- The Leela

Transcription

- The Leela

M
a
g
a
z
i
n
e
Remembering the legendary
Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair
9th February 1922–17th May 2014
“I do not believe in good luck. If there is such a thing,
then it comes to those who dare to act.”
Dreamer • Gardener • Hotelier
CONTENTS
THE LEELA MAGAZINE — M ONSOON 2014
26
6
10
Luxe Effect
14
Movies
16
Adventure
20
Wheels
The best watches
and style accessories
of the season
How old masterpieces
of Indian cinema are
finding new audiences
The Rainforest Challenge,
a renowned off-road motor
race, is set to rock India
Three cars and two
motorcycles that would excite
any indulgent gearhead
26
Food
40
Heritage
46
Craftsmanship
54
In Memoriam
No better way to spend a
Sunday than having a brunch
at a Leela restaurant
An exploration of the
marvellous temples built
by the Chola kings
10 men and women who
are shaping the design
industry in the country
Three eminent personalities
pay a tribute to the
late C.P. Krishnan Nair
THE LEELA MAGAZINE – MONSOON 2014
T H E
L E E L A M A g A z I n E
—
M O N S O O N
2 0 1 4
CONTENTS
59
Snapshot
60
Launchpad
64
Chef’s Corner
The outdoor swimming pool
at The Leela Palace Chennai
is a sight to behold
AMAI, founded by Aishwarya
nair, offers delicious snacks
and gluten-free desserts
The Leela goa’s executive
chef tells us why he loves
cooking Pan Asian food
65
Jet Set go
66
Events
The BBC’s Ben Thompson
on the peculiar charm
of the city of Udaipur
60
The Leela gujarat Premier
League, a fashion evening at
The Leela Mumbai, and more
69
Accolades
70
Perspective
71
Social Index
The beautiful Leela Kovalam
is crowned as India’s best
luxury hotel
American Michael Burns
has founded a live storytelling
event in Mumbai
A look at a Mumbai-based
ngO that is transforming lives
of the mentally-disabled
COVER
Photograph: Suresh Natarajan
THE LEELA
PUBLISHER — Amruda Nair
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF — Lakshmi Nair
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR — Shobha Patel
CONTENT AND DISTRIBUTION — Priyanka Paul
PRODUCTION — Prakash Bachche
PUBLICITAS PUBLISHING
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF — Deepali Nandwani
EDITOR — Jaideep Dave
CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER — Reshma Malvankar
ART
CREATIVE DIRECTOR — Muhammad Jaan Faruqui
ART DIRECTOR — Rane Sanjay Vaman
DESIGNER — Sudhakar Bhambade
IMAGE EDITOR — Mrunali Gujarathi
PRODUCTION MANAGER — Elidio Fernandes
ADVERTISING SALES
MUMBAI (022- 61377400)
Vice President — Monica Chopra
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General Manager — Asha Augustine
Saloni Verma
BANGALORE (080-25592714/82514) — Yogeesha A
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AD SALES - INTERNATIONAL
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MARKETING
59
69
70
“This Magazine is published by Hotel Leela Ventures Limited (“Leela”) and produced by Mediascope Publicitas
(India) Pvt. Ltd., on behalf of and under agreement with Leela. Opinions expressed herein are of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Leela or of Mediascope Publicitas (India) Pvt. Ltd. All enquiries
about editorial matters, reproduction of articles and advertising should be addressed to The Leela Magazine,
Mediascope Publicitas (India) Private Ltd., 51 Doli Chamber, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400 005, India.
Email: [email protected]
Material in this publication may not be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the consent
of the publisher. Neither Leela nor MSP assumes any responsibility or endorses any claim made by the
advertisers herein.”
Printed at Parksons Graphics, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400053.
This magazine is printed on environment-friendly, wood-free paper.
8
THE LEELA MAgAzInE – MONSOON 2014
FINANCE & ACCOUNTS
SR. MANAGER - ACCOUNTS & ADMIN.
— Girish Sharma
ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE — Ashwin Makwana
CREDIT CONTROLLER — Girish Joshi
CORPORATE
CEO & MANAGING DIRECTOR — Marzban Patel
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — Anita Patel
CFO — Manish Mehta
DIRECTOR — Indu Joshi
CONNECT WITH US ON
Photography - Minal Mehta
MANAGER MARKETING SERVICES — Salim B.
Ahilaya
Reshma Building, 2nd Hasnabad lane, Ground Floor, Santacruz West Tel.: 26055289/26490447
Ramnimi Building, Mandlik Road, Ground ﬂoor, Colaba Tel.: 22024053, 22023788
Nav Pooja Building, Scheme no. 4, Perry Cross Road, Bandra West Tel.: 26553366, 26459391
Luxe Effect
IWC
The IWC Aquatimer Automatic 200 is our favourite from
the brand’s new Aquatimer collection. Fitted with a
MONT BLANC
solid titanium case, the diving watch measures 46mm
Mont Blanc’s Emblem
in diameter and 20.5mm in thickness. The large dial is
perfume pays tribute
black with a vertical stripe guilloche, like the deck of a
to the brand’s history
boat. This gorgeous timepiece is fitted with the in-house
and to its white star
The newest addition to Bottega Veneta’s handbag collection is the Drap Calf
automatic movement calibre 80110, and boasts a 44-hour
emblem, designed
Tote. The precisely crafted tote bag features an oversized pocket that fits in
to represent the
power reserve. It is water-resistant up to 2000m.
Four timepieces that reflect
the best of horology.
Watches we like
ULYSSE NARDIN
The Manero AutoDate
The new Imperial Blue boasts a flying tourbillon at
is a retro timepiece
6 o’clock. A blue sapphire bridge occupies the
that revives the simple
classical style
of three-hand
watches with
smaller dials,
which was
popular in
pattern beautifies the handles, which can be easily put on over the shoulder.
of Europe’s highest
Available in a spectrum of colours.
mountain. The scent
has top notes of
aromatic clary sage and
cardamom mixed with sparkling
grapefruit; middle notes of violet leaves
positioned at 12 o’clock. The date can be
The timepiece houses the Calibre UN-970,
which chimes on four notes for every passing
VERSUS VERSACE X SUPERGA 2750
hour, and also sounds the hours, quarter
The collaboration of the two renowned
hours and minutes on demand.
The shoe features one of
the key prints of Versus
which is aimed
Versace fall-winter
PANERAI
a height of 8.75mm,
The Radiomir 1940 Chronograph is presented in
and incorporates the
three metals — red gold, platinum, and white
CFB 1965 automatic
gold, each with a different dial. These dials
movement. Apart from the
combine with stylised hands and the classic
striking Dauphine hands,
cushion case, continuing the 1940s aesthetic.
index marks.
The 45mm cushion case is shown in a full
mirror-polished finish. Inside the watch is the
mechanical Panerai OP XXV calibre, a column-wheel
chronograph with 55-hour power reserve.
10
Italian brands has resulted in a pair of
sneakers with vivid colours.
at chicwomen, has
colored wedge-shaped
From classy to funky, our picks of the
season’s best offerings for the fashionista.
quickly adjusted using a pusher at 2 o’clock.
The watch,
the dial has gold- or silver-
woods and tonka bean.
Eclectibles
top half of the dial, with the date indicator
the 1960s.
a diameter of 38mm,
your iPad, and is secured by a thin strap closure. The brand’s iconic intrecciato
snow-covered peak
and cinnamon; and base notes of intense
CARL F B
BUCHERER
BOTTEGA VENETA
2014/15 collection,
Baroque visuals
and the Greek key.
Featuring a cotton upper,
the shoe is finished with
a vulcanised natural rubber
outsole and white rubber foxing.
FENDI
Fendi’s Baguette
limited edition
sunglasses flaunt the
Fendi monogram, the legendary
striped “Pequin” motif and the popular 2Jours
decoration, styled after the maison’s iconic Baguette
bag. These sunglasses have been built using quality
materials like Optyl and acetate. Available in tones
of black with tobacco stripes and shaded lenses,
and black/melange grey with shaded lenses.
MONSOON 2014 – THE LEELA MAGAZINE
11
Movies
Rescue Mission
Classics
redivivus
Satyajit Ray
With initiatives like PVR Director’s Rare
re-releasing old masterpieces of Indian
cinema, urban Indians get to discover,
or rediscover, their peculiar charm.
By Shaikh Ayaz
(1975). So what is it about these movies that makes them
so appealing? Says director Vikramaditya Motwane — who
I
t’s a distressing fact that so many old Indian films have been
lost. Says Aditi Sen, a professor from Canada with an interest
made the film Lootera, released last year, as a tribute to his
in classics, “We have lost most of 1930s films, and we can only
love for Dev Anand classics — “I can never have enough of
know about them by reading old film magazines. I feel very
the classics. There was a kind of quiet beauty in those films,
upset about it. For example, there was a production house called
which is missing from today’s Bollywood. Sometimes, when
Ranjit Talkies, which made mysteries and thrillers. I would have
loved to watch those.”
Mahanagar
Awaara
Do Bigha Zamin
The same concern is articulated on Mahal Movies
(mahalmovies.com), a site dedicated to South Asian cinema. To
quote from one of its recent articles, “The way in which old
film prints are misplaced and forgotten, combined with their
fragile physical nature, has resulted in the loss of a significant
chunk of the earliest and some of the most path-breaking years
in the story of Indian cinema. Of the 1200 titles made in the
silent era in India, only 10 titles survive at NFAI (The National
Film Archive of India). None of them are complete. Nitrate
prints were sometimes sold by producers for silver, or to extract
T
he setting: 1960s Calcutta. A conservative middle-class
Bengali family is struggling to eke out a living. Defying ageold customs, the demure daughter-in-law decides to go out
and get herself a job. Through the course of the film, she’ll not
only excel at her job, even as her husband loses his, but will
also discover a world outside home — a world she negotiates
dyes for bangles from colour prints. The last known surviving
“There was a kind of quiet
beauty in those films,
which is missing from
today’s Bollywood,” says
Vikramaditya Motwane
with a new-found independence and self-confidence.
print of the first Indian
I know many friends who are like me. Put on a Guru Dutt or
talkie, Alam Ara, suffered the
Dev Anand classic, and they’ll jump to their feet.”
same fate.”
