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Everything rosy in Rose Garden Traditional dances, rural ambience and a brush with the rustic past are making Rose Garden a merrier place during the ongoing Festival of Gardens, says Saurabh Malik It was rustic all right, with traditional drums, chaupals, haystacks and even bullock carts. But after a very long time, it was the Festival of Gardens and not a village fair.
Instant
prawn curry? No problem! At home with
fast food COOL STUFF WAR OF
voices YOGA Colours of
spring Brand new Down to
earth Beat the
tress stress FILM & FASHION
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Everything rosy in Rose Garden
Traditional dances, rural ambience and a brush with the rustic past are making Rose Garden a merrier place during
the ongoing Festival of Gardens, says
Saurabh Malik It was rustic all right, with traditional drums, chaupals, haystacks and even bullock carts. But after a very long time, it was the Festival of Gardens and not a village fair. As chuckling flowers saw visitors blooming with excitement through the undulating turf of lush green grass in Zakir Rose Garden on the inaugural day of the 34th Festival of Gardens, they were pleasantly surprised to find hardly any stalls offering t-shirts and other stuff. For a change, the din of “two at the price of one” did not echo against their eardrums. In fact, standing under the rejuvenating shade of dense trees, the visitors could hear the chirping of birds and the whisper of afternoon breeze blowing gently across the trees even as the bands played soft music. Right from the moment the impressive floral gate was thrown open to the general public, the response was tremendous despite the somewhat oppressive February heat. You actually had to push your way through the jostling crowd eager to enter the portal of excitement. To welcome the guests, butterflies and birds cut out of glaze papers were allowed to hover around the streetlights with cheery billboards in red hue announcing the inauguration of the festival. Once inside, the pictures of over a 100 varieties of cheerful roses and petals, along with fluttering flags, greeted the visitors. The inauguration
As the thumping beats of traditional drums filled the air, dancers in colourful kurtis and caps with brass bells and peacock feathers descended on the narrow pathway in the Rose Garden. All the way from Haryana and even Assam, they swayed rhythmically even before Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator S.F. Rodrigues was literally given a red carpet welcome at about 11 am. After pushing open the impressive gate decked up with marigolds, he went from one corner to listening to the pipe band even as a strong posse of security guards formed a human chain around him, obviously for protection. Rustic acres
It was back to grassroots for so many residents digging hard for existence in a material whirl of mobiles, malls and IT parks. As the bhangra and gidda groups swayed and hopped, they were pleasantly surprised to find rural ambience all around. At CITCO’s Vehra, it was brush with the rustic past with surmountable walls made out of mats coated with mud. For adding a touch of realism to the whole affair, you actually had dunk cakes and bullock carts with haystacks. Even a Jat farmer in his customary dress was standing at the gate again made out of mud with two solid bells on either side. Adding to the zing were traditional lamps, though powered by electricity. Inside, you had swings, time-honored earthen pots and even kites all around. Of course, some of the youngsters, so used to chatting on the net, found it odd to sit on the charpies and talk to each other. But then a taste of heritage had its own charm. Makki ki roti and sarso ka saag, along with other foodstuff prepared by Hotel Mountview were simply scrumptious and not very expensive either. The adventurers
It was show time for a group of local street artistes gathered at a spot right in the middle of the garden. As “circus artist” Meharban Singh rammed hard against the side of a drum to create rhythm, six-year-old Karan climbed up the bamboo poles for tightrope walking with pots placed on his head. Not to be left behind, four-year-old Karan performed gymnastics as thundering applause continued to encourage. The prime attraction amidst the guests was pole walker Somu and his friend. Standing 10 feet tall, they were bending only to shake hands with the little ones and of course to collect whatever little the residents had to offer. Corner attractions
In one of the sections displaying photographs, the residents were offered a glimpse of Chandigarh’s different aspects. Walking through the aisles lined with temptation, they stopped to admire a snap of the Punjab and Haryana High Court decked up with lights, or else to view the Panjab University campus. The solitary sailor flexing his muscles against the current made them ponder, while young dames standing under a tower provided a breadth of freshness. The flower corner, full of life, thanks to the presence of colours, added a new vigor to the whole affair. So if you haven’t savoured excitement and nice foodstuff amidst the whiff of flowers and aroma of fried onions, it’s never too late. Leave the comfort of your house and reach the venue. It’s worth it.
