Trendy !!! Always Wau !!!

What is the Cost of a Solar Cells Panel !!! Is it possiable or Cost Effective for Domestic use in India ???

2010-03-06T12:00:00.000+05:30

This Year Indian Budget have reduced taxes on import of Solar Energy material which may reduce the cost of solar energy application. What are its range of application ? You must have seen calculators with solar cells -- which never need batteries and in some cases, don't even have an off button. As long as there's enough light, they seem to work forever. You may also have seen larger solar panels, perhaps on rural telephone tower WLL Phone of BSNL, Solar Light posts in remote areas or You must have seen Railway Road Crossing Gates are provided with Solar Panels for lightling in Night in recent years.

In fact, photovoltaics -- which were commonly and almost exclusively used in space, powering satellites' electrical systems as far back as 1958 --Now it became used more and more exotic ways. The technology continues to grow in new devices all the time. The Indian Government is emphasizing upon renewable energy resources and planning for generating electric power from solar energy.

The hope for a alternate energy source from the Sun has been floating around for decades -- and one day we'll all use free electricity.In fact a bright, sunny day, the sun's rays give off approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the earth's surface. And If we could collect all of that energy, we could easily power our homes and offices for free. This thought is becoming true day by day.

So that we may be interested about solar cells and how it convert light energy to electric flow and how we can use the energy in our daily needs for free ? What will be the cost of a solar panel in India and how it will be more cost-effective.

Photography of Kulwant Roy, curated by Aditya Arya and Sabeena Gadihoke at Exhibition Hall, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts,

2008-10-17T00:43:00.009+05:30

Photographic exhibition at IGNCA
On days that I find myself feeling a little blue, I make myself a hot cuppa, pull out the old family albums (after all, I did choose them over gold and crystal that my grandmothers were bequeathing to us grandchildren), and wallow in misty-eyed nostalgia.
So imagine my utter joy at the chance to catch never-before-seen ’snapshots’ from the recently- discovered archives of Kulwant Roy (1914-1984), who documented the turbulent run-up to Independence and the heroes of that era — the 1930s and 1940s. Roy, who set up Associated Press Photos in Mori Gate in the 1940s, continued to shoot well into the 1960s. He left thousands and thousands of neatly labelled photographs and negatives in cardboard boxes that were bequeathed to another, much younger photographer, Aditya Arya (who co-curates the exhibition with Sabeena Gadihoke) almost 24 years after Roy’s death.
History in the Making just whets the appetite for more. On display is the kind of absolute, easy access, unimaginable in our security-driven times, that the modern paparazzi would kill for. The usually mild Mahatma Gandhi in what seems like a heated argument with Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira and Rajiv, in an intimate family moment, all three pensive. In a change of mood, a beaming Nehru with the stunning Jackie Kennedy, layers of pearls adorning her neck. Photographs of Congress and Muslim League leaders meeting with Lord Mountbatten, in the dying days of the Raj.
Over 90 black-and-white beauties, including a clutch of original silver bromides, are part of round one: the curators are already at work on the rest of the boxes. Who knows what treasures lie within.
This time, I’ll be there for the opening.
History in the Making: The Visual Archives of Kulwant Roy, curated by Aditya Arya and Sabeena Gadihoke; Exhibition Hall, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Entry from Man Singh Road ; On till Oct 21, between 10 am and 6 pm.

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Tabeer, by Shafqat Amanat Ali, Music Today, CDs Rs 199. Out in music stores

2008-10-17T00:27:00.002+05:30

New album 'Tabeer'
Goosebumps. That’s what some voices do to me. And that’s exactly what happened when I first heard ‘Mitwa’: remember SRK and Rani, roaming the streets of New York, sharing a vibe which gets deeper with each glance? That song from ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ is still high on my playlist, and it’s the one I turn to when I’m all love-lorn and mushy!
Shafqat Amanat Ali sang that one, and a couple of other Bollywood faves (’Yeh Hausla’ from ‘Dor’, ‘More Saiyaan’ and ‘Tere Bina’ from ‘Hyderabad Blues 2′). Till then, he was better known as the former lead vocalist of Fuzon, the popular Pakistani band which combined classical, rock, jazz and sufi elements in a completely sub-continental, completely fresh sound.
His just-out debut solo album ‘Tabeer’ is outstanding: the music is all self-composed, and has been playing in a continuous loop, in my home, and in my car! Of the nine tracks, the one I liked best is the haunting ‘Khairheyan De Naal’, which talks of lost love and parting. The soft, romantic ‘Naina’ puts me in the mood for love; so does ‘Rang Le’, the use of the accordion giving it an almost Parisian feel — you know, the guys-on-the-accordions who strum softly as you dig into your coffee-and-croissants in a Paris street-side cafe.
The real test of a singer is when he can carry off a tune without too much accompaniment: ‘Bulle Shah’ has just the flute backing the song. Fabulous. You can also see Ali trying his hand at old classics: his ‘Dum Ali’ is yet another version of the classic ‘Mast Qalandar’ composition, all energy and motion. And ‘Kartar’ — Raag Darbari with electronic beats — is a fine example of marrying the classic with the modern. No wonder he’s called the Rockster Ustad!
‘Tabeer’ means fulfillment. And that’s indeed what I feel — from head to tingly toe — every time I finish a round of listening.
Tabeer, by Shafqat Amanat Ali, Music Today, CDs Rs 199. Out in music stores.Not seeing images? Click Here Sign Up

Trendy ways of Living . All India , Enjoy ! Win with Joy

2008-08-29T14:54:00.005+05:30

All-India: Hue and Try New hair colour technique at Wella Salons

All that endless chatter about the IPL and cricket coming out of your ears?

All-India: Nights in Pink Satin, New range of plush lingerie from Enamor

All-India: Once Upon a Time in Iran, Marjane Satrapi's animated film 'Persepolis'

All-India: Girl Meets Boy in Blue,The Zoya Factor is chick-lit at its best

Tabeer a New Album

Delhi : Trendy ways of Living, Always Wauooo!!! Enjoy ! Visit to Win the Joy.

2008-08-29T09:26:00.007+05:30

Delhi: New Orient Rising, Wasabi,Taj Mahal Hotel wins over Delhi Visit !!!

There’s a lot in common between Delhi’s favourite med lounge Shalom and every girl’s favourite series of stories, spun by a princess called Scheherazade! Visit !!!

It’s a depressingly dingy, drizzly day as I pull into Hotel Janpath. Visit!!!

Shopping in the Sandpit, Play Clan at Select Citywalk Visit !!!

Casual Cool, Replay's putting sexy back in denim Visit !!!

They Wanna Mex You Up! Sancho's stirs up South Ex Visit !!!

