3 - Chamiers

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CHATTERATI
Chatterati
A magazine from the house of Chamiers-Amethyst
Slices of Joy!
Hello All!
A New Year, and three months down the line,
already! Out here, at Chamiers and Amethyst, life has been a series of celebrations. On
February 14, as the world soaked in the spirit
of love, Chamiers turned 9! That evening, a
small group got together in the Eco Café and
listened to a young city-based author, Arya
Rajam, read from her debut novel, Blood,
Sweat and Tears. The reading was followed
by a discussion and some delicious munchies!
And some great coffee!
That evening echoed really what Chatterati, the in-house magazine of AmethystChamiers, represents. Coffee, Conversations
and a sense of Camaraderie. Our cover
this issue, a classic concoction of coffee as
presented in both the cafes (Chamiers and
Amethyst), is a tribute to that inherent spirit
of this magazine that turns three with this
edition.
The opening piece in this issue, anchored by
heritage enthusiast and music critic,
V Sriram, is a story that traces the story of
Chamier’s Road, an important and integral
road that links Adyar and Mount Road.
Chamiers, a white building that has stood
on this road, for nine years now, has come
to stand for that space where people renew
connections, with other people, and self. That
story is suitably followed by a photo story that
showcases the Chamiers that was, and that is!
Amethyst finds place in two interesting stories. On January 1, after people tackled their
hangovers, Los Angeles-based classical vocalist, Aditya Prakash performed a chamber
concert at Amethyst’s tea room to an audience
that was part-familiar, part-unfamiliar with
classical music. In this issue, Aditya recalls
his experience of performing there. Sonam
Dubal, a well-known Delhi-based designer
reveals why Amethyst is really his favourite
store.
My personal favourite story though is Slices of
Joy; a photo feature of the array of cakes that
find place in the glass cases of Chamiers’ and
Amethyst's café, this piece is bound to be a
foodie’s favourite! After all, we live to eat! And
chat! And make friends! And remember the
good times!
Cheers
Editor
heritage
Chatterati
H
enry Davidson Love, in his immortal Vestiges of Old
Madras (1913) states that Chamier’s Road developed
as a cart-track between 1798 and 1816. While it is ostensibly supposed to be named after John Chamier
who was Chief Secretary, Madras in 1803, he never
lived in the vicinity. It is therefore very likely that the
road was once Shamier’s Road, for the rich Armenian merchant Jacob
Nazar Shamier lived off it in a vast garden house around 1822.
A magazine from the house of Chamiers-Amethyst
5
ANNIVERSARY
Chamiers turns 9
6
DESIGN AND STYLE
Style marries substance
10
Fusionista!12
Shopper's Spot
14
Classic Cool
18
FOOD
Slices of joy
22
BOOKS
Once upon a time
24
WELFARE
Cat-attack!26
BACK BEAT
Watch out
28
ARTS
A Performance perspective
32
EXCERPT
Making the cut
34
Tarot37
LAST WORD38
CONTENTS
HERITAGE
Should it be Shamier’s?
Chamier’s Road is L-shaped, one end being at Mount Road junction and the other at the river Adyar, with the bend being at the signal
where Raja Annamalaipuram begins. At this bend is a vast amount of
greenery, with prominent sign-boards indicating that it is the property
of the John de Monte Trust and not for sale. This is the last of what was
once a truly historic piece of land.
George Moubray arrived in Madras in 1771, did well with the East
India Company and applied for 105 acres on the banks of the river
Adyar. The residence he built here had a cupola on top and became
Moubray’s Cupola. The road from here to Royapettah became Moubray’s (now TTK) Road.
Should it be
Shamier’s?
A story that traces the genesis and growth of a
road, we now call Chamier's Road
In 1810, John de Monte, a rich businessman, acquired the property.
De Monte lived where de Monte Colony now stands. At his death in
1821, the entire property was bequeathed to the Church. In 1890, the
Adyar Club leased the part with Moubray’s Cupola within it, and the
road leading to it became Adyar Club Gate Road. A road parallel to
it became Boat Club Road when that institution moved home here.
In 1962, the Adyar Club merged with historic Madras Club, which
moved here from Mount Road. Moubray’s Cupola is now the Club’s
splendid home.
A road leading off Chamier’s is Pugh’s Road, commemorating Joseph Pugh who in 1816 was Director of the firm of Pugh and Breithaupt. Pugh lived in what would later become Bishop’s Gardens.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to our columnists, V Sriram and Indu Balachandran,
who took time off their busy schedules to write pieces that are significant and insightful
printed @ rathna offset printers
and published by | amethyst - chamiers
for editorial feedback
and comments, write to
[email protected]
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with chatterati, contact
[email protected]
Photo: aadithya sharan
editor | akhila krishnamurthy
editorial coordinator | payal chhabria
cover photo | aadithya sharan
design | m jayasri
n v sriram
In the 1950s, the Church sold some of its land holdings along
Chamier’s Road. This became the Boat Club area, with houses for
leading industrialists and Directors of large corporates. The Madras
Club acquired its premises, one portion being sold to the American
Consulate for building the residence of its Dy. Consul-General. Interestingly, Shamier’s House, which became Gambier’s Gardens, still
survives as a ruin, close to the MRTS bridge.
The writer is a heritage enthusiast and a music critic
Photo courtesy: jeremy carroll
ANNIVERSARY
A photo story on the Chamiers
that was and that is...
Chamiers
turns 9
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CHATTERATI
CHATTERATI
Chamiers that is...
Chamiers that was...
9
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CHATTERATI
For nearly four decades, Anokhi, a garments' brand has been churning out clothes that are block printed and that weave
elements of modernity and ethnicity. Neelam Jugran, who has been a part of the production and supply team in Jaipur for
the last seventeen years, gives us a sneak peek into its journey so far…
DESIGN & STYLE
n Payal Chhabria
Every brand stems from an idea or inspiration. What is your story?