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Instant prawn curry? No problem! If it is the flavour of the exotic that appeals to you, then relish the secret delights of Kerala Prawn Masala or Malabar Mackerel Curry. Mingle the delicacies with Bukhara’s famous kaali dal, spooning in a bite of Chicken Keema Pullao relished with a nibble of Paneer Lababdar with the finale, gently steaming gajar ka halwa. All this in an instant—well almost! All that needs to be done is cut, boil or heat, microwave or fry and hey presto! All these scrumptious offerings are ready for the taking. Complicated, mysterious recipes no longer make for laborious reading as signature dishes from across the country are now available in packets in major supermarkets in the city! How do instant delicious fritters in a creamy yogurt-based curry sound? Indeed even this anglicised description of Kadhi-Pakora is not enough to deter from the appetising picture on the cover of the pack! The ready-to-eat food segment is in fine form with a wide array of ‘home-grown’ (read locally produced) and regional cuisines catering to every palette. Be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian, frozen or simply packed, South-Indian or Goan or just plain Punjabi with delectable sarson da
saag, the selection is mouth-watering. Right as ready “Fresh is fresh and Indians have an inclination towards fresh food. However, when there is no alternative, these ready-to-eat packets more than serve the purpose along with providing enormous variety. Something for every taste,” believes Hitesh
Gawri, proprietor, Peshawari’s, in 19-D. Starting with the ubiquitous Maggie two-minute noodles credited with being the ‘quickie’ of all meals, the array includes the ‘Kitchens of India’ range, Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani (Rs 98), Murg Methi, Paneer Darbari (Rs 68) and of course their utterly delicious Dal Bukhara (Rs 65). A mid-range of ready-to eat under the brand-name ‘Aashirvad’ offer delights like Pindi Channa (Rs 35),
Pongal, Muttar Paneer, Yellow Dal Tadka (Rs 30). Other names like MTR offer South-Indian delicacies like lemon,
sambhar, tamarind and masala rice (Rs 18) along with Navratan Kurma (Rs 40), Peas and Mushroom Curry even Jeera Rice (Rs 20). Heritage cuisine finds favourable recipes in
Jashn—Lal Gosht (Rs 95), Murg Biryani (Rs 85), Murg Lababdar—find place on the crowded shelves. ‘Parampara’ is another packaged brand that offers heady fare and according to Gawri their fastest moving foods are
Rajma, Dal Makhani, Kadhi-Pakora and Sarson ka Saag. Along with al this Indian cuisine comes along Nissan’s Cup Noodles in tangy chicken and spicy vegetarian (Rs 22) along with ready to eat soups from Knorr and Maggie, gravy attachments (get your vegetable and meat the curry comes ready made) from Mrs Bector’s Cremica brand. Frozen relishes The assortment is endless and the displays
appetising! Apart from branded products from companies like ‘Sumero’, ‘Venky’s
Mintomein’ line, ‘Al Kabeer’, ‘Swiss Naturen’, ‘Forstar’s Secrets of the Sea’, ‘Britte’ and ‘Frosty
Foodz’ offering Butter Chicken (Rs 58 for 250 gm), fried mussels, tuna flakes even Seer Fish Mojlee with prices ranging between Rs 100 to 300, there are delicious nibbles like Palak Paneer
Kofta, Mozzarella balls, vegetarian Shammi Kebabs (Rs 55 for 250 gm) Chicken Tandoori legs (Rs 60 for 250 gm) and a plethora of similar specialties making decisions a practical impossibility! That is not all; there are even Alphafries (alphabet shaped fries) at Rs 40 for 250 gm to excite the little ones! Captain Malhotra living in Mohali, comes all the way to Empire Stores, Sector 17, to stock up on the family favourite, ‘Venky’s’ frozen foods. “We have been eating this for 15 years now. It is good value for money and less hassle for my wife.” Wife Neelu, a dietician at Silver Oaks Hospital, however, prefers to add nutrition to these quick bites by filling in the vegetables!