Photography of Kulwant Roy, curated by Aditya Arya and Sabeena Gadihoke at Exhibition Hall, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Visit Exhibition

Bangalore: Going for Gold Just Oriental does excellent Chinese

2008-08-29T09:05:00.004+05:30

Bangalore: Going for GoldJust Oriental does excellent Chinese
The Olympics may have just got over, but I’m already missing the daily medal tallies, the Phelps’ physiology-analyses and breathless wait for an Indian to do good. So much so, I reluctantly agreed to meet my pals at Just Oriental for lunch.
Why reluctantly, you ask? It’s because I’m up to here with coriander-garnished fried rice, tomato pureed sweet-and-sour dishes, and meats drowned in soy sauce. So used am I to ‘Indian-Chinese’, I halted mid-sentence, tore my eyes away from my best friend’s Gerard Darel 24 Hours Barcelona bag and happily let my Hermes’ fragrance be overpowered when the waiters began serving us.
The wok magicians, imported from Taiwan and Hong Kong, have been paying homage to mild Cantonese, spicy Schezwan and even Chinese experimental without a single glance at kothmir or ketchup for a few months now.
By common consent, we suspended our red-hot chatter and, instead, toasted our tastebuds with Crispy Honey Chilli Garlic Chicken, succulent, sweet and hot. The Aromatic Steamed Rice — made with grains transported from Thailand — was full of flavour, steamed as it had been in a bamboo trunk with a hint of jasmine. The Clay-Pot Chicken was subtle, while the Cambodian Mixed Vegetables came with a tang reminiscent of fresh tamarind leaves and the sweetness of sugarcane. We ended with a warm melt-in-the-mouth Toffee Banana, coated in a crispy crunchy sweet batter.
Just as we were wondering if the oriental meal experience could get any better, the maitre d’ let us into a secret: Always ask for the chef’s special for the day, dependent on whatever’s the freshest in the markets on a daily basis.
We felt like we’d bagged the gold.

Just Oriental, 28 Mota Arcade,

158 Brigade Road, Bangalore 560001.

Tel: 30582727, 41611989.

Meal for two: Rs 1400.

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Bangalore: Trendy Life Style, Always Wauooo!!! Visit, Enjoy, Win the Joy.

2008-08-29T08:24:00.005+05:30

Masala Klub, The Taj West End, Race Course Road, Bangalore

Summersalt, in aid of Spoorthi (http://www.spoorthi.org/). Saturday, May 31, 10 am to 7 pm. At 15, Railway Parallel Road, Kumara Park (West), Bangalore Visit !!!

Calvin Klein, Lifestyle Oasis Mall,
Koramangla (and Bangalore International Airport), Bangalore.

More Than Paranthas, (MTP)
610, 6th Block, 80 feet Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore 95.

Going for Gold Just Oriental does excellent Chinese
28 Mota Arcade, 158 Brigade Road, Bangalore 560001.

All-India: I’m Eyein’ It,Leiber's latest collection, Lieber's Eyeware

2008-07-27T00:52:00.007+05:30

Perhaps you spent your summer eyeballing Moroccan mosaics on your Med cruise. And possibly you shed your rose-tinted Jackie Os and came back wishing you had the moolah and the chutzpah to bring home a piece of that awesome art instead of the souvenir-stall keychains dangling an Eiffel Tower.
I have news for you: I can actually wear my architectural mood of the moment on my sleeve — well, alright, over my ear — these days, without so much as stepping out of the city. This season’s Leiber eyewear collection doesn’t just feature the ever-popular Art Deco inspiration, it takes its hue from the artistry of ethnic embellishments.
Which doesn’t mean naive beading and chi-chi cowries, oh no! At Leiber, it means gold and silver engraving a la Mayan sacred vessels. Native American ornaments echoed in artful bead wraps. Or jewelled fillets in their usual gorgeous Austrian crystals and laser engraving on cast metal to mimic pottery and sculpture in stone. Colourful, eyeball-grabbing — not a single 80s neon-bright plastic orb in sight either!
Moi, I loved the mosaic squares and stripes on tortoiseshell-and marble-esque backing. Perfect for pairing with minakari and this season’s safari suits both. So contemporary, yet so 3rd century! For the evening, though, I’ll go with classic bejewelled Art Deco — never fear looking like a silly Bolly starlet either, these delicate frames can take clear glass as well as dark! But for upping the ante on white shirt and blue jeans, the Art Deco mosaic swirl in bold red and black.
One warning: You’ll be tempted to pull back your hair and present your profile for every air kiss with these sunnies — and lead the culture conversation. So practice your most elegant neck roll.
Available at Leiber boutiques in Delhi (Claridges Hotel, New Delhi; ph: 41335058) and Mumbai (Shop No. 16, Atria Mall, Mumbai; ph: 24813586-87). In Bangalore, call 09920026209 to arrange a viewing or place an order. Prices: Rs 22,000-29,000.Not seeing images? Click Here Sign Up

Trendy in all : All India Back Next

Bangalore: Capital Cuisine ,More than Paranthas brings Delhi to Bangalore

2008-07-22T07:43:00.004+05:30

When we moved to Bangalore from Delhi, I was super-excited about the buzzing city, its happening pubs, the cool, cool weather. But a little bit of me ached for Purani Dilli food. You know, those fabulous paranthas, tandoor-cooked chicken and utterly delish kebabs.
Over the years, I thought I’d overcome the pangs. Till I walked into More Than Paranthas, the new fine-dining Indian restaurant. The 7000 sq ft interiors are reminiscent of all that I miss about Old Delhi eateries: kitschy black marble tables with inlay work, Rajasthani mirrorwork on the walls and a heady aroma of good food!
True to its name, MTP does a whole array of Jama Masjid-lanes type of food: I loved Bhatti ka Murg (spring chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices), Bharwan Nawabi Tangri (chicken drumsticks in cream, cheese and spices) and Kasturi Kebab (boneless chicken marinated in kasturi methi). For vegetarians, there’s the Mirch Paneer Tikka and Dahi ke Kebabs, among others, which are cooked in an authentic coal sigdi. My Punjabi soul did a little jig when I heard that the paneer is flown in from Delhi every day.
But after sampling their array of chaats — papri chaat, dahi bhallas and dahi puchkas — I knew I’d have to come back for the paranthas. So Sunday afternoon was spent working through sundry veg- and non-veg stuffed paranthas and the wham-bang Sharaabi Parantha (stuffed with dry fruits soaked overnight in alcohol and served flambed). And then there was dessert: Trad North Indian fare like jalebis, rabri paranthas and shahi kulfi with falooda.
I’m going back. Not only for the paranthas — there are hundreds of varieties — but also for the chaats and kebabs.
MTP’s my home away from home.
More Than Paranthas, 610, 6th Block, 80 feet Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore 95. Tel: 41724630/40/50. Meal for two: Rs 1000.Not seeing images? Click Here Sign Up