Our story is a story of revival. Almost five
decades ago, the concept of block printing was
on the wane. The process was extensive and
labour expensive. Two people, Faith Singh
and J P Singh, however were keen to revive,
contemporize and make block prints the new
fashion statement. Anokhi was shaped and
formed within the mould of that idea. Now,
many years later, their son and daughter-inlaw, Pritham Singh and Rachel Bracken-Singh
continue to nurture this legacy.
Can you tell us a little about the design
philosophy of Anokhi?
Every fifteen days, we tell the world a new
story through our line of garments. Our ideas
and designs are born out of our desire to make
our clients feel good about what they are wearing, the way the store looks, the staff and in
turn about themselves.
Anokhi strikes a perfect balance between
modern and ethnic. Is that a conscious attempt? If yes, why?
A decade ago, a large part of our clientele
comprised only of tourists. After a while,
localites (from Jaipur) began to like Anokhi’s
distinct approach to block prints. Over the
years, we've set up shop in 23 other cities as
well. So it was really essential to strike that
chord and satiate people from both worlds. We
realized that a classic kurta was as important as
a strappy top or a pair of funky trousers.
Colours play an integral role in characterizing a design. What does your colour palette
comprise of?
There is no specific colour scheme, honestly.
Our colours usually vary depending on the
season that we are in. If it’s around Diwali, the
palette is a mix of brighter shades like yellows,
pinks, blues; during summer, we tend to use
fresh colours, mostly on the lines of whites
and off whites and in winter, darker shades are
incorporated.
“
To weave one metre of block
printed fabric takes days together
and we use thousands of metres to
bring out a collection, every fortnight. The most amazing bit is that
it is all hand-crafted
The makers of Anokhi evidently have a
minimalist approach towards design. In spite
of that, the brand has made its presence felt
and attained a stature of its own in an era
where clutter scores a 10 on 10. How is that?
I cannot even imagine Anokhi in a fussy,
jarring avatar. In fact, Anokhi uses all those
elements that can make a garment loud and
fussy. Rachel, however, knows to integrate
them in a subtle way. You may see sequence on
the neck lines, but in soft colours and used in
a way that it does not attract attention. What
attracts attention is the finesse and detail that
we give to every piece of clothing.
Anokhi means a special quality attributed to
someone or something. What is the brand's
forte?
Block printing, of course. That is the essence
of Anokhi. What adds to that is the fact that we
use them in a contemporary context. To weave
one metre of block printed fabric takes days together and we use thousands of metres to bring
out a collection, every fortnight. The most
amazing bit is that it is all hand-crafted. There
are at least four to five colours used in every
garment and the craftsman needs to go over
the process, that many times. After the fabric
is block printed, it goes through computerized
techniques for final touches. So we are modern
and traditional in that way too.
How would you describe an ideal Anokhi
woman? Can you name one woman who
could be called the face of Anokhi?
Someone who is smart, sophisticated, comfortable in her own skin yet casual and free.
Any woman who is all of that can be called
the face of Anokhi. However, if I had to pick
someone, I would say Konkana Sen Sharma.
I’ve seen her wearing a lot of Anokhi and she
carries it off effortlessly.
How has your association with Chamiers
been?
Absolutely fantastic. The store looks aesthetic and the staff is warm and lovely. Just
what Anokhi stands for.
Photo courtesy: anokhi
Style marries
substance
Photo courtesy: jeremy carroll
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DESIGN & STYLE
CHATTERATI
Fusionista!
n swetha viswanathan
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CHATTERATI
“
The cultural history
of India is its
treasure. Like a
prism, the collection
reworks and evolves
into newer patterns
season after season
Photos Courtesy: sonam dubal
“Amethyst is my favourite store,” gushes Delhi-based fashion designer, Sonam Dubal who is also
an avid traveller, a versatile artist, and a patron of tradition
How did you foray into mainstream fashion after
having donned many hats in the fields of theatre,
design, advertising, etc?
I was not in a hurry to foray into mainstream
fashion as I believed it would be a responsibility
not just in terms of business but also in creating
a signature style that was original. So I spent time
learning and experimenting, travelling and exploring traditional and modern arts. When I knew I
was ready, I took it up. The first display of my line
was at the India Fashion Week in 2003. Since then,
there has been no looking back.
What is the story behind the name of your label
– Sanskar?
Sanskar comes from the Sanskrit word, Samskar
which means values and traditions existing in a
family. I believe that they subconsciously define
the meaning in one’s life. Sanskar has evolved as a
label that incorporates the tenets of recycling and
preservation of traditional style.
According to popular belief, your signature style
is quirky Indo-Oriental in Western aesthetics.
What is the philosophy behind this?
Typical to Sanskar, Indo-Oriental shapes have
been drawn from cultural linkages. The silhouettes
have developed from traditional Eastern wraps;
Angarkhas and Japanese kimonos have been converted into modern contemporary capes and fluid
Kaftan dresses and India inspired jackets and coats
have become an intrinsic part of my signature line.
Your outfits are born out of unique craft techniques. Can you share some insights on that?
The cultural history of India is its treasure. Like
a prism, the collection reworks and evolves into
newer patterns season after season. As an Indian
designer, it is a joy to work with unique craft and
textile techniques. I have been one of the few designers to show at the Prestigious Asia Society in
New York twice already, in 2010 and 2012.
You are a globe-trotter. How have your travel
experiences added flavour to your collection?
My travel experiences have been enriching and
have definitely added flavour to the collections.
There is a wander lust in my work which is part
imaginative and part real.
How has your mixed cultural background
(part Maharashtrian, part Sikkimese Tibetan)
contributed to the inspiration behind your
work?
It has played a major role in my openness to the
differences in people and places in my journey
through life. Hence, intuitively I started combining the beauty and sensitivity of the East with the
aesthetics and structure of the West.
What is special about your most recent collection at Amethyst?
Amethyst is my favourite store! The Silk Route
has been my latest work. It combines textiles like
velvet, cotton, Ikat and Chanderi with antique
borders and nomadic prints. The collection is in
tandem with the understanding of tradition in a
modern context like the essence and beauty of the
store itself.
