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Events begin where glamour ends
THE atmosphere seems unrelentingly elitist. As some petite models demurely walk the poolside of one of the City Beautiful’s plush hotels, the city’s beau monde bursts into clapping sprees. And as the literati clinks glasses with the glitterati, the models swirl sensuously, wrapped in the elegance of Satya Paul sarees. Wine’s already flowing and the guests o sample a happy fusion of culinary excess and liquid pleasure. But a little distance away from all the flashbulbs and glamour, busy in giving instructions and supervising things, stands the man behind it all— the Event Manager. Event Managers may make events and evenings replete with glamour, but do they too get a slice of this glamour? We find out. 24x7 schedule Famous event manager Jeet Brar reasons, “Events begin where glamour ends.” But isn’t glamour part of the reason why events are so exciting? “Half the time we spend trying to tell people that the glamour is what the audience sees as a final product. Event management is 99 per cent hard work.” Chips in Tahira Kashyap, a young PR professional running Direct Relations, who’s recently ventured into event management, “One has to remember that to become a successful event manager, you may need to put in 365 days a year without even a Sunday off! And I’ve always wanted to do something that involved creativity and dedication. That’s precisely why I’ve joined hands with my designer friend Rashmi Bindra to organise grand events like the forthcoming Celebrations Fiesta-2006.” Opines Vishal Kapoor, who left the job as an Assistant Restaurant Manager with Nirula’s to start event management in 1994, “Setting up my events management company Dolphin Media Promotions Ltd. has been a great challenge. It’s been a 24x7 job, involving a lot of hard work and dedication. But then the money part is lucrative enough,” smiles the man behind 200 shows, including the Annual Dandia Utsav, Euphoria and Harbhajan Mann Nights, Carnivals, ATL and BTL promotions. Changing face And how has event management changed then, say, it used to be a decade ago? According to Munish of Canandable Event Management group, “Events have always been there. But today it is much more professional and more organised a sector than, say, a decade ago.” Informs Vinda Khanna, Event Manger, Ferns ‘N’ Petals, “Event managers today have started venturing into wedding planning full-fledged.” But why are most upper class people across the city hiring event managers for weddings? “ It’s sort of coincided with the rise in the disposable incomes of the rich and upper middle class Indians in the North. And over the years, weddings have become aspirational. Your wedding should be better than your neighbours’, “ says Vikas Gungutia, head of the wedding-planning company Ferns ‘n’ Petals, adding, “but the real boom will happen when the middle class starts hiring wedding planners.” But what are the numbers that is making the industry sit up and take notice? “There is no stipulated amount and earnings largely depend on the success of each show or event. The event management organisations usually get a commission of 15 to 20 per cent of the total amount spent on organising an event,” says Jeet Brar. No doubt then, that Event Management is a lucrative, but a demanding profession. The rewards are handsome, but only after back breaking organising and planning. But don’t they say, that all good things come with a price?
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Nirvana glossy The magazine started out two years ago in California. Jaya Patil, President and CEO Nirvana Woman, strongly believed in the need for a leading high fashion and upscale lifestyle magazine for the contemporary South Asian woman living in North America. There had been no high end publication catering to this target segment in the country. The magazine became an instant rage in California. It’s available at all the leading book stores and magazine outlets, through mail order, and also online. After the success in California, it was now time to bring Nirvana Woman to North America’s mecca of fashion - New York City! The magazine hosted its New York launch party this week at the Night Hotel in Manhattan. The timing was perfect, as New York is abuzz over its annual Fashion Week. All the fashionistas are out to celebrate the glamorous world of fashion as this event showcases the multifaceted collection of New York and the world’s top fashion designers. Most of us read fashion magazines not because we intend to buy the expensive clothes, but because it educates our eye and hones our taste. Content and presentation are key. Nirvana Woman blends East and West in its vibrant, glossy quarterly publication. It offers an enchanting and innovative mix of upcoming and existing fashion trends, beauty, health, spirituality, global travel, arts and entertainment. The magazine showcases tastefully selected design collections of both upcoming and popular South Asian designers. With 45,000 copies publishing already every quarter, the Nirvana team is carefully positioning the magazine towards substantial growth. Jaya Patil hopes to take Nirvana Woman to India in the near future. But, for now, it’s Nirvana in New York!
