Month: June 2013

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Enough said

A victim of his own moves?

LK Advani is unfortunately placed – he seems stifled within his party but he’s not allowed to move away, either.
Humra Quraishiby Humra Quraishi

This entire episode around LK Advani seems layered. Even the politically naïve can understand that Advani has not been allowed to resign, despite his initial outbursts. He has not been allowed to break free from the controlling powers of his political party, the BJP. It almost seems as though he is being forced to retain his mask, keep up the façade of ‘togetherness’ of the Right-wing brigade.

There seems to have been a complicated build-up to this turn of events. Is it possible that Advani couldn’t cope with the frustration of being sidelined and finally wanted to break away from it? How interesting that all these years, he’d diligently worked at so many gimmicks and indulged in hate politics to gather votes for his party, and the same party is most likely stifling him for a long time now.

Who can forget Advani’s master move, the idea that sparked the kind of fire in the country that it is still not being put out? In the early advani's rath yatra90s, he undertook the rath yatra all the way to Ayodhya, whipping up communal frenzy along the entire route and reveling in it. His rath yatra can be termed as one of the turning points in modern Indian history, for it sowed seeds of communal divide and hatred between communities, left a permanent imprint on minds. That communal hatred still continues to poison the atmosphere of this nation.

And who can forget that photograph of him and Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi, hugging and clasping each other as the Babri Masjid was being destroyed? The disturbing events of those times continue to simmer to this day, with riots periodically breaking out and terrorists planting bombs in the name of jihaad and the memories of 1992.

As the baton passes to Narendra Modi (or it seems to be forcibly grabbed by Modi and his men in a bloodless coup!), there is not just worry but a growing unease for the safety of this land and the people living in it

Ironically, we can turn to these lines from a poem written by BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee from his book of poems, Twenty One Poems, for some succor. The poem is tilted ‘Power’:

advani1“To those who try to reach/

The throne of power/

Over mounds of dead bodies/

Of innocent children/

Old women/

Young men/

I have a question:/

Did nothing bind them/

To those who died?/

Their faiths differed;/

Was it not enough that they too were of this earth?/

‘The earth is our mother, and we are her sons’:/

This mantra from the Atharvaveda,/

Is it only to be chanted, not lived?/

 

Children charred by fire,/

Women savaged by lust,/

Houses reduced to ash/

Constitute neither a certificate of culture/

Nor a badge of patriotism,/

 

They are proof of bestiality,/

Proof of degradation,/

As if these be the deeds of sons,/

Mothers should not wish for any./

 

A throne smeared with the blood of the/

innocent/

Ranks lower than the dust of the cemetery,/

The lust for absolute power is worse/

Than a thirst for blood.”

Humra Quraishi is a senior political journalist based in Gurgaon. She is the author of Kashmir: The Untold Story and co-author of Simply Khushwant.

(Pictures courtesy www.livemint.com, www.frontline.in, www.hindustantimes.com)

Categories
Do

Things to do in Mumbai today

This Saturday promises to be a fun ride if you like serious cinema, curating architecture or just talks on creativity.
by Medha Kulkarni

It’s been raining and probably will over the weekend, but that shouldn’t stop us Mumbaikars from enriching our minds, should it? Especially today, when three wonderful events are being held in the city.

If you’re inclined towards cinema, or architecture or just like to hear others talk about the serious work they do, today is a good day for you.

Once upon a time in Nagaland

children from nagalandIndia Foundation for the Arts is organising an informal conversation with animation filmmaker Aditi Chitre and primary school teacher Seno Tsuhah about their work with the children of Chizami, Nagaland, followed by a discussion with Sumana Chandrashekar, Programme Executive, IFA, about the organisation’s various programmes.

Aditi believes that visual art in Nagaland has not been encouraged enough either in the classroom or at home. She received an IFA grant to conduct experimental storytelling and illustration workshops for 12 children from Chizami village. This created a liberating environment in which the children could express themselves in new ways. The workshops culminated in two exhibitions and a book of illustrated short stories. Seno Tsuhah also works with North East Network, a women’s rights organisation since 1998 as a team leader in Nagaland. She has been involved in community mobilisation, organising, capacity building and advocacy on issues related to livelihoods, environment, peace building and women’s rights. She was one of the core members of NEN that has built the NEN Resource Centre in Chizami, providing a creative learning space for the community.