What is unique about your next line?
The new collection has a vintage feel to it with
bright coloring. Autumn/Winter 2013 line is being developed in floral patterns in cotton and silk
moving into modern prints with inspiration from
painters and poets in an ode to nature!
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CHATTERATI
DESIGN & STYLE
Shopper's spot
Silver extravaganza
Silver is obviously classic. What if
it were sprinkled with a dash of
contemporariness! That really defines
this line of jewellery. Take your pick
and possess an element of timeless
beauty
Photos courtesy: Jeremy Carroll
Model: Sahithya Jagannathan
Every fifteen days or so, Chamiers showcases a new line of products that ranges from jewellery,
handbags, books to stoles and home accessories. Fill your shopping bags, today
CHATTERATI
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CHATTERATI
A golden affair
This ensemble of silver rings and
bracelets coated with a layer of bright
gold makes an interesting pick because
it certainly has the ability to make you
stand out in a crowd and attract
envious eyes, effortlessly
Photos courtesy: aadithya sharan
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Gifts galore
This summer, gift your folks a Muthu
Monkey. He’s all that a woman wants
– handsome, intelligent and Indian. The
boys have the strong and stern Hippo
for great company
18DESIGN & STYLE
CHATTERATI
CHATTERATI
n team chatterati
Classic cool
Kaizen Design Accents has
emerged as a one-stop shop for
décor accessories that are classy,
contemporary and distinct…
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CHATTERATI
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wood, brass, teak, bronze to glass and lacquer. Kaizen
Design Accents has been popular for its expertise in
design as well as its exclusive customer service. “Customization of products to suit the tastes, requirements
and budgets of our clients is a trend that we started here,”
says Kala Menon, Store Manager, Kaizen, “because we
felt that their satisfaction comes first. And people are
always satisfied when there is something specially made
for them.”
The brand's USP is certainly its ability to conceptualize and craft, décor solutions for a contemporary home.
“What sells best are our gift options. They are oneof-a-kind. The most prominent ones are the range of
Buddhas, abstract Ganeshas, the set of the Famous Fat
Ladies and the Three Wise Men. Where else can you find
these?” says Kala.
Photos courtesy: aadithya sharan
Of late, Kaizen has explored the option of showcasing the work of other designers from across the globe.
Kala Menon, Store Manager, Kaizen Design Accents
A
Are you looking at buying exquisitely crafted
pieces of furniture that will make your living
room a visual delight? Looking for lights that
are contemporary and stylish and yet have
the ability to illuminate corners of your home
the way your old ones do? Do you fancy artifacts that can enhance the visual appeal of a space by just being scattered around? Your destination then is most certainly
Kaizen Design Accents housed within Chamiers.
A stylish and comfortable lifestyle store, Kaizen was the
realization of a dream of two individuals who shared similar
tastes in aesthetics and design; together, the duo decided to
collaborate and start a brand that allowed them to translate
their ideas into reality. Sonali Chitale and Ujjwala Naik
Goenka’s love for interior design triggered them to initiate the Kaizen Design Accents, a place where finesse and
elegance blend to create beautiful, hand-crafted pieces of
home accessories. Though the brand was originally launched
in Singapore, they branched out in India in 2011.
The store offers a wide range of furniture, lamps, light
fittings, gifts and artifacts made of almost everything from
“
The store offers a wide range of furniture, lamps, light
fittings, gifts and artifacts made of almost everything
from wood, brass, teak, bronze to glass and lacquer
At present, on display is the work of
Ketna Patel, a Singapore-based pop
artist whose love for people and countries (Africa and India, especially) led
her to create a line of furniture that
is quirky, colourful and full of life
and that reflects the conversations,
incidents and spaces that leave an
impression on her.
“Chamiers, like us, is a mix of innovative concepts, aesthetic design and
intricate craftsmanship. So this was an
ideal space for us to set up shop,” says
Kala, “Also our clientele comprises a
niche sector of high-profile people,
who frequent Chamiers, a lot. We’ve
had a great association with them.”
“
A stylish and comfortable lifestyle store,
Kaizen was the realization of a dream of
two individuals who shared similar tastes in
aesthetics and design
They evidently seem to be living
up to their name, Kaizen that literally
means continuous improvement (in
Japanese). “Improvement is mandatory,” says Kala, “We intend to give our
clients a wholesome, satisfying and an
enhancing experience, after all.”
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CHATTERATI
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CHATTERATI
Marble Brownie
When vanilla and chocolate met, they
merged into a single entity, and yet
carried individual tastes and identities.
Fantasize that story? Treat her to an
evening of Iced Cappuccino, a slice of
the Brownie and casually narrate its
tale. She might just fall for you.
Photos courtesy: aadithya sharan
White
Strawberry
Chocolate
Cake
It’s white and pink
and full of chocolate.
Are you convinced or
should I say more? A
woman’s choice and a
man’s envy, this has bits
of strawberry cuddling
under warm white frost
and the scent of chocolate essence. Gorgeous,
terrific and dangerous,
it has an innate ability
to kill. Beware!
food
Slices
of joy
n team chatterati
Chocolate Chip Cake
If you feel ambivalent towards chocolate, this one is
tailor-made for you. Chipped chocolate is scattered
across a neutral tea cake base that literally melts in your
mouth, in part. A mug of frothy Cappuccino, a slice of
the pastry and great company can make you feel like
you have it all - part sweet, part bitter, part love, part
hate!
Between them, Chamiers and Amethyst
display a selection of cakes that are
distinctive in taste and personality…
Brownie
This one is hard-core and evergreen. It’s a
sweet sixteen favourite, an aunty’s dream
come true and a young man’s best friend.
It is the Brownie! Semi-solid fudge oozes
out as you take a bite of this chocolatesaturated, fluffy and cake-looking chunk.
Don’t use a napkin. Just sip on Iced Tea and
feast on the moment.
