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Wedding makeover
PACESETTER Babar Ali
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Wedding makeover
A
group of young, and not so young men and women, move to the brisk commands of a tights-clad, streaked blonde. At the far end of the room, a female executive discusses hiring charges for Deejay Killah, one of the hottest party properties in town.
Meanwhile, a bevy of beauties attend an exacting fitting session in a snazzy designer studio. Preparations for a fashion show? Oh no, these are arrangements for a well-heeled wedding in New Delhi.
The sari has gone designer, the sangeet ceremony is professionally choreographed and the sumptuous menu features global fare.
The new improved Indian wedding is the face of liberalisation that economists don’t dwell on but which, perhaps, reflects the phenomenon like nothing else does.
A whole new list of wedding VIPs has come into force — laptop-wielding wedding planners, choreographers, mehndi artists, florists and professional musicians. In their wake follow exotic themes, imported chefs, synchronised dances and co-ordinated colour schemes.
Competition is the name of the game and the benchmark is Bollywood. Matching tinseltown standards, at any cost, could lead to flying in Karishma or Shilpa’s mehndi artist all the way from Mumbai, with fees ranging up to Rs 15,000 for a single hand.
The bride and the groom too, have been systematically metamorphosed out of recognition. Months before the D-day, the bride is put through a regimen of fitness and beauty, extensive enough to rival a beauty contestant’s. Fuchsia pink, Champagne peach and wine maroon are the hues of the day. The groom has his share of preparations. He sits through facials and stands for fittings. Designer dhotis and ‘zardozi kurtas; are tried on, with matching turbans and jutties to boot.
Finally, the D-Day arrives. Everything is in place. The venue is suitably decorated. Waiters wander about with trays of canapés, from Vietnamese cold rolls to bacon-wrapped cheddar cheese sticks. The bride is picked up straight from the salon and whisked away to an elaborate photo session. Full-length, close up and profile shots are clicked and filed, to be downloaded and circulated later in specially designed CDs. Loud drum beats herald the arrival of the bridegroom, amid much jubilation and dancing. His friends gyrate madly, lurching about in abandon. Some things haven’t changed, one realises, like the predilection of Indian men to get sozzled at weddings.
As the ‘dhol’ winds down, pre-recorded music announces the arrival of the bride. Every move she makes is monitored, practiced and calculated.
As outsourcing becoming the order of the day, even family can behave like guests. There is nothing to do but eat. And the choices are legion. It doesn’t get more globally local than this. There is a live pasta counter, and a live khau suey stand. There are more than eight types of kebabs, three types of dal and 10 kinds of meat. The desserts include six types of halwa — aloo halwa, pumpkin halwa, moong dal halwa, khajoor halwa, besan halwa and carrot halwa.
As the evening lingers, the guests desert the venue. Those who are left in attendance suppress yawns and check their BBM messages. The pheras have been scheduled for midnight .
The pandit talks impatiently into his cellphone. He has four more weddings to perform before dawn. He will use the abridged version of mantras. In the new-age Indian wedding, one cannot help but notice the absence of joy and the sense of fun that was an intrinsic part of such occasions. The only one laughing all the way to the bank is the wedding planner and her entourage. She is here to stay. The family needs to make just a guest appearance.
