shenoy, an author and Sonya Mazumdar from EarthSync. With many more inspiring, empowering stories, we are here not to just glorify women of great significance, but to give them more reason to soar high. Happy Women’s Day! Aruna Sairam, Guest Editor
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 7
CONTENTS
ISSUE 09
THINK The Maternal Prospect
10
Address the Damsel in the Room
14
Dr. Sheela Nambiar
17
Towards Pragmatic Healthcare
Jeyashree Ravi The Neoteric Weaver
Kirthi Jayakumar Stalwart of Change
CREATE 25
Gayatri Shantaram Casting Spells of Wonder
28
Photographs – Woman The Unsolved Mystery
34
Cover Story Aishwaryaa R Dhanush
42
Preeti SHenoy A WOMAN OF WORDS
Sagarika In Search of a Liberal World
Sonya Mazumdar Stringing notes of positivity and hope
Maalvika Manoj The Melodist and Her Meander
46 50 52
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 8
20 22
LIVE Krithika Subramaniam L’Architecte Dame
What’s Brewing
52 57
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 9
THINK|Opinion
the maternal prospect If marriages are made in heaven, then marriage cards are made by a family of seven. There are seven societal deciding factors in any marriage-Family, education, profession, income, appearance, vehicular aspects and stationery assets. As superficial as that sounds, it is the happening blatant truth. According to popular studies, weddings happen mostly in the same circle as one grows up in and any abnormalities are hardly ever appreciated. By Akila Sridhar Photographs Aishwarya Ashok and Samyuktha Vishwanathan MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 10
Getting married, at least once is necessary to ensure existence in today’s society. Girls are often categorized based on their appearance to judge the time it'll take to get them “hitched”- an unappreciated common practice. Aiding to the view on appearance comes the arranged matrimonial plays. One not only has to convince the family of their worth through a photo but also has to give confidence of running their household. As light hearted and reasonable as you might peg it to be, it's not easy to make such impressions. Here’s an opinionated prick's take on the matrimonial routines and drudgery associated with choosing life partners with a deadline. An attempt to picture the life of a young girl hunting for her better half and the challenges she is bestowed. One question though : Has anything ever worked out as well as imagined it to, in a deadline? Rhea, your typical Mumbai girl from a middle-class family of teachers and bankers known for their planning or shall we say over-thinking? And for their smart choices (things on sale). Sprouting from a family of intellectuals, she learnt at an early stage to prioritize education over boys- a quick learner at that. Being a chess player, she’s not one among those who’d say yes to anything spontaneously. This was something she picked 0up from her father. She takes her time, his time, and their time - just time. All the time she could get till the clock beeps-then it’s up! At 26, society succeeded in making her feel like one of those elderly worthless folks- cause here, by late 20’s either you should have kids from your marriage or a Nobel prize to substantiate your lone sad life to the aunties out there. She was often greeted with “What have you achieved in this birth? -unmarried and old, wasting breathable oxygen”, to which more than once she had retorted in anything but a mild voice always feeling helpless from within. After days of arguing about it, Rhea had decided to let her parents have their way-arranged matrimonial services was the call. Proposals were sent to several families with educated eligible bachelors who fit into the strict lines set by her family. People promise forever and run away even before the henna dries. Society. Boys. Forever fantasy. It took a while but the prayers were answered no less. Maybe it was the shabby work of the staff or destiny as one would like to call it.
So when she decided to marry Krish from IIT, it was no surprise that she believed her parents would love him. The mean geeky planner in her just couldn’t let it rest. She wanted a foolproof plan that would guarantee the wedding and years of happy Thanksgiving and Diwalis to follow. Krish was a charmer with perfect jawline that would put any skinny doll with big assets to shame. He was the top of his class at IIT (OF COURSE he went to IIT, which self-respecting TamBrahm doesn’t want their kid there). A self-made man, always aiming for more and had a stick up his spine with the drive for perfection, which she somehow seemed to like. Both the families were impressed with the usage of fancy lines and boxes. Modern age résumés were attached with the birth certificate like for some talent show or even better, for some mean reality shows since they were forced to attach photos of themselves photo-shopped to lighten their complexion, adjust the lighting and filters to make them “presentable”. Basically, morph into someone completely unidentifiable. He came home, met her family, heard her sing, ate what her Mom made (camouflaged as what she made) and smiled approvingly. It was just a custom, she thought. She’d have her turn, they said. She’d have her fun, they said. It wouldn’t be close to what he had-no one said. His father very much approved of her, but having never heard of his mother, Rhea’s aim was to make sure she didn’t trip over or start snorting in the name of laughing. She was more tensed than ever. At least with the bunch of aunties around his paternal unit she hoped she’d hit lottery with her talents of pleasing the crowd but with a solo judge, life just seemed unfair to her. They parked in front of a big building with not much windows looking upon the road. Her adrenaline level was skyrocketing now. She had almost changed her mind about even getting married. She had changed her accessories and clothes thrice that morning and don’t even get started on her stomach growling situation. But somehow the naive girl in her took control that day. As she made her way to the apartment door, it opened to her future mother-in-law - all decked up in a room almost devoid of lights and with a fan working too slow. The room was a far cry from the fancy building they had once entered. As she began
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 11
torture? Did his vows to her really ever matter to him? But didn’t he promise transparency and forever fantasy to her? Questions piled over her like laundry.