This view is echoed by Pranav Ashar of the Enlighten Film
It’s thus heartening to
Society, a Mumbai-based club that often hires a screen or two
learn what Shivendra Singh
at multiplexes to popularise classics, and which has recently
Dungarpur — the director of
aired films like Do Bigha Zamin (1953) and Awara (1951),
the National Award winning
apart from conducting a Satyajit Ray film fest. According to
documentary Celluloid Man,
The film is Mahanagar, hailed as one of Satyajit Ray’s
head, PVR Director’s Rare, did pretty well. “Since its launch
Ashar, 70 to 80 per cent of Enlighten’s members are urban
whose subject is P.K. Nair, the
essential masterpieces. A digitally restored version of the film
in 2011, PVR Director’s Rare has offered a cornucopia of
young, also interested in world cinema. “People assume that
founder of NFAI — is doing:
— first released in 1963, to rave reviews — was released this
cult Hindi classics to audiences, the most profitable of which
such an audience is usually from the film industry or are
Dungarpur has recently set
April as part of PVR Director’s Rare, an initiative that aims to
turned out to be Kundan Shah’s madcap film Jaane Bhi Do
technicians and writers who are interested in films. That’s not
up Film Heritage Foundation,
celebrate long-forgotten classics, rarely-seen indies and other
Yaaro”. JBDY is “as fresh” in people’s mind today, Bora says,
true. I know for a fact that our audience is wide-ranging —
niche films.
as it was upon its release in 1983. “We were overwhelmed to
from bankers to advertising folks, everybody with a passion
find that people actually didn’t mind buying tickets for a film
for cinema,” says Ashar, who runs Cineoo, a site where you
they have already seen.”
can pay and download classics.
Playing on select PVR screens, mainly across urban
centres like Delhi and Mumbai, the film, says Shiladitya Bora,
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
14
I’m down and out, I replay a classic. And my mood peps up.
The LeeLA MAgAZINe – MONSOON 2014
P.K. Nair, the founder of the
National Film Archives of India
to restore classic Hindi films.
"We want to save endangered
films from yesteryears... We
have lost almost 80 per cent of the films made in India before
Last year, adds Bora, Sai Paranjpye’s Chashme Buddoor
1950," said Dungarpur to a Mumbai tabloid in June. By the
(1981) had a better showing at many places than David
time you read this, Dungarpur would have shown Guru Dutt’s
Dhawan’s newer version, with the same title. Both films
Kaagaz Ke Phool and Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Zamin, among
released on the same day, and many youngsters, Bora claims,
other films from the ‘50s, at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival, in
preferred Paranjpye’s genteel comic touch over Dhawan’s
Bologna, Italy. "These are some of the films that are part of the
promise of leave-your-brains-at-home entertainment. “Those
'endangered species' of cinema. They will be among the first to be
who watched Paranjpye’s Chashme Buddoor for the first time
restored. During this festival, we will create and spread awareness
watched it again.”
about them,” he was quoted in the tabloid. The advisory board
Other classics that have been re-released, over the past
that decides which films need to be restored includes, apart from
few years, in theatres include Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Naya
Nair, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, lyricist Gulzar, Irish director
Daur (1957), Hum Dono (1961) and, more recently, Sholay
Mark Cousins and Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi.
Chashme Buddoor
MONSOON 2014 – The LeeLA MAgAZINe
15
Adventure
Rumble in the Jungle
The Rainforest Challenge, considered one of the world’s toughest off-road
motor races, is set to rock India for the first time. Is your 4x4 revved up?
ashing rains, steep and slippery slopes, deep ruts, gullies,
held in the Western Ghats of Goa, in the throes of south west
flooded rivers, landslides — these are just some of the features
monsoon, the competition will require the participants to
that make The Rainforest Challenge one of the world’s most
complete 30 stages with a multitude of obstacles. Says Ashish
challenging off-road motor races. RFC, which was birthed
Gupta, founder and director of Cougar Motorsport, RFC’s India
in Malaysia in 1997, and which already has seven editions
partner, “The challenge will be to complete each of those stages
internationally, is now set to hit India this year.
in the fastest time and score the highest points. The Prologue
The event will last for a week in August, with teams of
stages, which will take place in an area with spectator access,
two, in their pet 4x4, performing a series of challenges aimed
will be followed by the Predator and Terminator stages, which
at testing the very limits of both man and machine. To be
will be rolled out on the fringes and deep inside the jungle. The
RUDDIE KHAW
By Sonali Shah
L
RFC, birthed in Malaysia in 1997, is
now present in eight countries
16
17
RUDDIE KHAW
RUDDIE KHAW
Scenes from RFC Malaysia 2013
“They feared venturing out because they could
hear the roaring of the tigers,” says Wee
Twilight Zone will be the final stage, and that will truly be
‘survival of the fittest’.”
“In one of the early years, the Great Escape route turned
into a nightmare, with teams running out of fuel and supplies
If that sounds like an exaggeration, one need only hear
— when the rains came lashing down upon us, it turned into a
about some of the incidents that have occurred in previous
hellish struggle. We had to send in rescue teams in 4x4s, with
editions. Luis J. A. Wee, the founder of RFC, tells us about the
fuel and food rations for the participants,” adds Wee.
2007 edition, in which everyone had to be evacuated by boats
Among the contestants in RFC India are seven teams
out of the rain-drenched jungle. Recounting another anecdote,
from Polaris India, two from TJM India and three teams from
he says, “We once had participants who stayed secured inside
Chandigarh’s Gerrari Offroaders. Kabir Waraich, one of the four
their cars at night when they got cut off from the rest of the
core members of Gerrari Offroaders, is excited about testing
convoy, and they even cooked inside their vehicles. They feared
the limits of his CJ-3B jeep. “I’ve replaced the tyres with 35-
venturing out because they could hear the prowling of tigers
inch ones, which are huge and add height to the vehicle. I’ve
where they were parked!”
also had two winches installed on the jeep, one in the front and
one at the rear. If I’m stuck in mud, I can use the winches as
an anchor around a tree. Plus differential locks have been put
in to help me climb hills of 50 degrees.” Waraich has installed
a roll cage in the jeep, so that even if the vehicle topples, the
driver remains unharmed. Members of Gerrari take out their
vehicles for some crazy driving on many weekends, and
that’s sufficient training for RFC, Waraich thinks. “Offroading
teaches you how to drive on in the trickiest of conditions, be it
snow or slush.” While the Palar Challenge, held in south India,
is his favourite offroading event, Waraich is extremely excited
about RFC India.
RFC India will have seven classes based on fuel, engine size
and winch, as well as separate overall rankings for Indian and
RFC Malaysia 2007
18
RUDDIE KHAW
foreign entries. The overall winners among Indian as well as
foreign entries will also be entitled to a fee entry to the mother
event in Malaysia this year, which will happen from 29 Nov
to 8 Dec.
Wheels
Beauties and beasts
BMW 7-Series (730ld)
One of the most recognisable luxury cars in the world gets yet
another makeover, in 2014. The latest version features DVD
screens for the rear passengers, an upgraded iDrive system
(BMW’s integrated entertainment and car management
system), and new LED headlamps. In India, this luxury saloon
(now in its fifth generation) comes in two petrol and one diesel
engine options, and the amazing bit is that the 730ld — the
entry-level model — is almost as top spec as its more expensive
variants. When the diesel model can go from 0-100 in 6
seconds and waft over the bumpiest piece of tarmac without
as much as spilling a drop of wine (chilled in the cooler behind
The 2014 BMW 7-series
features new DVD screens
for the rear passengers
the rear armrest), there’s really no sane reason for buying the
more powerful models: the V8 petrol and the V12 petrol. The
biggest conundrum is whether to be chauffeured in it — what
the car has been designed for — or to drive it yourself. It may
be a huge 2-tonne mammoth, but with the throttle floored in
sport mode, the 7-series transforms into a hungry-for-miles
sports saloon.
A slew of luxury rides have debuted this year. Here are three cars
and two motorcycles for the indulgent gearhead. By Meraj Shah
Audi A8L
You’d have be a power maniac to pick up the V8 biturbo 4.0
The new A8L, launched with much fanfare in Dubai, retains
TFSI, when the tamer 4.2 TDI (385 hp) is in fact the powerful
all of the saloon’s significant USPs: yawning leg room, luxury
diesel sedan in the country.
Engine : 2993cc in-line six (diesel);
4395cc V8; 5972cc V12
Power : 235hp-400hp
Price : `1.02 crore onwards
BMW’s fantastic iDrive system
has been made more intuitive
and trim levels which make you feel like an Arab Sheikh, rear
seats which double as a personal masseur, and more power
and refinement than you could ask for.
What’s new, though, is even more length — an imposing
5.14 metres — and deft little touches to the silhouette: the
engine hood and front bumped look more streamlined, and
Engine : V8 biturbo 4.0 TFSI; 4.2 TDI;
3.0 TDI
Power : 250hp-435hp
Price : `1.13 crore onwards
those new LED headlights add a touch of (even more) class.
The rear seats of the new Audi A8L feature massager
functions and personal entertainment systems
20
21
Porsche Macan Turbo
twin-turbocharged
3.0-litre
petrol
unit
with
335bhp
Longer than the Audi Q5 — with which it shares its
and 339lb ft of torque, while the Macan Diesel S gets an
underpinnings — the Porsche Macan literally stretches the
Audi-sourced 3.0-litre turbodiesel with 254bhp and 427lb ft.
definition of a ‘compact SUV’. With a sloping roofline imbuing
the SUV with a coupe character, those distinctive 911-inspired
headlamps, and the 918-Spyder-style steering, the Macan is
entirely Porsche; no muscular profile here, but tonnes of flair.
The three models are the standard S, the S Diesel and
the top-of-the-line Turbo. The Macan S uses Porsche’s own
Engine : V6 biturbo 3.6L;V6 biturbo 3.0; V6 3.0
turbo (diesel)
Power : 245hp-400hp
Price : `90 lac onwards (expected)
+91 98280 13250
22
Indian Chief Chieftain
It’s a very Wyatt Earp kind of a ride, except that, at a tad
detailing, nicely hemmed in between those unforgettable
over eight feet, the 2014 Indian Chief Chieftain is no pony.
extravagantly large valanced fenders and a surfeit of real
The motorcycle is embellished with classic American vintage
leather. But that’s where the bike’s cues to its past end.