Viveka Shah, a 22-year-old call-centre executive who lives in Sector 22, buys these foods regularly. “Who is going to cook after a long day at work,” she smiles. So, as long as there is ‘speedy’ food required, diverse cuisine to be had without the hassle of cooking it and even rice and chapattis available for the table, ready-to-eats will continue to occupy shelf space galore!
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At home with fast food For an invigorating mug of steaming hot Cappuccino after a hard day of drive down the fast track of life, she doesn’t go anywhere. Parking herself on a rotating stool in the open kitchen of her cozy apartment in Chandigarh’s Sector 19, she rips apart a satchel. Humming softly, she empties the contents in a mug before pouring hot water. As the bubbles burst at the brim, call centre employee Rita Sharma smiles, knowing she has added another flavour to home food. Flashing a broad smile, she says, “Oh yes, you may find it hard to believe, but I am actually savouring hot and inexpensive Cappuccino at home. And it’s just not coffee with a hint of cocoa and condominium that’s adding zing to my life. Come to my house and you will find upma, pav bhaji and so many other almost-ready-to-eat dishes on the menu of my mind.” Until a couple of years ago, Rita had very little option. Except for noodles, there was hardly any other scrumptious fast food stuff she could cook at home after standing in front of the blue flame for less than five minutes. Of course, canned heat-and-eat beans and alu-mattar were always there, but were not all that delicious. Pre-mixes were undoubtedly available, but variety was lacking and it was not all that convenient. They were also expensive. It was just like ordering food from outside. But now Rita enjoys lachha paratha by spending little time and money. She simply transfers the content of the foil pouch into the microwave safe bowl before heating on high for about one or two minutes. After immersing the unopened foil pouch in boiling water for about five minutes, she cuts open the cover for a taste of instant success. Rising flavour
Well, Rita is not the only one savouring the pre-mix benefits. Existing in single quarters away from home in a world where even love is instant, so many young professionals in multinationals, banks and call centers are sparing themselves the trouble of elaborate cooking without ordering oily and expensive food from outside. For them, it’s just open, pour, heat and eat. “Working women are also picking up convenience in form of soups and pav bhaji satchels from the glass shelves in stores across the city, contributing immensely to the popularity of the stuff,” says Sector 22 provision store owner Gurbax Singh. “No wonder, the sale of such items has gone up astronomically during the past couple of years”. Passing frail fingers through his ever graying beard, Gurbax Singh asserts, “Exact figures elude me, but you can judge the popularity from the fact that our shop is selling double the stuff we were offering to our customers about two years ago”. Economic blend
Pre-mix packets are not very expensive either. For Cappuccino, you have to pay anywhere between Rs 25 and 45 in a café bar. In case self-service is absent, you have to tip the waiter also. But a premix is costing just Rs 6. All you have to do is to add sugar and hot water for an invigorating cup. Plain coffee is even less expensive. The satchel is costing just Rs 5. In fact, you can take home a satchel of upma for just Rs 10. It’s enough for two.
