Doll arrangements in homes during Dussera

Navratri, the nine-night festival, celebrates Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi in South India. Kolu (also written as Golu) doll arrangement is an essential part of the celebration. The origin of the word Kolu can be traced to Tamil Kolu or Telegu Koluvai, which means a sovereign sitting in his royal court.

The concept of arranging the Navratri dolls on the planks depicts Goddess Mahishasuramardini sitting in her Kolu, prior to the slaying of the demon Mahishasura. This year, Navratri Kolu begins on October 8.

The festival is known as Bommla Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Navarathri in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Navratri is observed as Dusshera in Karnataka, where it is observed for ten days. The main event during Navrathri in South India is the display of dolls and idols – Kolu and the placing of Kalash, which represents Goddess.

Collecting Dolls

Although the dolls are only decorated during the ten days of Dussera, the collection of dolls builds over years. These dolls can be very simple to very complicated ones as per ones taste.

Marapachi Bommai

Marapachi dolls, mostly made of reddish wood, are finely carved figurines, available in various sizes. These dolls are a pair of male and female dolls, always sold as a couple. The female doll in Marapachi dolls is displayed to the right of the male doll and is usually placed on the first step or after Lord Ganesh.

Marapachi dolls are a proud possession for many families and are handed down generations. There is also a tradition of parents gifting their newly married daughter a Marapachi doll so that she can start Kolu display in her house. Some Tamil communities perform a ritual of symbolic wedding of the Marapachi dolls. This is usually carried out by girls whose wedding are delayed for some reason.

Marapachi toys were made for children in ancient days. Today, they are an indispensable part of Navratri doll arrangements. During display, the wooden couple is beautifully adorned with colorful attires and jewellery.

Arrangement of Golu

The first three days of the festival are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, the next three days to Saraswati, Goddess of Learning and Arts and the last three days to Shakti, Goddess of Power and Might.

Arranging Navratri Kolu is an event in itself. Every year, women of the household, enthusiastically arrange these dolls as per their tastes. These Navratri dolls are arranged in several tiers. A maximum of nine tiers (Padis) can be set up to arrange the dolls, depending on the space and time available.

Some may remodify the existing dolls with additional ornamentation, or they add a couple of new dolls to the existing collection to every year. It also entails inviting neighbors, friends and other relatives to visit your home and view the Kolu decoration. Women exchange coconuts, small gifts and sweets amongst themselves. Married women (Sumangali) also exchange pouches containing a small mirror, turmeric, comb, beetle leaves with a beetlenut.

The most important dolls in the Kolu arrangement are the King-Queen (marapaachi bommais). These are expensive dolls and a set of them is found in all traditional households. Another important idol is that of Goddess Saraswati. A Kalash is also placed along with the Golu.

Tier 1, 2, 3 – These steps are devoted solely to the Gods; different idols of various Gods are arranged here. The ceremonial jar for holy water, which is a conical vessel,  is filled with fresh water. A silk cloth is used to cover the mouth of the vessel, and a coconut and mango leaves are placed on top of it. Also known as Kumbhan, this is kept on the first step.

Tier 4, 5, 6 – The next three steps are dedicated to demigods, saints like Sai Baba, great men like Swami Vivekananda. Some households even place dolls of national leaders who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

Tier 7 – Various arrangements, such as the marriage scene and Pongal motif, which signify the various human activities, are placed on the seventh tier.

Tier 8 – The eighth tier is assigned to various businesses and crafts. The Chettiar dolls, which are an equivalent of a businessman and his wife, are placed here, and commodities like rice, pulses in cups and other utensils are placed in front of them.

Tier 9 – The ninth tier is the last phase.  Traditional wooden dolls called Marapachi — male and female dolls dressed in colorful and glittering clothes — are placed. Dolls of animals, birds, reptiles and other forms of nature are also kept on this tier.

On the night of Dussera, after the ceremonial Arti and prayers, the dolls are put to ‘sleep.’ The next day, the dolls are packed carefully in cloth or paper and preserved for use the next year.

A novel trend evolving is the concept of `Community Kolus’. Several women, who are otherwise unable to keep Kolu in their homes, cumulate and put up a Navratri Kolu in a common place.

DIY flower garlands, lamps and colorful cushions

It is said that the decoration of a house reveals the soul of the homeowner. So while decorating your home, keep an eye on the color and textures to complement your style.

Flower Garlands

You can make beautiful floral garlands, popularly known as Torans to give a warm welcome to your guests. Traditional Torans are made of mango leaves and marigold flowers, giving a fresh and authentic look. 

All you need to do is to bead the flowers with a long needle and a strong thread (can also use thread used for flying kites). You can choose either fresh or artificial flowers made of paper and plastic. Torans made of artificial flowers are reusable, while fresh flowers emit a beautiful fragrance as one enters the house.

Weave them and make some big and small strands. Tie leaves to the cord at equal distances from each other. In between the leaves, tie the garland. Your Toran is now ready. Fix nails at the two ends of the door frame and tie the ends of the garland to it.

You can also weave in paper balls, bells, streamers, beads or embellish them with embroidery, mirror, shells, motifs of various Hindu Gods etc.

Giving a festive charm to the celebration, the flower garlands not only make excellent pieces of decoration but also make exquisite gift items.

Lamps

People love to bedeck their homes with an extra bit of illumination, which make decorative lamps quite popular during the festive season. These lamps can be made with various materials.

Most households light warm, sparkling bright lights of Diyas. In addition to earthen lamps, wax candles of various shapes, colors and sizes can also be used. And there are quite a few ways to decorate candles and personalize them: 

• Use fresh or dried flower petals to surround the areas near candles. If you are using purple flowers, you can paint the candles with different patterns in the same color to environ with the petals. 
• Glitter is fun and a simple way to make your candles special. Spread a thin layer of transparent glue on the candles, and sprinkle glitter. 
• You can make fancy knots using ribbons or strips of sheer material, and tie them on the candle holders for a bright effect. 
• Place a candle on the shelf or behind furniture and cover it with colored glass. This produces a shimmering rainbow effect. Be careful that there are no inflammables around the candle. 

If you are bored of the myriad paper lanterns available in the market, it’s time to inflame your innovation. Start collecting empty cold drink cans. Cut open the top lid, and paint any pattern that you fancy. Hammer holes of various sizes, according to the pattern. You can also cut them in various shapes. Place candles or small light bulbs inside the cans; hang them in dark places, and watch the exciting shadows it throws on the nearby walls.