Mumbai: Nothing Patchy about This ,Patchi's premium accessories

2008-07-22T07:37:00.003+05:30

It may not quite feel like the monsoons right now. But it’s sure raining deals. I just stocked up on a month’s worth of Mango gear at throwaway prices and only just got back with some fab finds from the super-hush hush Globus pre-sale sale. And now my little bargain birdie tells me Patchi, one of my fave chocolatiers, is doing it too.
Wait, before you get your chocoholic radar up, the special monsoon discount (up to 50 per cent) isn’t on the gooeylicious goodies that the Lebanese brand is famous for. It’s on the premium crystal, silver, porcelain and accessories from various parts of Europe like Germany, Italy, France, etc. that the brand prides itself on handpicking from the world’s best labels. I got to ogle at and choose from international brands like Versace, Christian Dior, Rosenthal, Cristal de Sevres, Royal Silver, Iceberg, Roberto Cavalli, Rosenthal, Kaloo, Florence, Mario Cioni, Formia, Artoria Limoge and Murano, amongst others.
I admit I went a little berserk when I saw the marked down prices on the designer vases, candle stands, serving trays, tableware, bowls and figurines. Especially the delicate-as-a-rosebud Limoges porcelain that I’ve always read about but never dreamed I’d own. And the German Frankonia animal figurines that are looking oh-so gorgeous in front of my artistically lit bar. I thought I’d pick out the exquisite Rosenthal crockery and the classic Murano glassware for you, but, as a babe-on-a-budget, I had to pass up the chance.
But then again, according to the Patchi people, these are “gifts you’d rather give yourself”. Looks like they had me in mind when they coined that one!
Patchi: Shop No 65/66, Ground Floor, Atria Mall, Mumbai; Tel: 24813430/3431. Prices start at Rs 5,000. Sale on till July 31.Not seeing images? Click Here Sign Up

Delhi: They Wanna Mex You Up! Sancho's stirs up South Ex

2008-07-22T07:30:00.003+05:30

I went sale-shopping at South Ex, and what did I find there? Delhi’s Devils have been exorcised the old-fashioned way, shown the door by nimbu-mirchi! That is, by jalapeno poppers — tangy chillies stuffed with cheese — which we’re chasing down with tequila-tanked margaritas at the new joint that’s taken over.
Sancho’s got Tex-ish Mex (two floors of it), so no hardcore chayote salad or agave nectar; and it does mostly crowd-pleasers based on tortillas and Mexican rice rather than the locally lesser-known tamales or chilli con carne with ‘real meat’ (they just got chicken). But what they do, ole!, they do lip-smackingly, belly-burstingly, finger-lickingly — and sometimes eye-wateringly — well.
First, major props for the in-house tortillas — lime, regular, spicy and even dark-brown ‘blue corn’, served without a spot of grease. With a slew of salsas — the mango’s a must, if only to take the sting out of the superhot superhit pico de gallo and the sour green tomatillos.
My burrito comes blanketed in a tangy sauce striped with sour cream. It’s B-I-G, stuffed with Mexican rice, beans, chicken, cheese and veggies. The garden fresh fajitas arrive as sizzling veg pile topped with grilled corn on the cob, fresh warm tortillas in clay casserole, refried beans and rice on the side. But if it’s all too much — really, you need a party of people for these — order a ‘lighter’ meal of black bean soup (excellent, with cinnamon-pickled onion slivers) and taco salad.
Beware their generosity with the Monterey Jack! Unless you choose with care, you’ll have to pass up dessert. A pity, since chef Jorge A. Romero has a ravishing platter set up with coconut flan, bread pudding, spiced chocolate shot and churros.
Wash down with Mexican pot coffee. Work off with an energetic rumba (there’s a DJ Friday and Saturday nights). And leave a large tip in the servers’ sombreros.
Sancho’s, E-3 South Extension-II (3rd & 4th floors), ph: 46076422. Meal for two Rs 1,500 onwards (with drinks).Not seeing images? Click Here Sign Up

All-India: Girl Meets Boy in Blue,The Zoya Factor is chick-lit at its best

2008-07-22T07:16:00.005+05:30

One girl who doesn’t care about cricket. And 11 guys who make up the team. Led by one super-dishy captain with Boost-brown eyes and a cute butt, who believes it’s hard work and determination that make teams win matches. Not luck.
But as it happens, Zoya was born at the exact moment India won the 1983 World Cup. And her father and her brother know that whenever Zoya escorted them to any match they were playing, they never lost.
Her ad-agency job brings her into close proximity with the team. Sparks fly — first because of her ‘lucky’ status and then because of the chemical reactions between Zoya and smouldering captain Nikhil Khoda. He’s tall, dark and handsome, she’s a pint-sized, chubby-cheeked, curly-haired girl next door.
The Zoya Factor, adwoman Anuja Chauhan’s first novel — she’s the one who thought up the super-successful ‘Nothing Official About It’ tagline for Pepsi when Coke was going to town about its ‘official’ status for the 1996 World Cup — is such a rollicking read, I kept chuckling throughout. And though I outgrew soppy romances years ago, the SMSs, the simple in-love gestures and the midnight assignations by the poolside had me wishing I could fall in love all over again.
The novel could have ended a bit sooner, but when I turned the last page, I had a big, silly smile on my face. Love and laughter do that to you.
The Zoya Factor. By Anuja Chauhan. Published by Harper Collins. Price: Rs 295. At bookstores nationwide.Not seeing images? Click Here Sign Up

Trendy in all : All India Back Next

Mumbai: Kitschy Cool, The City of Dreams musical

2008-06-24T19:30:00.003+05:30

Last Sunday, I felt like I’d died and gone to Broadway. I had a sneak peek at City of Dreams, a fun musical co-produced by Ashvin Gidwani Productions and Cineyug. Here’s my postcard from the theatrical fringe:
An eager Bollywood hopeful from Lucknow. Her hard-as-nails-on-the-outside-yet soft-as cotton-candy-on-the-inside best friend. A know-it-all fixer. The been-there-done-that mixer. A lecherous producer. A dashing superstar. Just bring together all the cliched characters from filmdom, shake off some of the stardust and set them on a stage. Throw in a dash of various hot topics: dance contests, stardom, the casting couch, the media’s role in making and breaking celebs, etc. Stir in OTT dialogues, kitschy costumes and popular songs. Now wait for the applause.
Luckily, the creators won’t have to hold their breath for the appreciation too long. Although the ingredients of this musical extravaganza are rather ghisa-pita, the glitz, glamour and excellent production values, make me deem this a must-watch. If not for the light-up umbrellas, tasteful costumes, innovative dances and peppy music, catch it just to track the 13 elaborate sets and 40 dancers with numerous costume changes!
Now, if I had to critique this uber-spectacle, I’d say I wasn’t too happy with the way the documentary-style clips — featuring everyone from SRK to K-Jo to Hrithik and Priyanka Chopra to Rakhi Sawant — make an appearance on a retractable screen throughout the story. Or that the lead pair — TV actor Gaurav Chopra and debutante Lucky Morani — aren’t exactly Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, although the supporting cast’s fab. But I’m not quibbling — the twists and turns (of the tale as well as the dance steps) unspooled my tension-laden self. A super way to beat the rigours of the week.
Be kind, unwind.
City of Dreams.