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Weaned on PICKLE
ANYONE with a sour face is one described as ‘weaned on pickle’. Well, Patialvis are different. They are all bright-faced and smiling when they are the ones who have literally been weaned on a large variety of pickles. Yes folks, Patiala has a whole bazaar selling pickles, you name it and they have it. The smell of mouthwatering pickles reminding you of your grandmother’s courtyard greets you as you enter the street known as Patiala’s Achaar Bazaar. The whole market sells delicious pickles, murabbas, chutnis, jams and even rare herbs. Long history
The earliest shops set up by the likes of Hakim Nanak Chand came up as early as the beginning of 1800s and the following generations went on establishing more shops along side the old ones shaping the whole bazaar. The settlers from Sirhind when they came to make the city their new home after Baba Ala established the Phulkian dynasty in 1700s and set up their businesses under the patronage of Baba Ala near the Quila Mubarak. This explains that the bazaar is an offshoot of the Sirhindi Bazar. Ancient wisdom sealed the goodness of fruits and vegetables in shape of delicious achaars for all seasons and for all classes. You can have the king of summers—a mango as yummy achaar even in the spine-chilling winter. And where do the spice loving Punjabi taste buds go to find mouth-watering pickles, its destination Achaar Bazaar in old Patiala. Pickling health
It was the settlers from Sirhind who began the achaar business when they came to live in the city were into the practice of Hikmat. Read the names of the shops and you come to know that famous Hakims known for their expertise throughout the region in treating various ailments through the use of murabbas, herbs and pickles used to run them as centers of Hikmat and thus had their own clientele. Not threatened by others the shops grew side by side and even now business here runs smoothly. Ayurvedic practitioner Hitesh Aggarwal, who has not given up the real tradition of his ancestors and is still practicing Ayurvedic medicine from his clinic inside his ancestral shop, gives us a whole new way of looking at the tasty pickles. “The pickles if done the ancient way do not even need any preservatives,” he says. The pickles are available between price of Rs 20 to 60 depending upon the price of vegetables or fruits used. In the age of packaged food most of the shops here give the achaars from the huge glass martbaans in to polythene packets. Achaar USP
“The USP of the whole bazaar is undoubtedly the spice loving Punjabi taste buds,” the shopkeepers here are unanimous in their opinion. No breakfast of paranthas is complete in any Punjabi home without pickles,” says Rajesh Kumar whose father Hakim Chabra began the business. Achaar Bazar is also the final destination for hundreds of rare herbs. “People from all over come to us for buying rare herbs as we stock 1000 to 1500 varieties of herbs used in Ayurvedic treatments. “Dela, ginger, garlic, and lemon pickles are very good for digestion”, says Aggarwal. “Amla, apple, and all fruits make for murabbas, which are as good as having fresh fruits and that too anytime of the year you want to,” he adds.
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WRITE
TO RENEE I am a 25-year-old single girl and work as a teacher in a high school. I pray daily, do social work and lead a very disciplined life. I am very aware from my childhood of right and wrong and somehow have spent my whole life trying to do things right. Recently I have started feeling very tired of my life. I am constantly anxious, worrying about what others think of me. I seem to have many phobias. I am extremely self-critical and unsatisfied with myself. Please guide me on how to change my attitude and feel happier. Aruna
SethI My dear girl, at such a tender age you are so much in touch with the ‘real world’ and not the superfluous one that most people live in. A strong spiritual life makes us live strong, creative and fulfilling lives. We can automatically release the burdens that we carry and let go of fears and phobias if we allow our connection to the universe to be consciously with us always. It is these burdens that drag our spirit down and lead us towards dissatisfaction. Please stop listening to the negative chatter of your ego. Give yourself time to listen to your own inner wisdom through meditation. Repeat to yourself - “I love life” and then allow the happiness to flow within you. The mystery of life that why we come into the world has fascinated me in 30 years of my life. What are we working for and why do negative things happen to good people whilst the bad one’s enjoy a good life. Why aren’t people just good and creating loving relationships instead of constantly being physically or emotionally abusive? Suddenly you see the same people seeking solace with some spiritual Guru or the other. I don’t know why I feel the need to have some clarity thrown on these issues. Ritu Sareen Looking for answers to the mysteries of life is perhaps the most valid thing we can do for ourselves. Life is a journey, how well we cover that is our own way of looking at it. Remember each one of us is on our own unique journey, and all the spiritual gurus people turn to, is for solace on their own personal quest. Looking for happiness and fulfillment is the primal human need, but trying to get it at the expense of others is definitely not a good deal. It may seem that they are getting away with it but there is always a price to pay for our every action. Willfully hurting others is creating bad energies for yourself. Do not think such people are happy. Remain steadfast just be good and do good and good things will happen to you. Rush in your queries to Renee at lifestyle@tribunemail.com or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh
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INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST CALL LETTERS Tuning-in with Hardeep S. Chandpuri WHEN I first went to the US, I was pretty much taken aback by the kind of strange four alphabet prefixes in the names of all commercial radio stations coast to coast. Names like WKQX, KATD, KIIS, WSTW, WOOZ, WZBH etc., rang in my head and it took me a while to decipher them. Well, the United States federal government began licensing radio stations in late 1912 and since the beginning it has assigned call letters starting with K and W to commercial broadcasting stations. Later, around 1928, the Federal Radio Commission formalized rules, which required that all stations use four-letter combinations. Moreover, from the start the policy has been that stations in the West normally got the call letters starting with the K, while W was assigned to stations in the east. The original K/W boundary ran north from the Texas-New Mexico border, so at first stations along the Gulf of Mexico and northward were assigned W calls. It was only in late January, 1923 that the K/W boundary was shifted east to the current boundary of the Mississippi River. With this change, K’s were assigned to most new stations west of the Mississippi, however, existing W stations located west of the Mississippi were allowed to keep their now non-standard calls. On the other hand, alphabets N and A were allocated to military users of the radio spectrum. The initial letters C and X were assigned to Canada and Mexico, respectively, and are still used today to identify Canadian and Mexican radio stations. The case with television is no different. Federal Communications Commission regulations require that each TV station identify itself atleast once each hour by call letters and by city of license. The announcement should be made at or close to the hour, during a natural break in programming and can be made either visually or orally. Stations have the option to insert their channel numbers between the call letters and the city of license, and virtually all stations follow this practice; e.g., KRON-TV, Channel Four, San Francisco. Some TV call letters trace their origins to the slogans of their radio station predecessors. Examples include WGN (World’s Greatest Newspaper), the Chicago station owned by the Chicago Tribune; WLS (World’s Largest Store), the Chicago station originally owned by Sears Roebuck; WSM (We Shelter Millions), the Nashville station originally owned by an insurance company; and WSB (Welcome South, Brother), the Atlanta station that conveys proud regionalism in its call letters. Call letters often tell something about station ownership. New York stations WABC-TV, WCBS-TV, and WNBC-TV are each owned and operated by the respective networks contained within their call letters. So are Los Angeles stations KABC-TV, KCBS-TV and KNBC-TV. Ted Turner’s WTBS (Turner Broadcasting System) is still another example. See, it sounds a bit complicated but, once you get the gist of it, you don’t need rocket science to figure it out, right.
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Fashion
Forecast The stuff is fun, bright and interesting and with trends to be picked up and styles to be eyed it promises to be a fiesta for the senses. While there is a joyous array to choose from, here is what we spotted: Sajja— embellishment for the body, home and spirit—by Jaya, Shibani and Mamta, brings an assortment to riffle through. Natural products using fresh fruits, leaves, herbs and vegetable extracts, all pure and natural for the face, hair and skin (they also plan to start fresh fruit and vegetable packs), ‘name’ certificates, where the derivation and meaning of an individual’s name along with eight positive characteristics is crafted on paper and a delightful array of pure cotton linen to choose from—bedcovers, table cloths, duvet covers, cushion covers and towels—with embroidery, lace trimmings and patches of stripes or prints giving a unique appeal. Offering an unusual ‘couture’ experience is Koordinates by Kiran Lally. Bags with two-and-a-half meters of matching fabric, which can be converted into kurtis, salwars, dupattas, anything your heart fancies! Bags in georgettes, crepes, satins and linens are coordinated with complete outfits as well giving the word ‘combo’ a delightful meaning. Saris, kurtis, outfits in gorgeous colours, patterns, designs and embellishments are sprinkled all over. Sequins, ari and jali work, Kashmiri embroidery, crochet and lace there is something to suit every palate. Now that buying is a must, how about picking up an ‘evil eye’ to ward off negative vibes from that harried spouse with the credit card? Nazarlik Concepts has a charming collection of Turkish evil eyes in form of key chains, mobile slings, car hangings, wall hangings and sundry accessories. In fact the wall hangings have pieces