- The Leela

M
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Himalayan Culture
E
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
I
’d like to express my solidarity for the people of Nepal, in the
wake of the recent tragedy. Last year, Narendra Modi had met
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Sushil Koirala, and the two leaders
had stressed the importance of developing tourism across the
SAARC nations. But due to the calamity, Nepal’s tourism industry
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including a new international airport near Kathmandu; and we
hope that life returns to normal there.
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Environment Day’ on June 5th at our various properties.
My father, and Late Founder-Chairman, Capt. C.P. Krishnan
Our late Founder-Chairman,
Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair,
was a big nature lover; and
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all our properties show an
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impressive landscaping
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and greenery. During the
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World Environment Day
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participated in a ‘Green
Walk’, planting saplings in
the nearby areas
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The monsoons are here, and our Goa, Udaipur and Kovalam
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the unique charm of any of these destinations, and also spend
some quality time with your family and friends. On the other
hand, our city hotels provide excellent facilities for Meetings,
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AQD@SGS@JHMFUDMTDR
Vivek Nair
Chairman & Managing Director,
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 6 | MONSOON 2015
stefanoricci.com
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2
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1
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CONTENTS
14
Luxe Effect
18
Proust Questionnaire
22
Explorations
26
Style
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ANNJ'HL@K@X@M2SXKD
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32
Dance
36
Architecture
40
Travel
46
Books
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Drink
62
Creativity
68
High Achievers
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Food
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| 8 | ,.-2..-
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 5
C O N T E N T S
COVER
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THE LEELA
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Events
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Launchpad
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Accolades
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Perspective
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Chef’s Corner
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Social Index
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“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
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3'$+$$+ , & 9(-$
| 10 | ,.-2..-
,.-2..-
| 11 | 3'$+$$+
, & 9(-$
LUXE
CHANEL
Bored to carry a girly
bag? Try this new
accessory by Chanel—
Girl Chanel Bags. These
are meant to be carried
cross body, just like a
shoulder bag. Featuring
many compartments,
including pockets on
the outside, these
clothing style pieces
are decorated with
buttons and side
pockets. Available in
LOUIS VUITTON
multiple patterns.
Louis Vuitton’s new and colourful iPad case
features its historic damier pattern in pinpoint
perforations. This supple, richly coloured calf
leather is both stylish and functional. Its ultraƦ@SCDRHFM@MCLHBQNƥAQDKHMHMFDMRTQDODQEDBS
hold and optimum protection.
Style
check
From suave
sunglasses to a
cool iPad case, here
are four must-buy
accessories.
MARC JACOBS
These sunglasses with
blue dark mirrored
AERIN
lenses will add to your
Rose de Grasse from Aerin Lauder (granddaughter
style wherever you go.
of Estee Lauder) is a rose centifolia (hand-picked
Weighing just 42 grams
in Grasse) scent, and is tempered with violet wood,
these sunglasses are
ambrox and musk. The interesting looking bottle is
easy to carry.
sculpted with a circular cap.
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THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 14 | MONSOON 2015
LUXE EFFECT
-$(*(5ʘ/(&28/75(
Jaeger-LeCoultre pays a tribute to Britain
with the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931.
This is a manual-wound watch with 45 hours
of power reserve. The extremely slender 7.3
mm case incorporates the complex parts
of the swiveling mechanism as well as a
movement just 2.95mm thin. The special
London Flagship edition dial is a beautiful
deep green lacquered. The second side on
the solid case back features an exquisite
engraving of the palace of Westminster
featuring the famous clock tower.
Time masters
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Breguet’s Tradition Chronograhe Indépendant 7077 is
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Our picks of the season’s
case band. The watch features many of Breguet’s
coolest watches.
signatures, including iconic open-tipped
hands to indicate the hours and minutes.
The diameter of the watch is 44mm and it is
CHOPARD
The L.U.C XPS 35mm Esprit
de Fleurier is the latest
timepiece for women
from Chopard. Viewed
powered by caliber 580DR, an in-house selfwinding movement featuring a symmetrical
inverted in-line lever escapement with silicon
pallets, and boasting a 50-hour power reserve.
from the front, the
diamond-set 18-carat
white gold bezel
delicately frames
a mottled blue
mother-of-pearl
dial bearing hour-
PANERAI
markers graced with
Mare Nostrum Titanio takes
brilliant-cut diamonds.
inspiration from a 1943 prototype
This model is teamed
watch designed for the Italian Navy.
with a matching blue
The combination of rich brown dial
alligator leather strap. It
coupled with brushed titanium makes it
houses a twin-barrel self-
pleasing to the eye and light on the wrist.
winding movement, with
a 65-hour power reserve
It houses a brand new engine in the hand-
inside an ultra-thin 7.10
wound OPXXV caliber, which beats at 18,000
vibrations per hour. It’s water-resistant up to 3 bars.
mm case.
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THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 16 | MONSOON 2015
PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your current state of mind?
Brooding.
What do you most value in your friends?
I have no friends.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
When I don't see poverty around me.
What is your favorite journey?
!@CDM!@CDM@RO@SNVMHM&DQL@MX(SŗR
highly scenic, and far from the madding
crowd.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing happiness of my family.
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with?
General Patton. For his sheer drive and
execution prowess.
Which living person do you most admire?
None.
What is the trait you most deplore in
yourself?
Insecurity.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Braggadocio.
What is it that you most dislike?
Professional unpreparedness.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Lazing on a Sunday morning.