The event is free and open to all, but seating will be on a first-come-first-serve basis, at False Ceiling Gallery, 111 Bungalow, Dr Ambedkar Road, next to Pali Village Cafe, Bandra (W). Contact Jigna Padhiar at 9619842954 for details or get more information here. The event starts at 6 pm.

Artisan tales

film screeningIn 2001 an earthquake shook the foundations of Kutch, Gujarat. While accompanying a team of volunteers in their relief efforts, Neha Gandhi (founder of Matsya Crafts, Mumbai) was exposed to the age-old handicraft tradition of the region; its depth, beauty and sheer vibrancy shook her to the core and thus was born Matsya Crafts.

Matsya crafts is a unique organisation with a commitment to rural art and craft. The main goal of the organisation is to preserve, revive, and expand the rich tradition of rural handicrafts by working closely with artisans, helping them develop quality products that appeal to contemporary tastes buds. Furthermore, it is also actively engaged in such projects as organising craft tours, undertaking craft documentation and organising film screenings to educate as many people as possible about the beauty of rural art and craft.

One such film screening is being organised today at the Matsya Studio. Tanke Bole Che is a documentary film that has been made by and about the artisans at Kala Raksha, Kutch, in collaboration with Nina Sabnani, an animation film designer, and seeks to educate the viewer about the life and work of these artisans in a fun manner.

“It’s a powerful yet beautiful film and it is incredible how these simple artisans have used their strengths and embraced technology to harness this medium of communication,” says Neha.

Entry is free and open to all. The screening will be followed by an informal Q&A round where viewers can address their questions to Neha. The event will be held at Matsya’s Juhu Studio. Get further details here. 

Curating Architecture

MoMAThe Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, helmed by Tasneem Zakaria, has organised some wonderful events and talks in the recent past and the one today promises to be an excellent one as well – a lecture on’ Curating Architecture as Critical Practice – From Independent to Institutional Contexts’ by Pedro Gadanho (Curator of Contemporary Architecture at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York) will be organised  at the museum today at 6 pm.

Established in 1932, MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design was the first curatorial department devoted to architecture and design ever created in a museum context. From its inception, it has built a collection that today includes 28,000 works ranging from large-scale design objects to works on paper and architectural models. This collection is also the main platform from which many of the Department’s exhibitions are organised, so as to offer the public new interpretations of modern and contemporary architectural production. In this lecture, Gadanho will confront this institutional vision with the notion of a critical practice of curating architecture.

The lecture will be held in the Origins of Mumbai Gallery at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. Tea will be served at 5:30 pm, followed by the lecture at 6 pm. The lecture is free and open to all, but if you plan to attend, do RSVP with the event organisers by email at ccardoza@bdlmuseum.org.

(Pictures courtesy www.elizabethannedesigns.com, www.kohimaeducationaltrust.net, www.centralpark.biz, www.indiamike.com)

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Swaad 'Anu'saar

Eating out, Mumbai ishtyle – Part II

We continue tracing Mumbai’s gastronomic map, and present four true-to-the-city kinds of eating joints that serve the food we love.
anuritaby Anurita Gupta

Last week, we checked out five very Mumbaiyya eating styles and joints that have Mumbaikars scurrying to eat out at every opportunity. Today, I continue on the food trail across Mumbai with four more types of joints.

Indian Chinese food joints – Street side, take-away or restaurant, Mumbai boasts of the most amazing Chinese food that is remotely inspired by China but which suits the Indian palette. The most famous street-side Chinese is known as galla Chinese, and I’ve gobi manchurian rechristened the food available in restaurants as ‘Chinjabi’ (a combination of Chinese cuisine and Punjabi style of cooking, such as chowmein). We Indians are so happy with our brand of ‘Chinese’ food comprising chilly, garlic, ginger, Schezwan, and Manchurian that I doubt we would relish the bland ‘steamboat’ of Shanghai. Nelson Wang (of China Garden fame) is said to have started this Indo-Chinese blend – it seems like he put together the Indian ingredients of onion, ginger and garlic, but instead of adding garam masala he added soya sauce and cornstarch to the chicken. This is probably how gobi Manchurian came into existence!