The modern accoutrements, which include standard ABS,
keyless start and Cruise Control, are headlined by the new
Thunderstroke III power-plant, an air-cooled monster of a
v-twin. The acceleration is pretty vigorous for a bike of this
size: 100kmph comes up in third gear with the engine rolling
over at a serene 2250rpm.
Engine
: Thunderstroke III,
air-cooled, v-twin
Displacement : 1811cc
Torque
: 138.9NM@2600rpm
Weight
: 385 kg (full tank)
Price
: `33 lac
Triumph Rocket III
Glaring bug headlamps, a snarling radiator, and the most gigantic
engine you’ve ever seen on two wheels highlight this enormous
package of a motorcycle, which tips the scales at 395 kg (Touring).
That effectively means that if you’re an average male and have
packed up the two (lockable) saddlebags with two days’ worth of
supplies, you’re going to be banking close to half-a-tonne on turns!
No matter how you look at it, that’s an insanely scary prospect.
Needless to say, this is not exactly a nimble machine —
what with the long wheelbase and the heft — but with
unlimited power, a sporting chassis, and impressive
balance, the Rocket III negotiates highways and
traffic with equal finesse. This is the biggest, baddest
torque-monster in all of motorcycledom.
Engine
: Liquid-cooled, DOHC,
in-line three-cylinder
Displacement : 2294cc
Power
: 105hp/146hp
(Touring/Roadster)
Torque
: 203NM/221NM
(Touring/Roadster)
Weight
: 395 kg
Price
: `23 lac
24
Food
A Sunday brunch at The Qube at The Leela Palace New Delhi is one of the capital’s best
The weekend never
tasted so good!
O
26
What should you expect at a Sunday
brunch at The Leela? Why, of course,
a sumptuous feast served with
world-class hospitality. Indu Joshi
rounds up the hippest brunches the
group’s city hotels offer.
ne thinks of an ideal Sunday brunch as a celebration of
farsan (snacks, for the hotel’s sizeable Gujarati clientele) —
the finer pleasures of life. You are out with your family or
there is much for everyone at Citrus’ Sunday extravaganza.
friends; the restaurant setting is relaxing, with light music
It also has a shawarma counter, a carving station, a sushi
humming in the background; the conversation is a feast of
station, and serves delicious wood-fired pizzas made to order.
reason and a flow of soul; and there are rows and rows of
Go berserk with the starters and the mains, like we did, but do
tables with inviting food, and a supply of limitless bellinis.
also reserve some space in your stomach for an elaborate line-
The Sunday brunch at Citrus, the all-day restaurant at
up of desserts. A fun chocolate fountain, a favourite with kids
The Leela Mumbai, makes for just such an afternoon. A range
and adults alike, a slew of other chocolate delights, a delicious
of soups, salads and grills, South Indian, North Indian, Thai,
mango panacotta and choux pastry, basbousa, a Middle
Continental, Middle Eastern and Japanese cuisines, and even
Eastern favourite, Indian sweets — Citrus’ desserts counter
A trio of caviar at Spectra at The Leela Ambience Gurgaon
Post-monsoon plans at
Citrus include taking
the brunch outdoors —
tables by the poolside
and live barbecue
counters will give it the
feel of an idyllic picnic
Crispy fried potato skin with spicy Mexican chicken, served with taco
salad and avocado dip, at Spectra at The Leela Ambience Gurgaon
27
Spectra at The Leela Palace Chennai offers a slew of exotic items in its Sunday brunch
TA A R A
A BOUTIQUE FOR HANDCRAFTED LUXURY
28
is a space that would make avid Instagrammers pull out
won’t be disappointed, either, given that the restaurant
their smartphone, and tempt diet-conscious eaters to abandon
usually features a live chocolate souffle, waffles and crepes,
all caution.
and chocolate fondue. For a truly memorable food experience,
The restaurant is beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling glass
you should try the restaurant’s exclusive “Leela Brunch”,
windows overlooking inspiring greenery and a gushing
with a special degustation menu of handcrafted culinary
waterfall. Post-monsoon plans include taking the brunch
delights and rare vintage champagne. The sumptuous line-
outdoors — tables by the poolside and live barbecue counters
up includes exotic dishes like the honey-glazed Thai lotus
will give it the feel of an idyllic picnic. The soon-to-be
root, seared foiegras with fig confit and pomegranate malaises
introduced a la carte menu from the famed MEGU is another
glaze, Muscovy duck breast served with truffle sweet mash
addition Mumbai gastronomes can look forward to.
and orange buerreblanc, as also a caviar tasting session
Amongst the other popular brunches at The Leela is a
with servings of beluga, osetra and sevruga. Spectra at The
Sunday afternoon at Spectra at the group’s Chennai hotel. Set
Leela Palace Chennai has become a go-to place for the city’s
against a beautiful view of the Bay of Bengal, Spectra offers
adventurous food lovers, and one can see why.
a brunch that is an elaborate spread of Italian, Japanese,
For dim sum lovers, The Leela Palace Chennai also offers
Thai, Asian, Mediterranean and Indian dishes. Dessert lovers
the option of traditional Chinese family style dining, at China
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A dim sum platter at China XO at The Leela Palace Chennai
XO, on weekends. China XO boasts a unique selection of
The award-winning brunch spoils you with choice, with its
dishes from the regions of Canton and Sichuan, such as spicy
live stations, dramatic cold rotating seafood section (in the
Szechuan beef and Cantonese chicken, Beijing style noodles,
middle of the restaurant), and its range of specialty counters,
apart from a wide assortment of innovative dim sums.
which typically include salmon, Eggs Benedict, a pasta station
Weekend brunches at Spectra at The Leela Ambience
Gurgaon, on the other hand, showcase seven live crackling
30
from Le Cirque, sushi and sashimi from MEGU, dim sums,
crepes, and a wide choice of irresistible desserts.
kitchens preparing, well, seven different cuisines from across
For an authentic Italian culinary experience, the capital
the globe. Here you can taste excellent cuisines from Italy,
region residents must try out the Dominica Pranzo (Italian for
India, Japan, Lebanon, China and Europe (Continental),
Sunday brunch) at Zanotta at The Leela Ambience Gurgaon.
accompanied by excellent wines and spirits and live music.
Unlike the traditional buffet, this one is served at the table,
You can opt for the Veuve Clicquot champagne brunch, or,
and the menu has tasting portion sized food to enable you
if you are feeling a bit too decadent, for the Dom Perignon
to try as many dishes as possible, in any order you prefer.
champagne brunch.
Dessert before soup, anyone? The dynamic menu, along
If you are in the capital city, there is no finer brunch than
with prosecco, makes for an exciting weekend. The adults-
the one served up at The Qube at The Leela Palace New Delhi.
only brunch at the restaurant features dishes such as the
Above: The Leela Ambience Gurgaon’s executive chef, Ramon Salto,
setting up the brunch bar at Spectra
Left: A chocolate fountain at Citrus at The Leela Mumbai
Spectra at The Leela Palace
Chennai has become a go-to place
for the city’s adventurous food
lovers, and one can see why
burratafatta in casa (homemade burrata with grilled focaccia
and tomato basil salad) lombata di vitellotonnato (sliced
roasted veal loin with tuna sauce), panzerottiall’anatra con
sugod’anatra al tartufo (French duck panzerotti with truffled
duck sauce), ossobucoclassico (traditional veal ossobuco
simmered in Barolo jus with saffron risotto) tagliata di manzo
al rosmarino (angus sirloin with green peppercorn, garlic,
rosemary and roasted potatoes) and other classic Italian fare.
A Sunday brunch at any of The Leela restaurants is the
kind of indulgence you deserve after a hard week at work or
a big night out partying. Head there for some great food, fine
wines and cocktails served with dollops of love.
32
PROMOTION
festivities
Food, music, tradition —
this season, experience the
charm of this western state
through its unique cultural
and religious festivals.
ANOOP NEGI
S
34
Bonderam Festival starts
off with a flag parade
o you’re finally packed for that welldeserved long-awaited getaway
to Goa. The sun, swaying palm
trees, a book in hand, and you lazing on
a bed — and you could add ‘lounging on
a recliner half-sunken in a pool’ to that
mental image. But this time, along with
all of that and your classic beach-hopping
destinations, you should make it a point
to immerse yourself into some traditional
yet contemporary Goan culture.
Goa’s culture is a melting pot of what
the colonial conquest brought about
and local (indigenous Indian) culture.
The final impression of Goa is of not
just its beautiful, luxurious beaches, but
the unique identity of its people and
the traces of what the Portuguese left
behind. The food in the state, for instance,
reflects this well. Goa has a wide array of
cuisines, like the Konkan, Portuguese and
Saraswat Brahmin varieties.
The diversity of Goa’s culture is also
symbolised by its festivals. All through
the year, scores of these are held – Goan
festivals have attained a character of their
own. They draw a flurry of people from all
over the country and around the world.
Here’s a guide to the season’s
festivities (both with modern and
traditional
flavour)
you
should
experience. The light rain and pleasant
weather that the monsoon bring about
is a treat for those seeking a break from
concrete jungles and scorching heat.
35
AUGUST
The Feast of St. Lawrence
The St. Lawrence Church at Sinqureim,
Bardez, which was founded in 1630, has
seen massive political, economic and
social changes through time. The church,
which is visible from the Mandovi river,
began as a modest hermitage for the
Off Season Blast
This two-day open air music festival will
be held on the 17th and 18th August,
at Anjuna, this year. The festival is the
best way to experience the perfect
combination of music, culture and a
lively ambience in the great outdoors.
St. Anne’s Feast, in Talaulim, attracts
not just Christians but also Hindus
Last year, the line-up had over 36 artistes
performing live with a huge dance floor
set-up and a spectacular fire show. This
year, expect all this and more.
Music, it may be added, is a defining
characteristic of most Goan families.
Playing instruments, be it the tabla, sitar,
violin, piano, is encouraged. The lively,
dynamic foot-tapping rhythm of the folk
music, with its accompanying folk dance,
is infectious, and this music festival will
give you a taste of it.