What do you consider the most
overrated virtue?
Being smart.
What do you consider your
greatest achievement?
Creating a luxury market for our
products.
If you could change one thing
about your family, what would
it be?
To spend less.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I have to protect my family.
What do you regard as the lowest
depth of misery?
When you are not loved or
cared for.
Which living person do you most
despise?
None.
What is your most marked
characteristic?
Workaholic.
What or who is the greatest love
of your life?
My ability to design into the future.
When and where were you happiest?
Can't remember.
Who is your favorite hero of
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created by American Seargent
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If you could change one thing about
yourself, what would it be?
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What is your motto?
Communicate, Communicate,
Communicate.
DILIP
CHHABRIA
Made in India
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Auto expo. It’s customisable and the price range
starts from Rs 36 lakh. The DC Avanti is powered
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mounted between the seat back and the rear
wheels. The motor can produce up to a peak
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torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels
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and has a top speed of 200kph.
Avid design and auto enthusiasts swear by Dilip Chhabria’s car makeovers. The founder of DC Design, DC,
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commercially recently. The following interview is not about DC the car designer, though; it is about DC
the man. Akhila Ranganna SQHDR SN TMBNUDQ GHR ODQRNM@KHSX AX TRHMF SGD PTDRSHNMM@HQD SG@S V@R ƥQRS
made famous by early 20th century French novelist Marcel Proust.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 18 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 19 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
$7/+.1 3(.-2
Variations on theme
HIMALAYA
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Opposite (from top):
A woman collects water
in the Tusha Hiti, an
exquisite oval step-well in
the courtyard of Sundari
Chowk, at The Patan Darbar,
a renowned palace in Nepal.
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plaques line the step-well
The Tibetan-style lock of
the main shrine of Uku
Bahal, Patan, Nepal. The
phenomenal artistry of the
valley’s Newar artisans is
manifest in the grill’s lotus
and dorje motifs created by
repousse and the small lost
wax statues attached. Lock
rings are shaped like hands.
Two images of snake virgins
with intertwining snakes
bodies hold their hands in a
devotional pose
Left:
Young Thubstan Nawang, the
reincarnation of the Most
Venerable Kushok Bakula, at
Spituk Monastery, in Ladakh.
Bakula is depicted in the
portrait behind
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 22 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 23 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
Right:
Monks entering the
courtyard of Nepal’s
Podorong Monastery,
which is painted with
auspicious symbols for
the Tibetan New Year
Left (from top):
Two pilgrims stand in
front of the decorative
bar on the Barkhor
(circumambulation
area) in the old city
of Lhasa
An illustration
of Nepal’s rural
architecture:
a mud-plastered
farmhouse with a
thatched roof in Surya
Binayek village, near
the Kathmandu Valley
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 24 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 25 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
STYLE
M
ondrian, Warhol, The
collection, for instance. While
Rolling Stones, Miles
the basic colours for the suits
Davis…
Paul
and trousers remained the more
Smith was born of these, not just
conventional teal, navy and dark
by way of inspiration, but to be
grey, their monotony was broken
part of their world. A world where
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colour is vital, where alternative
of rainbow stripes, paisley prints,
ideas become mainstream, and
leather fringes and typographs.
where pop, well, rocks. Inspired
The whimsical extended to the
by this very world, Sir Paul Smith
accessories as well, with hand-
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Nottingham, in 1970, and showed
printed totes and luxe, satin
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holdalls.
Brand
1976. Encouraged and helped
And yet, the hallmark of
by his then-girlfriend, now-wife,
the brand remains its versatility,
Pauline, who happened to be a
whether in terms of how well the
British label Paul Smith, which has been in India
fashion graduate from the Royal
pieces lend themselves to mix-
for less than a decade, has taken the country’s
College of Art, London, Paul
and-match, or how easily they
Smith fast emerged a name to be
slip from formal to semi-formal
menswear market quite by storm. We look at
reckoned with, bringing fashion
to smart casual to lounge wear,
into the colourful world that had
or in the latest innovation, the
so excited him.
‘Travelling Suit’. Made of merino
For a quintessentially British
| 26 | MONSOON 2015
collected
embodies
from the sheep’s stomach —
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classic
sensibilities
is the longest and the most
with modern pop aesthetics, in
resilient — the Travelling Suit is
a rather curious mix of sharp
completely wrinkle-resistant and
tailoring and a vibrant outlook.
can happily be teamed with a tee
Vivid
prints
and sneakers or with a tie and
and unconventional pairings, all
brogues, depending on your need,
against a backdrop of archetypal
making it any time-, occasion- and
boardroom dressing. Clean cuts
season-appropriate.
Paul
great
combining
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
that’s
irreverence,
a
PS by Paul Smith
wool
of
label,
From the PS by
Paul Smith collection
sheep
Smith
deal
colours,
graphic
what makes the fashion brand tick with the young
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Paul Smith entered India
dressing is made of, and also the
in 2007, with its menswear line.
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Armani have made their millions
menswear in the country.) “We
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nothing on Smith, who’s taken
the response was so exceptional,
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we’ve expanded to four cities,
British brand, putting his models
Kolkata being the most recent,”
on the ramp in suits paired with
reveals Deepika Gehani, Creative
trainers, tees, funky sunglasses,
Director of Genesis Luxury Pvt
even baggy shorts. Take a look at
Ltd, the company responsible for
his Spring/Summer 2015 men’s
bringing the brand into the country.