Citrus Cake
Whipped with bits of fresh
oranges and orange zest, this
is really a pick that is sugar and
spice, sweet and sour. Its nonchocolate base and sour tinge
certainly make it the best bet
for an evening that’s choc-abloc with incessant emails and
lengthy task lists. Team it with
a mug of strong and steaming
Café Latte and you are all set
to go.
Coffee and
Walnut Cake
The flavour of coffee; the
richness of walnuts and the
joy of cake blend seamlessly
in the baker’s bowl and come
out as an out-of-the-world
experience. A hearty meal is
certainly incomplete without
a slice or two on the table.
Gaining a few pounds and
losing a few bucks can hardly
be elements worth a compromise.
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CHATTERATI
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CHATTERATI
Photos courtesy: aadithya sharan
I
BOOKS
n Payal Chhabria
Once upon a time
Beautiful, fun, serene, exuberant, elegant…Tara Books assures a wholesome sensory experience…
bound,” says Tanuja, “You are more than welcome to do so. All you need to do is contact us.”
While we are still on the subject, we suddenly
find ourselves below a series of line drawings
that are strung one after the other. “Oh this…,”
she says, “is one of Tara’s oldest creations. The
Very Hungry Lion was published way back in
1996 and is an adaptation of a traditional folk
tale about a lazy lion, by our founder, Gita Wolf
with some really beautiful illustrations by Indrapramit Roy.” The Very Hungry Lion is also
the proud winner of the Alciun Citation for Excellence in Book Design in the Children’s Book
Category in Canada, 1996.
f she were real, Scarlett O’Hara
would have been a regular
here. The space, unmistakably,
is a translation of her persona.
It’s larger-than–life, inevitably
glamorous and evidently intimidating. It is said that a story loses something with each telling. Perhaps, that’s what the
makers of Tara Books were terrified of. They
wanted their stories to flow out of their imaginative reservoirs and reel out into images that
talk, express, emote and linger for longer. And
well, they did a splendid job of that - the consequence of which is a semblance of the O’Hara’s
charming mansion (also called Tara, coincidentally?) standing tall in Thiruvanmayur and that
by the way, they very modestly call the Book
Building.
At close to 10am on a weekday, Tanuja Ramani, member of the Book Development team,
multi-tasks between (amidst a faint aroma of
fresh paper and paint) showing us around, tracing the evolution of Tara Books and flipping
through a bunch of blown up illustrations that
are systematically arranged in an exceptionally large Bible stand of sorts. “You’ve come at
a great time. We only have limited editions of
these beautiful illustrations that are signed by
artists themselves” she says. The illustrations
are explorative – in some, a fish looks like a fish;
in some you have to guess your way around.
When we turn our way around that, we see that
their Book Building exhibition is in the process.
We walk against an off white wall sporting illustrations that seamlessly take us through the
growth and journey of Tara. “If you’d like to visit
our site and look at our books being made and
“
Tara Books occupies
prominent spaces across
the globe in countries
like France, Spain, USA,
Canada, UK, Japan,
Korea and Italy and its
books are translated in
seventeen different languages
Today, decades later, Tara Books occupies
prominent spaces across the globe in countries
like France, Spain, USA, Canada, UK, Japan,
Korea and Italy and its books are translated
in seventeen different languages. “We try and
display our books at spaces that are visited by
a cross-section of people, like Chamiers, for instance,” says Tanuja, “We have been associated
with them for over a year now and I must say
that it has been a highly beneficial journey. Our
target audiences are similar in a way that both of
us don’t have a definitive target group and that
has really helped us reach out to people from
different worlds who are genuinely interested.”
“Do you know what is really special about
Tara?” says Tanuja, “Our own story…Tara was
founded in 1994 by Gita Wolf. However, over
a period of time, we have come to become one
big family of artists, designers, authors and collaborators. Amazing! Isn’t it?”
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Photos Courtesy: The Cattitude Trust
CHATTERATI
welfare
n Swetha Viswanathan
Cat-attack!
Devika Khazvini has a story to tell. A story of faith, success and cats…
o see a cat in each
home and a few
cared for in each
ne ig hb ourho o d
isn’t an unachievable dream,” says
Devika Khazvini, Founder of The
Cattitude Trust based in Chennai.
Born and raised amidst animal
lovers, devoting her life to the care
and protection of cats was a natural choice. “Everyone has a story
behind what they do; I do too,” she
says, “When I was a young girl, I
had a Siamese cat named Tigger
who passed away. It took me years
to get over that and subconsciously I had closed my heart towards
animals, until that fine day when
my son brought home an adorable
little kitten, who naturally began
to share our meals and eventually
our lives. That marked the beginning of a dream and a burning desire to spread the joy.”
"T
It started slow and steady feeding, rescuing and aiding stray
cats and kittens – and grew into
an organization that aids, nourishes, nurtures and raises them.
Like attracts like and so she happened to meet and partner with
Vijaylakshmi Raghavan who
helmed Parasparam Ashram, a
home for semi-orphaned girls in
Batlagundu in Tamil Nadu. Simultaneously, she began raising
funds to provide the number of
growing cats with better and more
comfortable facilities. The young
girls in the orphanage were taught
to love, care and empathize with
the animals. Just when the going
was smooth, the sudden demise of
Vijayalakshmi changed the course
of Devika’s life. Devika took the
entire responsibility of Parasparam Ashram and till date, continues to give her heart and soul to
it. “Parasparam is a magical space;
27
CHATTERATI
Viji's spirit is always with us,
guiding and blessing us,” she says.
“
It started slow and
steady – feeding,
rescuing and
aiding stray cats
and kittens – and
grew into an
organization that
aids, nourishes,
nurtures and raises
them
A desperate urge to expand,
spread awareness and reach
greater heights in her endeavour
led her to approaching Kiran
Rao of Amethyst, who graciously
and almost instantly agreed to
become a trustee. “I brought to
Kiran's notice a large section of
people who had cats for pets but
did not treat them well,” says Devika, “She said no matter what,
we must save them all!” In hardly
any time, Cattitude was housing
forty more cats.