Stars Shipra Singh, Anand Tiwari , Mandar Chandwarkar, Kashmira Shah, Gaurav Chopra and introducing Lucky Morani; On Friday, June 27 (7.45pm) and Sunday, June 29 (7 pm) at Jamshedji Bhabha Auditorium, NCPA, Mumbai; Tel: 22824567, 66548135, 66223724, 66223754; Tickets are priced at Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 750 and Rs 500

Delhi: Casual Cool, Replay's putting sexy back in denim

2008-06-24T19:18:00.003+05:30

What’s more appealing than Texan-ranch denims, rendered in smart Italian finish, hot off the Delhi high-street? Umm, my Swarovski pen-drive cum neck ornament comes close. But I’d have to put the spanking new Replay store down as the grooviest splurge-stop for this summer! After those stuffy Liber cocktail clutches and floor-sweeping gowns from last season, chilled-out denims and tees come as a breath of fresh air. My sparkly USB drive likes ‘em better, too!
Opened just a fortnight back at my fave Saket haunt, the store welcomes you in with its bold red neon sign. Exposed brick walls, wooden flooring and fixtures, and warm yellow lighting, gives the place a young, but sophisticated, air.
It’s big and well-laid out and crammed with sturdy, stylish and perfectly-cut casual wear. I’m not talking tacky boy-shorts and formula cheeky-tees, but yummy acid-washed denims that cling to your curves. I got one instantly, having out-jogged all my super-size jeans. I also picked up a shirt in smart-casual Madras checks, a canary yellow T-shirt and a spacious olive carry-bag, with plaited-chord handles.
Everything looks weathered and rugged, but it’s the superb tailoring that gives away Replay’s swish European antecedents ( owned by the Italian Fashion Box group, brought to India by Pantaloons), with its over-dyes and fine detailing on jeans, corduroy trousers, oversized cotton shirts and tees. Those dual-colour keds, that offset the whole chilled-outlook, are going to give my Manish Arora sneakers some competition.
Satin black gown, go fly a kite!
Replay, F-19 and F-20, Select Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi. Ph: 40597524 and 40597525.

Home Trendy in all

2008-06-24T18:01:00.006+05:30

All-India: Once Upon a Time in Iran, Marjane Satra... Marjane Satrapi's animated film 'Persepolis'

Bangalore: Style Statement, Calvin Klein opens sto... Calvin Klein opens store at Bangalore

Mumbai: Cool, Light and Easy, Fire Walkers fashion... Fire Walkers fashion

Delhi: Shopping in the Sandpit, Play Clan at Selec... Shopping in the Sandpit at Delhi

All-India: Nights in Pink Satin, New range of plus... lingerie from Enamor

I treasure my lazy weekends. But come Monday and ... Bangalore, Summersalt with Origami, Turn Saturday Around

Well, it does look like all the action is moving ... Mumbai, Pasta Perfect, Pot Pourri comes to Malad

It’s a depressingly dingy, drizzly day as I pull ... Delhi Fiesta Mismo's Mexican menu

All that endless chatter about the IPL and cricke... All-India: Sunspots on the Small Screen, New summer lifestyle shows

This place has grown with me. Or, rather, I grew... Bangalore: Spice Root, Masala Klub at the Taj West End

Okay, so I love places that are rich in silk and ... Mumbai: One for the Boys Bootleggers, the new pub in Colaba

There’s a lot in common between Delhi’s favourite... Delhi: Arabian Nights, Shalom

Trendy Wear and Hair Style at London Streets Common Girls with Trendy OutLook

Trendy way of Dressing London Street Smart Common Girls

Ginger Hotels a Trendy way of Life Style Trendy Hotels

Delhi: New Orient Rising, Wasabi,Taj Mahal Hotel w... Orient Rising, Taj Mahal Hotel at Delhi

All-India: Hue and Try New hair colour technique a... Colour Cascading at Wella, Salon

All-India: Once Upon a Time in Iran, Marjane Satrapi's animated film 'Persepolis'

2008-06-24T17:50:00.005+05:30

What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice. Marji is all this and much more. Because she lives in a war-torn land, everything familiar slowly fades and becomes strange. Because she’s naturally precocious and curious, she learns to go beyond. Because she’s lucky and loved, she survives.
‘Persepolis’, Marjane Satrapi’s brilliant graphic novel, based on her growing up years in Iran during the revolution, and the take-over by the fundamentalists, is an equally brilliant film. The black and white two dimensional line drawings (borrowed from the book) are deceptively simple, giving you a breathtaking glimpse into the lives of Marji aka Marjane and her family and friends, as they go through one of the most tumultuous phases in current history, which changed the world we live in.
Satrapi co-directs (she also co-wrote the screenplay), so it’s almost as if the graphics walked off her pages into film: watch the 21-year-old Marji look back at her 12-year-old self, as she watches her world crumble, then steady around her. It’s a coming of age tale full of lost faith and redemption, at once tender and searing. It won a jury prize at Cannes, and was nominated for an Oscar for best animated feature.
It’s at once deeply personal and deeply political, like the best of art always is. If you haven’t read it already, this is the time. And make a date with the film showing at your neighbourhood multiplex courtesy NDTV Lumiere, the TV channel’s brand new arm whose aim is to bring the best of world cinema to India: this is one of those un-missable ones.
Out at PVR cinemas in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, on Friday.