MONSOON 2015
| 27 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
Indian.
By Prerna Singh Butalia
A bag from one of Paul Smith’s previous collections
From the Autumn/Winter 2015 collection
The Spring/Summer 2015 collection
The brand’s Wren monk shoes
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
And, recently, a survey pronounced
most popular products are our
Paul Smith the go-to brand for
graphic yet tailored shirts and our
the young Indian entrepreneur.
suits.” Young Indian men, today,
Interesting choice, yes, but not
are sure talking the language of
altogether surprising, given the
looking the part, with the luxury
brand’s design philosophy and
menswear market booming like
DNA. “The bright colours and
never before.”
vivid graphics make Paul Smith
Adds
a popular choice for the Indian
becoming
consumer,
always
conscious of how they look and
been attracted to such vibrant
dress. They need to look sharp,
elements,” says Mumbai-based
yet individualistic — a need that
fashion stylist Isha Bhansali. Gehani
Paul Smith seems to address only
BNMƥQLRSGHRKHMDNESGNTFGSř.TQ
too well.”
who
| 28 | MONSOON 2015
has
Bhansali,
more
“Men
and
are
more
The philosophy is simple: Keep
with the essentials, but make
sure there is always a pop twist.
So the piece will always be basic,
but there will be a quirky print or
an idiosyncratic message
The brand’s multi-stripe
shirt is quite popular
Paul Smith opened a new store in London recently
Paul Smith
Walk into a Paul Smith store
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by Paul Smith for age groups 20
be basic, but there will be a quirky
and you will notice that the
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to 30, and Paul Smith London for
print or an idiosyncratic message.
garments are always well-tailored,
wisdom and traditional practices,
consumers over the age of 30.
Needless to say, the vibrant
rainbow
but he has a mind of his own,
The main line is our ultra-premium
colours and vivid prints have been
stripes may have taken the place
and is looking to mould those
BNKKDBSHNM SG@SŗR RSQ@HFGS NƤ
an instant hit in a market that is
of pinstripes, the output still
practices to work with the times.
the runways. We have something
looking for luxury, that is looking
remains crisp and the look always
ř.TQBNMRTLDQA@RDHR@RSTSD@MC
for everyone!”
for alternatives to the obvious,
very businesslike. It’s the kind of
they know what they want — we
Paul Smith has successfully
that has few options to satiate
thing the young entrepreneur,
cater to men who like to dress
brought in its USP — colour,
its newfound love for kitsch, and
who’s looking to make a mark,
sharp but show their personality
graphics and typographic art — to
that has always had a steady
VNTKC FN ENQ 2L@QS RHKGNTDSSDR
while doing so,” says Gehani. “We
the Indian public. The philosophy
appetite for drama. For the young
so that he’s taken seriously, and
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HRRHLOKD*DDOVHSGSGDDRRDMSH@KR
Indian male, Paul Smith seems to
the right dose of spunk, to let his
Paul Smith Jeans to cater to the
but make sure there is always a
be the answer to all of these, and
personality shine through. And
younger end of the spectrum, PS
pop twist. So the piece will always
then some!
and
that,
while
the
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 30 | MONSOON 2015
DANCE
RGD ROD@JR TO @ANTS GDQ ADKNUDC @QSENQL #DQHUDC EQNL SGD 2@MRJQHS
words katha (story) and kathakar (storyteller), Kathak originated in ancient
North India with the wandering bards, telling tales steeped in myth and
Poetry in motion
Aditi Mangaldas, who is considered one of the world’s best contemporary Kathak
dancers, is also credited for pushing the boundaries of the form. From starting training
@SSGD@FDNEƥUDSNCDKHUDQHMFBQHSHB@KKX@BBK@HLDCODQENQL@MBDR@KK@BQNRRSGDFKNAD
GDQRG@RADDM@INTQMDXNE@RRHCTNTRCDUNSHNMSNNMDŗRBQ@ESBy Akhila Ranganna
religious scripture, infusing them with song, dance and commentary. After
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making it a unique synthesis of Hindu and Muslim culture. Deft footwork,
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SGD RXMSGDRHR NE QGXSGLHB TSSDQ@MBDR ENKKNVDC AX C@MBD LNUDLDMSR
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@CCSNSGDQHOOKHMFM@QQ@SHUD@OOD@KNESGHRC@MBDENQL
,@MF@KC@R BQDCHSR GDQ KNUD ENQ *@SG@J SN SGD U@QHDC HMƦTDMBDR
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Maharaj. “With Kumudiniji it was a focus on the larger ambience,
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“I
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tremendous freedom as a girl child.” Hailing from Gujarat, Mangaldas’
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family was steeped in business and academia. And she laughs out loud
she reached college she felt that some parts of her “were not dancing;
something was inherently missing.”
SGDUHU@BHSXSG@SCDƥMDR CHSH,@MF@KC@R MCHSHR@RS@SDLDMS
while reminiscing about how her interest in dance came about. “This is
that perfectly illustrates how dance in general and Kathak in particular
a story from my paternal grandmother,” she recounts in her trademark
(S V@R SGDM SGD LNUD SN #DKGH G@OODMDC @MC VHSG HS SGD CDBHRHNM
G@UD @KV@XR ADDM @M HMDWSQHB@AKD O@QS NE SGD C@MRDTRDŗR KHED %QNL
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to train under Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj at the Kathak Kendra, With
training under Kathak legends Kumudini Lakhia and Pandit Birju Maharaj,
from when I was just about four years old, I would jump onto the table and
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within its broad parameters, Mangaldas’ journey is one of determination,
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+D@QMHMFTMCDQSGDRDSVNFTQTRF@UDGDQSGDBG@MBDSNF@HMANSG@M
immersion in one’s craft and liberation.