Colorful Cushions

If a room lacks brightness, and you do not have time to get it repainted, your best bet is to throw in some bright colored cushions. Cushions provide lavishness and comfort to your home; they are a source of relaxation in the home. There are several shapes of cushions you can make like square, round shape, heart shape and in oval shape as well; the choice is all yours. Cushion covers can be made from organza or delicate silk material to add a chic look to your home. 

Innovative Cushions - You can use rhinestones to bedazzle your cushions this festive season. Rhinestones can be attached to the fabric by putting glue underneath these pieces of jewelry. You can use of a tool called the Q-tip to pat fabric glue on the area of the material where you want to place the rhinestone. Then use a pair of tweezers to put the rhinestones on the area dabbed with glue. Allow the glue to dry for a few hours.

Traditional cushions - Mirror work material is readily available in the market. You can stitch round or square mirrors onto a cloth to make traditional-looking cushion covers.

Stenciling - Stencils are useful when you want to paint or draw something on cushion covers, but cannot do it free hand. You can simply create unique stencils yourself; all you need is a computer, paper, and printer. Select or draw a design you want to use for stenciling. Remember to preview it before you hit ‘Print’.

After printing the document with the design on it, cut out the actual pattern. The gaps left by the cutting will serve as your stencil and can be used to create a delightful effect on your cushion covers using fabric paints. You can use multiple colors, as well as add metallic paint for dazzling covers.

How to tailor your décor to your personality

Your home is your pride and joy, where you spend a great deal of time with loved ones; it is an extension of who you are. But does it actually reflect your personality?

This year, make Akshay Tritiya fill it with things that are important to you and make you happy. One of the most auspicious days of the Vedic calendar, commencing a new venture on Akshay Tritiya guarantees lasting success and prosperity.

Sachin Chewle of Sachin Enterprises, Thane plainly explains, “The décor of the house truly depends upon the personality that an individual possesses. This is because the colors, effects, lights, etc. of the individual’s choice play a major role in influencing the changes that are about to be made in the house to achieve this festive look.” If you look around your living room and can’t tell the difference between yours and the neighbor's, it’s time to set out on a journey to discover your personal style.

Ask yourself – which activities, environments, art do I enjoy?
Eco Style
If you are a quiet person, for Akshay Tritiya you want to do a simple Vishnu Pooja in the morning with Tulsi leaves and flowers. “Floating flowers, incense sticks are also a much economic option easily available,” furthered Sachin.

Since you cherish connecting with the natural world in your interactions outside home, you also want your home to be one with nature. Strike this balance of nature in modern décor using earth-inspired colors such as calming blues from the sky and water, greens of the leaves and earthen browns. This will compose a soothing background to wicker or reclaimed wooden furniture upholstered with washable cotton slip covers.

“Colors once again are a vital form of energy reflecting one’s personality. The festive look can be modified depending upon one’s personality. For example: for a warm, outgoing, easy going person minimal display of flashy color, more light and cool colors, dim yellow lightings would be preferable and also help in creating the much needed ambience for the festive season of ‘Akshaya Tritiya’, illustrates Sachin.

Carefree Style
If you enjoy performing an elaborate Lakshmi Puja for Akshaya Tritiya, you relish having large groups of people over often in your abode. Reverberating on your lively personality, adorn your room with a single main attraction – be it an art on the wall or a center-piece sculpture. This will set stage for self expression of your free-spirit.

For the Akshaya Tritiya festivities, Sachin suggests, “Art and music lovers can reflect their passion on different parts of areas in the house by playing soft old music or display of portraits of Sudama or Kuchela visiting Lord Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of beaten rice (poha or aval) which is the most popular in this season.”

Furniture can be a mix and match of eras and styles; a patchwork of antiques and unique items collected over time. A plush cotton rug thrown in with embroidered pillow cases will echo your delight of entertaining lots of friends at home.

Uber Style
For the cosmopolitan taste of the well-travelled personality, home will be an example of clean eclecticism - from angular modern furniture to fixtures. Minimalist pieces with clean lines reflect the global influences of your modern style.

The easiest and least expensive area to add some of your own personality to your home is with color. “For a person who is forceful, assertive, aggressive, competitive, darker shades would be suggested. Red is often a color found to be one of the favorites of such type of people. In order to achieve a festive look , curtains could be a combination of a major white and a hint of orange. White Italian marbles add to the genteel ambience and helps cooling off the warmth provided by the walls and the lights in the house,” advises Sachin.

Modern art pieces, graphic geometric fabrics alongside chunky textured shags will enhance the urban contemporary scheme.

This festive season, pull things that are bland and generic, and replace them with things that you love. And remember, while the things you love may not make your home look like the latest furniture catalog; they will make your home look more like you.

Shehnaai Unveils High Fashion in Downtown

Shehnaai Couture hosted their Bridal Couture Season Preview at their chic Manhattan studio on Friday, March 5th. Drawing in fashion aficionados, nine of India’s best couturiers collaborated with stylist and owner Shirin Vinayak, to bring out a new collection for the Spring Season. Almost 200 brides and vendors toasted their Cosmopolitans over the brio of ensembles which everyone agreed, has surpassed past collections.

Trump of the evening were the prospective brides, overjoyed at the opportunity to parade their favorite designers’ ensemble, bespoke – color, style and finish – without that irksome journey to India.

“The bride of today knows what she wants. Essentially, we bring her vision to life. Previously, brides needed to travel to India to fetch this luxury, but no more. We bring the designer to you, right here in your backyard. So brides can find the perfect fit while keeping up with the current trends in India,” says Vinayak, now a connoisseur in the field for over 7 years.

The concluding season of 2009 formed a palette of colors and styles flourishing vintage Indian flamboyance at the Lakme Fashion Week in India. As these stolid blacks and browns of winter fade off the racks, newfangled hues for spring – eggplant purples and cobalt blues – drenched on heavy velvets and bejeweled monotones created a spectacular show.

Noteworthy trends were trumpet silhouettes and rouched skirts on sleek georgettes and rich velvets. Of completely contradictory warp and weft, together they formed an astoundingly fabulous combination.

Vinayak’s style sensibilities and love for the wedding syndrome ensures that every brides leave Shehnaai with the wedding ensemble of her dreams, and a long standing relationship with the brand.

“To make this mélange possible, Shehnaai brings the latest ensembles that walk the ramps in India, and then helps you customize it to suit your personal sensibility” squares up Vinayak.