Hot tip:  Enjoy galla Chinese at China Man opposite St. Joseph High School, Wadala and Sherry’s next to Ruia College, Matunga that serves fabulous ‘triple schezwan rice’ and ‘crispy chicken’. Order Chinese meal combos from Mr. Chow at Worli. For a high-end food experience, visit China Garden in town that serves yummy Kungpao prawns and beef tepanyaki, while Royal China in Fort serves a delectable Peking duck in orange sauce.

Street side Mughlai food – Coming from the rich history of the Mughals, the Mughlai food we enjoy today is a rendition of the cooking styles typically found in Hyderabad, UP and Delhi, with Pakistani and Persian influences. Its street version is extremely popular in Mumbai.

mughlai rollsTop of the charts are kebabs. Cooked on a charcoal grill, kebabs are made from minced meat and served with thinly-sliced onions and coriander chutney.  The Punjabi version of the cuisine, butter chicken and tandoori chicken, are hot favourites, too.

Hot tip: Enjoy succulent beef and mutton kebabs at Sarvi’s at Byculla, (best ordered in or ‘parcelled’). Mohammad Ali Road in town is perfect for kheeri kaleji (kidney and liver). Bade Miyan’s baida roti is to die for. Harpal’s biryani is the best for ordering in, and ITC Grand Maratha’s Peshawari has the best butter chicken and dal bhukhara.

Some of the less famous mughlai food gems are Maaroosh at Phoenix Mills for chicken tikka and tandoori chicken; Kebab Stall at Union park (next to MOD) for boti kebabs and Universal Kebab Kona outside Wallace Apartments, Slater Road, Tardeo. This last has two guys with very colourful personalities serving yummy ‘pockets’ of fresh bread with mutton or chicken kebab, and green chutney slathered with various cheeses that they make themselves.

South Indian joints: Thambi food joints find their origins in the British Raj when the South Indian ‘tiffin’ service was incredibly popular. Tracing its beginnings to the 1930s, the ‘tiffin’ meant a light meal between meals which used to be typically steamed idlis or crisp vadas made with a batter of rice and lentil, and enjoyed with coconut chutney and sambhar (a spicy and sour mix of lentils and vegetables boiled with tamarind and masala).

The tiffin trend is still a rage. Other than idli-vada, the most sought after are the dosa and uthappam. Many Udipi restaurants have the ‘Meals ready’ facility as well, which means that dosathey have a set vegetarian menu comprising vegetables, sambhar, rice, dahi (curd) and rasam.

Hot Tip: Try the dosaye (dosa) at Anand Bhawan and the Kanchipuram idli at Mysore Café (both at Matunga), which is also famous because Mukesh Ambani heavily endorses it as his favourite breakfast joint. Nearby is the 70-year-old Ramanayak Udipi that offers ready meals.  Madras Café in the same vicinity is supremely popular for its tiffin and South Indian kaapi (coffee).

Mumbai meetha joints: Think sweet in Mumbai, and you think of Shahi Falooda. Made with vermicelli, tapioca pearls, sabza (basil seeds), a bit of rose syrup and milk or vanilla ice cream, the falooda finds its origins in Persia where it was known as faloodeh and became famous here with the Mughal Empire. Another wonderful dessert is the malai  kulfi and its various seasonal fruit versions. The most popular are sitaphal (custard apple), anjeer (figs) and mango. And of course, you can’t get enough of Mumbai’s trademark fruit with cream and ice cream.