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debate and questioning and no rituals,” Mangaldas, 55, says. “I had
to strength.
řQDADK ONRHSHUDKXŚ ř!DHMF RDKE@M@KXSHB@K @MC BQHSHB@K HR BQTBH@K SN RDKE
Facial expressions play a key role in Kathak
Kathak, both in India and abroad. She has performed as a solo artist and
'NVDUDQ@ESDQƥUDXD@QRNE@řL@FHB@KSHLDŚSQ@HMHMFTMCDQ,@G@Q@I
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and performing, with resounding success, along with his troupe, both
in Australia, Singapore, Germany, Dubai and England, among other places,
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to tremendous acclaim.
that something was inherently missing. “I went to my gurus to get an
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3NC@X ,@MF@KC@R HR QDF@QCDC @R NMD NE SGD KD@CHMF DWONMDMSR NE
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
CDUDKNOLDMSŚRGDR@XR
ř'DQBNMBDOSNESGDHMS@MFHAKDDLAQ@BDRSGDCHUHMD@MCSGDOQNENTMCKX
understanding of their knowledge, they opened the doors for me, but I
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V@R ANQM SGD #QHRGSHJNM #@MBD %NTMC@SHNM HM 6HSG #QHRGSHJNM
and the power of stillness,” wrote Mary Brennan in the The Herald after
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Farooq Chaudhry, former chairman of Dance UK, described Mangaldas as a
conformation are an integral part of any classical work,” says Mangaldas.
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'DQ VNQJ VHSG #GQHRSHJNM G@R QDƦDBSDC SGHR ATQMHMF CDRHQD SN RS@X
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“Kathak has an amazing history, a secular amalgamation of Hindu and
group performance that she has choreographed, Mangaldas has, in her
Muslim culture, a structure that is bound and yet open,” she says. You can
words, tried to write “beautiful poetry” through the medium of dance.
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ř.ESDM(G@UD@BNMBDOS@MCSGDM(KD@UDHSHMLXGD@CŚRGDR@XR@RRGD
VHSG RN L@MX DWOQDRRHNMR NUDQ SGD XD@QRŕSVHMJKD VHSG DWBHSDLDMS @R
SQHDR SN DWOK@HM GNV SGD RDDC NE @ C@MBD ODQENQL@MBD FDQLHM@SDR Ś@MC
| 32 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 33 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
,@MF@KC@RG@RADDMODQENQLHMFENQ@KLNRSƥUDCDB@CDR
‘Within’ seeks to explore the brutality
VHSGHM@KKNETR2G@JHMFSGDUHDVDQRNTS
of their complacency, the choreography
breaks free from the structural aspect
of classical Kathak, beautifully depicted
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SGDMHM@M@QD@NERHKDMBDRNLDSGHMFFDSRQDUD@KDC8NTSGDMOTSHM@KNS
of hard work in the studio and suddenly the abstract starts taking shape
right in front of you.”
Some of her most famous group and solo performances and
choreographies with Dhrishtikon include ‘Widening Circles’, ‘Seeking
SGD!DKNUDCŗŖ4SR@UŗŖ(LLDQRDCŗŖ4MBG@QSDC2D@RŗŖ%NNSOQHMSRNM6@SDQŗ
Ŗ-NVHRŗŖ3HLDKDRRŗ@MCŖ6HSGHMŗ2GDL@CDGDQ42 CDATSHMVHSG
‘Footprints on Water’, a performance that was described in the The New
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something to delight”. ‘Uncharted Seas’ retains the classical elements
2GNVHMFRNLDLNUDLDMSR
from her ‘Within’ performance
in terms of costume, music and presentation; the central theme of this
performance is based on the fact that we are all looking for something.
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@UDMTDRŚ
Ŗ6HSGHMŗRDDJRSNDWOKNQDSGDAQTS@KHSXVHSGHM@KKNETR2G@JHMFSGD
UHDVDQR NTS NE SGDHQ BNLOK@BDMBX SGD BGNQDNFQ@OGX AQD@JR EQDD EQNL
SGDRSQTBSTQ@K@RODBSNEBK@RRHB@K*@SG@JAD@TSHETKKXCDOHBSDCHMSGDƥQRS
half, titled ‘Knotted’. The second half, with more classical notes, titled
Ŗ4MVQ@OODCŗ SQHDR SN HMETRD @ RDMRD NE ONRHSHUHSX ř3GD RONMS@MDHSX NE
*@SG@J KDMCR HSRDKE VDKK SN DWODQHLDMS@SHNM VHSGNTS XNT G@UHMF SN FN
outside the format of the recognised dance form.” She has pushed the
SGDL@SHBANQCDQRL@JHMFSGDVNL@MSGDBDMSQ@KƥFTQDHMBNLONRHSHNMRKHJD
"GDDJG@MC2UNF@SHMBNQONQ@SHMFTMTRT@KRSDORHM3HLDKDRR@MC6HSGHM
using multimedia in Now Is. Her latest performance was at the Alchemy
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international performances are slated for the Perth International Arts
%DRSHU@KHM%DAQT@QXMDWSXD@Q@MCENQSGD!DKFQ@CD%DRSHU@KHM,@QBGMDWS
year. Drishtikon has been commissioned by Dance Umbrella for a new
OQNCTBSHNMSNADOQDRDMSDC@SSGD!@QAHB@M3GD@SQDHM+NMCNMHM
6GHKDRGDG@RADDMODQENQLHMFENQBKNRDSNƥUDCDB@CDR,@MF@KC@R
ADKHDUDR SG@S NMD LTRS ENQDUDQ JDDO @KHUD NMDŗR E@BTKSX NE VNMCDQ ř6D
G@UDSNBQD@SD@VNQKCNEL@FHBSNDMRTQDVD@SSQ@BSSGDXNTMFDQ@TCHDMBDR
to our art.”