Bollywood stars descend on stage to bring you a hilarious comedy play - The Blue Mug play

A comical theatrical sketch, The Blue Mug play is set to reshape the experience of dramatics across the world. After scintillating performance in ‘Wake Up Sid!’, Konkona Sen Sharma comes on stage in this rib-tickling comedy play with Ranvir Shorey, Vinay Pathak, Rajat Kapoor, Sheeba Chadha & Munish Bharadwaj. Mediasphere, a leading marketing and event management firm along with their partner Shailja Productions, chaperons this glittering star crew of contemporary Bollywood actors to their first International Tour in April & May this year, summing up 20 shows traversing three countries after performances in India.

An experimental production from Mumbai’s The Company Theatre, The Blue Mug play, “is a creation of one story of ‘The man who mistook his wife for a hat’ by Oliver Sacks” describes Atul Kumar, founder and artistic director of the group who is at the helm of the production. With no written script, no props, no fancy costumes, this long-running theatre production creates a laugh riot as the artists narrate memories. Atul admits "It wasn't easy in the beginning to have them open up to the audience but the actors are my old friends who have worked with me before." The director adds that slowly the cast learned to play themselves on stage.

Rajat Kapoor wears many artistic hats – actor, director, model, writer – and has made a mark in Indian theatre and cinema which audiences and critics have applauded every time. A three times National Award winner for his Film Direction, Rajat has been pivotal to the changing trends of small budget films in Bollywood. In The Blue Mug play, he goes down the path of personal memories to depict the larger canvas of Indian memory.

One of the finest film actors in India with two National Awards for performances in ‘Omkara’ and ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’, Konkana Sen Sharma continues to explore the commercial as well as experimental cinema. Konkana has portrayed diverse roles in ‘Luck By Chance’, ‘Life in a Metro’ and ‘Aaja Nachle’, but she is visibly excited about her performance in The Blue Mug play. “It is lovely. I have good fun being on stage,” says Konkona.

Vinay Pathak has never been typecast into any particular role. From essaying the role of the common man caught up in strange situations and managing to show us the funny side of life in movies like ‘Bheja Fry’ to a criminal mastermind in ‘Johnny Gaddar’ to the goofy friend in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, Vinay has essayed a mélange of roles in his career.

Describing his performance in The Blue Mug play, "The fact that we play our own set of characters is exciting." Vinay Pathak who has already won much applause from the audience adds, “I enjoy working in this play a great deal. These guys are great friends and it has been a lot of fun.”

Like Vinay, Ranvir Shorey is a maverick of sorts, and is known for a gamut of roles, each removed from the other. From his portrayal of a common man caught up in the murky world of the underworld in ‘Mithya’ to a goofy sidekick in ‘Bheja Fry’ and the aggressive younger brother in ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’, he has managed to provide eminence to off-beat cinema. Ranvir feels, “A live act is a very different medium as compared to cinema. You face a live audience and do not get the privilege of another take.”

The chemistry between these actors lends fresh wit to the play, something which is rarely instituted in conventional theatre. The Blue Mug play premieres in Mumbai on February 20 followed by shows across India, Dubai, Muscat, Brazil, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin and Raleigh until May, 2010.

The Global Promoters for The Blue Mug play, Mediasphere & Shailja Productions are paving a new path in multicultural media, bringing a unique construct of entertainment. Shruti Tiwari, the brainchild of Mediasphere discloses, “We will use social media tools to tap the widespread audience. The Blue Mug play is only an initiatory step of Mediasphere’s expansion in these three countries.”

A one-stop-shop for integrated media and marketing solutions, Mediasphere is the pioneer of exploring South Americas, revealing an untapped market of Indian ethnicity in the region.

To view photos or clips from previous performance, or learn more about the production, please visit TheBlueMugPlay.com.

Rouge Assassin on the Floor

Living Legend Dharmendra in his own style striding the ramp at Sahil Collections fashion show offered an interesting twist to the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation Fundraiser dinner

September 21st New York: The Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation's 28th Annual Fundraising Dinner on September 20, 2009 at Marriott Long Island, New York was a brimful evening of glamour, opulence and extravagance. Fashion-house Sahil's Timeless Fashion Show themed 'Moulin Rouge' perfectly captured the excess and freneticism of 18th Century Paris. Classy silhouettes and elaborate embroidery squired seductive hues and mesmerizing cuts to evoke a celebration of femininity steeped in rich indulgence.

Living legend Dharmendra, who is an iconic Hindi-cinema hero, had the audience in raptures as he walked the ramp for Sahil in tribute to the memory of Nargis Dut on the beats of his most memorable songs 'Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana' from the film Pratiggya playing in the background. The show-stopper was Bollywood actress Pooja Batra, who looked gorgeous in a Pink and Fuchsia dress with black embroidery, as she sashayed with Bhavesh Patel, CEO of Sahil.Sahil Collection soon to open their store by this Diwali in Oak tree road New Jersey.

Extending support for this benevolent cause of cancer health care, the chief guest, Dharmendra articulated, "Today I am here to represent the charitable foundation instituted by Sunil Dutt. This organization was a dream of Nargis Dutt, later materialized into reality by her husband, Sunil Dutt." Brimming with emotion he continued, "Both Sunilji and Nargisji cherished me as a brother; they continue to hold a special place in my heart."

Narrating an account of how the philanthropic Dutt couple played the 'hand of God' in his early days as a struggling actor, "In 1958, I came to Bombay for a talent contest. Sunil and Nargis Dutt selected my photographs in the final selection round and pronounced 'He is the best hero for the industry'. And the rest as you know is history." A notable member of the Indian Parliament, Dharmendra recited a self-authored verse which asserted, "Nurtured with your unfaltering love, I feel young each day."

The honorees felicitated at the Fundraiser Dinner:
- Vikas S. Dhall (IMINDER) for outstanding Business Entrepreneneur
- Atul Kumria - Regional Director of North America (Kingfisher Airlines) for outstanding Business Leader
- Ravishankar Bhooplapur for outstanding Humanitarian
- Rajiv K.Garg, CEO (Wycoff Heights Medical Center) for outstanding service in the field of Medicine
- Dilip V.Patel, MD for outstanding Patient Care
- Inderpal S.Chhabra, MD for outstanding Service

Trishala, daughter of Sanjay Dutt also joined Dharmendra on the stage with his grandfather Mr. Kailash Sharma, also the Honorary President of the foundation, she cited, "This has been the best year so far for the Foundation and we have raised 30% more money from last year." Commenting on participation from common people, Trishala said, " You can be a part of the foundation by attending the gala, donation, or getting involved with the activities of the Foundation. Everyone is free to volunteer if they want to be involved."