FaloodaHot tip: Visit Bachelor’s opposite Chawpatty for the legendary strawberry cream and ice cream, and their mango and kiwi with cream. Badshah’s (at Crawford Market) Shahi falooda is very famous, but the best I have had is at Baba Falooda, Mahim which also serves yummy kesar pista ice cream. Kulfi is synonymous with Gupta Kulfiwallah all over Mumbai, but the best comes from the Kulfi Centre at Girgaum Chowpatty. Serving close to 20 different kulfi varieties, their Zaffran (saffron) flavour is the most popular one but their chocolate kulfi is really special. Haji Ali Juice Centre is also great for Ramadani laddoo and sitaphal cream and ice cream.

Next: We’ll enjoy the unique ‘Bombay sandwich’, explore our love for butter garlic crabs, relish the homely touch of zunka bhakar kendras, roll with Mumbai rolls and rediscover our love for pork sorpotel and other Goan delicacies that Mumbai loves.

Anurita Gupta is a media professional who is passionate about two things – food and radio. Her love for all things food makes her a foodie with a cause.

(Pictures courtesy www.desi-living.com, icetrail.blogspot.com, tarladalal.com, tamalapaku.blogspot.com, mumbai-magic.blogspot.com)

Categories
Beauty

Jhakaas skin and hair this monsoon

Some tricks to keep your skin and hair beautiful even as the monsoon tries to wreck havoc with your looks.
by Beverley Lewis

Don’t let the monsoon dampen your passion to look and feel great. Sure, the excess humidity in the air during this season can damage your skin and hair, making it look dull and lifeless, so it is very important for us to customise our skin and hair-care regime in the monsoon. Here are things to watch out for.

Clean up well: Start by cleansing your face twice a day with an anti-bacterial facewash to prevent skin infections and break outs, especially when you have been walking in the rain. “Water left on the skin for a long time acts as an irritant, making it itchy and easily susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections,” says dermatologist Dr Rickson Pereira, attached to Dr. Minal’s Dermatherapie Centre, Mumbai.

happy feetFungal troubles: The biggest skin complaint during the monsoon is fungal infections, since fungus thrives in humidity, and wet skin folds provide easy nesting places to fungi and yeast. “This can lead to itchy, circular, reddish, flaking patches on the body, especially in skin folds at the groin (known as a ‘Jock itch’), underarms and around the breast region for women,” says Dr Poonam Wadwani, D&T Medical Centre.

Blast fungal infections away with this routine:
– Dry your skin well after you get in from the rain and remember to sprinkle anti-fungal powder over these areas after a shower.

– Athlete’s foot is another common bacterial and fungal infection that affects people whose feet stay wet for hours, especially after exposure to dirty water. Prevent this by thoroughly washing your feet with soap and hot water after wading through stagnant water, and then dry them completely. Dust some talcum powder or antifungal powder especially between toes to absorb the excess moisture to prevent fungal infections.

– Change your socks frequently and dust the insides of your footwear with talcum or antifungal powder.

– When doing pedicures, do not soak your feet for longer than 10 minutes. Ensure the use of clean, sterilised instruments. Instruct your aesthetician to avoid pushing the cuticles, as toe infections can be common during monsoons.

Hair care: The monsoon can also play havoc with your hair, leading to greasiness and dandruff. The heightened moisture in the atmosphere makes hair flat and its texture, dull. The shampoo girlresult: dull and limp tresses. Dr Rickson explains, “Scalp can get itchy due to collection of sebum, sweat and exfoliated skin which can result in worsening of dandruff and increased hair fall.”

To avoid this, men should shampoo their scalp daily and women at least every other day, to prevent the build-up of increased sebum and sweat. Regular washing also reduces itching. Adds Dr Wadwani, “Use a light shampoo and conditioner to cleanse the hair and prevent frizziness. Also, use a silicone-based serum to give hair a smooth texture and protect it from heat caused by blow drying.”

Avoid excessive styling of the hair with instruments and styling products as the hairstyles tend to hold-on less due to the humidity. Instead, opt for a low-maintenance hairdo.

A final list of tips for skin and hair care this monsoon
If you’re simply looking for a checklist for skin and hair maintenance this season, look no further:
– Try to restrict the number of hair products you use to a shampoo and conditioner. Try, in particular, to avoid hair sprays.

– Use a mild shampoo and wash your hair regularly.

– Use conditioner after every wash.