taking her first step in- the fair lady in expensive silk sari no more seemed homely anymore. She seemed more of like a love child of Hitler and Jackie Chan. She began free hand movement that physically hurt anyone she could reach. Panic was all about the room. Rhea felt claustrophobic. She rushed out just in time and puked. Just as she cleaned herself she looked up at the board hanging outside the building in capital letters that needed an immediate spell check and repairs. Rhea’s heart almost popped out of her mouth. The ground under her feet was giving away. Things started to blur. Or maybe became clearer than ever? 'Shanta mental asailiyum’ Apparently a play on the word asylum which was completely unintended but increased their bill amount anyways had led her to be in this situation. Being a single child she always believed loyalty was a two-way street and to win hers, one had to always go an extra mile. She was hurt by all the half-truths and manipulative tactics he had used to divert the topic every time she wanted to know about his family. Why hadn't Krish ever told her about his mentally challenged mother? Was he worth all the pain? Would she learn to be so stone hearted and leave her mother in law in such a facility which seemed no less than a
She has seen enough and did not even wait for any further explanation. Just as she was about to bid adieu to the misfortune for a husband she would’ve adorned as life, Krish came sprinting towards her with anger on his nose, embarrassment on his cheeks, manipulation in his eyes and money in his pockets. But why was there no love in his heart? Despite his lack in maternal respect, he also lacked empathy for his bride to be. She had heard enough to walk away without a second thought. He stared at her with impatient eyes. She, being quick on her feet, said, "Not because of your mother's delicate condition but because you are exactly the man my mother warned me about." Getting into the cab, she did not only throw away a relationship but also a place where she was just a mannequin with no respect or importance. Her parents were the easier subject here. Smiling at them she thought to herself the real reason, 'how a man treats his mother is a clear indication of how he'll ever treat his wife.' The same thought however made her burst into painful laughter when she called off her second engagement after seeing how her fiancé Raghu who wagged his tail and lay at his mother’s feet day long like her puppy more than being the man of the house. What was she supposed to do with him? Feed him? Go collar shopping for him or earn a living and make babies with him? More than not wanting to marry him, she wasn't keen on marrying his mother. How people say third time lucky had alwaysurprised her but that's what eventually worked out for her. As she tied the knot or rather walked down the aisle and locked with a kiss with Dean, after one question and a year of dating him. Then she sighed with relief. Different religious beliefs, different citizenship, different race, but he was all she ever dreamt of. He was perfect to her. "You asked about his mother?” teased her friend at the reception dinner. "He's an orphan", winked Rhea with her reply. If you are one of those looking out for your next adventure in a marriage, always remember that-your happiness and mental peace gets the most priority coupled with your comfort level while picking your partner in crime. The key is to be happy with the choices one makes without having to pretend and to keep the environment around us pleasant. One is allowed to whatever it really takes to get there. So readers, make a choice. Take a decision. Breathe easy. And make sure you stick to it. Problems don't arise for us to run away but to make us strong enough to stand and fight. Mental peace and happiness are always the light at the end of the tunnel. YOU are always worth fighting for.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 12
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 13
THINK|Opinion
address the damsel in the room I am a traveller of time and space Here now, above and beyond. I am present in numbers too big to ignore, I am you, me, an embodiment of self and soul. I have sinned, but I keep it hush, I draw the borders, hence dare to colour outside them. I am my vice and virtue I am woman, therefore I am. Feminism. Does the word kindle the fire in your uterus or make you wail in the agony of hearing the word yet another time? Either way it’s here to staymore now than ever. Fire up your inner Satis and Sitas as we trace the history of liberation and feminism and everything in between. By Priyanka Venkataramani Photographs: Samyuktha Vishwanathan
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 14
There is a pattern of indifference in women themselves to wash their hands off any association with the movement. “I’m not a feminist, I’m a humanist” they say. It is even seen as a tad too ‘feminine for a man to support the feminist cause. Well I’ve got news for you: you’re a feminist if you believe in the fundamental equality of the sexes. The women liberation movement can be traced back to as far as 1930s where women were dictated terms of socially constructed ideas of conduct and thought unfit for taking political, economical or social decisions. They were basically seen as a walking, slaving, child-bearing oven that’s frequently subjected to violence, abuse, and non- individuality (imagine a typical regional soap opera daughter-in-law setting unrealistic benchmarks for women everywhere) .This initially piqued the elite white women for the first wave of feminism, to demand suffrage and basic political rights. The second wave focused on women’s rights in the fronts of social and cultural equality. The third wave persists to address every nook and corner of attaining gender equality- professional and personal alike. Some believe the emergence of the fourth wave centred on equality in the media platforms. In the time of kings and queens, a siege led to’ possession of their women to be used as a commodity for their whims and fancies. Is it any different now? The mere use of the term “housewife” for a homemaker denoted reference of women in terms of their subject to men. The burden of being a woman is felt even before her birth as over three million girl children are killed at the womb. A typical married woman’s routine is: wake up (earlier than her spouse), cook for the family, go to work, get catcalled and ogled at, watch her equally hardworking male co-worker get promoted ahead of her, rush home (earlier than her spouse) and start work where she has no competitor- the kitchen. Violence and abusive is an integral part of a women’s daily routine. Domestic abuse is seen as a part and parcel of a married life that a woman just has to adjust to. But God forbid she “makes” her husband cook lunch for a day- oh just imagine the Nazi dictatorial control she must have over him to do that! In a patriarchal society, any cry of rebellion by women is seen as a threat to social standards of normalcy. Any opinion is “too loud, for a woman”. A French short film, “Oppressed Majority” directed by Eleonare Pourriat is a ten minute nutshell that depicts the daily life of a man if he had to live like a woman. The film shows the story of Pierre, an ordinary guy, on an ordinary day, in an unnamed French town. But something is fundamentally wrong
in Pierre’s world. Women are in charge. They run around bare-chested, urinate in an alley, and offer sexual favours to Pierre when he is stuck at a red light, and when he calls them out for it, sexually assault him (to be fair, his knees were showing, he was practically asking for it). Somehow the scenarios seem highly exaggerated absolutely unacceptable. But the reality of it is that it’s just a glimpse into a day of a woman. Eleonare says, “Flipping the genders relaly brings to light some of the awful things that happen to women in our male-dominated society.” Eleonare says, “Flipping the genders really brings to light some of the awful things that happen to women in our male-dominated society.” Preethi Shenoy, one of Forbes most influential woman author, when asked a question of choosing between being a mother, a wife or a writer, rightly retorted asking if a male author would be asked the same question, to choose whether he’s a father, husband or writer. It is true that the feminist movement has succeeded in creating awareness, and making a mark on its’ existence, but as long as the patriarchy is deep rooted, the movement will never subside. You see, according to Cheris Kramarae, “Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings”. So if you’re sick of it already, kindly bear with a little over use of the term in your newsfeed till that status is achieved for women all around.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 15
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 16
THINK|Mavericks
TOWARDS PRAGMATIC HEALTH CARE By Aishwarya Sridharan
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 17
“I truly believe that “Fitness and lifestyle” need to be very much a part of Holistic health care for women”, says Dr. Sheela Nambiar who is a practicing Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. In addition, Sheela runs a fitness program called Training for Life in Ooty and Chennai. Training for Life or TFL is a comprehensive and holistic program to health & wellness. She is also a certified Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant from the National Association of Fitness Certification of the US in the year 1999, she uses Fitness as a form of preventive care for patients and women across the board. In her extra time, Sheela volunteers at women’s and children’s organizations, where she teaches spoken English and conduct various workshops. Following the success of her first book "Get size wise", Dr. Sheela Nambiar released her second book “Gain to Lose”. Coming from a family with three generations of doctors, becoming a doctor was a given. Her grandfather, who was also a doctor, used Lifestyle Management even in those days. She recalls, the ragi porridge they had to eat every morning, the focus on fruits and vegetables and the daily walks. Her parents are exercise enthusiasts, so it was most natural for her to imbibe it. She has been an Obgyn for 22 years and then pursued to accomplish her passion – Fitness & Lifestyle. “While as an Obgyn I treat and manage illness, deliver babies, perform surgery and so on I wanted to extend my practice to include Lifestyle management. The kind of diseases we encounter today need more than just medication to suppress symptoms. They are lifestyle related. Many of these problems, like back pain, obesity, depression, diabetes etc. can be managed, very effectively, with the proper lifestyle change such as eating better, including the right exercises, stress management and so on.” From here the idea to start a holistic program called "Training for Life" was born and the TFL fitness studio in Madras is one of the places through which she had implemented this program. "TFL is not just about Physical Fitness, but also about trying to find solutions and ways to improve ‘Quality of Life’ for women," says Dr. Nambiar. When asked about the bad society image on women who focus on weight training, she said that weight training to gain strength will certainly not make a woman look either bulky or masculine. That is a myth. It is the male hormone testosterone and not a couple of dumbbells that give rise to masculinity, the deeper
voice, and chest hair. “As a woman, being true to oneself is the ideal solace. I think, “Being a woman” needs to be celebrated in style. It needs to be applauded and cherished. We are enlightened beings, if we allow ourselves to be. We are capable of quite amazing things if we are free from the fetters of archaic society. We are capable of great things if we only believe in and truly love ourselves”, said Dr. Sheela Nambiar. The kind of empowerment one experiences with strength training is incomparable. Strength training is the solution to numerous issues that people face these days including prevention of falls and injury, prevention of osteoporosis and even losing fat as she had talked about in her second book GAIN TO LOSE. “Strength training makes you “look better”, function more effectively and truly, stay more youthful”, added Dr. Sheela Nambiar. Here is a short excerpt from the interview with Dr. Sheela Nambiar as she reminisces and retraces her pathway towards were she is right now: “When I first moved back to Ooty, following my post-graduation in Manipal, I lived a completely strange and isolated life for several years. Although born and brought up in Ooty, most of my school friends had moved away and there were no social reconnections in the little hill town. The extensive time I spent in those days, just working, exercising and subsequently undergoing the training to certify as a Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant has allowed me to use Lifestyle Medicine as a form of preventive care. Looking back, the dots do connect! I found my passion – Holistic Wellness. When I first started using lifestyle medicine in the year 2000, there were some raised eyebrows from others in the medical community who believed, that "Exercise & Fitness" were rather superfluous. Most people now understand the significance of Holistic Wellness. Today I am constantly asked for advice regarding weight loss, diet, holistic wellness etc. My patients certainly know that exercise and diet are very much a part of my prescriptions. All the years of consulting, teaching, training and counselling women have given me insights that I have wanted to share with other women. The various articles I have written and my two books GET SIZE WISE & GAIN TO LOSE, help simplify and demystify Fitness, Food, and Lifestyle.”