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Adding zing to daily life
Herbalife International India recently introduced an invigorating and revitalizing instant drink mix “Afresh”, a powder containing guarana seed extract and orange pekoe extract that promises to add ‘zing’ to your daily beverage routine. Afresh is a unique, versatile refreshing beverage which can be consumed hot or cold by any adult. At Rs 8/ per cup, Afresh is amazingly economical as compared to coffee. Every cup of Afresh will keep one mentally alert and energetic. Best suited for students, call center employees, workaholics and athletes who need to maintain higher energy levels. Guarana, the main ingredient in Afresh is an exotic plant native to the Amazon forests. It’s three main benefits are increasing mental alertness, reducing fatigue and sustaining energy levels. Orange Pekoe has thermogenic and antioxidant properties of Black tea. MRP – Rs. 400/- for 50g. Number of servings per container is 50. Pro-Acoustics’ first store in city
Pro-Acoustics, a division of Sharda Motor Industries Ltd (SMIL) launched its first exclusive store in the upmarket shopping destination at SCO 339-340, Sector 35-B in Chandigarh recently. Pro-Acoustics is the exclusive/ authorized distributor for leading international audio video brands in India such as Nakamichi (Japan), MARANTZ (Japan), BOSTON ACOUSTICS (USA) and Mordaunt Short (UK) for their entire range Audio / Video products which includes Home Theatres, DVD Players, Wall, Ceiling and Out Door Speakers, Amplifiers and Car Audio Systems. On display in Chandigarh, is the spectacular range of Nakamichi products, introduced recently in India by Pro Acoustics. Nakamichi (Japan) has on offer a breathtaking array of exclusively designed, highly acclaimed Soundspace series of stereo systems SS-1 to SS-9 ranging from Rs 29,000/- to Rs 1,81,000/-. Also on offer are the third generation Home Theatre Systems under the Soundspace series, SS8 ½ to SS 21 ranging from Rs 1,22,000/- to Rs 7,00,000/-. Pro Acoustics has displayed the latest range of Marantz (Japan) Home Theatre electronic, which includes DVD Players and Amplifiers. Complimenting them are high-end Home Theatre speakers from Mordaunt-Short (UK) and lifestyle loud speakers from Boston Acoustics (USA). For the ultimate driving experience, Nakamichi and Boston Acoustics have introduced their Car Audio Systems ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.2,00,000. Pidilite launches Motomax
Introducing almost instant, worry-free cleaning and maintenance of your car for the first time in the country, right under your nose, Pidilite Industries Ltd has launched Motomax, a specially-formulated range of car care products suitable for new generation paints and all other automobiles finishes. It’s so easy to use, you can Do it Yourself, or give it to your chauffeur to use. It’s so economic and effective. The Motomax Car Care range will protect the painted surface of your car against dirt, abrasion, weathering, etc, while giving a new luster and shine to the vehicle so that it looks showroom new and helps you maintain it in mint condition. The all-inclusive Motomax range includes Polyster Putty, 2k Rubbing Compound, Liquid Rubbing Compound, Hard Wax Polish, Car Shampoo, Premium Liquid Polish, Cream Polish, Dashboard Polish, Upholstery Cleaner and Tyre Cleaner. Available in attractive, economical 100ml, 200ml and 200gm packs and ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 180, the Motomax range of car care products promises to go a long way, ensuring more shine and protection for your car and a clear reflection of the car and pride you take in it, whether self drive or chauffeur driven. Salwar kameez/ T-shirt lingerie
In line with its summer collection, Salient has introduced moulded collection of seamless lingerie. Cut from soft lycra knitted fabric it has wide cushioned straps with polyester cotton lining for intense comfort. The seamless summer collection from Salient is exclusively crafted for a woman on a move. The seamless summer collection from Salient is available in a variety of colors and possesses back hook closing. Its ultra sensuous, warm and alluring look exhibits a perfect incarnation of elegance. It is available in sizes 30/ 32/ 34/ 36/ 38/ 40. Priced from Rs. 125 to Rs. 200 the seamless moulded bra from Salient is available at all leading retail outlet across the country. Lavender variant
Godrej Consumer Products limited has launched Godrej Lavender Soap, the sixth variant of the largest selling brand. This soap comes with a sweet floral perfume with relaxing and uplifting characteristics. The exotic fragrance of lavender promises to keep the skin smelling great. It is currently available at Rs. 8 for a 75gm pack and Rs. 13 for a 125gn pack. Bachha Party on Tata Indicom
Tata Indicom has launched an exclusive zone for kids on its Voice Portal. First of its own kind, the service is a little step from Tata Indicom to arm parents with the tools for child development. Tata Indicom Subscribers just need to dial 12900 and say “bachha party” to enter this fun zone and get access to the amazing Kid Zone having Nursery rhymes, Kiddie songs, and tales from amarchitra katha and tinkle comics, learning crafts and much much more. Bacha Party is a new hang out for kids, its entertainment and learning with a difference. The time when children would spend their evenings listening to their grandmothers spinning tales is long gone but technology has found a way to replace the old world charm of crafts and tales in this new age culture of nulcear families, Pokemon and cartoon TV. A truly child development oriented initiative, Bachha Party on Tata Indicom is a way for kids to enjoy and learn on the phone, the easy way. No buttons to be pressed, no confusing instructions, just the delighted voice of the child can help navigate through this simple voice portal.