Trendy in all : Al India : Back Next

Bangalore: Style Statement, Calvin Klein opens store

2008-06-24T17:31:00.005+05:30

I wasn’t around when Brooke Shields was breathing that famous line: ‘Nothing comes between me and my Calvins’. But such was the aura around that ad, it quickly became part of my generation’s consciousness. And, I’m not even sure when, CK jeans became one of those wish-list perennials. Like, you know, MAC make-up and Hershey’s chocolate syrup.
Well, what do you know: Following the footsteps of the cosmetics and chocolate majors, CK has just landed in namma Bengaluru. I hotfooted it to the store to check if the girlhood fantasy had withstood the test of time. One visit to the trial room later, I knew exactly what Brooke Shields had been purring about.
The store assistants told me the CK Jeans Spring-Summer ‘08 collection was all about precise cuts and luxurious materials. I felt — rather than saw — the exquisite engineering hug me just right. Which is just as well, because the colour palette and fabric range are so vast I had to consider picking up more than a couple of pairs.
Watery, washed blues — perfect with a sunny ganji — for a lazy morning. Pale steels, to be dressed up for a blingy evening out. Deep indigo slim-fits, just right for a pair of black boots and a light jacket on a work Friday. Minerals in sand, stone, pearl, pepper grey and black, for any occasion in between. And beautiful, beautiful white for Sunday brunch.
Since they come in light fabrics, luxe metallics and regular denim, the rest of my wardrobe is under serious threat. And oh, did I mention there were a host of tops, dresses and skirts in light fabrics as well?
Never mind. Me, I’m in a mood to purr.
Calvin Klein, Lifestyle Oasis Mall, Koramangla (and Bangalore International Airport), Bangalore. Tel: 32419717. Prices: Rs 1295 upwards for tops, Rs 3495 upwards for denims, Rs 395 upwards for inner garments, and Rs 995 upwards for accessories.

Mumbai: Cool, Light and Easy, Fire Walkers fashion

2008-06-24T17:28:00.003+05:30

Rain or shine, June always brings with it the usual dilemma: What should I wear? I don’t want to flaunt my summery whites anymore for fear of getting them splashed. And it gets so hot between showers that my December pullovers and sexy knitwear are not an option at all. My cottons rumple too quickly and dry too slowly. Must I throw all sense of style out the window?
Luckily, not just yet. I just chanced upon a new chain of stores that gives me some fab ops for this time of the year. Fire Walkers has row upon row of lightweight tops, skirts and dresses that are skimpy enough to be cool and synthetic enough to be drip-dry. Colourful retro wrap tops, perfect for painting the town red. Outrageously polka dotted flared skirts that’ll add zing to any gathering. Ultra slim tunic tops for when I want to appear petite and poised. Grecian-style tie-up togas for the glam touch. Teensy denim skirts that I can pair with leggings of the 80s vintage. All imported from South East Asia, but not just in the tiny sizes and limited variety your usual ‘Made in Hong Kong’ hawker offers.
I could’ve bought up the whole store, but that wouldn’t leave any goodies for you, would it? So I exercised supreme self control and chose only a few must-haves. An achingly gorgeous sheath dress in dull gold satin. A lovely purple halter that did great things to my figure. And a simple yet chic cream top in t-shirt fabric with flouncy sleeves and an unusual cut that goes fabulously with my basic blue denims.
It may not be raining cats and dogs. It’s not even raining men. But with a chain of stores like this at my disposal, I’m still reigning ‘it’ girl with my posse.
Fire Walkers, Atria Mall, Worli, Tel: 24813358; Waterfield Road, Bandra (W), Tel: 26413080; Lokhandwala, Andheri (W), Tel: 32440419; Prices: Rs 650-Rs 1,800.

Delhi: Shopping in the Sandpit, Play Clan at Select Citywalk

2008-06-24T17:19:00.003+05:30

There’s a new playground for 9-to-5 rebels. It’s in Delhi’s swankiest mall.
Now, before you pivot away on your Birkenstock, tossing your red/blue streaked ponytail and curling your barbel-pierced lip, let me reassure you: this isn’t the usual formulaic retail pap. No cookie-cutter cutesy Ts for the girls, no preppy shirts for the boys, no faux-Bali bedding for your pad, no grandfatherly leather blotter for your executive-cube office.
The clan at Illum Design Project (the Delhi-based graphic design studio group behind Play Clan) aren’t having with the ‘commercially acceptable’ mass market-led lines. These out-of-the-colouring-box folk like asking ‘why not?’ Like, why in a mall, that too tucked away behind the candy store, I wonder? Store spokesperson Pooja Dhingra quips: ‘Sometimes the charm of a little tucked away store in a part of the world is more exciting than a 1250th sportswear store.’
Stacked and swung down from the ceiling, for your amusement (and purchase): A floor lamp that’s a bare bulb housed in a glass globe. Pastel ’suicidal song’ T-shirts for non-saccharine ladettes — the Loveless collection. An yellow auto rickshaw pillow. Black and yellow, applique-and-embroidery taxi T; another black ditto themed ’sultanat-e-delhi’ — from the IST (Indian standard tamasha) collection. A framed ‘DTC Bas!’ print. Functional no-frills notebooks stamped with camera and face cards, Marilyn Monroe and ethnic owls on brown unbleached paper covers. Hand graffiti-ed sneakers. Blank CDs imprinted with the iconic Play Clan boxhead ‘clone’.
My raves: A Maul-a-Mall T mapping the city’s retail therapy landscape, signposting Ansal, Ambi, MGF, Emporio — and of course Citywalk! And a pair of art frames of ‘cutting chai’ and a Tiffin — the latter’s contours printed in names of snackery legends: from Wenger’s to Khan Chacha!
Non-Clan clones are welcome to add their own toys to this new game. (Designers are invited to send in their oddball designs, and get featured, if accepted, as ‘artists of the month’).
Log on — and press play!
Play Clan, Select Citywalk, F-51( first floor) New Delhi; ph: 40534559; www.theplayclan.com. Prices: stationery Rs 180 onwards, throw pillows Rs 695, art prints Rs 900 each, garments from Rs 785.

All-India: Nights in Pink Satin, New range of plush lingerie from Enamor

2008-06-24T17:05:00.005+05:30

Lately I have been very strict with my shopaholic self. Trying to recycle some of my threads from last season. And, sigh, practical white cotton inners. But there comes a time when I need to cut loose, and it is on, yes, you are right on the button, LOVELY LACY LINGERIE!
Ooooh! I do love the feel of lace and satin against my skin. I need, right now, to have that set of lingerie-preferably in pink.
The latest range from Enamor-Plisse Collection — demi cup bras, snug corsets, camisoles, lacy thongs and briefs and sexy little night numbers — was what made me break out. As I browsed the shelves, a pink and black lace and satin creation caught my fancy. The smooth satin — Italian, of course — and delicate Swiss embroidery and soft tulle detailing just had me breathless. (The bras have a soft padding and oh-so-seductive lace spaghetti straps). I snapped it up, and matching briefs, in pink satin.
For more girly fun I also checked out the new Enamor-Scotsi brand, inspired by the colours of Scotland. The powder blue and purple range has interesting geometric prints, which look a lot like classic Scottish checks. I splurged on a demi bra and boy shorts.
Abstinence, who needs that?
Available at Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle stores in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Price: Enamor-Plisse: Rs Bras Rs 745 on, Briefs Rs 430 on. Enamor-Scotsi: Bras Rs 490 on, briefs Rs 350 on.