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Yuletide fare It’s that time of the year when festivities are in the air. A time for prayers and merriment. Christmas is to Christians what Divali is to Hindus, Eid to Muslims and Hanukkah to the Jews. Apart from visits to the church, a large part of the celebrations is about giving and receiving gifts and decorating the Christmas tree. As with all other festivals, Christmas is also about eating special delicacies ranging from the rich Christmas cake to cookies, mince pies and puddings. Feast of nativity The festival is celebrated with great deal of religious fervor. Devotees flock to churches, sing hymns and carols and attend the Midnight Mass. The festivities start a day before on the Christmas Eve and the devout observe the all-night vigil for the Feast of Nativity, which celebrates the birth of Christ as a human being. The rituals are similar to those of Good Friday emphasising that Crucifixion and Resurrection was the basic purpose of incarnation. Though over the years, the tradition of the Holy Meal has diminished a lot and is only confined to countries like Russia, Poland, Lithuania and the Ukraine, it was vastly prevalent in the earlier times. The Holy Meal on the Christmas Eve is a 12-course meatless spread that symbolises the 12 Apostles. A white sheet is spread across the table and a candle lit before serving the meal. The sheet signifies the white cloth that Christ was draped in after his birth and the candle represents Christ as the Holy Light off the World. Midnight Mass The tradition of the Midnight Mass began when the Pope at the stroke of midnight sang hymns in the chapel of the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome before a gathering of a large crowd. It is widely believed that Christ was born precisely at midnight. However, in many churches around the world, including India, the Midnight Mass is now conducted in the evening and the night is reserved for friends and family to have a specially prepared meal. It is not uncommon in many western countries to see people going from door to door singing Christmas carols, which are always great for getting into the festive spirit. Some of the time-honoured carols include Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, The Christmas Song, O Christmas Tree, and Joy To The World. These, and many others, never fail to spread cheer and warmth. Christmas Eve supper is a very special one, and in many homes, it is laid out when the first star (Sirius) appears in the sky. Traditionally, the Yule log is lighted and the supper enjoyed with the Christmas Tree softly glowing in the background. The meal usually comprises meats like roast turkey, fish, chicken, salads with an assortment of breads. After the sumptuous supper, it is time to decorate the tree with ribbons, coloured balloons and balls, painted eggshells and figurines of birds and animals. Some decorations are made of leaves of the pine tree and also of straw strung together on a thread into intricate geometrical figures. Cotton is used for snow and ribbons and stars add to the decoration. Children love to tie stockings on to the branches of the tree. It is a popular belief that on the night of the Christmas Eve, Santa Claus visits people’s homes and stuffs these stockings with goodies and gifts. Business of Christmas Christmas also spells boom time for gifting, clothing, decoration, greeting cards and food businesses. From artificial Christmas trees and self-basting turkeys to Havana cigars and premium cognac, there’s a demand for practically everything. Sales of clothing, jewellery, watches, perfumes, smartphones, sunglasses, liquor and a number of other luxury items get a major boost. This year America alone is expected to spend $ 11 billion during Christmas. And if you add up Christmas spending of all countries, the amount would surpass the budget of many nations. Sweets and drinks are an integral part and parcel of Christmas. Some of the best-known delicacies associated with the festival include traditional Christmas cake, pies, tarts, puddings, gingerbread cookies, chocolates and lots of wine. Indeed, Christmas is a time for celebrations. The spirit of festive cheer is all around, and so is revelry, dance and music. Gifts are exchanged, new friendships made and old enmities forgiven. This explains why most Christians — no matter in what part of the world — look forward to this beautiful and vibrant festival year after year.
Similar to the gingerbread man, the gingerbread house is made of the same ingredients, which are a bit harder and in biscuit shape. Both ‘man’ and the ‘house’ came into existence in the 10th century, when explorers introduced Europeans to ginger which they brought from West Asia. DECORATIONS
COOKIES
Lapland has been a popular holiday destination for many Europeans who come here during the chilly winter months, especially around Christmas with the hope of meeting Santa Claus. Napapiiri in Lapland is considered the home of Santa. It has the Santa Claus village and also a Santa Claus Main Post Office from where you can send postcards to your friends with the iconic Arctic Circle postmark. The other great city to visit during Christmas is New York that has the world famous Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Centre decked in all its finery. There are people dressed up as Santas all around the city and in department stores offering goodies to all and sundry. Carriages decorated like sleighs can be hired at the Central Park for a true Yuletide experience.
The Vatican, of course, is the place for the true devouts during Christmas. Here, the celebrations are more sobre and are replaced with tradition and culture. The Pope leads the Midnight Mass as thousands of devotees sing Hymns. The Vatican Christmas Tree in St Peter’s Square facing the Basilica is considered the Holiest of all Holy Christmas Trees.