– Drink plenty of water.

face scrub– Eat a balanced diet and include a lot of fresh fruit and salads.

– Use a face scrub twice a week to exfoliate.

– Avoid heavy moisturising creams or oily foundations. Instead, use a light mousse or a few drops of calamine lotion as a base.

– Use a toner each time you wash your face to close the pores and restore your skin’s pH balance.

Beverley Lewis has written for beauty magazines and has amazing tips to share. Do you have a monsoon beauty secret to share? Write to Beverley in the comments section below.

(Pictures courtesy 1000awesomethings.com, www.ladybugblessings.com, l-a-d-y.blogspot.com, www.laurakinch.com)

Categories
Cinema@100

Being Miss Universe’s boyfriend

Rajat Tara became famous when his girlfriend, Sushmita Sen, became Miss Universe in 1994. Then their relationship ended shortly after.
by Humra Quraishi

They went steady for a year before the universe opened its arms to her. Sushmita Sen was all of 18 and even then, unapologetic about her personal life. She had been seeing Rajat Tara, the son of a high-profile public relations man in a Government embassy in Delhi, and she had never hidden her relationship status even on winning the Miss Universe crown.

Sushmita-Sen-Rajat-Tara (1)Naturally, as the country sat up and took notice of India’s first Miss Universe in 1994, the spotlight was also turned on Rajat and the relationship. I had the chance to chat with him after Sushmita’s famous win and when she was on a world tour – he had been unable to accompany her “because of stupid MBA examinations” – and he had been friendly and honest, though he declined a face-to-face interview, preferring to speak over the phone.

They didn’t break up for a while after Sushmita’s big win. When she returned to India after being crowned, Rajat was there with her on all her outings. The breakup happened after Sushmita’s one year as Miss Universe was up. And after that, she seemingly never looked back as she entered the world of films.

Rajat sounded like a simple 24-year-old, cautious and to the point in his answers. Once in a while he became quite frank, but any slip-up was to be expected: here was a young man suddenly famous for no fault of his own, and answering personal questions is never easy.

Excerpts from the interview:

How long have you been dating Sushmita?

For about a year now.

Where did you first meet her?

At the Air Force Golden Jubilee celebrations. There was this fashion show where both of us took part.

Sushmita-Sen press conferenceAfter her becoming Miss India and now, Miss Universe, has there been any difference in your relationship with her?

No, none at all. Why should there be a difference?

You haven’t felt even a bit insecure? She is travelling the world, meeting new people…

Not at all. I am not really bothered. We are very good friends. She has been calling me up daily. She calls, or if she doesn’t, I call her.

How long do your chats last?

For about five minutes or so.

Do you plan to marry her?

Marriage is a long way off, for both of us. We still have a lot to do in life. So we have no marriage plans for at least three or four more years.

Did she ask you to come along with her to Manila, for the Miss Universe contest?

Of course she did. But I had to take these stupid MBA examinations…

Do you feel that her parents would have been okay with your going with her?

Yes, her mother is very friendly. Her father, though, is a bit reserved.

It is being said that to any questions put to him about you, her father replies with “I don’t know”…

Yes, I told you he is a reserved sort. Fathers are like that. I suppose this is a normal human attitude. But her mother is very open and friendly.Winner By Sushmita Sen

Your examinations end on May 31. Would you join her after that?

No, because she would be busy travelling. She is the property of MUI (Miss Universe International) and she has to go to different parts of the world for charity shows, fund raising programmes. How can I afford to go along?

What attracted you to Sushmita when you first her?

She was great company.

What about her looks?

Yes, looks are important, but they are not everything. I really enjoy her company. In fact, what upsets me now is that I won’t be seeing her for quite some time. She will be back her for just a month, then she’ll be out for nearly 10 months.

Rajat I must again ask if you aren’t the tiniest bit insecure. Your special friend is Miss Universe, and you are here with your books…

No, and I have never felt insecure.

Even in the past one year when she has been modelling? Men must pass comments on her?

Yes, men pass comments, but then they pass comments about everybody. The best thing is to ignore all this.

Were you confident that she would become Miss Universe?