JoeGoaUk
The Feast of St. Lawrence marks the
beginning of the fishing season in Goa
36
Ganesh Chaturthi is Goa’s biggest Hindu festival
World Goa Day
World Goa Day is celebrated on the 20th
August, in commemoration of Konkani
being recognised as one of the official
languages of India. It’s a day for people of
Goan-origin worldwide to celebrate their
culture, language, music, and cuisine.
The first World Goa Day was held on 20th
August, 2000. Some traditional Goan
music, like mando and dulpod, and dance
forms like dekhni, fugdi, corridinho and
dashavatara are performed as part of the
celebrations.
trying to resolve their property ownership
disputes. A precursor of the agitation
against foreign presence, the story goes,
there were frequent disputes between
two sections of the Divar island, namely
Sao Mathias and Piedade, over land
boundaries, which led to violence and
fights in the disputed regions. To solve
the problem, the Portuguese stepped
in and demarcated the boundaries with
flags. The island residents did not like
this, and retaliated by throwing stones at
the flags. Today, the Bonderam festival
starts off with a flag parade, and is
followed by a fancy dress competition,
mock battles, traditional float parades
and performances by popular Goan
music bands. It’s one of the most popular
monsoon festivals in Goa.
Bonderam Festival
This festival is celebrated on the fourth
Saturday of August, on the island
of Divar, (12 km off Panjim) held in
remembrance of the protest by the locals
against the Portuguese colonists, while
SEPTEMBER
Ganesh Chaturthi or Chovoth is the
biggest Hindu festival in Goa. It’s a time
when all Goans rush home to their towns
and ancestral villages to celebrate with
their families. Those with a sweet tooth
GETTYIMAGES
fisher folk and became a proper church
over time. The Feast of St. Lawrence is
held on 10th August, towards the end
of monsoon. The festival celebrates the
sandbar clearing to make the river clear
for fishing and ships to pass through.
Back in the day, the cutting of a rope
stretched across the river symbolised
the event. Today, after a mass, the priest
blesses the sea, only after which the
fishermen go ashore to begin the fishing
season. St. Lawrence of Rome was the
patron of seafarers, fishermen and cooks
— three main professions of Goans.
And, according to lore, without him
blessing the sea, the fishermen would not
commence their new season.
LOVELL D’SOUZA
PROMOTION
JULY
St. Anne’s Feast
The construction of the Church of St.
Anne (locally known as the Santana
Church) in Tiswadi began in 1577, and was
completed in 1695. Legend talks about St.
Anne miraculously healing and blessing
couples with children. On the 29th of July,
the church celebrates the St. Anne’s Feast
or the cucumber feast (as cucumbers,
rather than the typical sweets, are
distributed). Newly married couples from
all over Goa come to the parish seeking
St. Anne’s blessings. What’s interesting
is that it’s a festival that attracts not just
Christians, but also Hindus.
are in luck, as treats like pattoli, neuryo
and modak are served throughout the
week-long festival. People welcome the
Ganesha idol with traditional festivities
and by bursting fire crackers. Families
do the typical meet and greet and share
strict vegetarian meals. The devotees
play tablas and harmoniums while singing
the arti.
37
Heritage
Marvels of a
showcasing our history and culture. Thus evolved my themebased Heritage Tours.”
Apart from the Chola Tour, Suresh also conducts the
Golden Age
Thanjavur Maratha Tour, the Vellore-Gingee Nayak Tour,
and the Roman Trail of South. Each of these tours — the
product of extensive field studies and research — focus on
a particular historical period, dynasty or art movement.
“Each tour,” explains Suresh, “tries to take participants to
Between the ninth and 13th centuries, under
the reign of the Imperial Cholas, southern
India witnessed a fine flowering of art,
architecture and literature. The Chola tour
conducted by archaeologist Dr. Sethuraman
Suresh is a three-day journey through the
beautiful temples and other monuments that
signify the glory of that era.
a bygone era, making them experience the art, lifestyles,
customs and culture of that period.” He has been conducting
these tours since 1999, and over 10,000 people have
undertaken them so far.
The Chola Tour extends for over three days. It begins in
Tiruchi, in Tamil Nadu, which can be reached by flight, or
an overnight train, from Chennai. On the first day, the tour
members are taken to Narthamalai, near Pudukottai, to see the
Solesvara temple attributed to Vijayalaya, the first ruler of the
By Akhila Ranganna
Imperial Chola dynasty (850 A.D). This is followed by a visit
to Kallanai Kalvai, a stone dam across the river Kaveri, built
by Karikala Chola, in the second century B.C. This is the only
T
structure from the Sangam Chola dynasty to have survived
he history of India is replete with tales of empires
till present day, though it has been extensively renovated and
renowned for their cultural achievements. Chief among these
has become a popular picnic spot. “The other Sangam Chola
is the story of the Cholas, one of the longest-ruling dynasties
structures did not survive because they were mostly built of
in the history of southern India. The first Chola dynasty,
mud, bricks or timber, which weren’t as durable as stone,”
also called the Sangam Cholas, ruled from around the second
says Suresh. The day winds up with a visit to the sub-shrines
century B.C. to the third century A.D. The Cholas again rose
to power in the mid-ninth century A.D. This second Chola
dynasty, referred to as the Imperial or Medieval Cholas, lasted
till around the 13th century A.D. At its peak, their reign
extended to parts of Sri Lanka and to the island of Maldives.
They were known for their exceptional stone art, bronze
sculptures, architectural innovations, efficient administration,
strong army and navy, efficient judiciary and revenue system.
They built thousands of temples, and a few hundreds of these
still survive. Some of these temples were not just religious
monuments, but also buzzing centres of commercial life.
Bringing to life the rise and fall of one of the largest
empires of pre-modern India is the Chola heritage walk
conducted by Chennai-based archaeologist Dr. Sethuraman
Suresh. A history buff right from his schooldays, Suresh
has PhDs in Roman Archaeology and medieval Indian Art,
British Museum tours when I was a student in the UK,”
says Suresh, “and I wanted to do similar tours back in India,
40
The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
CORBIS
and has also earned many fellowships. “I learnt about the
41
The Carpet Cellar
Rare Oriental Carpets, Kilims, Textiles and Pashmina Shawls
by Rajendra Chola, in around 1040 A.D. “A real tonguetwister,” says Suresh, “it means ‘the city of the Cholas who
conquered the Ganga’.” The town and the temple were built
after Rajendra’s successful military campaign that took him
The Gangaikondacholapuram Temple
CORBIS
as far as the river Ganga in North India. The tour members
are also taken to a large irrigation tank of the Cholas and an
archaeological site housing the ruins of a Chola palace.
The tour then makes its way to the Airavatesvara Temple
of the Brihadisvara Temple of Thanjavur, the second major
in Darasuram — the fourth major temple of the Imperial
temple of the Imperial Cholas, built by Rajaraja 1 (1010 A.D.).
Cholas, built by Rajaraja II (around 1150 A.D). The temple is
Day 2 begins with a return to the Brihadisvara Temple, for
renowned for its ‘musical steps’: ladder-like steps, which, when
an exclusive look at the Chola frescoes and the Bharatanatyam
struck with a stone at various points, produce different musical
dance sculptures within the passage of the main shrine.
sounds — the seven notes or swaras of South Indian classical
“These are also the only known true fresco paintings in the
music. “These steps reflect the advanced state of development
whole of India,” says Suresh, “and the dance sculptures have
of Chola architecture and sculpture as well as their interest
inspired several dancers to try out some of the featured poses.
in the fine arts,” says Suresh. Some of the sculptures in this
Perhaps the most complicated one is where the dancer applies
shrine are strikingly similar to the sculptures in the Borobudur
vermilion on her forehead with her right big toe.” These
and Prambanan temples, in Indonesia, a direct influence of the
paintings and sculptures are largely out of bounds for the
close commercial and cultural contacts between the Imperial
general public, but Dr. Suresh has obtained permission from
Cholas and the kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago.
the Archaeological Survey of India for his tour members to
view them.
The afternoon is spent at the Gangaikondacholapuram
Temple — the third major Imperial Chola temple, built
That evening, the team visits a silk-weaving unit at
Tribhuvanam. This area has been famous for its cotton
and silk textiles, both of which were major products of the
Chola empire.
PRARTHANA MODI
The Solesvara temple in Narthamalai is attributed to
Vijayalaya, the first ruler of the Imperial Chola dynasty
42
1, Anand Lok, Khel Gaon Marg, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi - 110049.
Tel.: +91 11 41641777 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.carpetcellar.com
348 D, Sultanpur, MG Road, Adjacent to the Sultanpur Metro Station,
New Delhi - 110030. Tel.: +91 11 26808777 / 65391777
(Herbal Washing & Restoration also undertaken)
OPEN ALL DAYS: 10.30 AM TO 6.30 PM
The third morning is spent at the Kampaharesvara
Temple, at Tirubhuvanam, the last major Chola temple
built by Kulottunga III, one of the last rulers of the dynasty
(1178-1218 A.D.). The temple, with its crude plastering
and sculptures, is reflective of the gradual decline of the
Imperial Cholas’ empire. Participants also get to see a
demonstration of traditional bronze-icon making, which was
a major craft of the Imperial Cholas.
The tour then winds its way to Poompuhar or
Kaveripumpattinam, the port of the Cholas. It’s believed that
the Roman and Greek merchants landed at this port, more
than 2000 years ago, to trade with the Cholas. There is also
a visit to an archaeological museum displaying some of
the old ceramics and other objects excavated in and around
Poompuhar, followed by a trip to a Buddhist monastery that
flourished during the time of the Sangam Cholas. The journey
culminates with a breathtaking view of the sunset at the spot
A temple bronze created by the Imperial Cholas, from the 12th century
The journey culminates with a
breathtaking view of the sunset
at the spot where the Kaveri
empties into the Bay of Bengal
The bull (Lord Shiva’s
vehicle) in the
Gangaikondacholapuram
Temple
where the Kaveri empties into the Bay of Bengal. The Kaveri
flows through what was largely Chola territory and was
one of the primary reasons for the dynasties’ agricultural
prosperity. “The Kaveri was to the Cholas what the Nile was
to the ancient Egyptian civilization,” says Suresh.