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 18
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 19
THINK|Mavericks
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 20
THE NEOTERIC WEAVER By Aishwarya Sridharan
Always having the fire to do things, Mrs. Jeyasree Ravi, the daughter of Kuppuswamy Chetty who owns Nalli Silks decided to do something that she was most passionate about - silk sarees. When she turned 36, she was in a dilemma whether to proceed with software engineering or to do something different. When her friends helped her realize that the silk sarees slowly started to disappear and that the demand for silk sarees went down, she decided to open an E-commerce website for silk sarees -Sri Palam Silks and then moved to Pondy bazaar to start a retail unit. At present, they have showrooms at Pondy Bazaar, TTK road, and Anna Nagar. “The GenNext stopped wearing silk saree because they are either too grand or heavy or not so easy to drain”, says Mrs. Jeyashree. She wanted to change the thought of the youngsters and took a bold step to change everything that laid back the demand for silk sarees. She added that she was young when she came into the industry and was identified by her family background. She got married to P J Ravi, who currently owns Kumaran silks. As she emerged from a well-reputed family, weavers accepted her changes and put in extra effort to weave a unique design for her. Mrs. Jeyashree's unique designs attracted a lot of customers. She also brought in different concepts to stand out and aiming to attract the upcoming generations. Initially, she introduced the concept of pattu saree with matching mobile pouches, which were made with the extra cloth material. After a successful concept and gaining a lot of customer support, she went on with several other concepts such as different from the existing ones in the market. They used high-quality
yarn and concentrated more on soft texture at the same time retaining the quality of the silk. They designed the sarees in ways which that made them look grand yet not gaudy, adding a unique finish to the sarees. “When people started to recognize and demand Palam sarees, other retailers also adopted the same techniques”, said Mrs. Jeyashree Ravi Earlier, weavers did not know various techniques in weaving silk sarees, but now there are middlemen who help the weavers with different techniques, to set up the loom and guide them, which helps us to get a perfectly soft texture with the designs on it. “I never aimed for Guinness record, I strongly believe anyone should have the liberty to wear silk sarees at a reasonable price. It is easy to design a saree and make it to the Guinness record and then sell those sarees for four to five lakhs each, but my motive is to reach everyone”. Besides Palam, Mrs. Jeyashree is also a life skills trainer. Her programs have reached thousands of people across the country spreading the message of simple ways of life to stay happy. These insights have also been made into a book titled 'The Magical Scroll’. Her program, 'Morning Mantras with Jeyasree Ravi' on Radio One in Chennai, has various callers calling in to get their questions on life, answered. When asked about her perspective on being a woman she said, "I never thought about it in that angle, I never questioned myself, as a woman can I do this? I just did what needs to be done to pursue what I wanted to do in my life".
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 21
THINK|Changemakers
TOWARDS A BETTER WORLD
A lawyer and writer, Kirthi Jayakumar has an innate urge to make a difference in the world – a world filled with hate, justice and exploitation. Her interest in Peace and Conflict, Public International Law and Gender Issues, her work experience as a volunteer with the UN and as an advocate and activist with several grass root organisations and academic foundations has led her to where she stands today. A rendezvous with this determined personality as she opens up about herself and being woman. By Padma Murughappun
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 22
Veering off to an interesting start, Kirthi Jayakumar was always persevering. “I was an idealist as a child, I used to dream of a world where we would all sing songs together and eat muffins and just be together without fighting. I try to hold onto that little girl's ideas even today.” Importing this mind-set even into her adulthood, she is relentlessly working towards knocking out stereotypes and inequalities prevailing in today’s society especially in the expanse of gender. “I grew up with stars in my eyes, hoping to do medicine in the hope of "helping people", until I realised that I could do that with development, too”, so she went on to study Law in Chennai taking to the path of her father who is a lawyer, also knowing that she could always fall back on her father’s practice if she failed in the field of development. But time and destiny had something else planned for her. “The idea for The Red Elephant Foundation was in the making, but didn't quite catalyse into the form and shape until June 2013. But the story, though, begins on the night of December 17, 2012. On December 15, 2012, I had turned 25. On December 16, 2012, the gang-rape in Delhi, as most people know, took place. On December 17, 2012, I was at the US Consulate General at Chennai, receiving an award for my work with a US-based NGO called Delta Women, which worked for the rights of women in the US and in Nigeria, and the right to education for children in Nigeria. When I received the award, I truly felt like a hypocrite - because here I was, receiving an award when there was so much more left to be done, and when a girl was battling for her life because we as a community sacrificed her at the altar of patriarchy, misogyny, toxic and hegemonic masculinity, and inaction on part of a civilian populace that should have been vigilant. I went to bed that night, thinking of how much we had allowed to pass in the name of "We are like this only".”
to doing sound research (legal and policy) that we now use to suggest and inform change, AND, we also work with the youth and their parents through workshops, to shift mind-sets through interactive and educational workshops to make them internalize gender equality as the norm.” Some women fear the fire, some become it. Kirthi proves to live and act this phrase as she proves with her every action that women are the real architects of the society. When asked about what is her take on ‘being woman’ she states, “I believe that my take on my identity is an accretion of every day’s experience of being alive. So, my answer changes every day. Today, being a woman means being a fighter. When there is so much oppression against women, we survive, we persist, we fight - and no matter what each woman's individual beliefs may be, this one thing unites all of us.” Words of Matt Baker come alive in the form of Kirthi Jayakumar through his lines as they go “She never seemed shattered to me, she was a breath-taking mosaic of battles she has won.” She isn’t stopping until she is finished. We see the fierce woman with determination quip as she reminds us about a better world – a world with sustained peace, “I am a believer in a simple truth: that every name has a face, and every face has a story. No story is less important, and no story is more important than the other. I believe it is important that we remember every atrocity that has ever happened. Remember every moment of hope in your life, and peace, in your life. Remember, that the sun also rises. That alone is enough to remember that we are capable of a better world, a world with sustained peace all over.”