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WAR OF voices
Imagine a war with musical notes thrown in for good measure! What with the show being touted as the battle of the music directors (read mentors!) sprinkled with sparkling controversies, walkouts and even ULFA threats (all translating into those very precious TRP ratings!), Zee TV’s Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 romped home on Friday night in a glittering mega final telecast live in an exciting face off between Debojit Saha and Vineet Singh. With this the channel hopes to lend credence to its claims of the show being “a platform to create playback singers with television being the incidental medium” all the while staking its claim to the number 2 spot on the rating list. Despite this, parent company Essel Group, Senior Vice President, Corporate Brand Development, Ashish Kaul insists TRPs do not bother him for, “it is the country’s heartland we are focussing on not necessarily Mumbai or Delhi.” Himani has sung for Kalpana Lajmi’s ‘Chingar1’ Mithun Chakravarty’s ‘Mimoh’ is recording with contestants from the show Subhash Ghai has given an open offer to Hemachandra to sing for Mukta Arts who has also sung for Abhishek Bachchan’s forthcoming film and Aadesh Srivastava’s ‘Alagh’ Vinit has sung for ‘Rocky’ with Zayed Khan playing the lead Nihara Joshi sang ‘Dhadak Dhadak’ with Sunidhi Chauhan in Bunty Aur Bubli While the show has the distinction of being the longest running musical, Kaul is clearly pitching Zee’s flagship Sa Re Ga Ma Pa against Sony’s marketing wonder Indian Idol. “It is the difference between creating a poster boy and promoting a voice and making him appreciated independently,” he says. The objective is clear: “Offering a platform to real, hardcore, top of the line playback voices and not creating marketing chipmunks” The last five years have been a challenge for Zee TV. With STAR Plus the clear leader and Sony Television nipping at their heels and occasionally zipping ahead, Kaul realises that “re-invention” is the name of the game. Hence tale mein twist! Sa Re Ga Ma Pa pitched four renowned music directors—Jatin Lalit, Ismail Darbar, Himesh Reshamiya and Aadesh Srivastava—against each other by making them mentor and train the selected participants. The result—a war of the words and high drama on the sets leading to the show returning double the ratings of Indian Idol for the last 12 weeks according to Kaul. He is quick to point out that none of this figured in the script but yes, “our job became more difficult with the coming of Indian Idol. It came in a big way, made a small boy into a personality and almost usurped the musical show genre.” Sony’s marketing blitzkrieg is what dreams are made of! Undoubtedly, the quality of participants on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is higher than those on Indian Idol, but Abhijeet Sawant’s debut album selling 8 million copies in a dull market is no mean feat. “We had to ask ourselves the question, should we allow marketing to take over or let the essence of the show continue,” says Kaul. “We are more conservative in our marketing strategies than the others, but our decision has paid off, we are currently number 2 on TRP ratings,” smiles Kaul. The number game decides it all after all!
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YOGA Prana is a word often used in yoga, the movement of prana, the use of prana, pranashakti, pranayama etc. What is this prana that the yogis go on about? Prana is credited with being the energy that holds the cosmos together. The stars, the galaxy our solar system are all held together in the web of prana that surrounds as well as permeates them. All visible energies like light, heat, photons, magnetism, gravity, electricity, nuclear are believed to be a manifestation of this subtle energy. It is the kinetic energy that sets into motion the activities of creation, preservation and destruction of the universe. Prana is the life force that brings this body of flesh and bones alive. In ancient Indian texts it is in fact identified as the atma – the real self. From conception to birth, the prana or the soul rests as consciousness in the foetus. “At the time of birth the crystallised soul is pushed with such a force into the nadis of the body that the soul mistakenly starts identifying with the body and forgets its divine nature,” says Himalayan master Yogiraj Siddhanath. The attempt of yoga is to reverse this process to make the seeker realise that he is not the physical body but the divine soul and return to that eternal state of joy and bliss. Prana is commonly likened to the breath since that is the subtlest tangible activity that human mind can comprehend but is only one aspect of it. The breath in the microcosm duplicates the prana in the macrocosm. Yogis believe that just as electric currents are conveyed in the physical body via the medium of the nerves there is an etheric pranic body that conveys the energy through the medium of the nadis. With scientific in instruments it is possible today to verify the presence of this subtle energy and extensive research is being done to check claims by yogis who stop the breath for hours and yet continue to keep the body alive through the movement of the prana. The practical way of understanding the prana begins with pranayama, which starts as the conscious movement of breath-inhalation, exhalation and retention. Then as the practitioner progresses all the subtle manifestations of the prana are revealed to the seeker till finally the first level of samadhi is achieved and the practitioner realises oneness with the universe. Awareness of prana: Sit comfortably on a mat or chair. Make sure you are calm and relaxed. Now gaze at the tip of the nose, and as you breathe in visualise the breath as a golden thread of light flowing into your nostrils. As it enters the body this golden light starts spreading as if carried through a network of wires in the whole body. Then gently breathe out and visualise the energy flowing out of the nostril carrying away all subtle toxins.