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 34 | MONSOON 2015
ARCHITECTURE
Art Deco in Mumbai
Home to the world’s second largest
number of Art Deco buildings, the
city’s aesthetic is about much more
than steel-and-glass exteriors.
By Apekshita Varshney
P
robably you’ve brisk walked there, soaked in the sun, or chuckled
High Court, and The University of Mumbai, with its turrets, arches, and
at the charades of the thronging lovers. Perhaps guzzling the sea
ornamentation is grand, even daunting. But post-World War II, modernism
air (sometimes even the salty, splashing water), you just sat, eyes
in architecture began to reject ornamentation. The mood of this time is
keen on the horizon, and back turned to Mumbai’s mayhem. But while
vividly documented in the book Bombay Deco, by Sharada Dwivedi and
you’re busy inhaling the beauty of Marine Drive, don’t miss out on a style
Rahul Mehrotra. “Look at the façade in Bombay… It would be transformed
of architecture just across the street.
ENQSGDADSSDQHENMDSNNJ@M@WD@MCBGNOODCNƤDUDQXAHSNENQM@LDMSŚ
renowned architect Claude Batley is quoted in the book.
Buildings stretching across the promenade, and those in Malabar
BARE ACT
Hills, Mohammed Ali Road, Pherozshah Mehta Road, and the Dadar-
Soon, in the 1920s, a nudist movement, with minimalistic style, gripped
Matunga area display the classical style of Art Deco, an architectural style
architecture, and Art Deco stood true to its time. “Art Deco was a sign of
that emerged in France and which caught Mumbai’s fancy in the 1920s
optimism towards the future. It was talking about speed, transportation
and ‘30s.
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@QBGHSDBSTQD@S))"NKKDFD
Art Deco apartments with their balustrades, geometric shapes, smooth
It was reformist; a cusp between medieval and modern. It borrowed
lines, curvy balconies with eyebrows, and modern technology motifs may
imagery from the industrial age and incorporated nautical, airplane motifs.
compel you to move out of your glass house. Fact: After Miami, Mumbai
has the largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world.
A quick walk to Oval Maidan, in Churchgate, will present to you
MCHSGDKCNMSNSGDO@RSVHSGLNSHERKHJDEQNYDMENTMS@HM@MCƦNQ@ MDDC
for grandeur also continued to sway architects — colour combinations
and vertical ribs made the buildings look taller than they actually were.
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When Mumbai’s growing population had to be housed, The Backbay
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Reclamation Plan, in the 1920s, paved the way for more Art Deco
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ATHKCHMFR MCK@SDQBHMDL@RVDQDATHKSSNNƤDQDRB@ODEQNLSGDQD@KHSHDR
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 36 | MONSOON 2015
Indian murals feature on the New
India Assurance Building, in Fort
MONSOON 2015
| 37 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
COURTESY EMINENCE DESIGNS, PUBLISHER OF THE BOOK BOMBAY DECO
ART DEKHO
BOMBAY ART DECO ARCHITECTURE/ NAVIN RAMANI/ ROLI BOOKS
NOEL MURPHY
(From left) The much-loved Art Deco
theatre Eros, in Churchgate; Frozen
fountain, an Art Deco motif
Art Deco buildings at Marine Drive are as
much of an attraction as the sea across
“Art Deco was a sign of
optimism towards the
future. It was talking about
speed, transportation and
power,” says Dalvi
KNOW YOUR CITY
of life: Eros, Liberty, Regal, Metro and New Empire were a sign of opulence.
across precincts in the city. They stuck to a pastel colour palate, which,
there is a similar Art Deco building in Karachi. It used to have the same
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to my surprise, was considered garish in those days. “That’s because we
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@mumbaiheritage has been heartily documenting old Mumbai,
Art Deco was futuristic — across the length of Eros, you can see murals
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soon after partition. The New India Assurance building, in Fort, depicts
much to the joy of tweeple. Here, they share with us some
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Dalvi quips. “Architects had just moved from stone to plaster, hence even
murals of farmers, potters and women spinning the charkha. In Dadar,
SGDO@RSDKBNKNTQRVNTKCG@UDKNNJDCAQHFGS@MCBGDDQETKA@BJSGDMŚ
Kanti Mahal’s entrance resembles that of a Hindu temple. “This style
interesting facts related to Art Deco buildings in the city.
Most of these theatres were built by foreign architects in 1930s
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@MCR6GHKD,DSQNV@RATHKSAX@2BNSRL@M3GNL@R6GHSD+@LASGD
Art Deco doesn’t beam just in posh South Bombay lanes.