That day and that incident in particular proved to be the catalyst for Kirthi to become what she is now. She had come to face a dissociated past the memories of which she had blocked out of her own memories of facing abuse as a child. “I decided to do what I could on my own, and started by telling my story.” People began to talk, began to become more aware about what is going on around them, she stirred open conversations about things that people didn’t want to discuss before in open forums. That’s when she brought the lawyer in her to get down to work on the field. “We then decided to get down
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 23
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 24
CREATE|Art
CASTING SPELLS OF WONDER Benchmark for many her age, for all the art enthusiasts and for several artists themselves, Gayatri Shantaram presents art with a playful twist with variations in canvas and delight filled treats with colours. Her down to earth self is time and again revealed- She held the exhibition in a coffee shop merely to interact with the ones visiting about their flood-time experiences. Here’s a tete-a-tete with the neoteric wizard of art world. By Akila Sridhar
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 25
I personally would like to think that the decisions I have taken, people who’ve stood by me with their critical thoughts and the situations life has put me in has brought me where I am and I shall find my way ahead from here. The person you are today, is because you are yourself- is what I live by. I would like to thank the people around me for ensuring I stay independent and learn life as it is- through art.
Gayatri Shantaram is undoubtedly one among the few who convey deeper meaning than what really meets the eye and would go the extra mile to get the work done. This is more than evident through her pieces titled ‘Water’ driven from the Chennai flood experiences showcased recently in town. Following is excerpts from the interview: How do you think you got to where you are? There is no concept of ‘right now’. Life as we know it, is always a work in progress. As you know, I worked in India and then France and back for a bit and have always pursued my goal and dreams. Easier said than done, I have always found the idea of being a freelancer quite fascinating. Maybe because of the art, the life of an artist or maybe because I have always enjoyed being my own boss- I wouldn’t know but the life attracted me / pulled me close and there was no turning back from that. There is no denying that one will always their good and bad days. There is no running from that. But the feeling that whatever hardships I face, ups or downs- I am the only one to be blamed for. I am totally responsible for what I go through and there exists no space for blame game. That makes my day and keeps my life wheel spinning. Coming home a structured and salaried household, it took everything to pick a side and stay true to it. Being induced with the sense of independence and the thirst to follow the self-found path a very young age, moulded me in facing what life had to throw.
What does it really mean to be a woman in today’s world? I would like to start off by emphasising the need to be ‘yourself’ cause no one else would. Believe in yourself no matter how difficult life makes it out to be. I feel the women out there should support each other and encourage each other- That is the only way to grow. The only way to survive today is to be our own support system continuously watering the plants where others are hell bent on cutting them down. Always keep watering. It will help your passion, your dream and ultimately you to reach heights and grow out of your comfort zone. You’d learn how to face life. Truth be said, one should be taught from young age for women to rely on other women rather fellow humans, instead of polluting the minds otherwise. But we must definitely give it to the ones struggling out there to achieve something in life- Cause to have a goal and work towards it, takes everything one has. So be strong ladies. One day, you shall reap the fruits of the seeds you sow. Might take a while to realise what seeds you sow, might take a while to change from flower to fruits, but you will have your day. You will have your show. Stay strong. Women have a habit of undermining oneself and we tend to cater to others needs before our own. Having the potential to achieve doesn’t suffice in today’s world. One has to fight for the opportunity to prove oneself and has to continue the fight with grace irrespective of the result. Women, we will have to stand up for ourselves- high time we become the night in shining armour and our own hero to save the day from the dark. A strong woman is one who builds not just herself up when shot down but also helps the ones near and dear to grow wings when the world asks you to walk/crawl. Strong woman is one who lives truly and also helps others live their endeavours for real in life. Gayatri closes it off in style by quoting Ananda Coomaraswamy ‘The artist is not a special kind of person; rather each person is a special kind of artist.‘
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 26
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 27
CREATE|Art
Woman The unsolved mystery
Photographs: Aishwarya Ashok, Samyuktha Vishwananthan and Priyahsree Ravichandran MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 28
We are talking about the one who orders everything off the menu and forever remains in a diet; The one who is understanding yet full of unfulfilled expectations; The one who is full of words yet cannot seem to frame three words in a string when needed; The one who is grey and yet paints with bold colours all the time; The one who expects things others don’t even notice; The one who is never acknowledged for the real worth however has great standards nonetheless; A beautiful complication as precious as a mare's nest.
Her. You. Us. Them. Women, so many layers that you’d want them all. A story you’d find ever so thrilling, tiring and compelling. Who really knows? In life, Aren’t we all 'Her'? Aren't we all the readers and writers as well? How many of us really remember the latter? Do you? Did you? We bring you Her story brought alive through the lenses captured by our very own polaroid queens.
By Akila Sridhar MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 29
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 30
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 31
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 32
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 33
CREATE|Zeroed in
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 34
the star-studded protean
It isn’t every day that you come across a woman who is both humble and hailing from a background, that asserts her fame and popularity with her father being known as the ‘Superstar,’ across the world. Aishwaryaa R Dhanush, however stands as a paradigm to this statement. Her drive to strive and focus on dreams that define her, thus establishing a name for herself as she moves forward, makes her one of those few women who despite living their lives in the limelight continue to offer a sense of reliability to every other women out there. Offering us a taste of what it really is like to be out there, Aishwaryaa talks about life as she knows it with Brew Lifestyle. Here’s a tete-a-tete with this wonder woman as she expounds about her dreams, love for dance and a lot more. By Padma Murughappun Photography: G Venket Ram Styling: Pallavi Singh MakeUp and Hair: Stylesmith Furniture: Drapes and Dreams
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 35
“I would majorly be focusing on youngsters and how the college students should focus on not revealing personal information on social media. Our main focus is to ensure cyber safety and to protect rural women by helping them to voice out their problems.� MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 36
Never once would one feel intimidated that she is the daughter of a living legend in the Tamil film industry while around her, such is the impact of her unassuming aura. While the world might know her as a Writer, a director, a loving mother and a wife, in truth, however, you never really know a person, for who they are unless you fathom their disposition from their stand point. We start the conversation with a question that’s sure to be on everyone’s mind, what it’s like to be the daughter of the Superstar. To which she replies with an air of surprising casualty, “It was surprisingly a normal childhood. I was brought up by my grandparents in Bangalore.” Probably this humble abode that she was brought up in has put her in a position where she is unfortunate enough to give other girls what she had.
media helps us to know what is happening in the most remote places. The industry has opened up to women today, we have women editors, cameramen it’s not just about being an actress anymore! I’m a film maker myself. It is better than what prevailed 5 years ago. The progress is slow but it’s steady which is a good thing.”