Heading way was a dazzling performance of modernized Can-Can dance by Rujuta Vaidya, a leading influence in contemporary Bollywood dance in unison with Pranav Tailor, runway choreographer. Intended to be a little risqué, and somewhat provocative, the flamboyant costumes characterized the culture of belle époque Paris. This medley of Broadway, Tango, Ballet and Jazz together with the stars was the brainchild of Shruti Tiwari of MediaSphere, an integrated PR and Event Management firm.

Links--
Dharmendra on Ramp
Sahil Fashion Show
Sanjay Dutt's Daughter Trishala

The Kaleidoscopic portraits of the Sikh community sparked a new perspective at the Sikh International Film Festival

A tribute to the immigrant experience, the Sikh International Film Festival on September 18-19, 2009 promoted the Sikh and Punjabi culture and heritage. While the two-day festival encapsulated Sikh history, art and politics in films by independent filmmakers, the closing night gala at the opulent Ciprani on Wall Street was a heady mix, shimmering in stardom with presence of renowned personalities from media, film and art fraternity, including special appearance by M. F. Husain, India's best-known painter, who arrived at Asia Society on September 19th.

In its 6th year, the festival had diverse documentaries, short and feature films by independent filmmakers on issues affecting the Sikh community. Amongst the 14 films screened during the festival, the US Premiere of ‘Turbanology’, which essayed the West’s reaction to the Sikh turban after the 9/11 terror attack, drew wide attention from the audience.

The Indian envoy to the UN, Hardeep Singh Puri praised the Sikh community’s efforts to promote the customs, traditions, culture, and identity. During the Sikh Heritage Awards, after the film festival, he said, "The Sikh community, both here and in India, is recognized for its hard work and commitment."

The Sikh Twins, who directed ‘1984 and the Via Dolorosa Project’ which was screened on September 18th. Their poignant documentary marks 25 years of genocide in India when thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed in the aftermath of assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. On an upbeat note, the world premiere of ‘Flying Sikhs: A History of Sikh Fighter Pilots’ provided an intimate portrait of the valiant Sikh pilot’s contribution towards the Allies victories in WWI and WWII.

Guest of Honor, Consular General Parbhu Dayal announced the film award winners selected by the distinguished panel of judges including Dr. Sarab Singh Neelam whose film Ocean of Pearls debuted at the Sikh Film Festival last year, Tibetan filmmaker Ngawang Choephel, and Vicki Mabrey – correspondent for ABC News Nightline. ‘A Warrior’s Religion’, directed by Mani Amar which explored urban youth gang violence in the South Asian community, won the Best Documentary Award. Kuldip Powar’s winning Short Film ‘Unravelling’ explored the complex themes of war & remembrance, loss & exclusion and colonial legacy in contemporary Britain through poetic motifs.

An instant success of the evening was the silent and live auction of exquisite Sikh & Punjabi Art featuring Arpana Caur's art, jewelry and bronze artwork. Actor Samrat Chakrabarti whose film The Waiting City debuted at the Toronto Film Festival with resounding success was also part of the red carpet gala event. In addition, Pooja Kapoor, a Bollywood actress, for Bollywood Hero, lighted up the evening with her shimmering dress while tapping her feet on DJ Kucha's catchy beats.

Infectious rhythms of Bangra pioneers RDB (Rhythm Dhol Bass) from UK and Nindy Kaur had everybody grooving to popular hits from Bollywood movies till the wee hours.

Kolkata vexations travel to Toronto

Samrat Chakrabarti who plays Krishna in The Waiting City is centre stage at the Toronto International Film Festival

On September 17, at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, Samrat Chakrabarti will walk the red carpet for the gala premiere of ‘The Waiting City’. A charming and multi-faceted actor, in the movie, Samrat portrays the character of Krishna, a hotel-worker who befriends an Australian couple who have traveled to Kolkata to collect their adopted baby.

As part of this latest offering by Australian director Claire Mc Carthy, starring Radha Mitchell, Joel Edgerton and Isabel Lucas, Samrat said, “I am proud of my work in the movie, and look forward to the premiere show.” ‘The Waiting City’ will have its world premiere screening at the Special Presentations line-up.

The Toronto International Film Festivalis arguably the world's biggest public film festival which drew more than 300,000 film-goers to the theatres last year, apart from 300 critics, and filmmakers from Hollywood and more than 50 other countries.

“Kolkata as a city in West Bengal, India is chaotic and crowded. Set against this exhilarating, epic background, it was impossible not to be affected by the place. As characters of ‘The Waiting City’, we were transformed by the people of the city and their powerful milieu,” confirms Samrat, who parenthetically has strong Bengal descent.

Born in London to immigrant parents from India, Samrat grew up in Boston. His métier as an actor began early, with his first big success as Ahmad in Spike Lee’s ‘She Hate Me’ with Jonh Turturro. This was followed by a string of projects which established him as a notable actor of South Asian Indian heritage.

- Samrat is best known for his role as Amir in Amyn Kaderali’s ‘Kissing Cousins’
- He has acted in diverse movies depicting the Indian experience in the American Diaspora such as Manish Acharya’s ‘Loins of Punjab Presents’ with Shabana Azmi where he plays Trance Sen
- In Sarba Das’s ‘Karma Calling’ which was screened at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York, Samrat played the role of a charming call centre employee in India – Rohit Rao – alias Rob Roy when calling Americans, who dreams of visiting New York.

- His international cinematic roles include ‘Sing Now or Forever Hold Your Peace’ with Molly Shannon and as Rakesh in The Bong Connection with Victor Banerjee.
- Samrat has also done cameo in Yash Raj and Kabir Khan’s ‘New York’ with Bollywood stars John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Samrat is a Masters of Fine Arts for Advanced Theatre Training from Harvard University and has Honors Degree in Theatre from Brandeis University. He has made girriuest appearances on Television in Law & Order, Sopranos and Love Monkey to list a few. Samrat has also been active in stagecraft. His theatre credits include

- Nirad Das in Tom Stoppard ‘Indian Ink’ at The Missouri Repertory Theatre
- Arun in Saman Shad's ‘Lingering Voices’ at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival
- Desipina 7-11 Convenience Theatre in NYC

A multi-faceted artist, Samrat derives inspiration his from motion art, coupling music with theater. Working in various film industries, international cinema, television and theatre, Samrat's career spanning over 15 years, also has to his credit various national awards for his arrangements and compositions including a US Cara for best original pop/rock song, for his composition, ‘What's It all About’. He is a former member of the a capella group Five O' Clock Shadow. He was also a part of the group The Hyannis Sound. In 1998, he was in the group JYDE, which contained an original song ‘Starving’, written and arranged by Samrat. Most recently, he wrote, composed, performed, and produced the theme song, ‘Dhol Beat’, for the Indian hit film, ‘Loins of Punjab Presents’. He has produced and performed with various international acts (from Boston to Bollywood) and continues to do so.