It’s hard to define the services
of the trust. It ranges from feeding cats in the shelter, feeding
hungry ones on the street as well
as dogs who have insensitive
care-takers. Besides that, it offers
consultancy services on how to
look after pets, the kind of veterinary care they require, help owners with hiring cages and importing special cat food.
“Our mantra is sustainability”,
says Devika. “We have a few volunteers who are always willing to
respond to an appeal to pick up
and nurture an injured animal.
I’m extremely grateful for that!”
The Chennai Adoption Drive
(CAD), whom they share a warm
relationship with, helps them in
the process of rescuing trapped
and troubled kittens. Relying
only on donations from animal
lovers and with an almost nonexistent volunteer base, the or-
ganization has put its faith in its
own spirit and passion, to grow
and develop.
An aspiration to begin a paid
ambulance service for cats; a
crèche to look after cats when
their owners are busy at work or
are off on a holiday and a book on
a collection of rare pictures of cats
from across the world, doesn’t
seem too hard for someone who
hasn’t looked back in spite of the
setbacks and challenges.
A little message that Devika
wants to share with the world:
“Animal welfare begins with you.
Learn to love the innocent, dumb
creatures. I promise you that its
rewards are great.”
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CHATTERATI
backbeat
CHATTERATI
bilities; and the determination to
make a life for herself in what must
have first seemed like a devastatingly inhospitable environment are
lessons for us all.
n chandrashekar s
Watch out
How does one propose films or books that best represent International Women’s
Day? What is International Women’s Day? Does it, assuming we know what “it”
is, mean the same to women everywhere? How about men?
T
oo many questions? The horror
is these are mini, bite-sized varieties. Nibble at one and you’ll
find a cacophony of questions,
arguments and exasperated
evenings making new enemies.
Consider this solution. These films and
books are not an expression of femininity but
of humanity. One reason why, I think, we celebrate a Women’s Day is to create a platform to
hear stories we may otherwise not. But to consider those voices distinct of the collective that
is humanity is perhaps incorrect. This is not to
suggest a bland absorption of unique female experiences. Rather, it is to say every experience –
male, female or otherwise – is intimately woven
into the fabric of all humanity and as much as
we need to understand their individuality, we
ought to be aware of the thread that connects
us all.
The women in these films and books do not
live outside of society. They live within the same
physical, spiritual, mental and cultural walls
that house men. The only difference is we’ve
shut, locked and thrown away the key to some
of the rooms. In the final analysis, don’t think
of these films and books as featuring strong
female characters... think of them instead as
opening some of those locked doors and letting
strong people out.
Five Films for Women’s Day
1) Fiddler on the Roof (1971; Topol, Norma
Crane, Leonard Frey) – If ever there was
a classic for the ages, it is Fiddler on the
Roof. The haunting strains of the fiddle,
Topol’s voice-over on the importance of
tradition, the pitch black of the unknown
musician against the faded yellow of the
life-giving sun. There are so many magical
elements in the opening few minutes alone.
owever, as brilliant as the production was,
H
the cast deserves much of the praise and, in
particular, Norma Crane. She is effortlessly
and endlessly delightful as Golde – the wife,
the mother, the lover and the friend. Golde
is, as all women are, always, without exception for time, space or culture, the centre of
the family and it is her compassion, humanity, intelligence and fire that is the undercurrent to Tevye’s fame.
2) G
uess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967;
Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Sidney
Poitier) – A revolutionary script and three
of the most gifted actors of all time. The re-
sult? Magic. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is the story of an interracial couple and
the difficulty both sets of parents have in
getting used to the idea.
Hepburn delivers a fine performance but
what really stands out is the way she controls the narration. Most, if not all, of the
transitional moments lie with her character,
particularly the title line. Tracy and Poitier
both have powerful solos that are impeccably delivered and leave you weak-kneed but
somehow the sense is always that it is Katherine Hepburn who’s pulling the strings.
You cry when she cries, you laugh when
she laughs and you love Tracy and Poitier
and Katherine Houghton [her daughter]
because she does.
3) Out
of Africa (1985; Robert Redford,
Meryl Streep) – Out of Africa is the story
of Baroness Karon von Blixen-Finecke and
her life in Kenya. Streep’s evolution from
a relatively naive European noblewoman
to a savvy, gun-toting, lion-killing female
incarnation of Allan Quartermain is an enchanting journey. The fact it is set against
the landscape of the African plains – Robert Redford’s train journey on an early
morning on the plains – only adds to the
story’s charm.
Th
e Baroness’ first encounter with lions; her
decision to brave the dangers of the wild,
at war time no less, to fulfil her responsi-
4) Julie
& Julia (2009; Meryl Streep,
Amy Adams) – Julie & Julia is not
a classic. It is only four years old
and, dare I say, already forgotten.
Nevertheless, it is a charming film
and a reminder of how the most
important moments in life are usually the smallest. It all starts with
an off-hand comment from Julie
Powell’s (Adams) husband. And it
finishes with a stronger marriage,
a new career and a better sense of
self. You see... Powell loses herself
following in the footsteps of Julia
Child (Streep), the last word in
French cuisine. The daunting challenge of cooking over 500 recipes
in 365 days forges an emotional
bond between the two women.
P
owell and Child never actually
meet and then, in the final few
minutes, in Powell’s bedroom, you
realise the film was never really
about Streep. It was always about
Amy Adams and the journey to
29
find her “Julia Child”... the inner
balance in her mind and answers to
her life’s questions.
5) Thelma and Louise (1991; Geena
Davis, Susan Sarandon) – A housewife, a waitress, a gun and a rapist.
Poetic, isn’t it? Thelma and Louise is
perhaps the most vigorous expression of empowerment on this list.
At its most extreme, it is a rather violent film. The abusive relationship
between Thelma and Darryl, Harlan’s attack on Thelma, the trucker’s
death… all these are not pleasant
viewing. But as each event unfolds,
you find yourself drawn into Davis and Sarandon’s world and you
see your world through their eyes.