PURSUING DREAMS Aishwaryaa was recently appointed as the UN Women’s Advocate for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in India making her the Goodwill Ambassador, a great responsibility to shoulder. Being a woman, especially one as established as Aishwaryaa, definitely puts her in the forefront when it comes to social activism for women empowerment. Aiming at inspiring confidence among young girls in various spheres of upbringing, Aishwaryaa says, “I would majorly be focusing on youngsters and how the college students should focus on not revealing personal information on social media. Our main focus is to ensure cyber safety and to protect rural women by helping them to voice out their problems.” Addressing issues of the now is a quintessential aspect for the process of women empowerment which Aishwaryaa is effortlessly taking up embarking upon a quest that is of paramount importance for the future of the nation.
OF UNSUNG HEROES AND TRODDEN LIVES A very interesting fact about Aishwaryaa that one would be surprised to hear is that she has always wanted to be behind the scenes which landed her in her first job as a director which she did justice to by directing some very commendable movies. Tapering the conversation towards that, Aishwaryaa explains about her new documentary “Unsung Heroes” which is an elaborate featuring of the lives of stuntmen. “It’s actually something that I have been wanting to do for a while. And I wanted to complete my film and then start that. And I have been working on it for a year now. It’s actually a three part documentary and this is the first part. It’s called “Unsung Heroes.” First part deals with stuntmen of the film industry where you know the kind of hardships they go through and how very minimally they are paid and the kind of risks they have to take, how demanding their job is. And even after losing lives people still go back to the same things. They still have so much love for the profession they’re in. Also, you know they are not insured. They don’t have a set pattern for them at all. This documentary talks about their life and how hard it is to be and do what they do. Yet they love it so much given the fact that there is so much of risk involved.”
THE STORY OF A GIRL AMONG THE STARS Conversing with women of substance is a beautiful experience that is most cherished and one that stays with you forever. Delving deeper into the conversation Aishwaryaa talks about her book, ‘Standing on an Apple box: The Story of a girl among the stars.’ An honest outpour from the perspective of a ‘girl among the stars’, this book is more a memoir than an autobiography. Featuring vivid scenarios from her time as a child in the spotlight, this book is sure to connect with the masses. In light of a reference to a particular incident that is mentioned in the book which is closely associated with the chauvinism and patriarchy practised in the film industry, Aishwaryaa expounds, “The “baby-ed” that was mentioned in the book was light, it was not condescending. I haven’t experienced anything like men condescending women, but I have been hearing about these a lot through these years and it’s sad. But I think the scenario is better now because women voice out what they go through and they are not supressing. Social
The second part she added would be about junior artists who join the industry with hopes of becoming a better professional but end up being junior artists until the end. The third part will exclusively deal with background dancers. “These three people play such an important role in making a film but they are never spoken about, never acknowledged. They earn so much lesser than anybody else in the industry. This documentary is more like a tribute coming from the industry. You know if you see it’s very surprising that stunt choreography doesn’t have a category in the national awards. It’s not just here, even in the Oscars they don’t have it, being such an action driven industry. So I have met Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, the minister and have submitted a request saying from this year, it would be great if you can add the stunt category also. Like how you have dance choreography, you have categories for makeup and costume designing. You cannot not have a category
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 37
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 38
for stunt with so many action films being churned out year after year”. She feels since we have the cloud we might as well make good use of it while we have it. “At least we are in a position in life where we are able to reach out to people like this and so so I feel it’s important that we make a difference. My father has been renowned and known as an action hero and if it was these people who took him there and these people are not recognised, I feel that at least I should try, before saying it’s not possible.” FOR THE LOVE OF BHARATANATYAM The Dancer face of Aishwaryaa Dhanush resurfaced in the recent past with the blessings of her guru Ms. Meenakshi Chittaranjan, an exponent in the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam. Much like the rise of a phoenix, Aishwaryaa bounced back to this art form with much vigour and fervour. As a performer this was a glorious way to get back home to an art form that she is in love with. Speaking about what dance means to her, Aishwaryaa says, “Dance makes me connect spiritually and that connection is a beautiful feeling. When one is sad it’s kind of a stress buster.” Taking up the same field as her father, daring to outlive his shadows, Aishwaryaa Dhanush has
certainly established an identity that is independent of the stardom attached with her parenthood. Breaking a glass ceiling that many are afraid to even get close to, she broke the many cracks on it in the form of gender stereotypes only to prove the chauvinists wrong. Wearing many hats can make one feel above and beyond, but what keeps Aishwaryaa level-headed in times like those, “Sometimes being level headed drives you up the wall, but most of the times you have to count your blessing and not worry about anything else otherwise it’s just going to depress you”, says Aishwaryaa as she is surprised that people think her as a level-headed person. Aishwaryaa Dhanush may have many hats that she wears and many faces she carries, but she has reached this position only because she believed in herself. In the ways that she is inspiring women in the society, there must be a source from which she draws inspiration too. “I would say each one of the women I have known inspired me in different ways and I have been blessed to see women in all industries - a singer, actor, and choreographer. I have always wanted to be behind the camera and I took inspiration for that from numerous film makers.”
“It’s actually a three part documentary and this is the first part. It’s called “Unsung Heroes.” First part deals with stuntmen of the film industry where you know the kind of hardships they go through and how very minimally they are paid and the kind of risks they have to take, how demanding their job is.”
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 39
“You know if you see it’s very surprising that stunt choreography doesn’t have a category in the national awards. It’s not just here, even in the Oscars they don’t have it, being such an action driven industry. So I have met Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, the minister and have submitted a request saying from this year, it would be great if you can add the stunt category also.” MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 40
“Sometimes being level headed drives you up the wall, but most of the times you have to count your blessing and not worry about anything else otherwise it’s just going to depress you”
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 41
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 42
CREATE|Literature
A WOMAN OF WORDS
Preeti Shenoy has the soul of a writer. Writing came to her as organically as speech comes to a child. Her first tryst with writing resulted in an eight paged book replete with illustrations. Since then, she has come a long way. Today, she is the author of eight books, the most recent one being ‘It’s All In The Stars ” which has already sold over 40,000 copies in just a matter of four months. By Tushar Kanoi MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 43
Preeti’s journey as a writer began as a child. She used to and still does, maintain journals and at that time could only manage to write short stories and essays which went on to help her secure many accolades at state and university level competitions. The phenomenon that she has become today can be traced back to a particular incident that changed the course of her life. In 2006, Preeti lost her father and it was to overcome this deep sense of grief that she started a blog. Preeti says, “My words began pouring in torrents, like the Indian monsoon. It was a flood, a deluge.” Even though she was writing primarily for herself, many found comfort in her writing. The readers of her blog gradually increased and her blog catapulted to one of the top blogs in India. She started getting a lot of response internationally too. Preeti’s writing managed to transcend geographical boundaries and touched feelings which are universal. Around this time, she started writing for the Times of India and Reader’s Digest. She also wrote poetry alongside that struck a chord with many. This garnered her a lot of encouragement and propelled her in the
direction of writing her own book the result of which was her first book in 2008, aptly titled ‘The Beginning’. Preeti Shenoy strongly believes that one doesn’t need an object of inspiration and that inspiration can be found anywhere. She cites the example of the time when a dried leaf inspired her and she wrote a poem about it. Here’s the poem for you to appreciate.