of woven carpet put together with trinkets. Not just this, there are refined paraffin wax containers and candles in the most delightful shapes of lilies, leaves, lotuses ideal for lighting up your home this Divali. Paintings from Gehna Emporium who as part of the Creativity Art Gallery in Delhi 80 branded artists (including works of our very own Viren Tanwar) have some lovely works for art on offer, while exotic is the silver jewellery from Thailand and artificial flower arrangements from Australia at the Furniture Mart stall. Semi-precious jewellery and accessories, chunky and charming, also flourish at Shalinee Jewels where belts with pearls and copper beads, lariats for the neck, gypsy style bracelets and anklets using flat pearls, Swarovski crystals and stones are happily strewn. Glass flowers, garden furniture in stone, sequinned mats and dish covers from Divya and Ruhi’s Innovations and even funky leather carpets, throws and cushions make for fun wandering. Complete the round with a visit to the churanwallah and Jessica Sadana, tarot card reader, for that glance into the future glee of shopping sprees! However, before you go off, do pick something up from Arman, an NGO working to improve the lot of Tihar Jail inmates especially women, youngsters and children where lovely handmade products by the inmates are up for sale. Happy buying!
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Fashionably correct Anandita Gupta FINALLY, most Indians are rejoicing as the time to celebrate has been ushered in by the commencing of Navratras. Now begins the season that’s bound to make us all heady with festivity, since most of our fat Indian weddings are held during this auspicious time. And for all those young girls among us who are to be married in this time, the roller coaster ride of excited shopping must have already begun. So, we tell you cues on dressing up for the approaching wedding functions, so that you can begin to shop for them right away! Occasion wise
Indian wedding is at least a weak long affair, there are many colourful pre-wedding bashes and one needs to dress up as per the occasion. Mehndi is a colorful ceremony that is full of fun and excitement. Hence bright colors are predominant with green, the color of henna, being the most popular color. Ghagra cholis should be preferred and sleeves should be kept very short. Sangeet is set apart by fun, songs and dance. Hence the garments for this occasion should not constrain movement and be lightweight. Preferred color is pink Cocktails, generally being a night affair, darker shades are preferred and the look being sleeker, more streamlined Indo-Western and Western. Burgundy is the desired color and the fabric such as lycra; satin and net are in good taste. Embroidery is minimal. Engagement and wedding ceremony characterise traditional colors and look, primarily influenced by the background and culture of the bride. Desired colours are red, maroon and hot pink. Reception clothes tend to be the most lavish and grand. They are more modern in terms of cuts, embroidery and fabric. Desired colors here are blue, lilac, mauve, deep wine. Break all rules!
Remember how in the movie Dhadkan, the gorgeous Shilpa Shetty wore a beautiful blue colored lehenga in her marriage to Akshay Kumar? It is fair to say that despite numerous fashion forecasts by leading national and international designers, the larger than life Hindi Films are the last word on fashion or bridal fashion for that matter. The colors that are going to be hot in this season are yellow, green, apple green, turquoise and aqua blue. In fabrics, designers suggest chiffon and georgette. Diamond encrusted hand embroidery over classic peacock color and matching design earrings with blue sapphire and emeralds is the new look .So experimenting is the buzzword and so this year. Throw that chunky-red-lehenga-wearing-idea to the winds and plan to wear something novel. Enhance beauty
Unfortunately only eight women in a thousand look like supermodels, so what are the rest of us to do? Fashion defines an overall look; however, every bride would only be able to carry a specific cut. That is where the consultation works-a bride should confide in her designer and tell the designer exactly how she wants to look and then trust his/her judgment on how to make that possible for her. Every individual has certain body assets and certain flaws. The bride should go for the dress that highlights her assets and hides her flaws. Color perfect
Color is one of the most important elements in your wardrobe. Make it work for you and show off your complexion to advantage”, says Panchkula-based-designer Nidhi Bajaj, who has few tips to share with us. Fair skin
If you are fair, you can usually carry off any color. You will look especially great with soft pastels and mid tones. Peach, lilac, pinks; aqua, soft greens and medium range blues etc. are all good choices. Avoid too-dark colors; they might make you look pale. Whitish skin
With that golden skin you can’t go wrong with bright jewel tones. Emerald green, ruby red, bright orange, rust, turquoise and navy blue were made for you. Not to forget basic black and white. Dusky skin
One way to play up that gorgeous chocolate skin is to wear bright colors. Sunshine yellow, bright orange, warm red, magenta and bright blue should look great on you. Beige, taupe and white are also good options.