The aim of the tour is thus to provide a comprehensive
picture of the Cholas from their legendary beginnings
This season, with the ‘Rewarding Meetings At The Leela’ offer, every
residential meeting that you host with us, will be rewarded with room credit
of 5% on the total billing. What’s more, you also get to choose any two
meeting benefits from an array of our add-on privileges.
to their final decline. The tour members will also get to
experience a lot of Chola music (mainly Thevaram hymns)
and at least one typical Chola lunch, with handpound rice,
milagu (pepper) rasam, paruppu thuvayal (lentils chutney),
ginger–flavoured
buttermilk
and
green
pepper
pickle.
Interestingly, the lunch excludes all vegetables, including
potatoes and tomatoes, that were unknown in South India
PRARTHANA MODI
during the age of the Imperial Cholas.
44
— If you would like to be a part of the Chola Tour or any of
Dr. S Suresh’s other walks, you can get in touch with him
on +918939468776 or on [email protected]
Call your relationship manager or contact us on The Leela Reservations Worldwide 1 800 1031 444 (India Toll free), +91 124 4425 444 (Private lines)
or write to [email protected] Please use promo code REWARDING MEETINGS while making a booking.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts: New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Udaipur, Goa and Kovalam.
Craftsmanship
The
Modern Indian
design idioms
Traditional Indian crafts
and skills with a dash of
contemporary panache
— Deepali Nandwani
looks at the works of 10
contemporary product
designers who are shaping
how the outside world views
the country’s aesthetics.
I
n March this year, Sunil Sethi, the powerful chief of the
Indian Design Council, got 23 product and fashion designers
together for a high-powered event at the Indira Gandhi
National Centre for the Arts, in New Delhi. The exhibition,
an initiative by the global philanthropic foundation Be Open,
founded by businesswoman and entrepreneur Yelena Baturina,
The Jhoola (swing) bed, by Pinakin Patel
saw collaborations between craftsmen and designers, and
Pinakin Patel
46
showcased furniture, lighting, textiles, fashion, tableware and
Pinakin Patel (Pinakin)
at the way we sit — we kick off our shoes and curl our feet
decorative accessories.
The pioneer of (what is popularly termed as) the ‘India Modern’
below our legs. Our furniture needs to respond to that kind
“The idea,” says Sethi, “was to tell the world that Indian
trend has been seeking inspiration from the country’s crafts
of a cultural trait,” says Patel, whose Alibaug home has a
design is not all kitsch and cheap. Once, wealthy Europeans
for years, and has redefined contemporary design aesthetics.
contemporary diwan on which six people can sit comfortably,
imported treasures such as embroidered silk, carved ivory
For instance, he has created modern versions of jhoolas or the
with their legs tucked under them, the Indian way.
furniture, silver tableware and rare gemstones from India.
swing — his store at Raghuvanshi Mills had an acrylic one
Patel, an untrained designer and architect, has now
Today, we have a slew of designers who make beautiful
instead of a carved wooden one that you find in most homes
taken a backseat, and is concentrating on researching,
products, showing a high degree of craftsmanship.”
in Gujarat. Patel and his team have also done some interesting
forecasting trends and experimenting with materials. While
About a decade after the term ‘India Modern’ was first
‘Radha Krishna’ swings, which are as big as a double bed
his architecture unit is being headed by his associate Mohak
used, contemporary designers continue to update and revive
and perfect for a young couple. “I believe the India Modern
Mehta, the product design business is headlined by Piyush
India’s traditional craft skills.
aesthetics is as much about function as about design. Look
Raj, who once worked in the medical industry.
47
she exhibited a line of
wooden dining chairs
wrapped
in
gold
and silver, which she
calls ‘dining thrones’.
“A lot of my sculptural
furniture is in the collection
of Western collectors,” she
says.
are
“Indian
yet
to
collectors
reach
the
A rock chandelier made with
lacquered metal and metallic
varnish, by Gunjan Gupta
understanding that design
is art. There are galleries
abroad that show design
as art. We haven’t yet
reached that stage, though
things are changing.” Her
newest
collection
was
showcased at FuoriSalone,
in Milan in April 2014 and,
“Indian collectors
are yet to reach
the understanding
that design is art,”
says Gupta
subsequently, at Design Miami,
Basel in June 2014, in association
with
Era
Studio
Boondh (dewdrop)
Installation, from
Klove, has 250
blow glass shafts
Apartment
Gallery, Milan.
“It celebrates and interprets
Prateek Jain (left)
and Gautam Seth
the paradoxical material and
Gunjan Gupta (StudioWRAP)
craft culture of India where
Housed in a large warehouse within a compound that has
‘found’ objects sit elegantly
several trees, Gupta’s studio-cum-gallery, in Delhi’s rustic,
near
and
Objects inlaid with precious stones, gold and crystal are
process
the
materials
manufacturing
is
a
coming
showcased amidst bamboo scaffolding — a perfect example
together of ‘low’ (juggad)
of the way she melds the extravagance of Indian treasures
and ‘high’ (traditional Indian)
Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth (Klove)
The two trained with artisans, often travelling
with a form that’s pared down yet rooted in the Indian
craft process unique to India.”
Founded in 2005 by designers Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth,
between Delhi and villages in Punjab. To ensure
landscape. Her designs often reference iconography motifs,
So you have rough rocks
Klove melds the crafts of glass-blowing and metalworking
that their accessories and lights are avant-garde,
such as the Potli-Potli chair, which echoes the laundry
that morph into tables,
to create ornate lights and accessories — such as its
Jain and Seth combine hand-blown glass with
sack that dhobis (washermen)
boxes and bowls, tables
Peacock wall mural, which the duo considers the brand’s
concrete tiles, metal, leather, faux fur and wood. They
carry on their shoulders,
crafted
most iconic product.
started out by designing vases but have moved on
or the Bori (jute sack) sofa,
Indian
warehouse
sculptural
packed
assemble
with jute sacks.
StudioWRAP,
which
she
founded in 2006, first caught the
fancy of Western collectors when
out
of
earthen
matkas (pots) and playful
which references the typical
48
precious
atmospheric urban village of Mehrauli, has distressed walls.
“The fascination for blown glass started when Prateek,
a childhood friend, and I observed some artisans
working with glass in a Punjab village,” says Seth
The Gadda Cycle
Throne, by Gupta,
has been made with
recycled bicycle parts
chairs
aluminum
The two aren’t trained in design or art. Seth, 28, a
Sunehari
Jhumki, by
Klove, is
made of
brass and
blown glass
to complex site-specific installations. “Over the
that
chemical engineer from Punjab University, Ambala, and
past five years, our work has evolved in terms
and
Jain, 30, a business administration graduate from Delhi, quit
of quality and technology. But our design
brass cooking pots.
their “normal, mundane jobs” to set up a design studio and
aesthetic and philosophy remains the
StudioWRAP also creates a collection of
primarily work with glass. “The fascination for blown glass
same at core. We continuously strive to
more practical furniture, lights and accessories,
started when Prateek, a childhood friend, and I observed some
experiment with new techniques and
besides taking up complete interior projects.
artisans working with glass in a Punjab village,” says Seth.
materials,” says Jain.
49
Divya Thakur (Design Temple)
handwoven dhurries with abstract prints, tables and consoles
“Design Temple is your atypical shop for India cool. We love
with delicate marble lacework that resemble the pretty doilies
the subtle and the sharp, and we love India.” That’s how
that our mothers once used, classic surahi water pitchers
Divya Thakur describes her 14-year-old atelier. The multi-
and chai glasses in mirror polished stainless steel and the
disciplinary designer and her team create products that
lingam candles, which she calls their bestseller. “Our work has
are witty, experimental and impeccably finished. She says
changed hugely in the last few years. Experience allows you to
contemporary Indian design is “still a work-in-progress. Every
refine your work, and the market dynamics constantly need
now and then, you see a great piece, but we need a lot more
you to adapt, tailor and modify your roadmap. Five years
for it to become a representation of contemporary India.”
ago, we were doing a lot more of communication design —
In their last global exhibition, Design Temple’s Damroo
range of furniture transformed the lobby of Nordic Hotel in
today, product design and the retail brand takes precedence,”
she says.
Stockholm, which hosts a watering hole that’s patronised by
Her most fanciful piece of work is the Peacock
the local people. Four clusters of tall and low wireframe seats
Vanity Mirror, which she showcased at the Wallpaper*
were scattered across the lobby, and guests were encouraged
Handmade exhibit in Milan a couple of years ago. She matched
to choose and move the furniture around according to the
the peacock to the narcissist’s favourite tool: the mirror,
size of their gathering. Among her other collections are
wrapped in hand-beaten silver — a traditional Indian finish.
The Tree of Life and the Paisley (bottom right) are
sculptural interior elements which draw inspiration
from the rich visual culture of Rajasthan
Inspired by the temple pillars of India, Indian Orders
from Design Temple are pedestal-like modular
sculptures which can be used as a planter, a modern
urli, a champagne cooler or a side table
“The fonts combined
popular culture,
street graffiti and
a home-grown
language,” says Davis
Alex Davis (Indi Design)
The Delhi-based designer mainly works with stainless steel.
Davis moulds, beats and crafts this shiny material into
sculptural forms. Among his collections is ‘Dented Painted’
(no connection with the infamous statement made by
President Pranab Mukherjee’s son while commenting on the
spontaneous protests which erupted in the capital city after
the Nirbhaya gang rape). Davis says that the series of limitededition sculptures and wall relieves were inspired by the visual
vocabulary of automobiles. “The fonts combined popular
culture, street graffiti and a homegrown language. Highly
decorative, these fonts evolved from a desire to adorn,” he
adds. His last collection, Once Upon a Time, exhibited in New
BAJIRAO PAWAR
Delhi, has been inspired by the splendour of the decorative
50
arts of majestic forts, tombs and palaces of Rajasthan. “The
chattri, jaal butti and jharokha were given a contemporary
interpretation, in lucidly polished stainless steel tubes with
luxurious touches of gold in brass tube details,” he says.
51
global brand that boasts shops across India, and in Singapore,
besides an online e-retail venture, and Charbagh, a bespoke
interior design service. Lal’s beautiful design empire is now
run by her daughter, Simran.
Goodearth stores are like Aladdin’s cave, overflowing
with sumptuous silk furnishings, eclectic furniture, inspired
dinnerware,
whimsical
accessories, besides a range
of spa products. In an
earlier interview, Lal has
said, “I pick inspiration
from our cultural and craft
heritage and then explore
it and go deeper. I picked
up
things
in
Kashmir
last year, for instance.”