Like life mocking death Water droplets on a dead leaf Once green, proud and vibrant Now discarded, replaced with no fuss or grief Reminding you of outgrown relationships That soared at their peak No longer possible to retrieve But just like the droplets, memories seek A niche to stand out, a place to exist Tear them not to shreds Let them live out their old splendour At least inside your heads.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 44
The fact that she is able to touch the lives of thousands through her writing humbles her and she really appreciates all the love and blessing that she receives from her readers, a testimony of which can be found on any of her social media pages. She says that it is because of her writing that people who are complete strangers to her feel connected to her. One can only imagine what an exhilarating emotion one might be overcome with upon realising that one has affected the lives of so many oth ers at a molecular level. Preeti’s pen carries more responsibility than might seem visible. Are you an aspiring writer? Well, Preeti has a pro tip for you. Read at least a hundred books before you write one. She reiterates that you have to read a lot, literally a lot, before you go ahead with writing your own book. She also says that you have to write every single day. THERE’S NO OTHER WAY. Never say never is the motto that this amazing woman lives by. This motto of hers renders her open to scripting for television shows and cinema too. I, for sure, am going to closely follow any such development in the hope for some quality television and cinema.
Here is a phenomenal person who respects her identity as a woman and sees herself as no different from anybody else. Probably the only thing stronger than her opinion is her connect with herself. She makes us realise how important it is to understand ourselves. She also teaches us how important it is to deal with our emotions. Quelled emotions are the cause of negatively radical actions making it all the more important to deal with them immediately. It is the hope to lead a life as adventurous and as inspiring as that of Mrs Preeti Shenoy’s that keeps us all going. Perhaps if we all follow our passion like Preeti followed hers, we might all be at a place where we can find true solace.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 45
CREATE|Literature
The one who did more than just dream
Here is one child- Special, Not because of an inborn talent. Extra-curricular activity, family background or intelligence. But entirely on account of determination to follow one dream. To gain confidence and clarity. She might be young with age but is an old soul in experiences. She has achieved what many merely dream of or rather believe it to be unachievable. She is extraordinary to have converted her struggle with clarity into success. Meet Sagarika Shivakumar who made words into action, who did more than just dream. Words didn’t remain mere words. By Akila Sridhar MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 46
“Whatever you do, make sure it makes you happy” It sounds like a familiar conversation our Saagarika had with her parents not so long ago which lead to the birth of the achiever among us. Currently she has been speaking in different forums in Trichy, Chennai and Bangalore, Sagarika also has the pride of being invited as a distinguished speaker by NMA Trichy. She is one among the few blessed souls to be associated with a school for the autistic students where she regularly helps out with the profits from her book and separate donations for the deserving. “I am searching for a more liberal world. I want a school that will do more than just teach me text book lessons. It took more over a year to get where I am today and to expect anything lesser from me is like shutting me inside the very box I struggled to step out of. And, I would be anything but accepting of that. Now it is my time to be more.” She is now the President of youth Eco club, Trichy, which she initiated a few months back. She met her inspiration, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Ismail- the founder of Vermi-Compost recently and this was what turned her head towards such an initiative. The club focuses mainly on reducing plastic consumptions and wastage. Her entire aim was to make the world a better place in her capacity and took a step towards the step through her actions. C-H-I-P-S is somehow not a fattening item unlike you and me to this kid who was no more than a mediocre every day student life like us but who now bears an important place in the society and more importantly our, hearts. (C) ConferenceSaagarika attended several conferences which gave her immense knowledge and increased her interest towards various aspects in life. She attended the Hindu Lit Fest from where she claims to have gotten the encouragement and inspiration to write the very book she is energetically promoting today. In her one year of off, she has attended over 25-30 conferences to widen her horizon and has met diverse people through whom she has achieved the talent of networking. (H) Health She works out in the Gym on a daily basis along with involving herself in activities like Badminton and Zumba. (I) Internships Dad taught her coefficient of linear explanation (physics). She was then taken to Amman steel where she observed in real life the concept of expansion of metal under heat and pressure and connected
the dots for herself. She learnt the importance of real life experiences being the best teacher to anyone willing to listen. That day, as she recollects opened by many blocks for her and taught her several lessons on life that many fail to comprehend for decades. “Students should visit such places to transform text book knowledge into practical application” Internships to understand the structure and understanding of the whole business- Time Kids (pre-school), Natural beauty Salon, Ramya’s hotel (Observed the various departments) AGI hospital. She also visited the organisations like- BPO- for a week; SRS, Caterpillar, ISRO through CII and many others. (P) ProjectsShe also ventured into the stock markets and tested the waters there by investing. She has also succeeded in creating documentaries on her journey to the Kailash and Leh Ladakh. She has shown interest in creating advertisements. She is a regular blogger which she recollects was her stepping stone towards the book. (S) StudiesShe studies for an average of 6 hours every day ranging from-GK Physics, Chemistry Maths and Vocabulary. She is an ardent learner of Humanity and Law- through YouTube channels. Thought process behind the one year gap “Pressure made me study and not my interest and this irked me in a way I wasn’t able to comprehend. I have however always loved the concept of money but had no idea how to go about the same.” The parents saw the struggle and curiosity in her and kindled her spirit in the right direction. They initially started out by asking her to choose between streams for 11th standard and later suggested she take a year break to sort things out and make her own way in life. The entire idea was to show her the full spectrum of things in life- to give her a broader spectre, perspective and purview in life. Ergo the Time tables were prepared and activities were planned. Her principles when she started her one year journey was that she should read 10 pages every day to stay in touch with learning and unlike many of our resolutions, she kept up hers and went a step further on many occasions. The idea behind writing a book The Hindu Lit fest gave her idea to write a book
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 47
about ‘taking a break’. From writing a blog, book wasn’t a far-fetched idea. It seemed like the natural progression. 100 words per day had been her year-long mantra and that seemed to word out pretty well for her. This helped her to compile her book in a very short span of time. How do you feel about being a girl today? “It makes no difference to me. Has never any difference in the way I lead my life or the way I was brought up. My family solely believed in doing what they believe and show taught me to be the same. We practice and preach - No difference; no Discrimination; Everyone is equal- rich or poor; Boy or girl; white or black.” Everyone can do anything if they put their mind to it.” The Father Effect Being a teacher for 18 years taught Mr. Shivakumar, father of Sagarika, what many of us fail to learn in our life time. It has taught him about human beings and fear. He is an ardent believer in following one’s dream no matter what it takes, how long or where. “One has not lived if he does not respect his dream and work towards it.” Whenever he talks to students, he recollects that he notices their eyes being deprived of a dream. He find them fearing the uncertain future and bearing the weight of the society. He finds them running a race where neither they entered by their own say nor know the reason for the race. Each person has got their inner space and every Inner space gets clouded cause of teachers, parents, society. Instead of the child listening to its voice. They listen to the million inconsequential others pressuring them to be someone they aren’t even sure about. I merely wanted my daughter to experience life on her own. Only after 10th the child worried about her future and questioned her capabilities and that was an opener for the beloved father. He realised that, she does not have the necessary details to decide by herself. So like every other father all he wanted to do was give her the world and let her choose her peace (piece). This one stands out not because of what he promised his child (everything) but because he is one among the few who acted on it and did not settle for being helpless. Lurking pain had to be demolished Young life gets squashed entirely because of the unwanted external factor called pressure and the need to stand up to another’s expectation. So I decided to make my daughter free of such constraints. I promised that, ‘we would give her the big world out there before she gets into the small box called school.