The film has been probed, acclaimed and criticised for it was the
one of the first genuine attempts
at role reversal, at creating a “girl
buddy” film, a “girl road film” and,
importantly, casting women as unapologetic outlaws. Whether or not
it succeeded, critically speaking, in
that attempt is not perhaps as important as realising that it struck,
and continues to strike, a chord.
CHATTERATI
Five Books for Women’s Day
1) The Colour Purple by Alice Walker (1982)
– If you do plan on reading this book, and
I hope you do, it is only fair to provide a
warning. It can and will affect you, brutally. The savage rapes of Celie by her stepfather, the desolation of her years of marriage to Albert and the physical ache of
her emotional bruises are hard to stomach.
But if you push past those, if you steel yourself, like Celie says before every whipping: “I
make myself wood”, then you are rewarded
with the story of a woman who is stronger
than anybody you are likely to meet, who is
more compassionate than she should ever
be and more loving than you could possibly
imagine.
2) Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad by
Bee Rowlatt and May Witwit (2010) – After
much thought, the best way to introduce this
book is to quote from the blurb: “Would you
brave gun-toting militias for a cut and blow
dry? May's a tough-talking, hard-smoking,
lecturer in English. She's also an Iraqi from a
Sunni-Shiite background living in Baghdad,
dodging bullets before breakfast, bargaining
for high heels in bombed-out bazaars and
battling blockades to reach her Jane Austenstudying girls. Bee, on the other hand, is a
London mum of three, busy fighting PTA
meetings and chicken pox, dealing with
dead cats and juggling work and family while
squabbling with her globe-trotting husband.
They should have nothing in common. But
when a simple email brings them together,
they discover a friendship that overcomes all
their differences.”
3) The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
(1947) – War is hell. And it is a hell that most
of us, the good Lord be praised, will never
know. Sadly though, Anne Frank did know
and in the ultimate rejection of evil, this little girl tried to teach millions of men and
women the futility of hate and the power of
love. Anne's narrative is extraordinary because of a heart-wrenching combination of
innocence and a frightened maturity and
because the reader stands apart, outside,
looking into a world that shrinks daily and
where unspeakable dangers beckon. You
know what will happen, what must happen, and you cannot stop it.
4) Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher
Stowe (1852) – Literary legend says that
when Abraham Lincoln first met Stowe,
he said: “So you're the little woman who
wrote the book that started this great war.”
Is it true? Only Stowe and Lincoln will really know. But what is inescapable is that
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is American fiction’s
finest. The book has had its share of criticism. Mostly because it was felt Tom, the
protagonist, was never forceful enough.
Yet, the book, its characters and the intense
emotional punch it packs has survived for
over 150 years.
is heartbreaking. There is no other word
and no other emotion that is appropriate. It reminds us of the comforts we take
for granted… from something as simple as
turning the tap on to get water and opening
a kitchen cupboard for a packet of biscuits.
Despite a promising start to married life,
Rukmini and Nathan, her husband, are left to
live this world as the playthings of industrial
development and poverty. She was used to a
better life, a wealthier life than she has now, or
will ever have. And her tacit acceptance of her
fortunes might be considered fatalistic, particularly since we’re talking the about Indian
woman. But it really never is. In a brilliantly
written novel, Rukmini is constantly fighting
for her family, for herself, and she does it with
a grace and determination that leaves you in
tears. Moments like: “…what if we gave in to
our troubles at every step! We would be pitiable creatures indeed to be so weak” are sharp
reminders to us all that nothing in this world is
ever so worth fighting for as our future and the
happiness of those we love.
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5) Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya
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CHATTERATI
T
he experience of performing in a non-performance space
is elevating as a performer. It can bring out the best in a
musician and allow one to spark a special connection with
the audience. What I mean here by a non-performance
space is a venue that does not typically fit the mould for
a performance. What is special about these places is the
sense of unpredictability. Audience members and the musicians,
come to the show not knowing what to expect; not knowing what
kind of rapport can be developed between the artiste and the audience. I believe this can be a healthy way to approach a concert every
once in a while, because it allows for a new experience.
Sometimes when we go to a kutcheri at let’s say a Shastri Hall
or Mylapore Fine Arts or any typical kutcheri venue for that matter, there are already certain associations and expectations for the
concert that audience members and the musicians have going into
it. This can make attending a concert a routine experience or a
comfortable experience rather than something extraordinary and
exhilarating (only speaking of the venue, not the quality of music).
The audience and musicians know what to expect from the sound
system, the ambience, the format of the concert, the level of musical understanding from the audience and the audience has certain
expectations for the main artiste to fulfill as well. In other words,
everyone has their guard up and is prepared to either like the con-
Photos Courtesy: Aditya Prakash
“
first person
n aditya prakash
A Performance
perspective
"For a full-fledged performing artiste,
performing in a non-performance space can be
enriching, meditative and a break away from the
mundane… "
On January 1st 2013, I presented a
thematic concert on compositions
of Indian mystic poet-saints at a
beautiful café in Chennai called
Amethyst
CHATTERATI
cert, dislike it or feel ambivalent, and is not
really open to a transformative experience.
However, in a non-performance space, that
“guard” or barrier of expectations is dropped
to a great extent, and audiences, not really
knowing what to expect, have a better chance
of appreciating the music and engaging with
it (assuming it is high quality of course),
which in turn inspires the performing musician to give his or her best effort. This is how
I feel both as an audience member attending
a non-performance space concert as well as
when I am the performer presenting my music in the non-performance space.
On January 1st 2013, I presented a thematic concert on compositions of Indian mystic
poet-saints at a beautiful café in Chennai,
Amethyst. I usually come to this cafe to enjoy good food and to escape the cacophony
and commotion of the city. It is a beautiful
location that transports you to some sort of
tropical rainforest. Going in to this concert I
knew I could use this beautiful atmosphere
to enhance my concert and really limit my
distractions (bad sound system, restless audience, traffic noise, etc). I was presenting
something that was very dear to me as well,
as I am always able to connect with the poetry I was singing (Akka Mahadevi, Kabir,
Meerabai among others). The audience was
focused and completely involved throughout
the performance, which in itself inspired me
to perform to my best despite a tonsillitis infection. I felt ecstatic sharing my interpretation of the profound message of these saints
with eager and welcoming rasikas.