Lal and her design team
also
the
recently
lush,
explored
tropical
Sri
Lanka for their Ratnakar
Livio Delesgues
collection and are looking
Priyank (left) and Paritosh Mehta
at the Silk Route next,
of the elite,” says Paritosh Mehta. “In the 19th century, the
depth research of cultural
Priyank and Paritosh Mehta and
Livio Delesgues (Trunks Company Jaipur)
references and extensive
The Mehta brothers have their roots in Jaipur, which means
travel, hunting and sporting expeditions. Our trunks are now
travel through the region
that they are familiar with royal style and the royalty’s love
handcrafted to store treasured possessions.”
beginning with China. In-
they are exploring offer
for trunks. Looking to find a niche in the world of design, the
Anita Lal (Goodearth)
them the cues they require. Goodearth has also re-introduced
two got together with Italian-origin designer Livio Delesgues
The founder of Goodearth is known for her passion for
several Indians to traditional utensils and accessories; for
to set up India’s first design studio that focuses on trunks. But
Indian crafts and arts. Lal and her team of designers research,
instance, bronze vessels called Kansas (Ayurveda states that
not just any trunk: instead of the regular travelling trunks,
reinterpret and present quintessential Indian and Asian
eating in kansa thalis is good for health); Lal worked with a
which are rarely used these days, Delesgues (who now lives
motifs. Lal set up her first store at Kemps Corner, in Mumbai.
tribal craftsman to make the vessels for the store, and they’re,
in Jaipur) and the Mehta brothers transform bespoke leather
From there, her passion project has grown into a formidable
indeed, completely handmade.
trunks into elegant bar cabinets, or trunks that hold the entire
aristocrats patronised trunks as premium accoutrements for
paraphernalia associated with wine-drinking, or trunks to
The Ilankai set of crockery, mugs
and cushion covers is from
Goodearth’s Ratnakara collection
put your expensive watches in, or trunks that you can take
with you on a picnic, or even trunks in which a man can store
his collection of turbans!
Their bar trunk is intricately handcrafted using full
grained Italian leather and suede, and boasts teak wood
outline as well as brass hardware. A bejewelled mirror forms
the backdrop of the central workstation, where drinks can be
mixed and blended. The bar trunk has an inbuilt iPod dock,
made-to-measure drawers and provisions for glasses on the
insides of the doors. “I believe trunks represent the regal charm
of yesteryears, the opulence of rulers and nobility, the panache
52
The portable bar cabinet trunk, by Trunks Company Jaipur, is crafted
from Italian leather and suede and has bevelled mirror work
53
In Memoriam
“A true patriot,
he always
wanted to
contribute to a
better India”
Harsh Goenka, chairman of the industrial
conglomerate RPG Group, was good
friends with the late Captain Nair. Here’s
Goenka reliving his memories of the
founder of The Leela Group.
I
He was extremely disappointed when he built a hotel
along with Four Seasons in Goa and wasn’t allowed joint
management and the hotel to be called Leela Four Seasons. The
agreement later collapsed.
His other disappointment was when he bought land from
Hudco and even after paying close to Rs 200 crore did not get
possession of the land. Even though he had political clout he
got his money back after fighting for it for six years.
Captain was a flamboyant dresser and very few
people can carry off a pink or a yellow or a white suit
and yet look very distinguished. He lived life king size —
drove in a Rolls Royce, wore a Patek Philippe watch by H
Stern, a top jewellery maker in Brazil. He brought his clothes
from Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, one of the most expensive
shopping roads in the world.
When I commented on his style of clothes, Captain
asked me to give him my suit size and as soon as he
gets out of hospital he would buy the clothes for me.
Then I did wonder how I would carry off a yellow or a pink
suit. I don’t have the personality or the confidence to carry
such colours, I thought to myself.
n the past two months I must have met Captain
Captain had several stories to
several times in Breach Candy hospital. One of the
say and one of them that he would
most iconic names from Kerala was loved and taken
keep repeating was his heroic days
care by everyone in the hospital. He even managed to
in the Indian Army under Netaji
enchant all the Kerala nurses there. His body started
Subhash Chandra Bose as a wireless
giving away and his organs started packing up (a month
operator. He was a true patriot and
back), yet his spirit was alive.
always wanted to contribute to a
In one of our several conversations he once asked me if
better India. I also remember one
I knew his wife, Leela. Then said: “I am what I am because
of the greatest innovations that he
of her.” She has always been a great support and is always
did was ‘bleeding Madras’ (a style
there for me. Most people in their 60s would think of retiring.
of fabric) in the ‘60s. This became
That’s the time he started a career. I think that’s the single
most achievement for him . At that time there were only the
Taj and the Oberoi as luxury hotels, and no airport hotels. He
He once asked me if I knew his wife, Leela.
Then said: “I am what I am because of her.”
managed to go for a luxury hotel near the airport.
54
After the airport hotel, he continued to create world-class
a craze in the US and a movie was also inspired by it. Captain
hotels. With the Leela, he created a niche in Indian luxury
had this uncanny knack to transform a weakness into an
which is not like the other clinical luxury hotels like the
opportunity.
Oberois. It is absolute luxury the Indian way. He broke the
He had a way of interacting with people. I remember
traditional interior designing rules and brought in a lot of
going for his 90th birthday and the who’s who of Bollywood,
brass items, unconventional furnitures, etc. Like BK Oberoi he
politicians and industrialists were there. I admired his spirit at
had a passion for detail, hygiene and service. His staff loved
90 then.
him, yet were scared of him. One of the proudest moments
— As told to Lijee Philip
was when he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
The article was originally published in The Economic Times in May 2014
55
In Memoriam
“He had the
ability to charm
anyone he met”
Vijay Amritraj, former Indian Davis
Cup captain, a TV commentator, and
an independent director on the board
of Hotel Leela Venture, tells us why he
admired the late Captain Nair.
I
met him about 35 years ago, when he was in his
early 60s, and the first thing that struck me was
his overwhelming energy. It was in Mumbai in his
house that I met him. He had not yet started the hotel
business and was running the lace business. They used
to live on the site where the Mumbai hotel stands today. The
thing that struck me most of all was his amazing zest for
The Leela Mumbai was the group’s first hotel
life and his energy, as though he was already in the fifth set.
He was always a very upbeat person. It was very infectious,
extremely well-trained and well qualified and responsible in
people and delegate work to them. On the environment
handling a venture such as this in a manner that he would
side and the atmosphere at the hotels, both he and his wife
and continue to raise the bar of hospitality as he would have.
were hands-on. There was someone to execute. But then
For me, he was always Chairman at board meetings,
hotel venture and launched the first project here in Mumbai. I
they were coached and trained and told in a manner that was
but outside the board meetings, I always called him Uncle.
came on board at that point in time as the first director.
All the people in the hotels, be it the doorman or the
quite different from anyone else. As were their two sons,
When my dad passed away a year-and-a-half ago, we got
I was still playing and was on tour quite a lot. We helped
gardener or the room service staff or the food and beverage
Vivek and Dinesh.
a wonderful message from Captain Nair and everyone else
in raising finances for the first property and it turned out
people, they were all taken in by his energy and his ability
I am launching a new television show that will air from
in the family. Whenever someone passes, the first thought
quite spectacular.
to relate to people. He treated everyone with an immense
July 12. We are talking to 10 icons in the country. The
always goes to the spouse who is left behind. Aunty Leela is
amount of respect.
first person that came to mind for me was him. I got an
a strong person and wonderful person who was his partner
in everything.
When you walk away from him, you always felt energetic
and full of life. At that point, the Bombay airport was due to
be built close to their residence. They decided to get into the
His mantra was very simple. He said: “To build the
56
I always admired him as a true global
Indian, an icon of immeasurable
proportions and a real pride of India
a hands-on person and also had this great ability to identify
his energy.
best possible hospitality house that you can find”. And, the
He always had this ability to charm anyone he met. His
opportunity to sit down with him one-on-one, about two
second mantra was: “Always guest is God.” He created an
love for people was strong. He knew the freedom fighters like
months back at The Leela in Mumbai. This was the last time
I always admired him as a true global Indian, an icon of
environment and an atmosphere that was unmatched; an
Subhas Chandra Bose and Krishna Menon was a great mentor
he was giving an interview of any kind. He was like my Dad.
immeasurable proportions and a real pride of India. Captain
environment standpoint where everything was green.
of his.
I felt exceptionally close to him. His optimism for this country
Nair was a great husband, a wonderful father and grandfather,
He and his wife, Leela, after whom the chain is named,
I am privileged to be part of this hotel chain. He completely
was overwhelming. When he decided to hand over the reins
but importantly to me, a great mentor and inspiration. I will
actually did every piece of vegetation in the hotel. Environment
raised the standard of hospitality industry in this country.
of the company to his sons, he was very clear in his mind.
miss him dearly and I mourn his passing, but I will always
was their love. They enjoyed gardening. Everything that you
Every property that he built was unique and each one raised
The fact remains that he was turning it over to very good
celebrate his life.
see in all the hotels — the flower arrangement, the décor, the
the bar a little higher. He brought in the best chefs, the best
hands. Captain Nair was able to make those judgments with a
entire atmosphere and the environment — was created by
restaurants. The food and beverage was unmatched, the
clear mind and a clear conscience. Icons are always concerned
— As told to The Hindu Business Line
the two of them. His strength lay in the fact that he was
décor exquisite, the presentation special. You always left the
about letting go. He let go when he was completely sharp
The article was originally published in The Hindu Business Line in
a people’s man. He knew everyone and related to everyone.
hotel with the feeling, “Wow I want to come back.” He was
in mind and focussed and knew that Vivek and Dinesh were
May 2014
57
In Memoriam
Snapshot
“The most striking aspect
of his personality was his
unbeatable self-confidence”
Mohanlal, a south Indian cinema legend, on what the late Captain Nair meant to him.
T
He would often
motivate me to
undertake new
and innovative
projects. I often
felt I couldn’t
match his
positive energy
his is a huge loss for me, something I can never
make up for. A 28-year-old relationship has
come to an end. A charming host, a mentor,
the protective love of a father — I am going to
miss Krishnan Nair Sir.