The thought process behind everything “Didn’t want my kid to suffer like me, I couldn’t connect the real world to the books I read. The power to question everything is precious and unimaginably valuable. Not all of us are bestowed with that luck”, says the father expounding about the process of this experiment. “Instead of mundane workings, we used to watch videos and then go through the textbook. This made all the difference. The beauty of that was- Kid who never loves studies, now wants to learn everything now. She is inquisitive now. The hunger for learning was born. So, I thought somewhere this could be a magical case study.” “The main message to the students out there is that fear of uncertainties and survival can never be won against unless you put your foot down and destroy it on a daily basis. Never fear to take the path hardly taken. Never fear the pain that is unavoidable. Not able to enjoy or live your life in your own terms is the heavy price we pay for fearing. Life is more enjoyable than living. Learn and live. Live to listen and listen to your heart. Fear will get you no-where. But a minute of courage will take you places. Discipline is the key. That is fun part. Every day is an adventure. “
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 48
Why subscribing to D2D’s weekly farm box is a healthier and more cost effective option ?
`
FREE delivery
Fixed Price round the Year.
Delivered at your door step - saves time, effort and cost of travel.
Sorted and Packed saves on wastage.
IC
Offers
RGAN
100% O
Wide range of vegetables and fruits.
Certified Organic Farmers - Way to Healthy Living.
Special offers for members from our Partners.
We invest so much on our children’s happiness… why not in their health too!!
Call now 9791041411 www.d2dorganics.com MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 49
CREATE|Music
CREATING POSITIVITY AND HOPE
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything, say great people on most occasions. However, have you ever met a person who is so full of music? Life? And much more? Kindled spirit maybe, definitely an enthusiastic conversationalist, Sonya Mazumdar in conversation.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 50
By Akila Sridhar
Love for art and to have passion in whatever one works on is what lead her to a foundation like Earth sync, says the proud founder- Sonya Mazumdar. Earth Sync India is a record label and audio-visual production company, with a passion for music and unique collaborative projects. Earth sync works with rooting music through which cultures express themselves across time. She is one among the few who see things as they are. Calls herself the woman from 1970s, pretty much gave us pristine clarity on work, life and much more than our futile minds can crave. “I belong to the better times where one was more liberal, one lived life differently than what we call living today. We had much less pressure to perform on a social level however had a lot of norms and the women weren’t acknowledged for their true worth.” Says Sonya with a spark in her eyes. She does not shy away from directing us to the optimism and life lessons. Actions Speak Louder than Words Beautiful person in herself, tries on a daily basis to make/bring about a change to spread happiness and sense of achievement across borders. “The sense of building a better world/ responsibility to build a better working world is for every one of us. One step at a time, one stone at a time, one brick at a time, to ensure the foundation is strong, just and fair. I, as a person, have always loved seeing the impact and change through actions- results that changes the quality of the economy.” Sonia reiterates the idea that one shouldn’t chase results but should show up every morning to do what is necessary. Then the change merely follow when the/ where there are required efforts. Born into a family which was immersed in the music and dance field, she always had the strong affluence to the most independent, raw form of life- Arts. Art washes from the soul, the dust of everyday life. Achievers being part of her family, paved way for the feats to come. She is one who is strongly of the opinion that the men are to be given credit for the development and growth of the womenfolk in her family. Sonia, being a realist and an idealist more than anything else, doesn’t believe that world/society is a stage for the fight between men and women. She advocates her perspective in the issue that feminism isn’t about giving concessions to the women however it is for the women to go an extra mile to change the common perceptions wide spread against them today.
Sonia adds, Equal rights, appreciation and acknowledgement should be won not by demanding it but by commanding it by “the quality of their work” proving her qualities of being a ‘Hard worker’. Quizzed on what keeps her going and what acts as her energy bar, Sonia directed us towards her life philosophy ‘Do your best every single morning and wake up the next day to repeat the same all over again’. Listening to music may calm her nerves but what really keeps her going is the sense of change. The daily work schedule isn’t all that flexible for any other entertainment but, being the human form of positivity and vision, she finds relaxation in her every day work. “God is in the details. There is lot of peace which is achieved in getting things done” she says. Who needs free time when one sees busy schedule as an opportunity to hone her focus and get better at whatever one is doing. That is a brief description of the lady herself. What does is it really take to be a woman today? Modesty and humour being her comfort partners, “Who am I to give anyone a message? (Laughs) I have never been a man, so I wouldn’t know the difference. I am very comfortable being who I have always been. There is no denying that my friends out there have to face challenges on a daily basis and problems are their only companion. But aren’t the circumstances we live in what really moulds us into what we are?” Dear fellow human beings all around, do look around, anything you could do to make the world a better world? Then what are you really waiting for? Except that if you are looking to be fair and just then everything will sort itself out. The goal of art was the vital expression of self. -Alfred Stieglitz Find a way to always hold on to things that drives you towards the greater good and happiness. If your soul is happy then rest assured, you will prosper. The sense of building, idealism, belief and hope are the necessary ingredients in the kitchen we call life to make what we cook healthy and long lasting that is also worthy of appreciation.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 51
CREATE|Music
THE MELODIST AND HER MUSICAL MEANDER
Someone wise once said, Musicians have always had a better understanding of love than the rest of us. Over the years they have told us that love: is like a rock, is here to stay, is all you need, will find a way, will keep us together, and will tear us apart. The new breed of artists and musicians in India today are perfect testaments to this. One such example is the 23-year old Chennai-based independent musician-vocalist-songwriter, Maalavika Manoj, better known by her moniker, Mali. BY NANDITHA VIJAYARAGHAVAN
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 52
A typical day in the life of this budding star is some rhythmic brilliance in motion. The act of creative energy is casual; a drummer rolls out a beat occasionally, drowning out the sounds of a keyboard, while a few notes are strummed on a guitar. Mali hums along, throwing in the occasional comment or instruction. A sort of order comes about when she takes the mic and, as she begins to sing, the melody falls into place. Upbeat, fast-paced and unmistakeably indie, it’s definitive of the singer’s new sound. Music, she gleams, comes naturally to her. 'I could easily recognise songs with their opening notes, memorise lyrics, reproduce melodies and so, my parents enrolled me for piano lessons at the age of five,' she recollects. Introduced to jazz by her grandfather, who played the harmonica, she would listen to retro music with her parents. With pop, country, rock, jazz and soul being other influences, all of this left an indelible mark on her and that's probably why she took to pop music with such ease. For anyone who starts playing an instrument, singing, somewhere tags along. And Maalavika's case has been no exception. With an easy to warm up, silky voice, she took group classes and tried learning Carnatic and Western classical to hone her skills. “I do listen to a lot of old school pop. A lot of that finds its way into my music,” says Mali. All her compositions are inspired by the changes in her life whether it was moving out of her home and the cosy comforts of her maiden city, Chennai to a completely alien place like Mumbai or any other life-changing incident. The move to Mumbai had been a challenge she gave herself. It’s been over a year now and she’s quite content with her decision. Mumbai has given her stories, encounters, and experiences to write songs about. For instance, her track Poor Girl’s Dream, was inspired from her move to Mumbai following a conversation with a stranger. Another track titled Changed Situations is about making and losing a friend. ‘Rush’ became the name of the EP because she already had a song called Rush on the list and it seemed to be the resounding theme for the entire playlist. “In a way, it was not just about getting a ‘rush’ from doing what you love, but it also had to do with moving to Mumbai, a place where there’s a constant” rush’ everywhere; a hurry to get stuff done. But I like to take the time to appreciate each and every little thing about the journey to get somewhere. So thematically it’s got to do with moving to a new city and making a name for yourself.”