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Colours of spring As the seasons change and spring is making its presence felt, its time once again to go over the main points of planting, maintenance and schedules for the garden. The seeds should be bought from a reliable source. Go for well-known firms and nurseries. If there are packets, check the dates for freshness. They should be from the previous season, not older. In fact you may even have seeds collected in autumn from your own garden. Frankly I would go for choice plants from the various, excellent nurseries around Chandigarh. Though expensive, nursery plants cut down on bother, casualties and time. Check each plant. It should be robust, healthy, insect-free. Plants in plastic sleeves ought to be repotted as soon as possible, preferably in the evening as they have about twelve hours of coolness and dark to recover and settle. Don’t forget to chart out dates for future reference. Pin these up where you can see them in passing. Get well-baked terracotta pots keeping in mind the length, height and circumference of each plant. Very small seeds should be mixed with sand and then sprinkled onto the soil. Cover these lightly with a thin layer of soil and water sparingly. Remember that water should trickle through your fingers so that seeds do not float and congregate in a small patch. Keep the pots in an area shaded from the sharp sun and February winds. When seedlings appear, move the pots out into weak, evening light, till their leaves and stems are stronger. Over watering kills more plants than under-watering. Municipal water must be kept overnight in buckets to soften it. Vegetable, dal and meat washings are ideal for the garden. Pasta and rice water gives generous amounts of starch which plants love. Peelings can be added daily to a compost pit or container to rot for future feedings. Collect earthworms and add them to the pots to aerate the soil. Don’t forget neem and peanut khali as nutrients and insect repellents. Root bound plants can start looking sickly. In such cases, it is best to buy another pot, just a size larger and repot the plant. If the new container is too large you may start over watering. If you have very fine roots, which may get damaged, break and waste a pot rather than hurting the plant. Ferns usually cling to their homes and are hard to dislodge. The breathing surfaces of leaves and flowers get clogged when fine dust settles on them. Mist and clean the plants daily except those with hairy leaves like Gloxinias and African Violets. An interesting and effective alternative is the static duster used to clean computers. Rotate your pots regularly so that they do not lean towards the sun or look drawn. Prune those extra branches and pinch away extra foliage to show off your flowers. Have a colorful spring!
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How’s it like to lead a brand that’s a hot favourite worldwide? Anandita Gupta chats up Gagan Singh, all-India MD, United Colours of Benetton, who recently visited the city, to find out.