I first met him during the initial phase of my acting
career, and was a beneficiary of his love ever since then; he
treated me as if I were his son. Krishnan Nair Sir used to insist
that, while travelling to a destination where a Leela hotel was
present, I should stay at that hotel. I was never charged for
any of my stays.
The most striking aspect of his personality was his
accompanying me. The first thing Sir told me was that the
unbeatable self-confidence. He always had a positive attitude
previous day he had seen me in his dream. I was a bit stunned.
towards life. Whenever we met, he had something to
I couldn’t, regrettably, see his mortal body after he passed
say about a new venture. He would often motivate me to
away, but his loving, smiling countenance will remain
undertake new and innovative projects. I often felt I couldn’t
eternally in my mind.
match his positive energy.
The last time I met Krishnan Nair Sir was at the Breach
Candy hospital, in Mumbai; K Madhavan (MD of Asianet) was
58
This is a translated version of an article that was originally published in
Mathrubhumi, a leading Malayalam newspaper, in May 2014
Relaxation by the pool
Located on the third floor of The Leela Palace Chennai, the
outdoor pool has been crafted seamlessly to provide guests
a stunning view. The pool epitomises luxury and comfort, and
is set in the backdrop of magnificent architectural designs. A
pavilion is designed for guests to relax over some cool drinks
and enjoy the refreshing breeze; and during the evening time,
the pool side is lit up with mashals (flaming torches) that further
add to the overall beauty and serenity of the place.
59
Launchpad
AMAI is the
brainchild of
Aishwarya Nair,
who is Corporate
Food and Wine
Consultant at
The Leela Group
quinoa, a protein-rich superfood containing all the nine
essential amino acids. Accented by organic orange blossom
honey and cinnamon, it is a high energy generating mix that
can be enjoyed at breakfast with milk, over yogurt, or even
Orange Blossom
Cinnamon Spiced Granola
A wholesome
healthy indulgence
T
eaten as a snack.
Quinoa Cookies
Quinoa Cookies: Loaded with dark chocolate and
made with locally grown ground dates and quinoa flour. An
AMAI offers a cornucopia
of delicious snacks and
gluten-free desserts.
ultimate source of energy, it can be had during snack time or
to start your day. The granola contains fiber-rich oats and
before a workout.
protein-packed slow dried almonds that provide you with
lasting energy.
Chocolate & Orange Peel Granola: The bitter-sweet
chocolate paired with slow-dried orange rind is a great way
Cocoa Cake: Luscious and moist, it contains no flour or sugar,
and is made with all-natural palm sugar, psyllium husk, whole
Cranberry Protein Bars
walnuts, almond powder and cocoa nibs. Psyllium husk is an
aking its inspiration from the Japanese philosophy of
Miso is rich in several of the B complex vitamins and contains
excellent source of dietary fiber, and walnuts have Omega-3
macrobiotics, AMAI (a Japanese term for ‘sweet’) is an
minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium. A probiotic food, it
fatty acids. It is best paired with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
impressive range of snacks, breakfast cereal cakes, desserts
aids in digestion.
Cranberry Protein & Chocolate Protein Bars: Made
and protein bars. The pastries from AMAI, which is the brainchild
of Aishwarya Nair, Corporate Food and Wine Consultant at
Fig Toast: Rice-based, lightly toasted chips infused with
with whole sunflower seeds, oats, almond powder, dried
The Leela Group, are free of gluten; and the snacks are designed
locally grown figs. Figs are an excellent source of dietary fiber,
fruits, sugar-free cranberry and chocolate. They are a fantastic
to boost your energy and improve the metabolism of the body.
as also a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to
pre-workout snack or perfect for morning breakfast.
Here are some of the AMAI offerings we like:
control blood pressure.
To find out about other AMAI products or to place your orders,
60
Miso Toast: Rice-based, lightly toasted chips, brushed with
Orange Blossom Cinnamon Spiced Granola: This
please call +91 9167693863 or connect with us on our Facebook page,
miso, a paste made with fermented soy, brown rice and salt.
delicious granola is loaded with dried fruits, nuts and
https://m.facebook.com/AMAI.THELEELA
61
INDIAN JOURNEYS
BEST EXPERIENCED
WITH THE LEELA.
Enjoy the limitless grandeur and culture of India in
breathtaking settings and rediscover the art of royal living.
www.theleela.com
PALACE JOURNEYS
Four-night stay
This offer has been crafted for those looking to explore two of India's most romantic destinations-New Delhi and
Udaipur. Immerse in the beauty of the carefully curated modern palace hotels, The Leela Palace New Delhi and
The Leela Palace Udaipur and experience the joys of true royal living.
COASTAL JOURNEYS
Five-night stay
Experience the different hues of the Indian peninsula. Dotted by the Arabian Sea in the West, the Bay of Bengal
in the East and the Indian Ocean in the South, India has over 4600 miles of an exciting coastline. Start with a
two-night stay in either Mumbai, India's naval to movies to financial capital, or in Chennai, famous for its
second longest beach in the world and temples. Conclude with a three-night relaxing trip to any one of India's
most popular holiday beach destinations-Goa, famous for its beaches and night life or Kovalam, an ideal
getaway to experience the serenity of the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
JOURNEYS OF THE SOUTH
Five-night stay
Bangalore and Chennai is South India's most culturally-rich metropolis. Commence the journey with a
two-night stay at either the magnificent The Leela Palace Bangalore, inspired by the grandeur of the Mysore
Palace or at the resplendent The Leela Palace Chennai, curated to reflect the traditions of the Chettinad
dynasty. Both cities have a number of historical sites and are major centers for Indian classical music and
dance. Conclude the journey by a trip to any one of India's most popular beach destinations-Goa or Kovalam.
Enjoy the fabulous views and pristine whites sandy beaches of The Leela Goa or The Leela Kovalam and unwind
in the lap of nature.
CULTURAL JOURNEYS
Seven-night stay
Experience a cultural extravaganza from India's past covering the Mughal, British, Mewar and Maratha legacies.
Best experienced starting with a three-night stay at The Leela Palace New Delhi, followed by two spellbinding
nights at The Leela Palace Udaipur and two nights at The Leela Mumbai. Soak-in the local experiences and the
humdrum of the daily lives of the inhabitants of India's three most vibrant cities.
SPA AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS
Two-night/ four-night/ six-night stay options at The Leela Palace Udaipur
The Spa by ESPA at The Leela Palace Udaipur, India's only tented luxury spa, has enchanting views of the
Lake Pichola and is an ideal setting for self-reflection and inner wellness. Pamper your body with Ayurvedic
treatments, rediscover your self through yoga & meditation and partake in the daily traditional rituals, held at
the 150-year old Shiva temple, located at the hotel. And enjoy a plethora of activities such as a sunset boat
cruise with spa mocktails, astrology sittings and private guided spiritual tours.
To know more, please call The Leela Reservations Worldwide: 1800 1031 444 (India Toll Free), + 91 124 4425 444
(Private lines) or write to us at [email protected]
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts: New Delhi, Udaipur, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Goa, Kovalam and Gurgaon. Opening soon: Jaipur.
Chef’s Corner
Kayomarz
Bharucha
Jet Set Go
The Leela Goa’s Executive
Chef on why he loves
cooking Pan Asian food,
his signature dish, and the
must-haves at the hotel.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
but I prefer the subtler flesh of the snapper or sea bass, and,
I like Pan Asian food because it is light cooking using less oil,
instead of steaming, grilling the parceled fish.
usually steamed or stir-fried; not overly laden with spices,
and therefore easy to digest. I think Thai, Indonesian and
Tell us the must-try dishes at The Leela Goa.
Malay cuisines have hit a happy balance between the Indian
At our multi-cuisine The Restaurant, the Poppy Seed Crusted
curry and the Chinese wok preparations. I enjoy the flavours
Grilled Lobster with tabbouleh, vegetable phyllo, mushroom
of basil, lemon grass, and lime leaf, which, for some reason,
and olive gnocchi and tarragon butter sauce gives a lovely
Indian food didn’t adopt, although it grows well in the country.
blend of flavours and textures. From our Goan selection,
the subtle flavours of Prawn Rissois, the spicy Prawn
What’s the most unusual request you have received from
Balchao flavoured with dry shrimp and fenny, and the local
a guest?
brew and Fish Curry, are a must-try. Jamavar, the signature
At a barbecue many years ago, a guest asked for the crisp
Indian Restaurant, gives a wide range of tandoori items and
ears and tail of a roast suckling pig that was impaled on a
starters in which the melting Vegetable Galawat Kebab, Palak
spit. A greenhorn then, I was taken aback. The steward came
Firdaus, Crab Galawat and Tandoori Raan are the highlights.
Sheesh Mahal at The Leela Palace Udaipur
offers a panoramic view of the city
What have been the most interesting places
around, taking in all the sights, sounds
you have been to, across the globe?
and smells.
As a journalist, I’m very lucky that travel is a
key part of the job and that I get to see some
Pistachio crusted goat cheese,
carpacio of beetroot, young greens
64
Poppy seed crusted grilled lobster, tabbouleh,
vegetable phyllo, mushroom and olive gnocchi
Tell us about your recent stay at
fascinating places. Whether that’s being in
The Leela Palace Udaipur.
the eye of the storm when Hurricane Sandy
Any memorable experiences?
hit New York, or travelling across Nepal with
The view from the hotel is just wonderful.
the UN’s World Food Programme. I also spent
Looking out across Lake Pichola towards
several years reporting from the Middle
the City Palace — especially at night — is
East, which took me to most countries in
stunning. Seeing the bats swoop overhead
the region, including Iraq, Syria, Algeria and
at dusk is also an amazing sight — so long
back a second time for another pair of crackling ears and
Fresh catch of fish and seafood, procured each day from
Saudi Arabia. When not travelling for work,
as they don’t get too close!
tail. When the slightly intoxicated guest demanded for more,
the market, are the highlights at Susegado, a beachside
Sri Lanka holds a special place in my heart.
the manager had quite a task explaining to him that we had
restaurant. The Italian Riverside restaurant offers items like
roasted only two piglets and between them they had merely
Duck Prosciutto, Snails, Scallops, Foie Gras, Irish Angus and
What do you look for while choosing
must check out in the city?
four ears and two tails.
American Wagyu.
a hotel?