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For a rainy day
The monsoon is well on its way out but one can never tell with rain. The rain gods may send down drops of water as and when they feel making you quite a mess at the garden or terrace party now that the season is in full swing. So here are a few tips to keep in mind for a rainy day.
LIP-GLOSS: A Lip-gloss or a shimmery light lipstick should be used during the monsoons so that even if it runs, it doesn’t matter. LIQUID ROUGE: Liquid rouge, also known as a cheek stain, instead of a powder blush should be blended into the apple of the cheek. WATER-PROOF MASCARA: This is the first place where makeup tends to run when wet, therefore a monsoon must. MIRACLE COVER
UP: A concealer rather than a foundation is recommended. EYELID PAINT:
Using an eye shadow isn’t the wisest thing to do, as it is a powder base and will definitely run if wet. Instead, eye paint from Mac, in various hues, should be rubbed in small amounts onto the eyelid.
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MATKA
CHOWK I heard the term ‘labour chowk’ only after coming to Chandigarh. I was told that it is comparable to a free-flowing labour mandi full of day-hires ready to be picked up. My rather sanitised soul, specially after years of living in the West, found the entire idea rather disconcerting. The first time I drove by the so-called labour chowk and the surrounding area, I was amazed to see the number of people assembled there. There were heads everywhere - around the chowk, under the trees, on the footpath and in other every conceivable corner. It was even sad to see the way they ran to the prospective vehicles that stopped and the look of dismay on the faces of those who did not bag the job. Some of them seem to have arrived in the city that very day – they are still clutching their little cloth bundles. Others seem to be well settled. They have shiny bicycles and wear turned-around baseball caps, in Shah Rukh Khan style. Some groups even have a natural or maybe chosen leader, who usually does the bargaining. Sometimes, I see them scramble onto the back of construction lorries and sit down with such a pleased expression. Sometimes, they look out at the new world with great wonder and gape at the phenomenon of women drivers! Many of them are in no time peddling away on the broad avenues of Chandigarh, pushing carts laden with mounds of banana and gobi. Sometimes I see a whole family come riding into the city - sitting on top of each other – the rickshaw being driven by another who might have arrived in the city a fortnight ago. I saw a family outside our gate some months ago. They looked lost and bewildered – dressed in tattered clothes and looked famished. Soon, the man procured a rickshaw and spent the mornings, babysitting an infant, who slept in the rickshaw, while I assumed his wife went searching for a domestic job. A few days later, the woman came into sight. She had on clean and new clothes and was wearing a rather modern pair of sandals. A few month later, I saw the older children walk by. They were wearing uniform of some government school. Next, they were seen reading their schoolbooks sitting in the shade of the Gulmohar tree. A few weeks later, the family was seen sitting and sharing meals with another family. A few months have elapsed since then. Today, I saw the man sitting in his rickshaw. He had on his shoulders a big tape recorder cum transistor. His friend was also there. They were listening to a new song from Kabhie Alvida na kehna and sharing a verka kulfi. I have altered my very civilized opinion regarding the labour chowk. In fact, now I can tell my American friends the story of a different Ellis Island - the immigrant depot that processed the greatest tide of incoming humanity in America’s history.
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Health tip of the day
Local application of moist heat to the muscles just before and after the stretching/ yoga exercises reduces the post exercise muscle soreness.
— Dr. Ravinder Chadha |
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IN the jet set age today, we all seem to be seeking Nirvana in some form or the other. For South Asian women in New York and California, attaining fashion and lifestyle nirvana has now become a speck easier. Nirvana Woman, a glamorous fashion and lifestyle magazine for South Asian women, is now widely available in both states. 
The abundance dazzles and creativity abounds. Colours splash, trinkets sparkle and fabrics shimmer on this bright and sassy day as the Fashion and Wedding Forecast Exhibition, on the grassy turf of Hotel Mountview in Sector 10, gets ready to create a royal traffic jam on the roads! 