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Ş 3GDƥQRS%HKLE@QD@V@QCRBDQDLNMXV@RGDKCHM@S
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Humble Matunga holds a secret in the form of its own cinema built in this
researcher. “A few buildings in Ballard Estate, too, have traditional
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The task was later handled by Indian architect J.B. Fernandes. Western-
style, Aurora.
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#HQDBSNQ BSNQ BSQDRR,TRHB#HQDBSNQ
educated Indian architects, too, played a role in creating Art Deco
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GDMBDSGDM@LDř+HADQSXŚ
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by Horniman Circle, Marine Drive, and Oval Maidan.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
buildings across the city.
Made from the resilient Malad stone, the buildings are some of the best
MADE IN INDIA
in the world. Yet they don’t get the appreciation they deserve. “It lacks
So deep-seated in Mumbai’s veins, it may not be wrong to call
The Art Deco buildings in Mumbai also show traditional Indian motifs.
awareness, appreciation but most importantly, conservation. With little
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"Q@MDXNTQMDBJSNRONSSGDRBTKOSTQDNE&NCCDRR+@JRGLHODQBGDC@SNO@
help from the government, maintenance often pinches the residents.
apartment living elite, Art Deco later became the architecture of the
building in Fort. The building was built and designed to house the Mumbai
Miami has looked at its heritage as an entire precinct. We look at it as
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branch of Lahore’s Lakshmi Insurance Company. Historians believe that
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| 38 | MONSOON 2015
TRAVEL
In Switzerland, the journey is literally the
destination. Keith Fernandez explores
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from the famous Glacier Express, which
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Bernina, to The Wilhelm Tell Express, a
charming mix of boat and train excursions.
T
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NQ HMCDDC @MX 8@RG "GNOQ@ ƥKL ŕ SDMC SN SGHMJ NE 2VHSYDQK@MC
as an endless series of mountains and picturesque villages. Every
seasoned traveller has a tale of the Jungfraujoch, the highest train point in
Europe. and all of us have. at the very least, seen video of Gstaad’s horse
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@KSHSTCDR@MC@LHMCRDSSG@SHR@SNMBDSQ@CHSHNM@K@MCENQV@QCSGHMJHMF
Peak
experiences
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canton of Valais, in the southwest, is home to car-free Zermatt, a romantic,
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with Germany and France, houses buildings by some of the world’s most
famous starchitects, and is a paradise for lovers of art and architecture.
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public transport (often on a single travel pass), but, nevertheless, always
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forbidding terrain, Swiss engineers have, over the past couple of centuries,
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routes have replaced early solutions, that infrastructure has been pressed
into service for the country’s tourism industry.
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need to spend an entire day on the train, but with panoramic coaches
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memorable events in themselves. Here are four such journeys.
A journey to the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s
highest railway station, is a must-do
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 40 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 41 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
The Glacier Express
The Golden Pass Line and the Jungfrau Railway
The world’s slowest express train connects Zermatt in the south to
A combination of two train rides, this one spotlights some of the best bits
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Battles between the two largest linguistic communities are legend, but
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travel up to the forbidding ice maiden at the top of Europe, the Jungfraujoch,
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encased in snow all year round and reached via Europe’s highest-altitude
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Q@HKV@X RS@SHNM @S L 3GD BNMSHMDMSŗR KNMFDRS QDL@HMHMF FK@BHDQ
.ADQ@KOO@RR@MCBQNRRHMFSGD+@MCV@RRDQQHUDQNUDQ@LS@KKBTQUDC
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limestone viaduct.
@BST@KKXRSDONTSNMSGDRMNV@MCBQD@SDXNTQNVM%@BDANNJVNQSGX##+)
Zermatt features a thriving jazz scene and plenty of legends about
moment, this is it; the song Zara sa jhoom loon main was shot here. This
E@S@K LNTMS@HM @RBDMSR VGHKD FK@LNQNTR 2S ,NQHSY NƤDQR ANSG BDKDAQHSX
XD@QHRSGDSG@MMHUDQR@QXNESGDƥKLŗRQDKD@RD@MCQD@CDQR(ŗLR@CSN
spotting and therapeutic waters for an old-fashioned cure.
confess that I succumbed to the idea.
Above: The scenic Lake Lucerne
Facing page: The Glacier Express
connects the Matterhorn to the
Piz Bernina
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RBTKOSTQDRNEDMCDLHB@MCDWSHMBS@MHL@KR@KNMFSGDQNTSDSN(MSDQK@JDM
SGDFQD@SOD@JRNESGD$HFDQSGD,NDMBG@MCSGD)TMFEQ@TINBGHM(MSDQK@JDM
ŕ@MC@RJ@ANTSSGDHQRSNQX@MCSGDDMCKDRRGDBS@QDRNEUHMDX@QCR
The Swiss don’t export their
wine, they say, because there
won’t be any left for themselves!
to Gruyères and Broc, a trip combining two of the headiest delicacies to
emerge from this rugged country – cheese and chocolate.
A charming Belle Epoque train whizzes past vineyards responsible
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(EXNTŗQDS@JHMFSGHR@S@KDHRTQDKXO@BD@MCKNNJHMFSNRSNONƤXNT
don’t export their wine, they say, because there won’t be any left for
BNTKCCNVNQRDSG@MMD@QAX2BGHKSGNQMKNB@SHNMENQSGD)@LDR!NMCƥKL
SGDLRDKUDRʖ3GDC@XKNMFDWBTQRHNMRSNOR@SSGDLDCHDU@KBGDDRDL@JHMF
.M'DQ,@IDRSXŗR2DBQDS2DQUHBD3GD/HY&KNQH@QDUNKUHMFQDRS@TQ@MSMNS
town of Gruyères, where you can visit the factory and sample the earthy,
SGD@BST@KNMDHMSGDƥKL@MCSGDMDV!NMC6NQKCNƤDQ@FKHLORDHMSN
complex cheese of the same name. It’s also home to Gruyeres Castle, with
HSRL@JHMF
its intricately painted walls and fantastic views.