Clipping of movie

Screening Schedule
- Thursday September 17 6:00PM Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
- Friday September 18 1:45PM Scotiabank Theatre 1
- Saturday September 19 6:15PM Varsity 8

Sikh International Film Festival 2009 -- Turbanology New York Style!

NEW YORK, NY - The Sikh Community is identifiable by their colorful turbans that can be seen in every borough of the modern world capital -- New York City. Sikh turbans have taken on a new meaning in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. Many people mistook Sikhs for terrorists because of their turban and as a result, they have been victims of hate crimes. This emanated the need for an organization to educate New Yorkers about Sikhs and also help them assimilate into the Western society.

The Sikh Arts and Film Foundation has stepped forward to represent this cause. It was established six years ago with a mission to promote better understanding of Sikh heritage, arts and culture, as well as the contributions of Sikhs in American society.

Every year the organization celebrates the rich heritage, traditions and culture of Sikhs and the South East Asian immigrant experience through a diverse mix of Independent Documentary and Short Films at the Sikh International Film Festival 2009 September 18-19, at the Asia Society.

-- 1984 and the Via Dolorosa Project and My Mother India is at the outset of the Feature Session on Friday, September 18 to mark 25 years of genocide in India when thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed in the aftermath of assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

-- This emotionally charged Session ends on an upbeat note with the World Premiere of Flying Sikhs: A History of Sikh Fighter Pilots which provides an intimate portrait of the valiant Sikh pilots contribution towards the Allies victories in WWI and WWII.

-- The Documentary Session on Saturday, September 19 explores the topic of urban gang violence in A Warrior's Religion.

-- The enchanting History of turban -- from ancient Christianity to modern day Sikhs -- is essayed in the US Premiere of Turbanology. This powerful documentary explores the impact of the war on terrorism and western society's reaction to a humble article of faith -- the turban.

The Sikh Heritage Gala, a formal black-tie event at Cipriani Wall Street, concludes the Film Festival. Acclaimed film-director and producer Mira Nair is the Guest of Honor for this evening of dance performance, art auction, and live entertainment accentuated by Bhangra pioneers RDB from the UK.

Dr. Paul Johar, Film Festival Chair, explained, "The primary goal of the films we show is to hold a mirror not only for Sikhs but to an audience worldwide. We have a diverse set of films, and encourage film makers with our support every year by awarding $15,000 in prize money!"

The winners in the Documentary and Short Films will be selected by a notable panel of judges including Dr. Sarab Singh Neelam - Director of Ocean of Pearls, Sabrina Dhawan - Writer of Monsoon Wedding, and Vicki Mabrey - Correspondent for ABC News Nightline.

Since 2008, Governor - David A. Paterson has issued a proclamation declaring the Sikh International Film Festival dates as Sikh Heritage Week, in recognition of the Sikh Art & Film Foundation's efforts to promote cultural diversity in New York.

Complete Schedule, Film Details and Tickets at www.sikharts.com.

MediaMorphosis Inc. Founded Ethnic Online Network, a One-Stop Ethnic Marketplace

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - June 18, 2009) - A technology platform for exclusive ethnic marketing -- Ethnic Online Network -- launched by MediaMorphosis Inc. targets an online ethnic population of over 200 million worldwide.
"Ethnic Online Network will provide clients with a trend-setting platform to reach specific target audiences online by setting parameters of geo-target, lifestyle and demographic segmentation. In the present ethnic marketplace, this exclusive division does not exist," said Adris Chakraborty, Chairman at MediaMorphosis.
-- MediaMorphosis Inc. is a comprehensive ethnic marketing agency
-- It provides clients with access to content and partnership opportunities across a broad range of entertainment platforms and media
-- MediaMorphosis Inc. acquired Paypod Ad Network Technology, thus creating Ethnic Online Network, a single window for ethnic marketing worldwide
Paypod, a proprietary Digital Ad Network technology, offers targeted ad placement on a site-specific, channel-wide and run-of-network basis based on two key components: ad server and ad networks.
-- These technology components enable online publishers and advertisers to connect
-- Its easy to launch speciality-focused vertical ad networks, supporting ethnic web publishers to sell ads on their sites
-- This not only places interactive ads on relevant websites, but also in front of web surfers
-- Able to adopt and cater to the niche target audience
Besides supporting promotions and thus improving the overall marketing budget efficiencies, MediaMorphosis Inc. is confident that Ethnic Online Network will serve as an exclusive ethnic advertising platform. This strategic approach to utilize tools that allow closer interaction with the consumers shall create revenue and exposure for publishers that draw impressive traffic and site rankings, but haven't built a profitable advertising sales component yet. With Ethnic Online Network, MediaMorphosis Inc. thus widens its scope to understand what consumers hear and see.
Media campaigns can be effectively developed with Ethnic Online Network's
-- Dynamic optimization, maximising value of marketing spend and improving marketing results
-- Rich targeting empowered with 30+ content channels among other selected options
-- Effective and responsive client service
As a leading player in the global communication marketplace, MediaMorphosis Inc. has unparalleled multicultural expertise and a pulse of the current market developments. It has reiterated expertise of the South Asian community with Ethnic Online Network's highly scalable online advertising technology component that has enabled online publishers and advertisers to connect in real time.

Becoming a celebrity in 30 days

In the era bygone, publicists were primarily responsible for the success of newly-discovered movie artists and pop stars. After pumping in millions of dollars for promotion, the success most of them had can hardly be described as well-deserved.
But in this age of new media, you neither have to put up the glitz, nor dole out the moolah for a personal manager to help you gain stardom. All you need is to invest an hour of your time each day. These 60 minutes of your time will pave your path to stardom 30 days in the online media circuit. If you think I’m about to dole out some earth-shattering theory, you’ll be surprised to learn that most of you already use these tools. All you need to do now is to make a dedicated effort to direct these tools for a singular goal - to transform you into an online celeb.

Find a niche – This is the first and most important item on the checklist. You have honed skills, probably dabbled in lots of areas; find an area of expertise you enjoy the most.