Similarly, in Los Angeles I presented a
Carnatic concert in a yoga studio, which had
never presented a kutcheri in its existence.
It was in a dark basement, lit with candles
and filled with pillows for people to lounge
on. The ambience was very calming and
meditative as it was reverberating with the
thambura. Although most of the audience
was not familiar with Carnatic music, they
were totally enthralled with all the aspects
of Carnatic music. Singing kalpana swaram
and koraippu, things we usually expect
in a concert and take for granted, were
totally new and wonderful experiences
for the audience. It felt like every note sung
and every stroke played on the mridangam
was appreciated. It was so refreshing interacting with these rasikas in such an unusual
space. It helped me realize how fortunate I
am to have the opportunity to learn and perform this incredible, soul-stirring art form.
Sometimes we are so accustomed to a certain format and formula for a performance,
whereas a non-performance space concert
has the ability to break the routine and
create something wonderful, thrilling and
meditative.
33
34
CHATTERATI
35
CHATTERATI
Arya Rajam
EXCERPT
Photos Courtesy: sam kumar
Making
the cut
Arya Rajam launched her debut novel,
Blood, Sweat and Tears, at Chamiers on
February 14th 2013. An excerpt from the
book...
Chitra Sundaram
Z
aria took in how her childhood seemed to have flown by so
fast. As she saw many of her school friends, some already
working, some going on to master’s degrees, she speculated
at the direction her own life would take. She knew she didn’t
want the usual Indian path of marriage and a family before
she was at least thirty. She was in a distinctive place, very
unlike where others stood. A life of constant performing and travelling
was what lay ahead of her. But the picture seemed strangely appealing.
“Hello! Look who’s here!” a male voice said, shaking her out of her
daydreams. Ashwin seemed to appear out of nowhere, looking smart
in a blue salwar and kurta.
Anita Ratnam looks on
as her daughter reads...
36
CHATTERATI
37
CHATTERATI
Chamiers Newsletter
Tarot forecast
TM Karthick
“Hi!” she said, giving him a long hug.
He asked how her ballet was going and how
her mother was. She told him about her new
show and he said he was planning to work in
his family business for awhile before doing
his MBA.He was still a complete cricket fanatic and even travelled around the country to
watch some big matches . He mentioned that
he,Devinder and Farhan were already planning
to go to the next cricket World Cup.
“So some of my friends from Moscow are really curious about India and want to visit,” Zaria
said, picking on a bit of spicy biryani from Ashwin’s plate.
“Oh yeah, tell them to drop by. And we can
meet some Elenas, Igors, Viktors and Dmitrys,”
Ashwin said with his usual sarcastic frankness.
“Shut up,” she said, chortling at his repeated
joke about so many Russians having the same
names. Ashwin’s dark brown skin looked a little
less tanned and she assumed it was because he
couldn’t play cricket in the monsoons. His black
curls were now grown to the middle of his neck.
His dark eyes still had that flirtatious spark in
them and his arms looked more muscular. She
admitted that he was really cute, but never said
it aloud because his long term crush seemed intense. She watched as he flirted with every other
pretty girl, most of whom seemed to enjoy his
attention. Girls thought he was hot, from what
Tara and Gul had told her. But, anyway what
did that have to do with anything? She was in
touch with him on e-mail and they were now
good friends. She came back to the chicken on
her plate as she continued to chat with familiar
faces, noting that she loved the sensual feel of
the sari she was wrapped in.. All thoughts about
her future disappeared with the winds of care as
the laughter of youth flowed around her.
Alexandr sat on a bench, his eyes watching
the rehearsal carefully from behind his round
spectacles. Being the chief director and choreographer, he was almost always present. This
version of Romeo and Juliet was his latest crea-
tion, something with his own newly choreographed steps.
Zaria was rehearsing her solo as Juliet, and
made sure she followed the choreographer’s instructions down to the minutest detail. Some
dancers were standing in the other end of the
room, learning their parts. The rehearsal supervisor stood near Alexandr, holding a clipboard
and pen.
“
Zaria moved lightly on the
floor, her pointed shoes
barely making a sound. She
counted mentally as she
twirled, trying to get the
rhythm correct
Zaria moved lightly on the floor, her pointe
shoes barely making a sound. She counted mentally as she twirled, trying to get the rhythm correct. She could glimpse her slender form in the
mirrors, wrapped tightly in her new leotard. It
felt a little too tight, but she was more worried
about what the director thought now. When she
finished, she looked at the assistant choreographer who stood a few feet away. The skinny, red
haired man demonstrated another sequence of
steps which she observed meticulously.
“You need to have a very delicate feel, remember,” he said in rapid Russian.
Zaria did the same steps, the floor cool
under her shoes. Jete, pirouette, ballonne, stay
light, look happy. The higher standard of dancing expected of her was not easy to adjust to
right away.
“That was very good, my dear. But you have
to look more innocent,” Alexandr’s voice rang
out with his thick Russian accent as soon as she
finished, making her inhale sharply. She stood
straight and looked at him obediently, nodding
her head without saying a word.
Alexandr seemed happy with her dancing
so far. Zaria knew he was one of the most celebrated choreographers in the world, who had
been the head of the Baranski for the past three
years. Most of the ballets here were versions created by him. Alexandr was also gay, Zaria knew
from her mother. His face was rounded with
a thick nose, thin lips and a kindly expression.
Curly grey hair grew behind a balding hairline,
only a few strands of brown visible. He was
clearly overweight since his retirement from
dancing. Overall, he gave the impression of a
sweet, paunchy teddy bear.
The assistant choreographer spoke too fast
and she had to struggle to catch every word.
“In the allegro tut, more energy. And your arm
must be here,” he said, twirling with his arm
above his head.