Trendy in All : All India Back Next

2008-06-09T17:25:00.005+05:30

I treasure my lazy weekends. But come Monday and someone asks me how my weekend was, I just have an, “Erm, same old same, you know?” answer. That’s why this Saturday I’m doing something that I can talk about all week: Summersalt.
Origami Creative Concepts (a young creative agency) presents Summersalt. A festival to raise money for Spoorthi, an NGO to help the youth of the Koraga community. The event promises to be filled with ice golas, painted faces, flea markets, drama dreams, crafty crafts, glitzy clothes, future fortunes, home baked brews and cookie whiffs. Yep, all your childhood dreams are about to come true. About time, huh?
Apart from this, Kalyan Singh Rathore uses trees to create installation art pieces, Shomil Shah showcases lomography in photography and Anjali Prabhu and Atam Singh Bawa present their mixed media and paper displays. There’s music from En Construccion and theatre and stand-up comedy routines from Rafiki, Logos and Ashwin Mathew. There’s more (for the tummy actually) with home-cooked food from Bengal, Mangalore, Coorg, Kerala, Mumbai, Delh and the North- East.
Summersalt’s also got games, fortune tellers, a pan-India spices counter, a flea market, an on-the-spot-home-decor-ideas counter, more music, amateur dance performances, and film screenings.
So don your polka sun-hat, slip into the comfy ballerinas and pirouette your way to a Summersalted affair.
Summersalt, in aid of Spoorthi (www.spoorthi.org). Saturday, May 31, 10 am to 7 pm. At 15, Railway Parallel Road, Kumara Park (West), Bangalore. Call Priyank on 9739593295, Bharani on 9886653993 or click www.summersaltfest.com for details. No entry fee. Performances end with a contribution hat that’s passed around. Food items start from Rs 80 for a bottle of honey and goes up till Rs 200. Artists will charge as per their costs for their pieces.

2008-06-09T17:20:00.004+05:30

Well, it does look like all the action is moving to Malad. I recently found myself back in the bustling ‘burb, raring to sample some lip-smacking fare. Pot Pourri, that much-adored eatery in Bandra, is now also at Malad’s mammoth InOrbit Mall.
I dare say I wasn’t too keen to have my munchies in a crowded mall, what with all those mall rats making such a racket. But I was pleasantly surprised when I made my way to the third floor where Pot Pourri is located. Tucked away in a corner, between Ruby Tuesday and the Fame multiplex, you’d almost miss the bashful little place if you weren’t really looking for it.
The intimate atmosphere — all red panelling and wooden furniture — is like an oasis of calm in the midst of the mall’s frenzied pace. But, yes, although I’d left the mall’s hullabaloo behind, the menu that greeted me was almost as chaotic. But just as you would at the old faithful in Bandra, stick to the Italian fare here as well. Take my word for it and give the Mexican and Thai dishes on offer a miss.
Instead, do as I did and go straight for the pastas. Both the veg and non veg ones are filling, with just the right mix of spices and sauce. The flavours of the sauces may be a bit Indianised, but the fettuccine, spaghetti and the penne are cooked just right, neither too al dente nor too well cooked. Personally, I’d vote for the Chicken Penne Pasta, creamy and rich in herbed flavours — just the way I like it. Vegetarians would love any of the mushroom preparations as well as the tomato-rich Arabiatta sauce.
A word of warning: skip the outside tables. People-watching at the mall might be fun. But only as long as the people aren’t watching you at the tuck table!
Pot Pourri, Food Court, Next to Ruby Tuesday, In Orbit Mall, Link Road, Malad (W) and Pot Pourri, #4 Carlton Court, Turner Road, Bandra (W); Tel: 26429193, 26406010; Price: A meal for two without drinks would cost approximately Rs 1,000.

Mismo, Hotel Janpath, Janpath Road, New Delhi; ph: 4356 5411/22, Prices: Meal for two Rs 1,500.

2008-06-09T17:09:00.002+05:30

It’s a depressingly dingy, drizzly day as I pull into Hotel Janpath. Am turned out of doors immediately — to be banished to the “backside” (as they love to say in Delhi) — low spirits turn murkier. Why would a restaurant that’s any good be thus squirreled away at the back of the house?
Then I step into a Cinderella moment. Perhaps ‘banishment’ was the wrong word: ’set apart’ seems more apt. New Mexican joint Mismo (Spanish for “life”) looks ravishingly lively. Far more appetising than its ‘ugly sisters’ in the front parlour, with their government-canteen tastes.
My day brightens between hot pink walls and fiesty silk-ribbon cushions on black sofas, sheer sequinned drapes and ultra-tall-backed chairs. The limed-wood tables are charmed with very contemporary posies. The decor looks as if it would be breezy on a rainy day, airy on a hot one, and cosily playful at night, with those rose-covered lampshades alight and a faux fireplace behind the bookshelves. A refreshing, un-kitschy contrast to the usual Wild West-dragged-backwards-through-a-pinata look that Tex-Mex places favour. The kitchen would have to be an outright drunken disaster to keep me away.
Which, praised be its Aztec godmothers, it isn’t. The menu is propped by longstanding favourites from sister eatery Market Cafe (in turn drawing on the staff’s experience at Moshe Shek’s much-mourned Oliva) — the pastry-cupped grilled rawas in chermoula is an old, trusted friend who hasn’t disappointed across three venues. Then again, the smokin’ fajitas boast the same level of spectacular presentation and deft execution. The Mexican menu doesn’t throw up many surprises — beyond sopa de tortilla, it’s the standard burritos, enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas, tacos. But the homemade ice-cream is a singular treat, outshining the apple empanada. Worthier match: the chocolate-dipped churros.
I’ll drink to the lot. As soon as they get the licence to serve tequila shots and Margaritas, in a month or two!
Mismo, Hotel Janpath, Janpath Road, New Delhi; ph: 4356 5411/22, Prices: Meal for two Rs 1,500.