Yes, I was. And she was so confident herself.

sushmita and aishwaryaDo you think that her being Miss Universe could cause a strain on your relationship?

There can be no fun (in the relationship) without problems.

But too many problems can cause serious cracks in even the best of relationships?

Sure, but relationships can crack even without problems.

Is Sushmita the kind of person who does things her own way?     sushmita with her crown

Yes, she has her own mind. She is today’s woman.

Has she thought of a film career?

I’m not sure. But I don’t see why not.

Are you the only male friend in her life?     

Yes, I believe so.

With so much happening, with Sushmita being crowned Miss Universe and so much attention on you, how has this affected your studies?

To the extent that I’m finding it difficult to concentrate. And even this interview has disturbed my studies!

(Pictures courtesy www.timescontent.com, www.oocities.org, www.flickr.com)

Categories
Achieve

Our girl in the Big Apple

Mumbai model Scherezade Shroff was chosen from thousands of bloggers to represent India for Sunsilk Style Studio in New York.
by Vrushali Lad | vrushali@themetrognome.in

Sherry ShroffShe’s anything but just a pretty face – a lawyer by qualification, a model by profession (she started modelling at age 16) and a marathon runner by choice, Scherezade Shroff was recently selected to represent India as part of Sunsilk Style Studio, an initiative in which Sunsilk flew 20 international bloggers to New York in May 2013.

Sherry – as Scherezade is more popularly known – was selected to represent the country from among thousands of fashion bloggers. “The girl they were looking for in each country had to fit the brief of a woman who had written her own story in life, had several different aspects to her personality and who was a fashion blogger,” Sherry told The Metrognome.

The initiative brought together fashion bloggers from 20 countries to spend four days in New York, during which they toured the city, attended workshops with the Sunsilk experts from the profession and participated in a photo shoot. On Day 1, the girls had a meet-the-others session, which helped break the ice – each girl had arrived in New York at different times, so there hadn’t been a proper catch-up session. “On Day 2, each girl was assigned an expert as per her hair type, and I was very lucky to have Jamal Hammadi – Shine Expert. We had the photo shoot with Anna Wolf and met with our expert for a discussion on hair,” Sherry explained. Each girl was also assigned a make-up person and wardrobe stylist, and the hair experts designed the girls’ looks in keeping with their hair requirements and what the shoot needed.

Sherry to the rescue

None of the other girls had a modelling background, and though they were avid fashion bloggers, none of them had ever participated in a photo shoot as a model before. “The shoot The photo shoot itself was designed to be fun, with a party theme and lots of fun props like blow-up cupcakes and an actual photo booth,” she said. “It didn’t seem like a photo shoot at all. But before it began, many of the girls came to me asking for tips on facing the camera. Yet once it got underway, despite the cameras, everybody had a blast! It was very relaxed and I think it was the funnest shoot I’ve ever been a part of,” she laughs.

Working with Jamal Hammadi

“I was very lucky to get Jamal, because he understood the problems of my hair perfectly. My hair is thick and difficult to manage because it gets dry and damaged pretty quickly. Plus it gets bigger and bigger in the Mumbai humidity,” Sherry explains. “I used to try taming it with oil, but washing off the oil took several tries and the problem just got worse. Jamal understood the problem and gave me a great haircut. He also recommended that I try avocado oil – it penetrated my hair quickly, it helped keep my hair in check and can you believe it, I actually shot with oiled hair? I couldn’t have imagined ever shooting with oiled hair!”

Even after her return to Mumbai on May 18, she is still surprised that her hair is behaving itself despite the humidity. “I don’t usually leave my hair open, but with Jamal’s haircut I actually can! I used to be very anti-oil and serum, but now Jamal’s advised me on the right oils to use,” Sherry explained.

Post the New York sojourn

“While I was still at New York, I did a lot of video blogs and updated my regular blog as well,” Sherry explained. “I am now working on editing these videos and uploading them one by one.”

More from Sherry’s New York visit:

 (Sherry video blogs at www.youtube.com/fashiontube and writes here. Pictures courtesy Scherezade Shroff)

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