Create your spot in the virtual world – Now that you have identified what your expertise are, go full steam to advertise them. Just the way advertisers promote products, use all your energies to expound on your skills. The easiest way to do this is by using a combination of new media tools viz. FaceBook, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, Wordpress, etc. You may be familiar with most of these online platforms, and may have used them to build your network, but now its time to use these contacts to position you as the most buzzing persona on the web. Let’s explore the plan of action.

The party begins – Put up posts, share links, videos, give advice, start conversations, ask questions, make comments, participate in webinars. You may already be doing all of this during your leisure period of Internet surfing, but now that you have clearly identified yourself as an expert with a niche, your responses, and shared information will be focussed sharply to further building your reputation, and establishing you as the authority in that area.

There are a bagful of people, who’d remain unknown for their work, if it wasn’t for the fame and fortune which shone upon them because of their smartly utilising the online medium. Some of the celebs you may have heard of are: Gary Vaynerchuk, Darren Rowse, Mari Smith and Jason Alba. Besides the fan-following, they are also earning bagfuls of money while the world sits back and reads in awe each time they present their views.

Now that isn’t all that hard for you, is it?

Rupa & April Fishes kindle magic in the South Bay on May 9

Bring out your flip flops, dab on some sunscreen, and get ready to welcome summertime with groovy gypsy folk music. San Francisco-based band Rupa and the April Fishes will present an unforgettable evening that transcends geographical boundaries and aims to unite through the common language of music. The concert is a benefit to support Maitri, a non-profit organization providing for South Asian families experiencing domestic violence.

- Proceeds from the concert will aid operations of Maitri's toll-free helpline and transitional home.
- Maitri has been in operation for 19 years and functions as a bridge connecting needy families to mainstream resources and provides them counsel to make informed decisions
- Maitri’s empowerment based services help South Asian women experiencing domestic abuse charter themselves towards self reliance and self confidence

Today, the Bay Area is home to first, second and even third generation South Asian families. Bestowing honor to this multi-generation community, Maitri is inviting families to attend this evening of delightful music to support peace, safety and a vibrant family life.

Rupa Marya, the lead singer, is of Indian origin, but her music transcends all linguistic barriers. Her multicultural music is a medley of French, Hindi, English and Spanish.

- Her magnetic vocals draw the listener in with its soulful and moving quality.
- A doctor of internal medicine by day, Rupa's musical compositions express the transient, yet precious value of life.
- Her songs reflect the eternal immigrant dilemmas of - home seeking and homecoming - and the universal quest to understand pain, sorrow, love, and loss.

Without exception, Maitri's events have been a distinctive combination of glamour and character, attracting reputed artistes such as Ustad Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Padmabhushan Alarmel Valli, Pria Kataria Puri’s Fashion Show, and Lillete Dubey’s Primetime Theater.

The contemporary melody of desi girl Rupa with the April Fishes will resonate at the Santa Clara Convention Centre on Saturday, May 9, 6 pm onwards. Tickets: $100, $50, $25. For more information, visit http://maitri.org or call 1.888.8MAITRI.

As published on New York Times - www.tinyurl.com/lufthansanytimes

http://www.lufthansawedding.com/news

Lufthansa Launches Indian Wedding Celebration Campaign With Designer Manish Malhotra
Published: April 13, 2009

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/13/09 -- Wedding bells ring louder each day as the season for wedlock begins. This union will exude class as two style icons, Manish Malhotra and Lufthansa Airlines, ally for a wedding couture with ethnic blends. Designed by the style icon, the ensembles are a celebration of the myriad emotions experienced by the bride and groom tying the knot. The fairytale Indian Bridal collection unveils three wedding ensembles for the to-be brides and grooms in the United States.

-- It interweaves style and extravagance with ethnicity, tallying a perfect score of glamour and tradition.

-- Asserting Manish's signature style, they accentuate glamour and modernity in the traditional Indian wardrobe.

-- The bridal lehengas and complementing sherwani outfits are fashioned with plush fabrics in classy silhouettes.

-- This dream wedding line uses sensual and romantic hues like maroon, burgundy, red, pink and wine shades.

-- The apparels are bedecked with encrusted Swarovski crystals with detailed embroidery of brocade and antique work.

To craft this unforgettable wedding season, Manish is in collaboration the world-class airline, Lufthansa. "I wanted to introduce contemporary Indian fashion in America and Lufthansa was an ideal partner, since they regularly do Bollywood-themed promotions," says Manish. This association with Lufthansa is an opportunity for Indians in America to win outfits from Manish Malhotra's collection.

For the man who personifies style, teaming up with a luxurious airline to unravel his couture wedding range is a venture which has never been done before. Mediasphere, a leading marketing and event management firm, juxtaposed fashion with air-travel in association with Global Advertising Strategies for South Asians planning their Indian Wedding in America.

-- This promotion initiates exploring new markets for Indian fashion brands to reach a global audience.

-- Mediasphere identified areas for the two brands to serve the Indian-Asian community.

-- Mediasphere teamed the brands together to bridge the continental gulf, and give them an edge in the current competitive market place.

The prestigious designer observes, "Working with Mediasphere has been a pleasure since they deliver high quality work. They are a young, hardworking and highly professional media company, which has efficiently added boost to my brand."

Manish's wedding range is enthralling all the future brides and grooms envisaging the most precious event of their life. The design sketches are open for voting now www.Lufthansawedding.com. Vote for your favorite design and post your romantic story to win the most popular wardrobe. Other prizes include tickets to India on Lufthansa Airlines.

Manish Malhotra special part 1 & 2
Vote for your favorite Manish creation

Website Launch - Internal & External Communication

Client Communication

Iteamic today introduces its revamped website.
The close partnership that Iteamic has nurtured with its clients is illustrated with the nature concept of a relationship between the flower and bee. Each relies equally on the other for its growth and success. Iteamic shares and values this partnership with all its clients and employees.
The Iteamic site has a fresh navigation experience, and improved look and feel. Clean layout and simplified navigation makes it easier to find related stories. The website will be upgrade constantly over the next weeks, so watch out for new improvements each time.
Hope you enjoy the experience as much as we enjoy working on it!
Any feedback is most welcome.

Employee Communication

The Iteamic corporate website has had a makeover! But the real change is in the approach, not just the appearance. The new site has been redesigned to better represent our organization.
While we've refined the design, we've also integrated the value system of partnership which makes the Iteamic family so close-knit. Building on the interdependent relationship of a flower and bee, the nature concept illustrates this partnership value, where each relies equally on the other for its growth and success. Iteamic shares and values this same partnership with all its employees and clients.
A clearer structure with a simplified navigation makes finding information on the Iteamic website easier. While occasional users of the site will benefit from the improved navigation menus, more frequent visitors will benefit from the ‘Latest News’ and ‘Quick Links’ menu for fast access to frequently used pages.
If you experience any problems using the new website or if you have any suggestions, please send them to us.