.MBDXNTŗQDQD@CXSNLNUDNMS@JDSGD&NKCDM/@RR+HMDHMSGDNSGDQ
Then it’s on to Broc, the site of the Nestle-Cailler chocolate
CHQDBSHNMSN,NMSQDTWNME@AKDC+@JD&DMDU@GNLDSNB@RSKDRƥMDLTRHB
factory. It was at Broc that Alexandre-Louis Cailler, grandson of founder
and a little piece of France.
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BGNBNK@SD 3NC@X LHKJ HR HMCHRODMR@AKD SN SGD RS@MC@QC QDBHOD +D@QM
The Chocolate Train
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,NMSQDTWL@XADLNRSE@LNTRENQHSRI@YYATSSGDQDRNQSNMSGDA@MJRNE
people’s labours.
+@JD&DMDU@HR@KRNSGDRS@QSHMFONHMSENQ@E@ATKNTRGNTQQNTMCSQHO
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 42 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
SSGDDMCNESGDC@XXNTŗQDA@BJNMSGD2VHRR1HUHDQ@ŕENQSTMDR@QD
| 43 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
made and lost at the Casino, while the sensible opt for a spot of cabaret.
.QRHLOKXKHDA@BJ@MCSGHMJNE%QDCCX,DQBTQXŕ%@QQNJG!TKR@Q@@RL@MX
(MCH@MRJMNVGHLŕVGNVQNSDGHRK@RS@KATLGDQD
The Wilhelm Tell Express
-NANCXHRPTHSDRTQDHESGDE@LNTR@QBGDQQD@KKXCHCS@JD@HL@S@M@OOKD
on his son’s head, but there’s plenty of opportunity to dig a little deeper
into the story of Switzerland’s national hero at Rütli. The meadow above
+@JD+TBDQMDHRVGDQDSGDRG@CNVXENKJGDQNINHMDCSVNNSGDQO@SQHNSRSN
ENTMCSGD2VHRRBNMEDCDQ@BX@QNTMCSGDSTQMNESGDSGBDMSTQXODQG@OR
the earliest attempt at Swiss neutrality.
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also many of the surrounding villages, during a three-hour cruise on
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LNTMS@HMRSGD1HFHVGHBG3TQMDQO@HMSDCGNLDSNSGD$TQNODŗRGHFGDRS
RTRODMRHNMAQHCFDEDDS@ANUDRD@KDUDK@MCSGD/HK@STRRHSDNE
the world’s steepest cogwheel railway.
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children will be fascinated by the language of the steamboat and
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BG@MFDSN@ƥQRSBK@RRO@MNQ@L@B@QSN3HBHMNSGDO@QSNE2VHSYDQK@MCVHSG
an Italian heart.
Clockwise from facing page:
Alphorn players in the summer in the
Jungfrau region; Swissminiatur is a theme
park in the city of Melide; The Wilhelm Tell
Express journey includes a steamboat ride
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BQNRRDRSGDJLKNMF&NSSG@QC3TMMDKVGHBGSNNJXD@QRSNATHKC@MC
| 44 | MONSOON 2015
,@FFHNQDHRRKNV@MCTMGTQQHDC@MCDUDQXNMDD@SRO@RS@DUDMSGNRDVHSG
gluten problems.
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VDDJDMCHM+TF@MNB@KKDCSGD,NMSD"@QKNNE2VHSYDQK@MCCTDSN
travel times between the regions when it opens to freight and passenger
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SQ@ƧBMDWSXD@QATSSGD2VHRR3Q@UDK2XRSDLDWODBSRSNBNMSHMTDQTMMHMF
SGDK@HCA@BJCNKBDUHS@ENQE@LHKX@SSQ@BSHNMRRTBG@RSGD2VHRR,HMH@STQD
the Wilhelm Tell experience.
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6GDM SGD $WOQDRR DLDQFDR ŕ @MC XNTŗUD RDDM SGD BGTQBG NE
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
A weekend in Lugano,
called the Monte
Carlo of Switzerland,
due to the growing
number of celebrities
who live there, is
easy to tack on
open-air view of the surrounding countryside.
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(S@KX &DQL@MX %Q@MBD S SGD DMC NE @ VDDJ NM HSR SQ@HMR XNTŗKK
RTMJHRRDC RNTSGDQM RHCD NE SGD KOR 3GD INTQMDXŗR DMC HR (S@KX ŕ UDQX
understand why Switzerland, although not part of the EU, is the true heart
MD@QKX 3HBHMN KNNJR @MC EDDKR ,DCHSDQQ@MD@M KHED GDQD @QNTMC +@JD
of Europe.