It’s probably a tourist cliche, but the view
The location is one of the most important
from the Monsoon Palace at sunset is not
What’s one thing that a traveler
What is your signature dish?
What do you enjoy most about your job?
considerations. I spend lots of time on
to be missed. As the sun goes down, a
I love the flavours of the Parsi dish ‘patra ni macchi’, which
I enjoy the creativity this field offers us. I like to encourage the
trains and planes — so being able to walk
real calm descends. It’s one of the most
is fish with coconut and coriander chutney wrapped in a
team to be inventive when it comes to buffet layout, carvings,
to and from the hotel is key. The best way
beautiful, peaceful places I’ve been to — not
banana leaf and steamed. Parsis normally vouch for pomfret,
props, new dishes, presentations, and blend of flavours.
to discover a city is on foot, just walking
least in contrast to the bustling city below.
Ben Thompson
Business Presenter &
Correspondent, BBC
65
Events
A league of their own
Green company
host of people from Gujarat’s top travel agencies, tour
A
important source market. We hope that this first-of-its-kind
operators and travel associations came together at Umiya
initiative will further help strengthen our partnerships. Buoyed
Farms, in Ahmedabad, on a floodlit evening in April this year.
by the success of this league, we will be taking this unique
The occasion? The Leela Gujarat Premier League.
property to other source markets across India.”
The first edition of The Leela Gujarat
Premier
League
featured
he Leela Group, under the stewardship of its late Founder
T
Mumbai this year, many participated in the environment walk,
Chairman, Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, globally recognised as a
which commenced early morning, and planted saplings around
stellar environmentalist, has always been committed to being
the hotel. The United Nations Environment Programme’s global
sensitive to the environment and contributed immensely to
theme for this year’s World Environment Day was ‘Small Island
the greenery around their hotels.
Developing States’, to create awareness about the risks of
10-over
As a tradition, the group celebrates the ‘World Environment
matches, with four participants: The
Day’, on June 5, at their various properties. At the Leela
natural disasters facing the said nations. The Leela Group, on
this occasion, expressed its support for the cause.
Leela Getaways team, and three teams
representing the hotel group’s trade
partners, TAG Tigers, SKAL & TAFI Rangers
and Incredible TAAI. Incredible TAAI
emerged as the final winner, while SKAL &
TAFI Rangers was the runner-up. Speaking
on the occasion, Rajiv Kaul, President,
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts,
said, “We are delighted to launch The
Leela Gujarat Premier League to felicitate
our esteemed travel partners in an
State of the nation
66
I
n April this year, The Leela Palace New Delhi hosted the
National
launch of ‘Anticipating India’, former Indian Express editor-
and politics. Present at the event were the who’s who
in-chief’s latest book. Anticipating India — which hit the
of Indian journalism and politics, among them former
bookstores before Gupta quit the Express Group, and before
finance minister P. Chidambaram, former law minister Salman
the new government came to power at the centre — is an
Khurshid and former union minister of state for power
edited volume of Gupta’s weekly column in the newspaper,
Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Interest,
spanning
19
years,
on
economics
67
Events
Accolades
Fashion’s
night out
All kinds of fashionistas, from
supermodels to Bollywood
actresses, came fluttering in for The
Grazia Young Fashion Awards 2014,
held at The Leela Mumbai earlier
this year. Feted at the glamorous
event were nine talented designers
and four style trendsetters. The
‘Showstopper of the Year’ accolade
was bagged by Lisa Haydon, with
Sonam Kapoor winning the ‘Cover
Girl of the Year’ award.
India’s best luxury hotel
Guest Speak
Pippa Middleton
English socialite,
columnist, and the
younger sister of
Catherine, Duchess of
Cambridge
The Leela Palace
Udaipur
“The setting of
the hotel is quite
unlike that of any
other hotel I have
been to. It’s an
exquisite paradise
by day and a
magical palace
by night that
twinkles like the
stars! Thank you
for looking after
us so well.”
68
Mr Vicente Fox
Kuesada
President of Mexico
T
His Excellency
Tshering Tobgay
Prime Minister of Bhutan
His Excellency
Sheikh Faisal
Al Thani
Anil Kapoor
Lisa Ray
The Leela
Mumbai
“We would like
to thank Capt. C
P Krishnan Nair
and his family,
and the excellent
Leela staff for
making our visit
most memorable.
Our stay was most
comfortable and
enjoyable.”
The Leela Palace
Chennai
“One of the
best hotels in
the world and
definitely the best
maharaja suite on
the planet. The
staff, food and
hospitality are
exquisite.
Thank you.”
The Leela Palace
Udaipur
“The level of
luxury is amongst
the best I have
ever experienced;
the hospitality of
the staff made me
smile in wonder...
There is some
magic here which
the eye cannot
see, but which my
heart perceived.
Congratulations
and keep it up.”
Actor and producer
Chairman, Al Faisal Holding,
one of Qatar’s leading real
estate companies
The Leela Palace
Bangalore
“A great hotel with
a great heritage
and great food.
Congratulations.”
The Leela Palace
New Delhi
“It was the perfect
palace, with
perfect hosts,
for my first visit
outside Bhutan
after assuming
office. A big
thank you!”
he mesmersing Leela Kovalam has been adjudged the Best
those who want to enjoy a relaxing holiday or stay. And this is
Indian Luxury Hotel at the Lonely Planet Magazine India
the third year in a row that the resort has won a Lonely Planet
Travel Awards 2014. India’s only cliff-top beach hotel, which
Travel Award; the first was the Best Resort Hotel, in 2012, and
offers stunning views of the Arabian sea, is a favourite of
the second, Best Hotel for Relaxation, in 2013.
Canadian actress,
model, television host,
and social activist
69
Slug Here
Perspective
Social Index
Aiding the disabled
The Research Society for the Care, Treatment and Training
of Children in Need of Special Care is transforming lives
of hundreds in Maharashtra. By Deipshikha Dhankar
“D
Slices of life
Mumbai-based documentary
filmmaker Michael Burns talks
about the live storytelling
show he’s started in the city.
can’t forget the moment when Tahir, who came as a kid many
ability.” This has been the guiding motto of the charity
years ago, started administrating the entire tech space of our
The Research Society for the Care, Treatment and Training of
institute, or the day when another student started looking after
Children in Need of Special Care ever since it was founded, in
the toy centre at a Crossword store. Looking at their courage to
Mumbai, about 70 years ago. At least two per cent of India’s
live every single day with hope, I have stopped cribbing about
population is said to be suffering from sort of mental disability,
things in my life. I have realised that if we give these children
and says Archana Chandra, who is administrative director at
enough support and place enough confidence in their abilities,
the NGO, that even this section of the society has a right to live
they can, in turn, help us put our own lives in perspective.”
a life of dignity.
From running
The NGO has branches in Pune and Nasik, too, and
special schools to conducting health
schooling and pre-vocational training is imparted to around
We’re now also offering story workshops where people
programmes, the Research Society is involved in a wide range
40 children at each of the centres. The Research Society also
can learn the inner workings of what takes a story from just
of charitable activities that improve the lives of kids from lower
runs an outreach programme for improving health in rural
being ordinary to being something special. This has been
socio-economic groups. Its Jai Vakeel School, in the locality
areas: till today, teams of qualified therapists have visited
such a labour of love for me, helping people find the magical
of Sewri, currently trains 350 children (between the age group
400 villages in Maharashtra to dispense medicines and need-
stories inside them. I would do it every day if I could — wait,
of 5-18 years) in dance, music and sports, apart from functional
based supplements. These professionals have also cultivated
I do actually do it every day!
academics. “The magical thing about this place is that it’s a
awareness among their local counterparts and local social
love this city — it’s a living, breathing, heaving mass of stories
At Tall Tales, one of our taglines is
happy space. Despite all the issues, concerns and problems
workers about the importance of integrating disabled children
and whether you love it (like me) or hate it (like some), you
“perfecting the art of storytelling”, and
that these children have, the energy which radiates from their
into mainstream society.
can’t deny that it somehow works in the most beautiful yet
that means we’re obsessed with making
hearts never fails to impact the visitors,” says Chandra.
oddest way.
the stories great. If you look around
The Research Society also provides vocational training
I
How you can contribute
at what’s called “success” today, it’s
to disabled adolescents and adults — how to make giftbags,
A donation of Rs 15,000 can fund education of one child for
five personal, true stories told by the people who lived them,
full of mediocrity and manufactured,
candles, artificial flowers, paper bags, embroidery, among other
a year. The NGO also welcomes volunteers. For more details,
about once every five weeks in the city. What’s behind Tall Tales
superficial
skills. “It is a proud moment for all of us when they complete
contact Neha Shah (Head of Vocational Training Centre) on
is a love for stories and storytelling on the one hand, and, on
measured by one and only one thing:
their training and start earning a livelihood,” says Chandra. “I
+91 9820389600 or visit www.theresearchsociety.org.
the other, my personal belief that nothing is more incredible
money/return on investment. We live in
and surprising and full of impossible contradictions than
a world that encourages you to simply
real life.
repeat a profitable formula rather than
I’m the founder and director of Tall Tales, which showcases
70
o not look at their disability, let’s build on their
media
products,
usually
The people who narrate their stories are not performers
to follow your own bliss. But, if you are
for the most part. They’re just normal people who want to
an artist, you should strive for something
share something private and powerful. At almost every show,
higher, and that means never accepting
at some point in the evening, the storyteller on stage seems
less than your best simply because
to be talking directly to you — maybe they’re talking about
others might. I try to stay away from
a tortuous decision they had to make, or a case where they
ideology and dogma, but, if I did have
had their heart broken, or a time when life threw a wrench into
any message, it would be: push yourself
their plans. So you’re not a passive audience member at our
beyond what you think is possible,
shows; you’re called on to constantly imagine what you would
because that’s where, usually, you find
do in the storyteller’s shoes.
out what you’re truly made of.
Michael Burns, Ph.D.,
is a documentary
filmmaker from East
Hartford, Connecticut,
USA. In addition to online
university teaching, he
also volunteers with
several NGOs in the
city, including the YMCA
Street Children Program,
where he’s been teaching
English and life skills for
the past three years.
To know more about Tall
Tales, visit talltales.in.
The Research Society, apart from running special schools, also provides vocational training to mentally disabled children and adults
71

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