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GLITTERING ROLLS ROYCE
A WALLET-FRIENDLY DEVICE
LEGO WITH A TOUCHSCREEN!
SLEEP LIKE AN OSTRICH
GUCCI CHECKERS IN
THE SCENT OF BOND
LIGHT YOUR FIRE
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Meet the youngest headmaster in the world The first one in his family to reach graduation, 19-year-old Babar Ali now runs a school for 1,000 students in Ananda Shiksha Niketan in Bhabta in Murshidabad, West Bengal Shoma A. Chatterji Babar Ali, now 19, is in the final year of his B.A. (Hons) course at the Berhampur Krishnknath College. He is the first member of his entire family to have come so far in education. His uncles had not gone beyond Class IX. “Though we are very poor, my parents have always encouraged me to study. My father constantly tells me that there is no substitute for education. We are Muslims and he believes that education is the true religion of man. My parents encouraged me to set up my school,” says Babar Ali who set up a small school in the backyard of his house. It has now become a full-fledged school. It is being run by teenagers and young people who are students themselves and where education is imparted free of cost. Babar was bestowed the “Youngest Headmaster in the World” Award by the BBC in 2009. CNN (India) gave him the title of ‘Real Hero’ for his contribution to social work, making him one of 20 chosen for the same title for their contribution in different fields. NDTV too gave him the “Indian of the Year” Award. “The nearest school I could attend as a student was very far away from where we lived. On my way back, I would see girls and boys of my age coming home from work instead of coming home from school. Instead of going to school, most of the boys help out their families by working as mechanics, day labourers, grasscutters, live stock herders etc. Girls work as maid servants in the village where they cook, clean, wash clothes and dishes for their employers,” says Babar. “I asked around eight of them to come to my home in the evenings. I would make them sit in the backyard of our home and teach them all I had learnt in school that day. More children began to drop in. At that time, I had no definite focus and no certain purpose in mind. I experienced how education improved my knowledge base, was teaching me to think differently and how necessary it was for life. The focus came later,” he says.
Today, he runs Ananda Shiksha Niketan in Bhabta in Murshidabad in West Bengal that gives education to more than 1000 students, who can now take their public board exams. “In a world where you are measured by the materials you own, (house, cars, clothes etc) it is amazing to see a young boy making the most of what resource there is. He is trying to improve not only the quality of his life, but also the lives of others around him,” says Andrew Anastasi of London. On his part, he was firm that education in his open school would be free of cost for everyone, irrespective of caste, class and communal factors. “My friends, all students like myself who are collegians, have helped me by teaching without any salary. Our own students often become teachers in our school and this marks a definite milestone in education,” says this young pioneer.
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Shoma A. Chatterji
Just the way the malls have nudged out the friendly neighbourhood ‘kirana’ store, the pseudo-suburban resort has nudged the local ‘tentwallah’ into oblivion; choreographers have edged out the ‘maamiji’ and ‘chachaji’, who would teach the youngsters a step or two. The menus have undergone a sea change, too. The team of ‘halwais’ that would set up shop in the back verandah of the wedding home, have packed up and left. Tastebuds have also evolved. ‘Matthi’ and ‘achaar’ have been overshadowed by hummus and falafel. Caterers with an array of menu cards with matching deals are here to stay. Wedding showers are in, ‘haldi’ scrubs are out. Orchids are blooming, ‘gainda’ is passé.
Specially designed garlands are handed over to the lucky couple who put them around each others’ necks. The bride and the groom walk together to a decorated platform to sit on faux thrones, a videographer in tow. A quick session of photos follows. Soon, the couple is left to their own devices. Everybody else has made a beeline for the food. With even close relatives sharing bare minimum involvement in the preparations, the food becomes the focus.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Decorations are the most beautiful part of Christmas. Homes are lit up inside out with twinkling light. The Christmas tree is decorated with bells, candles, wreaths, artificial snowflakes, stars, moon, tee light lanterns, small birds and animals, and most importantly the stockings.