Moving away from what she describes as mainstream electronic pop, Mali decided to experiment with a fusion of genres. “It’s got influences of classic pop, country, definitely retro thrown in. It is a melange; there’s something in it for everyone.” When it comes to music reaching a wider audience, however, Mali believes that things are looking up for independent artistes like herself. “Record labels, initially, were the only ones who had a monopoly on artistic expression and I think the Internet has broken that down,” she says. Her album is available on multiple platforms, including iTunes and Rolling Stone India. “It’s definitely an exciting time to be an independent musician right now; you choose your own platform, how your music gets broadcast.” Millions of talented artists dream of building a career in music. While the music industry is oversaturated with talent, only a few have the knowledge, guts and ambition to strive to make it on their own without business guidance or financing. And then there are some passionate independent artists like Mali that are beating the odds every day. Unlike artists signed to a major label, their time and money is their own. These artists have sacrificed for years to be right where they are today, creating music they love and creating a niche fan base for themselves.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 53
LIVE|Architecture
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 54
L’ARCHITECTE DAME It is not every day you come across individuals with an indomitable will to succeed. Meet Ms. Krithika Subrahmaniam. Her multifarious personality puts me in a dilemma as to how to introduce her, as an architect, a dancer or an hotelier? I choose to introduce her as an artist, as in her own words, all of her personal and professional choices are a result of seamless artistic self-expression. She believes that she is a product of all her experiences and that it is her successes and failures that have shaped her to be person that she is today. By Tushar Kanoi
Ms. Krithika Subrahmaniam is a trained classical dancer and runs the boutique hotel Svatma, in Tanjore. Her day job is that of an architect. When asked as to what are the difficulties that a woman has to endure in a field such as architecture, she says that “Women have to endure struggles in every field and in some like mine more than others. There is a refusal to acknowledge our contribution, men find excuses to pull us down and write off our efforts. It is all par for the course and part of the game. As long as we don't acknowledge the issue of a glass ceiling it will slowly disappear at some point for women.” It is with this prodigious outlook that she opened her firm, Transform Design, way back in 1995 which today boasts of a clientele that any self-respecting firm would be ready to trade an arm for. It is on more than one occasion that I have found myself wondering as to who inspires inspiring people. Is it their mentor? Is it their parents? Is it somebody long dead? Ms. Subrahmaniam puts an end to my deluded notions when I pose her with this question and she says that “I am really no one to inspire others, there is so much more to inspire all of us in a world free of ego. I am truly inspired by children. Their basic nature is to be non-judgemental, happy, forgiving and resilient. The mind of a child is constantly learning, seeking and growing. I am inspired by that the most.” Herein one can realise what makes a successful person successful. It is their inherent modesty and eternal quest for knowledge that sets them apart. Apart from the scintillating legacy that Ms. Subrahmaniam is evidently going to leave
behind, she wants to be remembered for what she values the most. She wants to be remembered as someone who was committed to creativity, perfection, compassion and above all, the truth. When asked as to what is her perspective on being a woman she says that, “I find that society has assigned many superficial attributes to defining women and role play. True strength or merit is diluted and women are undermined for just being themselves. It’s time this is stopped and individualism prevails above social conditioning. This is true liberation and I am in that space.” In many ways, Ms Krithika Subrahmaniam, is the architect of her life. Our generation needs more role models like Ms Krithika Subrahmaniam to look up to. Women today are subjected to unrealistic expectations. This situation can be a consequence of either one of two men-talities. Either men perceive women to be otherworldly beings with a tendency to do superhuman tasks or they perceive women as inferior beings with an eternal obligation towards the patriarchy. It doesn't take a genius to realise that the latter is the mentality that is prevalent in our highly male chauvinistic society. What these advocates of male chauvinism need to understand is that a woman is more than an object of desire. She has an identity and a conscience of her own and she has no obligations towards their insatiable ego. So this Women’s Day, venture out, venture out to realise your individuality, stand up, stand up to protect your ambitions and most importantly hustle, hustle to shut them up.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 55
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 56
LIVE| What’s Brewing
Crowne Plaza opens Amrtam signature spa by Escenza Wellness
They say that the best spa experiences transport you to another world. By that measure, Crowne Plaza Chennai is all prepped to give its guests a world class spa experience at its mint-fresh Amrtam, by Escenza. Known for its inimitable hospitality, Crowne Plaza Chennai has added another jewel to its crown with Amrtam. With over 280 rooms and suites, Crowne Plaza is equipped to welcome royalty, businessmen, luxury travelers and families alike. And when they are looking for some down time, Amrtam will be all ready to help them unwind. Amrtam, literally meaning ‘nectar’,
provides healing nectar to one’s tired mind, body and soul. This distinct wellness studio has specially curated world-class massages, facials, scrubs, foot spas, body and Ayurveda treatments. Amrtam has a boutique salon section, where services such as hairstyling, hair spa, manicure, pedicure, facials and threading are available. Amrtam is equipped with 4 single rooms, 1 couple room, 1 Ayurveda room, a salon section, 2 manicure-pedicure stations and 5 plush salon chairs. So that no matter what spa or salon services you’re looking at, you have it at Amrtam.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 57
MENSTRUATION DECODED Every young girl invariably has to tackle the experience of menstruation. After the first time, they are left with a plethora of emotions and unresolved questions the answers to which they are rarely given. It was to address this problem that Aditi Gupta came up with Menstrupedia. Menstrupedia a menstruation encyclopaedia with a catch. It is not an encyclopaedia. It is a comic book that resolves every possible query which can possibly pop up in the mind of a girl experiencing this organic phenomenon and the general process of puberty. Aditi Gupta, has been cultivating this idea since her days at NID and one can have nothing but respect for her for being able to foray into dangerous waters by openly talking about menstruation. She says, the idea behind this was not just limited to making girls aware of the changes in their bodies and to nurture correct sanitation habits in them but to also sensitise society on all that a girl has to go through. It is people like her that tell us that the future of our country is going to be good.
THE CHUMBAK CHARISMA According to Article 100 of The Indian Girl Penal code, it is a legitimate crime for any Indian girl between the age of 13 to (><) to not know what Chumbak is. The idea behind Chumbak, says founder was to give the world something cool to take back from their visits to India. Her dedication to her vision was to this extent that she sold her house to get this company started. Chumbak has become a phenomenon and is yet another example of the quintessential Indian start-up dream. Shubhra Chaddaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution has been more than just insanely cool souvenirs and ridiculously amazing products, she has taught us to dare. She is the kind of role model that our youth needs. They need an example to lead. It is stories of people like her that propel us into making that plunge that changes our lives.
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 58
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 59
MAR 2017 | Brew lifestyle| 60