2008-06-09T16:54:00.007+05:30

All that endless chatter about the IPL and cricket coming out of your ears? Throw the significant other out. Ask him to join other devotees, and yak about infields, outswingers and Sachin and Shane. Reclaim the telly.
AC on 23: check. Tall glass of (sugar-free) lemonade: check. Beanbag in place opposite that flat-screen: check. And so’s y’all don’t get channel-surfers thumb, here’s a tip: stick with the Good Times, girls. Those saas-bahu serials are too dreary, the phoren maal too many seasons old, the ‘filmis’ only show reruns — this NDTV lifestyle channel’s just right to see yourself in.
The new summer line-up on NDTV Good Times should have you glued to the couch. (Just remember to roll over, roll eyes, stretch arms and legs towards the ceiling fan for exercise, now and then. Or jog to the fridge for a chilled eye mask — to tune out pesky ad spots.)
New on the small screen, actor Perizaad Zorabian anchors Limited Edition, the show that shouts ‘Some things many can buy. For everything else, watch Limited Edition’. To drool over the swan-shaped Rolls commissioned by the Maharaja of Nabha, the latest Lamborghini gas-guzzler you don’t dare covet. Follow the L’Officiel anniv issue-in-the-making. Pant for the 5 must-have LVs of the season — window-shopping minus the wallet-workout. Nifty! Sundays 9pm
Heart beating faster yet? Manic Monday’s spot gets your pulse truly racing — or proves heart-stopping. Daredevil chick Neha Dixit screams, shivers, shrieks her glee as she tops extreme-sport challenges in Free Fall. Me, I’ve sworn not to touch a bungee cord, never to need a parachute after ogling her exploits in New Zealand. Armchair travel, that’s the ticket! Mondays 10pm
Lightheaded with relief at not being Neha? (What a job! And I thought I had to jump through hoops for a living!) Have a proper giggle — if not quite polite — over celebrity mixologist Shatbhi Basu’s barstool antics In High Spirits! This season she’s seeking her thrills cross-country, following the first ferment of cider, ale and stout, chasing the first distilled drop of Norwegian aquavit. Tuesdays 9pm
Just perfect for an evening in.
Trendy In All : All India Back Next

The New Indian Restaurant of Taj Group, Masala Klub in Bangalore

2008-06-09T16:36:00.003+05:30

This place has grown with me. Or, rather, I grew up with it. I dined here with my parents, dated my boyfriend in its many restaurants, got married in its lush green lawns. I have fond memories of this, one of the city’s premier heritage properties.
So when I heard that the Taj group has launched a brand new Indian restaurant with a contemporary twist from the signature Masala brand, I made a beeline here with my brand new husband.
Masala Klub, the elegant 108-seater restaurant, stands next to a 120-year-old tamarind tree and serves up heavenly Indian fare, without the heavy oils and overpowering spices. Olive oil is the cooking medium, and masalas judiciously complement and recreate flavours in international cooking styles.
We began with Chef Hemant Oberoi’s signature paperwali machchi (fish fillet drizzled with fresh-ground peppercorns enveloped in paper and chargrilled without oil). Superb. Then we tried to make up our minds between a la carte and five fixed-menu choices. Since the fish had whetted our appetites so, we opted for the pre-decided menu: A choice of three starters (Trendy recco: prawn hoppers), three vegetarian/non-vegetarian choices (Trendy recco: chilgoza fali, stringless green beans with roasted pine nuts for vegetarians and murg khatta pyaaz, chicken with pickled onions, and dum ki nalli, lamb shanks in a curry, for non-vegetarians). The hot phulkas, fresh off the trolley, were the perfect accompaniment, and we ended the meal with masala chai kulfi, a blend of cream, chai and cardamom.
If the husband and I weren’t so into each other, we’d have opted for the Masala Studio, which allows the diner to engage with the chef as he prepares your meal. Masala Grill is yet another innovation, since you can supervise your own grills at the stone-grill tables.
I could grow some more with the Taj.
Masala Klub, The Taj West End, Race Course Road, Bangalore 1. Tel: 66605660. A la carte main courses start at Rs 450 (veg), Rs 650 (non-veg). Fixed menus start at Rs 2,000 (veg) and Rs 2250 (non-veg). Masala Studio individual chairs near the interactive kitchen start at Rs 2500.

Bootleggers in Mumbai,

2008-06-09T16:11:00.004+05:30

Okay, so I love places that are rich in silk and sushi. But I’ll save them for girly nights out. I can’t expect my male buddies to always indulge my love for luxe. So, once in a while, I let them have it their way and take me to one of their dreary dives.
Last weekend, I dressed down and did the ol’ diva eye-roll and went along with them to Bootleggers. At first glance, this old-new watering hole (it was Hawaiian Shack’s Colaba branch in its last avatar) was just as I expected it’d be — roughly-finished, brick walls and dim lighting. The decor comprised scattered barrels, B&W pictures and adverts on the walls, a gramophone and a huge clock behind the bar. Straight out of an old-town bar in a film set in the 1920s US mid-West! I could just picture the gangsters and the sudden shoot-outs.
Fortunately, the cheesiness stopped there. And the fun started as they pumped up the volume of the music, a heady mix of classic rock to jazz, hip-hop and pop. Something for my band of boys (Nirvana) and something for me (Justin Timberlake). The air-conditioning was good and the general feel of the place turned out to be far less seedy than the name suggests. Famished as I was, I found the starters — typical alco-accompaniment fare — a bit limited. But the drinks were well-made and I lip-smacked my way through an innovative Supari Martini — a classic martini garnished with betelnut.
Not bad for a guy place. Maybe we can get them to play Dancing Queen the next time we’re there. And add a few colourful throw cushions too.
Bootleggers, Pipewala Building, 4th Pasta Lane, Colaba; Tel: 22020455; Open seven days a week from 7.30 pm to 1.30 am; Prices: A pint of beer is priced a little over Rs 100, cocktails start from Rs 200 and starters are Rs 100 and up.

2008-06-09T15:49:00.005+05:30

There’s a lot in common between Delhi’s favourite med lounge Shalom and every girl’s favourite series of stories, spun by a princess called Scheherazade!
For one thing, both succeed by dint of simplicity. For another, both have fans coming back for more. And third, pleasant surprises seem part of the parcel — every time you think it couldn’t get better.
So just when you had the GK-I Shalom’s sisters popping up as far afield as Goa, it’s back to home base. Another peaceful place, in another happening colony — not too far from the Priya/Basant Lok complex, but in a quieter spot.
This new piece of peace (’Shalom’) is a tad smaller — just the one floor. But what it loses in double-height drama, it makes up for in cosiness. A sunny corner by the windows is lined in Turkish blue — very relaxing for afternoon gup-shup. For evening lounging, we prefer the low-lit sunken seats facing the bar — which actually looks cooler than the old Shalom’s!
Speaking of bars, our drink of choice is a season-worthy watermelon caipiroshka. With? Well, arguably, this was the joint that made ‘mezze’ de rigueur in Delhi. Until sushi came along. Now I bite the best of both worlds — a quintet of temaki-style ‘Arabic sushi’! That’s baba ghannouj and grilled paneer, lamb, poultry and fish stuffed, with spiced rice, in a lettuce-lined nori cone. Next round: Arabic dhows — potato “balls” with curd-cheese centres, served on a ‘hull’ of fruity tabbouleh, with lavash sails stuck in minted labneh. Next up: Dubai duck. Cousin of the Peking darling, sweetly perfumed with the spices of Arabia, served with flatbreads and lemon-honey-apricot sauce. Roll your own entertainment, and eat it too!
Sweetest ending: Rose petal-sprinkled pistachio mahlabiya with orange cookies ; the dry-fruit-dressed lemon tart is a refreshing alternative.
Can’t wait to come back for the next chapter and verse!
Shalom, D-4, D-Block Market, Vasant Vihar; Ph: 9871188084. Cocktails Rs 300-500 each; Just eats for two Rs 1,500 (without drinks).