UAE lacks psychiatric care systems

Mental health issues are one of the main causes of suicide in the productive youth of UAE. According to Dr Ian Smith, President of mental health affairs in UAE, “One in four will get a mental illness at some point in their lifetime”.
Development of primary care system in psychiatry has been extremely slow in UAE. Patients cannot access medication as all drugs are classified under the same umbrella. However, the situation has slightly improved over a couple of years ago when psychiatrists couldn’t even prescribe a simple anti-depressant – now they can write two or three.
“Sedatives are dangerous drugs and need to be controlled, but anti-depressants are among the safest drugs,” vouches Dr Ian. “I am trying to get the restrictions lifted,” he added. Presently, Rashid Hospital, meant for secondary care services caters to most of the primary care cases.Also, there is no involvement of the private sector in mental health services. There is untapped potential in the private sector for psychiatric units. Unlike medical patients, psychiatric patients will stay for a month, and there will be hundreds queuing up. “I am not a businessman, but if I was, this is an opportunity of a lifetime,” he concluded.

Ticketless air travel in Middle East

Arab Airlines’ provides the lowest prices for air tickets in Middle East. Based on a low cost model of per single flight, customers can conveniently book tickets online, getting the lowest price even during peak season.
“Every airline controls their airfare and not the taxes,” said David Jones, CEO, Arab Airlines explaining on how this model works, “As demand increases, so does the price.” Prices can increase from 10-40% depending on the season.
Arab Airlines can maintain low prices by being totally ticketless. Tickets have printing and distribution costs, along with manpower for maintenance. “With today’s technology, you don’t need that,” adds David, “When you book a ticket, you get a code number. That’s all you need.”
They are educating customers to book online through collaterals, including in-flight magazines. Ticket sales online have grown to 23%, from 2% when they started two years.
Reflecting on the Middle East airlines industry, David said, “It was a profitable year. We are particularly chuffed with 2005 and did better than we had forecast.” Presently, they operate to some basic airports, but the concept is working and results are encouraging. Arab Airlines has set themselves bullish targets and are looking to outdo their business in 2006.

The Height of Cool

Cafe Beat
Travelogue

The Height of Cool
It’s third highest, so it tries harder. The icy peaks of Kanchenjunga are only one of Sikkim’s many charms. The other major plus: no pesky tourists for miles around. Except you.



When it gets right down to it, who are we? And why are we here? And where would we rather be? The last one’s easy and it might help answer the other two: we’d rather be warming our toes by a dying fire, picking at the crispiest bits of a barbeque dinner and looking out at sleepy mountaintops thinking, tomorrow let’s … zzz. Sikkim is great either way. It’s perfect if the plan is lazy and hazy, and it’s just right if you’ve got adventure and tales-for-the-grandchildren plans for your vacation. The landscape is so gorgeous you could easily get your fill just looking out the hotel window. But there are plenty of options if you want to take active part in the scenery.

Planning Sikkim
You will need at least one week to soak up the fun and explore a little. Gangtok should be your landing pad. Once there, get in touch with the Adventure division of Sikkim Tourism or take your pick from the many local travel agents swarming about town. They will take care of itinerary, transport and other little details, which is good… but they may hustle and over-charge if you aren’t diligent. Doyour homework and get smart about the details.

Backpacking
A visit to Sikkim won’t clean out your savings. If you decide to go with friends, you can bargain for discounts on your hotel stay too. The food is cheap and pretty good. Many of the settlers living in Sikkim are Nepalese so prepare for some lip-smacking delicacies. The hills are criss-crossed with green-flanked trails that lead you through the many monasteries that dot Sikkim. Serene at a glance, these trails still offer enough hardship to please a monk. A good place to practice your Kung Fu moves.

What, Where, How
Kanchenjunga is, of course, the ultimate challenge. From here you can hike all the way up to the Chinese border. It is always snowing here and temperatures can dip to minus 10 degrees. A must-visit on your way to Gangtok is Changu Lake. It is frozen for most part of the year and a major crowd-puller thanks to the amazing scenery that surrounds it. You should also try to spend one day exploring the Kanchendzonga National Park. Here’s one place you won’t mind getting lost in.

Suggested Trek Itinerary
No hotels. No five-stars. No warm beds. Lots of fun. Loads of memories. Villagers in this state are accustomed to trekkers knocking on the door and asking to be put up for the night. They’ll feed you and make sure you’re refreshed for the next leg of the trek. A typical trek could be from Gangtok to Pemayangtse to Khechopalri, onwards to Yuksum, Tsokha, Dzongri, Thangshing, Zemathang, Chaurigang, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang and Sikip.

Getting to Gangtok
By Air: The closest Indian Airport is 124 kms from Gangtok, Bagdogra in Siliguri which is in West Bengal. Flights operate from Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati and connect onwards. Travel time from the airport to Gangtok is 4 hours.
By Rail: The closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal about 148 km away, and Siliguri.
By Road: Gangtok is connected by road to Siliguri, and takes about 114 kms. Other routes are Darjeeling (4 Hrs), Kalimpong and with Bhutan, Phuntsholing (6 Hrs).

On a Budget, in Dubai

June 2007
whats on - Wine-N-Dine

The moment you set foot in Dubai, the grandeur of the city awes. The shiny and glitzy glass and metal facades which form the cityscape can leave a newcomer dazzled and wide-eyed. But the City of Gold does not demand its visitors to pay the toll in gold. You can enjoy all its facets – sights, shopping and eating out – on a restricted budget and yet return with a fulfilling experience.

In the back lanes of several of the shiny towers, you will find tea and fruit juice joints. With a huge immigrant population, strong and flavoured tea is a favourite. While scouring the Souqs for fresh condiments, perfumes and electronics, you will find large servings of Kiwi Juice at Dhs 2 very refreshing.

If a quick bite means grabbing a Jumbo Vada Pav or an Idli-Vada before jumping into a fleeting bus or train, you must reach out for a Shawarma in Dubai. A Lebanese item, it has shreds of roasted chicken with tingling sauces rolled up conveniently in a Pita bread, apt for the person on a move! The Shwarma’s are priced at Dhs 3, with a guarantee to satiate hunger-pangs at all the odd hours.