EGGNOG
PUMPKIN PIE
PUDDING
CHRISTMAS CAKE
MINCE PIES
TURKEY
GINGERBREAD MAN
If you land in Lapland in Finland around Christmas time, chances are you may see Santa Claus riding his reindeer sleigh. The fun begins the moment you land in Lapland. Not just your baggage; but even providing the right thermal innerwear free of cost. You need to only think about having a good time, all your other comforts are taken care of by the tourism department.
Amsterdam is another city that rocks during the Christmas festivities that start from December 5. Santa Claus or his Dutch counterpart Sinterklaas goes all around the city distributing gifts and spreading goodwill. For around 20 days, the city comes alive with lights, music and partying.
How would you like a ride in a car whose price you can only dream about? Your dream can become a reality if you make a bid for the 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II. So why is this car one of the priciest in the world? The answer is simple. It is studded with over a million Swarovski crystals. On display at the Four Seasons Hotel in Munich, Germany, the car is up for grabs for the highest bidder and the millions made from it would go to a charity helping drug addicts. The base price of this glittering car is revealed only to serious bidders. And going by estimates there could just be a handful of them. 
For those who have experienced it, it is a moment of panic followed by a frantic search. A lost wallet can be one of the most stressful experiences as it means not just the prospect of losing cash but also credit cards, driving licence and more. Wallet TrackR can now come to the rescue of those who are prone to be forgetful and careless. The device will actually prevents you from losing your wallet in the first place. All you have to do is to link the Wallet TrackR to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It will send you an alert as soon as you start walking away from someplace forgetting your wallet. Surely an investment worth its 
Forget silicone, rubber, plastic, PVC or leather as a protection for your iPhone. Do a Lego instead. Lego, the child’s game? Yes and no. Lego is more than just a child’s game as it can now be assembled into the shape of wheelchairs and robots and even iPhone cases. The TinkerBrick case will instantly make your device stand out as it combines the awesomeness of Lego with Apple’s immaculate design for a real eye-catching experience. With this cover, your iPhone will turn it into a standalone Lego brick with a touchscreen. 
AUDI’S ULTRA CHAIR
GOING GREEN WITH FASHIONS
BAGGY RIDE
A SALUTE TO THE CROWN JEWELS
Do you find it difficult to take a power nap during the lunch hour in office or while travelling in a plane or a train? If yes, then help is at hand. The Spanish designer duo, Portila Kawamura and Ali Ganjavian, has designed the Ostrich Pillow that offers a micro environment in which to take a comfortable nap. The onion-shaped pillow slips over your head and provides a comfortably dark space in which to take a refreshing nap by cutting outside noise. A hole over the nose and mouth allows you to breathe comfortably. Interested? Then you better hurry as there is already a long advance booking for this perplexing pillow.
Checkers may be a fairly common board game in Europe, but in the hands of Gucci there is nothing even remotely common about it. The Italian luxury house has added exclusivity to the game by designing an exquisite checkerboard in dark brown leather with dark and light brown checkers which have the iconic Guccissima embossed on them. If you find the price a bit prohibitive, remember there are those who value 
DOGGIE’S XMAS TREAT
If you are a fan of James Bond and admire his cars, his girls, his Martini and his Tom Ford-tailored suits, you can now acquire his aroma. Eon Productions has teamed up with Procter & Gamble to create a fragrance inspired by Agent 007. The set of four consists of the Fragrance, After Shave, Shower Gel and Deodorant Spray which exude the subtle aromas of sandalwood, vetiver, lavender and moss. The scents are bound to make you as aromatic to the opposite sex as the super spy himself.
FORTUNE BAR
On a frosty, foggy winter evening nothing warms the heart more that a fireplace with crackling sound of dancing flames, real or artificial. Gurgaon-based One & Only Legendary Furniture has crafted eye-catching fireplaces that create an ambience of cozy comfort. Made of teak wood and intricately hand-carved, these fireplaces are designed to be compatible to use real fire or artificial electric fire where the heat and blow of air can be regulated. Whichever option you choose it will usher in warmth and glow in the winter months.