Something’s always brimming in the big brand bazaar—a rip-roaring launch, a happening party or a new brand ambassador. All brands do it and so did United Colours of Benetton, but minus the hoopla. For, Gagan Singh, the all-India Managing Director of United Colours of Benetton, does not believe in ‘below the belt advertising’. She gave us a piece of her mind as she breezed through the City to launch Benetton’s Spring Summer collection—What according to you gives Benetton a distinct brand identity?I guess it’s the way our brand connects with the youth worldwide. Though we have clothes for all age groups, our brand is a rage among the age group from 18-28.Then, our trendy cuts and clips, besides bright zesty colours makes us stand apart. That’s how we’ve grown tremendously. Today, we are present in 120 countries around the world.How are you planning to survive the growing competition?Yes, there are newer entrants in the market and the pressure is tremendous. But we believe in our quality and style. Also our affordable prices will help us maintain out client base.Are you game for repositioning the brand?Not at all. Actually we are playing a very different ball game from what the trend is nowadays. We are not indulging in any below the belt advertising activities or serving celebrities on a platter. We believe in our quality and let it speak for itself.But most of your manufacturing is being done in India itself. With so many international apparel brands having entered the Indian market, doesn’t it label you as a desi one? Also, isn’t there a compromise on quality?Not at all. All our designs come from international designers. It’s only the fabric that we procure from India. And if we get good quality fabric from India itself, why source it from other countries?Something about your new collection?Its got lots of bright colours, though purple remains the dominant mood. Displayed in the trendy ambience of our store, it’s gonna grip you for sure! There are the hip cigarette pants, pencil skirts, gypsy skirts, cotton skirts, frilly blouses with lots of rainbow stripes, Hawaiian prints and floral motifs.But what makes this collection interesting?The details borrowed from grandma’s trousseau coupled with urban chic designing. There are blazers with flounces, blouses ribbed with tiny frills, open work waistcoats and long gauze gypsy skirts that swirl around the ankles.We learn you are a CA by profession. How’s it related to your stint with fashion?Yes, being a cost accountant, I have a finance background. But working with Benetton has been amazing. I’ve worked in many sectors including hotels, travel, beverages, pharmaceuticals and automobiles. But believe me, apparel has proved to be the most exciting.
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Down to earth
Keep the mint latte out of the picture, for coffee here is plain, unadorned, no frills or flounces! No fancy words to spill over and no crème additions to peek into! This is charm at its best—in another world, where time stands still and conversations mingle and merge with the essence of freshly ground coffee beans. Each sip, strong and aromatic, a reviver and each word a bond of conviviality. The Indian Coffee House in Sector 17 is replete with old world appeal, a comfortable shabbiness and a familiar ambience. In its sojourn from Sector 22, near Kiran Cinema, to Sector 17-E, it is a journey traversed over 46 years no less! With over 300 centres scattered across, the Indian Coffee Workers Cooperative Society Ltd that runs these Coffee Houses works on a no-profit, no-loss mantra. And the byword is quaint! Ancient posters on the walls, one draped with a Raja Ravi Varma like form, declaring, “Nothing but delicious coffee” facing a print of Gandhiji is all about a beckoning old-world charm. Waiters with headgears, whitish uniforms—rather like a musical band—scurry around filling tables with the ubiquitous cups of coffee that are the specialty here. Hot Coffee for Rs 7.40, Special for Rs 12.90, Hot Coffee with cream for Rs 16.50, this is where things are cheap and simple. Sample a Masala Dosa for Rs 21.10 or an Egg Uttapam (Rs 22) or even a Mutton Dosa for as little as Rs 27.60 and you taste the exact recipe your grandfather once tasted somewhere in an Indian Coffee House in the country! “We have a given formula that in 1 kg of milk so much coffee will go in and a certain number of cups of coffee will be produced. What’s more the coffee beans come all the way from Bangalore,” says Manager V. K. Kutty who is on his third posting here in Chandigarh. The mornings are slow and comfortable. “Older people come here to drink coffee, to catch up with friends,” says Kutty. Lunch is a motley gathering of clients—from lawyers, to administrators to students, to looking-for-work youngsters—sitting on wobbly tables surrounded by kitschy blue walls (that have not seen a coat of paint in years due to the court case regarding its occupation). It’s USP, “from the smallest man to the biggest honcho, we have seen everyone here,” smiles Kutty. Uniting coffee lovers in its pure filter form—this ‘institution’ is an ode to the legacy of coffee!
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Beat the summer heat with chic styles, smart cuts and blissful massages, says
Gayatri Rajwade after meeting the city’s hair-care experts.