For a more substantial luncheon, look out for the famous chain restaurant – Karachi Darbar. A no-fuss eating joint, office-goers can be seen galore; they come here for quick service. Although a little cold-shouldered, you find that the food seems to appear magically in a flash, piping hot. Savour a three-course meal of Chicken Tikka, Dal Ghost, Rotis, Lassi and their famous hot Jamuns for a neat Dhs 50 for two people.

Similar to the Shwarma joints, you will find the city dotted with small joints which prepare burgers, Indian-style, if you please. At Dhs 5 a plate, these chunky burgers surely give a beating to McDonalds, KFC and Burger King in terms of value-for-money which are priced at Dhs 18.

As the scorching sun sizzles behind the cooling waters, another facet of Arabia comes to life. People prefer to spend a relaxing evening over Shishas and endless hours of banter. This perfect setting of Al Paras fortunately comes minus the high price-tag. An open air restaurant, they have Khus sheets with water running over them to keep cool.

You will be escorted to an elevated wooden canopy, with a carpet and seating on cushions for the party. The meal commences with an earthen bowl of Hummus with a generous dollop of olive oil, cheese stick, mint leaves and Khaboos. The Kebabs, their speciality, are served along with a live barbeque, so you can enjoy the meal at a slow pace. This is accompanied with Irani Rice, liberally sprinkled with homemade butter. This rice itself is flavoured and most people don’t find the need to combine it with a gravy dish. This elaborate evening might cause a small dent of Dhs 250 for five people. But then, its is all worth it!

If you, though, prefer a quick dinner minus the frills, head for the back alleys of Bur Dubai, where you will find the labour class of the opulent city voraciously digging into heaps of Biryani. These cubby holes also have separate seating for families, often in upstairs booths. A meal can be enjoyed here for as little as Dhs 7 for two people.

Be warned though, a trip to the world-famous malls can surely leave your pocket light of all that you saved up with this culinary budget.

Pondicherry - The French Connection

March 2007
whats on - Getaway

Pondicherry The French Connection

Sights are manifold, from pastel-coloured churches to bright temple towers; Joan of Arc's heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront; cricket competes with petanque.

Pondicherry, a confluence of spiritual aura, French colonial heritage and Tamil culture, is one of the few surviving union territories with a pristine coastline. Fondly called Pondy, it is a charming Mediterranean town with cobbled streets, stylish houses and ornamental gardens. Pondy instantly transports the first-timer to a picturesque town. All the roads and institutions have names in French, such as Hotel de Ville, which is the Town Hall. Little wonder then that Pondy is often called the French Riviera of the East. The French first arrived and ruled the town for nearly 281 years. Today, it stands as a living and breathing monument of the French culture in India.
A convenient way to see Pondicherry is at leisure, by a cycle rickshaw. And, if you really want do want some pace, hire a motorcycle. They come for as little as Rs 100 per day (fuel extra). It is easy to whizz about, zigzagging through the lanes, all over the town with no chance of every getting lost. This French Boulevard town has everything planned down into a grid, much like New York City.
Sights are manifold, from pastel-coloured churches to bright temple towers; Joan of Arc's heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront; cricket competes with petanque. Apart from the monuments, there is the French Consulate and the Foyer du Soldat for war veterans of the French Army.
The restaurants serve a rich variety of French, Indian, Asian and continental food, with the latest pizza for an American bite. A favourite with tourists is Rendevous, a quintessential French restaurant.
For an avid shopper, Pondy has a lot to offer and is a favourite shopping destination. With taxes low or practically non-existent, Pondy is soft on your purse. It is known for its traditional doll making, textiles and silks. It is also the birthplace of several world-class brands in leather, pottery, aromatics, fashion and handmade paper. Scented candles, incense sticks, lamps and articles made with handmade paper and dry flowers are the flavour of Pondicherry.
On the border of Tamil Nadu is the international city of Auroville, which has the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, Aurovilled has been largely realized through the vision of his French disciple, known as the 'Mother'.
The French have a saying - Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose - which means, the more things change, the more they stay the same. And this could be somewhat the case for Pondicherry. At the crossroads of eastern and western culture, and of ancient and modern spiritual disciplines, Pondicherry truly is a heritage town.

Fact File
Area: 480 sq.km
Language: Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, English & French
Population: 973, 829
When To Go: The climate is tropical, which means that is is hot and humid. Average temperatures are 24C degrees typical of January and 30C degrees for June. The monsoon is active from October through December.

Shack Up!

USP Age
What's On - Wine-N-Dine

If you are yearning for the soft sands of Goa just head for 100ft Road, Indiranagar to shack up at The Beach. This restaurant will instantly transport you to the sultry beaches of Goa – sand, ocean, coconut grooves, et al.
Designed like a Goan shack, you feel at ease the moment you step in. The first things you notice are the lush bamboos which stand tall, blocking away any reminiscence of still being in Bengaluru city.
Essentially divided into four areas, you can enjoy 'an evening in Goa' in all the sections. The Predo Shack is lit subtly with goblets of candles, and is walled off with glass. The high-backed chairs are accompanied by beautiful tables, which are filled with sand and white pebbles, make it a perfect venue for a quiet romantic evening.
The Beach Area has a more upbeat feel to it. The high ceiling with jute and bamboo complete the Goan-shack feel. The glass tabletops are balanced on coconut tree stumps. The stools which make up for seats, are also logs of coconut trees. The accompanying bar area too has a backdrop of bamboo shoots. You will be tempted to dig your feet into the soft sand which makes for the flooring while enjoying hip-hop and house music dished out by the resident DJ.
The bar serves both Indian and imported liquor. Must-try is their Margarita and Long Island Iced Tea. ‘Sex on the Beach’ also came recommended by the manager. You can enjoy your drink over the gentle murmur of waves. The Beach boasts of a water machine which forms waves, thus completing the 'oceanic experience'.
The Lounge area has under-played lighting with low seating. You can laze on the sofas for hours on end. Head for the fine dining section, which is on the first level for a hearty meal. They serve both lunch and dinner, with a multi-cuisine menu. But the kitchen specialises in Goan dishes from where Xazuti, a coconut-based gravy, comes highly recommended. You have a choice of meat – fish, chicken or mutton. The Goan curry which is another hot favourite among patrons, too has a coconut base, spiced delicately with Goan condiments. They also specialise in Continental dishes.
Going by the crowds flocking The Beach every weekend, it sure seems like Goa has found some tough competition in Bangalore.