Trendy Wear and Hair Style at London Streets

2008-05-25T20:02:00.001+05:30

Beautiful Body withTrendy Wearing

Trendy way of Dressing London Street

2008-05-25T19:51:00.001+05:30

All Smart Trendy and Beauty three in One

Ginger Hotels a Trendy way of Life Style

2008-05-22T19:55:00.002+05:30

Roots Corporation Limited (RCL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). Incorporated on December 24, 2003, RCL operates the first-of-its-kind category of Smart Basics™ hotels across the country.
IHCL operates Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, one of South Asia's largest and finest group of hotels. The company was incorporated on 1902 by the founder of the Tata Group, Mr. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata and opened India's first luxury hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai in 1903.Launched in June 2004, the Smart Basics™ concept created a revolution in the world of Indian hospitality. A GenNext category of hotels, they signify simplicity, convenience, informality, style, warmth, modernity and affordability. The concept was developed in association with renowned corporate strategy thinker, Dr C. K. Prahalad, and the hotels have been indigenously designed and developed by IHCL.
The first of the Smart Basics™ hotel was launched in Bangalore and was called indiOne. Having completed the test marketing of the concept and subsequent fine-tuning of the hotel facilities and services, the Smart Basics concept is now ready to roll out across India. These hotels have been launched with a new name – Ginger hotels – in sync with the fresh, simple-yet-stylish and warm world of Smart Basics™.
The Ginger hotels are built around a unique concept that provides facilities to meet the key needs of today's traveller, at surprisingly affordable rates. They have created a new category in the domestic hospitality landscape, while giving a major fillip to Indian tourism and other ancillary industries. The primary objective behind the launch of these hotels is to provide a superior product offering and consistent experience to travellers, beyond the present offerings in the industry.
Contact- Roots Corporation Limited

Ginger Corporate Office

Godrej & Boyce Complex

Gate no. 8, plant no. 13

office buildingVikhroli (E)

Mumbai 400079Phone: +91-22-6777 3366Fax: +91-22-6777 3377For reservations and enquiries

Call national toll-free number 1800 220 022 or

call our reservation network +91-22-66014634

Email: reservations@gingerhotels.com

Delhi: New Orient Rising, Wasabi,Taj Mahal Hotel wins over Delhi

2008-05-21T21:30:00.003+05:30

Listen when I say: the horseradish has landed!
Wasabi, feted by critics as India’s trendiest morsel, just served up seconds. Mumbaikars can quit crowing; Celebrity chef Morimoto has risen on Delhi’s horizon, and I got a sneak-peek into his new kitchen at the Taj Mahal hotel.
Going live on Wednesday, May 21, Wasabi’s gonna be the place to see — and be seen at. Monochrome decor colour-washed with light, mirrored ceiling and fanciful glass baubles, this 54-seater jewel box expects queues! Hit the bar for a cocktail while you wait. I loved the Nippon Mary (Smirnoff Black, tomato juice, ponzu, teriyaki sauce, spot of wasabi and sichuan rim) and the Kappa cooler (Ichiko with peach, kiwi, cucumber, grapefruit juices).
Aim for the seats at the live sushi bar or teppan counter. Note: only the Nippon-naive order sushi as a starter. Trendy gyaru (gals) eat edamame — as fingerfood — squeezing pods toothpaste-style to pop milky-sweet soyabeans into mouth! (Great alternative to bar peanuts!)
Wasabi’s ‘contemporary Japanese’ menu carries signatures that made Nobu shine and gave Morimoto’s eponymous chain fillip. The artfully stacked (but hugely deep fried) Morimoto tempura with cheese sauce scares me silly. His rock shrimp tempura, and the veggie ‘rock corn’ is kinder. First-course faves: broiled king crab on the half-shell, steamed scallops with ginger and scallion, aona goma ae (Japanese spinach in sesame sauce and chilli oil). On to teppanyaki — tofu, chicken, tenderloin. But saving space for Nobu-classic black cod miso. Alternatives: steamed sea-bass in black-bean sauce, splashed with infused hot oil; or stuffed kabocha pumpkin. Now get sushi and sashimi (yes, yes, flown in from Tsukiji every other day).
Let the sun set on your kaiseki with green-tea ice cream with azuki (red bean) sauce. Looks, there’s no other way to say it, yucky, but oh, it sure slurps yummy.
Wasabi, Taj Mahal Hotel, 1 Mansingh Road, New Delhi; ph: 66513585, 230261612. Prices: Rs 5,000 per head (including a drink).

All-India: Hue and Try New hair colour technique at Wella Salons

2008-05-21T21:17:00.004+05:30

What wouldn’t I give to get J Lo-like tresses — a curly cascade that looks sun kissed, showing up a million tonal glints. I want colour that gives me the freedom to let my hair be without worrying too much about root touch ups.
My favourite daydream is now a reality. I am talking about the latest hair colouring technique by Wella called ColorCascading. The stylists claim it is the next big thing in tress highlighting. I decided to take a trial at the nearest Wella salon and I must say I was impressed!
First, the colour used for this technique does not come out of a bottle. The hair expert mixed together powdered hair colour to get what he called ‘clay’. And then, instead of wrapping my strands in foil, he actually painted the mix on the strands layer by layer, as if applying a mask. He created different tones and colour density from the same mix by just increasing the amount of `clay’ he put on the strands.
The great thing about this technique is that it does not burn or weaken your strands like its liquid counterpart. The colour stops working as soon as it’s dry, so it doesn’t look brassy.
Post wash and blow dry, I was blown away by the results. The flow of colour from root to tip was seamless. What I liked best about this is that the highlights on each person are unique. My stylist explained that the highlights on my hair cannot be replicated on another head. So my colour will be all my own. All I have to do to keep my highlights looking great is to go for Wella Biotouch Color Protection Shots, once in a while.
Now J Lo has nothing on me.
Wella Color Cascading. Price: Rs 1,000 onwards

Delhi: Dar Salon and Spa, E-31/32 IInd Floor, South Extension- II, Phone: 4168-0600.Mumbai: Dilshad’s Salon, Nav Pooja Apartments, 11-A, Perry Cross Road, Bandra, Phone: 26431770, 26516374.Bangalore: Wella Beauty Parlour, 1 2nd Mn, Road , 1st Blk, R.T. Nagar, Phone: 23632393.

Trendy In all : All India Next