Get the glitz back in your hair! Beat the summer heat with chic styles and smart cuts, blissful massages, heavenly spa treatments, even a power doze to restore the vigour in your curls. For, these are the latest buzzwords to bounce, shine and sheen amidst profuse perspiration! Hair care has undergone a sea change from the times our grandmothers poured coconut oil in our hair and tied them in unflattering plaits! Now it is all about shimmering glows and blushing tints with an array of treatments that promise a slice of heaven on your head! THE CUT:
“Short and layered,” says Sunny of Cuts & Curls, Sector 10. “Short is back in business!” declares Pramod Dewan of Headmasters, Sector 8, or as Anu Rai of Habib’s Salon in Sector 9 puts in, “The shorter, the better!” Sleek, manageable and most importantly low maintenance is what these experts recommend. “Moisturising the hair and using the correct shampoo is essential for the strong rays of the sun can damage your hair,” reiterates Anu while Pramod recommends using a stay-on conditioner or serum, which protects the hair from UV rays. Naunihal of Strands Salon, Sector 35, predicts a twist for the coming summer! “Yes straight hair is in, but there is talk of curls coming back. Despite the convenience of short hair, he believes “The Indian mind-set is, keep the length and give a new look.” So here is where the colours come in. THE BLUSH:
Well, what are the colours that are really in? “Burgundy, violets and reds” articulates Pramod. “Reds and Mochas are in while blonds are out,” says Naunihal, “Since the colour tone of hair in India is darker, the bleaching process for light colours damages the hair.” THE CARE:
Most salons in the city give power dozes, hair spas and deep conditioning treatments for strengthening and glossing the hair. For botanical based ‘therapy’, give in to the ‘Biolage’ hair treatment for dandruff, dry and damaged hair or coloured hair at Strands Salon in Sector 35-C. In five to ten sittings (depending on the texture of the hair) you have your tresses gleaming with health no less. A massage with algae serum coupled with deep conditioning hydra cream and a therapeutic massage on the head that works on the pressure points to balance hormonal regulation is what the treatment is all about. “This ‘Fill and Seal’ method (Rs 600) keeps working on the hair even after it has been washed,” says Naunihal. Pramod recommends treatment for “maintenance” which includes shampooing and conditioning as frequently as one can to restore moisture to the hair. “However this gives only temporary respite.” The options are oil massage with steam (Rs 250), deep conditioning with steam (Rs 250) and the Spa treatment (Rs 750), which includes the works. What is more, you can walk into Headmasters any time for free counselling on what your hair needs! Proprietor Arshad Khan at Oleega, Sector 11-D uses the premium Wella SP (System Professional) products for their Spa treatment for dry and damaged hair. Oil and steam, a hydro-mask deep conditioning cream and a massage all comes in the range of Rs 550 to 900 depending on the length and thickness of the hair. Along with this are the variations like energy treatment for hair-loss, end-repair (Rs 750 for a bottle) and extra rich oil for very dry hair (Rs 550 to 650). Tress Lounge in Sector 8-C, uses a wide range of L’Oreal products for their Spa treatment for dandruff and scalp problems. “We have remedies for dry and damaged hair, coloured hair and thin hair all of which repair the texture of the hair,” says hairdresser Mohammad Salim. New entrant Habib in Sector 9 recommends Hair Spa for damaged hair (Rs 550), reconditioning for split hair (Rs 450 onwards) and re-bonding for coloured hair using Habib’s range of products. So check with the experts and get ready to spruce your hair when summer is around the corner—get ready to rock!
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FILM & FASHION Britney Spears’ hubby and a half-dozen other guys were at an apartment complex in Studio City, a suburb of Los Angeles, where for several hours, they were playing war games in a densely populated residential area, shooting projectiles, possibly rubber pellets from what appeared to be air guns with laser scopes, TMZ reported two eyewitnesses as saying. — ANI Matthew McCaughney reveals his crush Hollywood heartthrob Matthew McCaughney has revealed that he had to work hard to keep his crush on actress Sarah Jessica Parker under wraps, when the two worked together in the upcoming romantic comedy ‘Failure To Launch’, and that it had taken a lot of effort on his part not to romance his leading lady. McCaughney, who said that Jessica Parker was a woman who men easily fell for, revealed that he had had a crush on her since seeing her in the 1992 flick ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’. The ‘Wedding Planner’ star also confessed that he had been enthralled by Sarah Jessica Parker’s sophisticated yet mischievous demeanour.
— ANI
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Kevin Federline, the wannabe rapper and Mr Britney Spears went wild on a shooting expedition recently with his pals, appallingly not with a camera, but with guns and ammo in a residential area in Los Angeles .