He was very blunt when she did a step wrong
and rarely commended her. Zaria took down
notes in her notebook, writing down specific
steps in the exact words that he and Alexandr
instructed her in.
“Good you’re writing it down, remember to
mention lifting that leg higher on the assemble,”
Alexandr said.
Alexandr was clearly partial to her, which
Zaria felt was because she was Irina’s daughter.
She was certain that some other dancers resented it when Alexandr complimented her or said
molodets (well done)” to her dancing.
Aries: 7 of Swords
Breaking free, or doing anything adventurous
for that matter, is a lot easier if you have a willing accomplice on hand, to help you along. This
period may bring just such a person as help may
arrive from the most unexpected quarters.
Libra: 5 of Wands
You like variety, perhaps, but diverse interests
and differing lifestyles with people you love can
prove to be exhausting at times. No wonder you
feel as if you are on your toes! Take the trouble
to make quality time for people and projects you
care about.
Taurus: 2 of Swords
Fear doubt and confusion may be dogging your
footsteps, but making the decision to move ahead
in spite of all that stands in the way, and aligning yourself with supportive friends will help you
achieve what you want.
Scorpio: 10 of Cups
You may be heading for a more mature phase of
relationships, when shared interests and ideals
bring happy times, with plenty of scope for loving
and living. While this is as good as it can get, it
also comes with corresponding demands.
Gemini: The Sun
A time when your life blossoms and thrives,
probably because you have decided not to make
such a big deal out of many small irritations. This
card brings out a sporting, good-natured side to
most people, and you are no exception.
Sagittarius: 8 of Cups
Dump, or be prepared to continue in a much
less than satisfactory manner. This seems to be
the option for you on many fronts that are not
delivering in the desired manner. Tough choices
that show you a better way are indicated.
Cancer: The Empress
You’ve come a long way, woman, and whatever
you decide to do in the next two months will be
a success! So give free rein to your creative best,
and relax with wine tasting, a great meal or a special massage. It’s a time for sensual enjoyment.
Capricorn: Knight of Pentacles
Matters race ahead at work,, and your valuable
contributions are recognized…but it is matters
of the heart where you are yearning for improvement. Don’t be discouraged, because commitment and steady affection will soon be proved.
Leo: Death
Clinging on to possibilities is how you can be
described when drastic developments may be
forcing you to accept change, and you are showing extreme reluctance to let go of the old. This
period finds you hanging on to wisps of memory,
and hope.
Aquarius: 6 of Swords
Moving to soothing climes could give you a
much needed breather. If you have been involved
in power struggles, or working much harder
than you want to, the coming months bring you
opportunities to see things in a different, more
comforting light.
Virgo: 9 of Pentacles
This period represents a comfortable plateau in
your affairs brought about by material security
and a general obesity around the purse strings.
This is definitely a time of creature comforts, but
perhaps lowered excitement or adventure.
Pisces: Page of Swords
You need to do a lot more to make it happen
in your bid to be bigger, brighter, more noticed.
Get your feet on the ground and be prepared to
get your hands dirty, if needed. Coming to grips
with things will finally help give shape to your
fantasies.
march 2013 by
n Scharada Dubey
CHATTERATI
last word
Ladies’
day out
For all men who survived another Women's Day...
A
have asked for directions, arrived well on
time, and even brought more practical gifts,
like diapers, feeding bottles, and rattles.
nother Women’s Day just
went by; and rose sellers everywhere made a killing in the
stalk market.
Meanwhile, this is also a warning to
absent-minded guys who are husbands,
children who are sons, siblings who are
brothers, friends who are boys, and bosses
who are men, to remember not to forget to
remember March 8th every year, and start
putting aside money for that annual gigantic bunch of red roses for the women in
your life.
I know what happened to my good pal
Krish once when he forgot to remember.
It was a near-fatal situation at home that
day, from what he described. But I would
also like to calm down nervous people like
Krish with the fact that throughout history,
no woman has ever shot her husband while
he was doing the dishes.
This year, on Women’s Day, I saw that
Krish had learnt from previous experience,
when he set off to the best florist in town
to dutifully do the red roses ritual. “Say it
with flowers!” said the large banner outside.
Krish went in--but emerged with a just one
red rose. “Well I am a man of few words…”
was Krish’s perfectly logical explanation.
Women’s Day is also that time when a lot
of tribute is paid to the fairer (and lovelier)
n Indu Balachandran
sex. But no one need ever feel tongue-tied
when asked what they wish for women: remember just one word: ‘empowerment’; it
is an all encompassing word to say, and can
make anybody sound pretty intellectual.
But I would also like to warn all men that
it won’t do at all to make wisecracks about
us on this day. Not even like this one, from a
well-respected elderly gentleman, who was
the chief guest at a Woman’s Day function
I attended some years ago. At the keynote
address, he seemed endearing at first when
he said he’d like to make it really short.
And then he began, “Women are, generally
speaking…” And sat down.
And consider this: a lot of history itself
would’ve played out differently, if only
women had taken the starring roles earlier.
Take that incident that we have all read,
in the world’s largest selling Book. If only
there had been Three Wise Women, they’d
Or how about that touring gentleman
who set off to discover India and got totally
lost along the way. Now if only he had asked
his wife to hop on board too, Mrs Columbus wouldn’t have been stubborn about asking a passing ship the correct way to India,
and our trade agreements with Spain could
have begun much earlier.
Or if only the Dog had been declared a
woman’s best friend, rather than a man’s.
Dogs would then instinctively know how
to shake their heads sideways, to indicate
‘no’, whenever a woman stands in front of
a mirror and asks, “Am I looking fat in this
dress?”.
Or if only the Americans had made a
woman walk on the moon first. Apart from
leaving less messy and neater looking foot
prints on the moon with their stilettos,
womankind would have leapt a long time
ago…
The writter is a travel and
humour columnist in Chennai.
Her first book “Don’t Go Away,
We’ll Be Right Back: The Oops & Down of
Advertising” became a best-seller, relatively
speaking, after she persuaded a large
number of her relatives to buy many copies.
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CHATTERATI
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