Tableware that is cheerful & safe
Aditi Tandon

THE Chandigarhians’ reputation of having a taste for beautiful things is travelling places and is travelling quite fast. This is evident from the fact that in recent weeks, the city has attracted scores of exhibitions—from those of fine Lucknow chikankari and pottery to home appliances. And these shows have drawn a warm response from the city residents, who are known to have an “eye for beauty”.

The city people’s artistic tastes were very much visible in the rushes seen at the recent show of the Spring-Summer Collection of hand-painted bone china products by the Delhi- based duo Payal Johar and S. Bhalla.

Payal, who is the designer in the team, had this to say about the city, “ We have heard of this place as the one which perfectly blends all artistic elements, and of its residents as ones who can sift the good from bad. That is why we came here for the launch of our collection”.

Payal and Bhalla had ventured into the business of painting bone china in 1999, and are today supplying the products to leading stores of the country like The Earth Shop and Dine Time in New Delhi, The Bombay Store, Premsons, Saga and Naganis in Mumbai.

Not that hand painting on stoneware is new for the city, but this collection lends more quality and durability to tableware. The delightful motifs in bright hues of yellow, blue, lime, green, and olive, orange, can at once brighten up your table . And the best part is that these products are affordable.

Among the products on display were rice plates, soup bowls, dip bowls, racks, gravy boats, Mexican mugs, et al—in fact everything that falls in the purview of tableware. Apart from the beautifully drawn and executed motifs, most of which were flowers and fruits, the collection also promises healthy eating. Not all hand painted stoneware is healthy to eat in. Most colours used for painting are laced with lead and cadmium, posing a serious threat to health in the long run.

Explaining this aspect, Bhalla, the production in-charge, claims, “We have used special colours from Germany. These ones are lead and cadmium-free. The intention here is to make the products really safe for the customers.”

Where the collection scores with the health-conscious public, it also caters to the aesthetically-inclined section. The designs are rare and sweet, with concentration on flower and fruit motifs. Says Payal, “I have not taken any formal training in designing. I bank on my senses for that. When I get up in the morning I want to see something bright and pleasant. So the best thing to sell should obviously be pleasant. We want our customers to feel cheerful after possessing our products. Hence the choice of flower and fruit motifs.” While Payal does the designing, the entire execution is done by her team of 50 trained artisans, who work at her Delhi unit.

Among dominant flower motifs are poppies, chrysanthemums, tulips, arcadia, iris and sunflowers. The fruit tray includes motifs of berries, strawberries, and cherries. The combination of all these factors gives the collection a vibrant and exuberant look. And above all, a true designer appeal.

The cost factor has also been worked out with all sections in mind. Unlike many hand painted stoneware collections, this one starts at a humble price of Rs 35 per piece and goes up to Rs 600 per piece. On display were about 40 pieces of exquisite bone china products and over 50 new designs.

Apart from the tableware, there is also an equal concentration on table accessories. So there are stone flower vases, painted to give a real regal look. The accessories can be matched with the product being bought.

Each piece is individually available, thus allowing the customer to pick up a vast variety for home. Even the rice plates can be bought in single numbers.

Summer break: Singapore
Season of food & theatre fests
Shveta Pathak

COME spring and in Singapore it means celebrations and fests. It goes on through the summer and the country promises a lovely time in winter too. You are promised totally unexpected and unique ways to have fun in this energetic and vibrant country. Where else, for instance, can you enjoy a Broadway musical and dine off a banana leaf on the same evening. Or shop for hot deals on airconditioned streets. Or, walk through a rainforest in the heart of a city.

With endless dining and entertainment options, famed quality shopping and cultural treasures, here you can have pure enjoyment. The season of fests and shows has already begun . While the Singapore Food Festival is on and will continue till April 30, from April 10- 22 is the DBS Theatre Fantasy: Slava’s Snowshow . Following that is DBS Theatre Fantasy: Carmen, Rambert Dance Theatre, Singapore’s International Film Festival, Silver River, Miss Saigon , etc.

The Singapore Food Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together the best of Asian, international and fusion cuisine. From wild feasts at the night safaris to discovery workshops on what’s behind grandma’s culinary secrets, this year’s Food Festival will cater and satisfy every palate, says a representative from the tourism department of the country.

Tourist packages offered by one of the travel agencies would cost US $ 119 per person(for twin) in a tourist class hotel for 4 days and 3 nights. The package includes 3 nights accommodation with breakfast, return airport transfers on SIC basis (different for each category) , a choice of 3 items from city experience tour, admission to night safari, admission to Jurong Park, Singapore river boat ride, admission to Santosa island or admission to Images of Singapore, Sentosa. Package for a first class hotel in this category would come to $ 144, and it goes up to $ 450 for premier class hotel.

For those with an artistic mind, the country has an array of fests. A stunning spectacle of beautifully crafted comic images, Slava's Snowshow (till April 22) presents a world of wonderment and fantasy. A bed becomes a boat ; Slava boards a train and then becomes the train ! ; a letter turns into snowflakes and the flakes turn into a snowstorm which swirl around the auditorium. To be held at Kallang Theatre, the tickets for the show would be between $ 40 and $ 95.

The acclaimed La Cuadra de Sevilla company from Spain will present a spectacular and extraordinary production of “Carmen”(May 15-20) . The dramatic love story is told through the traditions of Flamenco Theatre, with its thrilling music and fiery dance. In Rambert Dance Theatre (formerly Ballet Rambert) is Britain’s oldest established dance company , dating back to 1926. The dance company brings to viewers a triple thrill of their favourites: Meeting point, ghost dances and Rooster.

Singapore International Film Festival (April 12-28) is a prestigious event on the regional film circuit. The festival will showcase over 300 titles from some 40 countries. This year’s special focus is on documentaries. Also included will be a retrospective on Filipino director Mario O Hara. Tickets will be available for $ 20 for the opening film, $ 12-$ 17 for Alaxender Navsky, $ 8 for other festival films.

Tips to enjoy Singapore food

Have an affordable meal at a hawker centre—their answer to fast foods. Try a plate of char kway teow (noodles fried in sweet black sauce) and down it with a glass of sugar cane juice. Lau Pa Sat is a popular hangout for locals. Try some colourful nonya kueh at the popular confectionary, Bengawan Solo. Savour fiery fish head curry at Apollo Banana Leaf restaurant in Little India and cool your palate with a tall glass of lime juice. Stroll down Orchard Road , Singapore’s famous shopping street and look out for the local ice-cream man with his cartful of durian, red bean and corn- flavored ice-cream. Ask for an ice-cream sandwich ! Join the locals at Yakun, Far East Square or 67 Killiney Road for a traditional breakfast of freshly brewed coffee and kaya (egg and coconut jam) . Learn the art of drinking Chinese teas by taking part in a traditional tea ceremony in a quaint Peranakan shophouse on Neil Road.