MONSOON 2015
| 45 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
BOOKS
State of the
nation
There’s a remark (its origins unknown) which
succinctly captures the current upbeat
India Unbound, by Gurcharan Das
This 2000 book is easily a most readable work, which can be described
as the popular economic history of both the pre and post-Liberalisation
mood of many politically-aware Indians,
era of India. Das says in the very opening chapter, “When I went to work
to wit, “Europe was the past, America is
in the sixties, I discovered that we had become economically enslaved
the present, and India is the future.” A
great deal of this positive sentiment has
and socialism was leading us to statism. By the time I got married and
we had children, Indira Gandhi was creating dynastic rule and leading
us into a ditch…. Just before I took early retirement in the early nineties,
to do with Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Narasimha Rao delivered us our economic freedom.” This sets the tone
Modi, whose emergence has been one of
for the rest of the book.
the most important chapters in the story
of contemporary politics of the country.
From there to tracing the economic and political history of an
ancient nation, Das covers a broad scope in a compact volume. From
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Another milestone moment has been the
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DBNMNLHBQDENQLRNESGDD@QKXRDƤDBSDC
HMMNU@SHUDV@XRNETRHMFHSŕSNLTKKHMFNMVGXřHEVDVDQDNMBDQHBG
by the Narsimha Rao-led government,
where India began to extricate itself from
why are we now poor?” to blasting the innate hypocrisy of socialism
to the delightful, moving and riveting chapter titled “the Merchants of
Marwar,” to the story of Dhirubhai Ambani to discussions on old and new
its socialist past. So which have been the
LNMDX HMMNU@SNQR @MC ƥM@KKX SN SGD @QQHU@K NE (MCH@ @R @ JMNVKDCFD
NSGDQ CDƥMHMF DUDMSR NE SGD K@RS BNTOKD NE
economy, India Unbound is an absorbing cocktail of personal experience,
decades of this story? Sandeep Balakrishna
“When I went to work in the sixties,
I discovered that we had become
economically enslaved and socialism
was leading us to statism,” writes Das
biography, history, real-life anecdotes and analysis of an Economic India.
3GDANNJDMCRVHSG@MTMBNMBD@KDCRTQFDNEBNMƥCDMBD(MCH@G@C
HCDMSHƥDRƥUDHMENQL@SHUDANNJRŕRNLDNE
at last unshackled herself from socialist bonds and that there was only
SGDLBNMSQNUDQRH@KŕVGHBGS@JDMSNFDSGDQ
one way forward: up.
illuminate the matter.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 46 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 47 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
Not Just An Accountant,
by Vinod Rai
“When it came to internal policy matters, they
The former Comptroller and Auditor General
a party committed to transparency, they could
of India needs to be credited for exposing the
be amazingly non-transparent,” and “the evil
mega scams that shook India in the previous
Arvind Kejriwal did was to hugely heighten
CDB@CDŕSGD & RB@L BN@K AKNBJ @KKNB@SHNMR SGD
people’s expectations…and then he betrayed
Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, the Air India
them.”
QDRNQSDC SN SGD ,@ƥ@ CNBSQHMD NE .LDQS@ş ENQ
scam, the misdeeds in several PPP projects, the Air
Equally, the book sums up Rahul Gandhi’s
(MCH@CD@Kş RSGDANNJRGNVRSGDƥQRSRB@LADF@M
abilities mercilessly: “So, we have self-doubt
A@QDKXC@XRŕ TFTRSŕ@ESDQSGD4/ and a ‘reluctant prince’. Combine the two and
government came to power.
we have a textbook failure.”
With meticulous reports, copious references
Finally, on the powerful emergence of
from primary sources, government documents, and
-@QDMCQ@,NCHNMSGDM@SHNM@KRS@FD,DGS@ƥQRS
detailed numbers, the book patiently, numerically
recounts his well-recorded disgust for the man,
unearths scam after scam, until you start to
before condescendingly granting him a few
wonder how India actually managed to even have
brownie points.
a functional economy. On the mammoth 2G scam,
Editor Unplugged is quite a rewarding read,
Rai writes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
for its biases, insider accounts, irreverence, and
knew of A. Raja’s murky deals as early as November
@ƥQRSG@MCODMBHKRJDSBGNEK@RSCDB@CD
Reputed to be,
and infamous
as, a Congress
sympathiser,
Mehta takes an
irreverent look
at politicians,
media, business
tycoons, and the
larger society, in
his book
2007, but “unbelievably, the prime minister chose
SN HFMNQD SGD QDC Ʀ@FR NE CDUH@SHNM EQNL ONKHBX
@MCPTDRSHNM@AKDE@BSR@MCƥFTQDRNƤDQDCAXSGD
One Life is Not Enough,
by Natwar Singh
her, and what emerges is not pretty.
ENQSDKKHMFSGDSQTSGŕAXTMKD@RGHMF@"!(DMPTHQX
Hell hath no fury like a former dynasty
the 2005 Volcker report, which named him
@F@HMRSGHLŕHR@BST@KKX@QDƦDBSHNMNESGD4/ ŗR
loyalist humiliated. That sums up former
@MCSGD"NMFQDRRO@QSX@RADMDƥBH@QHDRHMSGD
LHMCRDS'HRANNJHRHMU@KT@AKDŕENQHSRGHRSNQHB
$WSDQM@K
Iraqi oil scam. He had to lose his ministry, and
courageous revelations, and for showing in minute
autobiography, One Life is Not Enough.
[telecom] minister.”.
The fact that Rai was mercilessly hounded
detail the functioning of the CAG.
Singh fell out with Sonia Gandhi over
Ƥ@HQR ,HMHRSDQ * -@SV@Q 2HMFGŗR
eventually walked out of the party.
The chief value of the book is the wealth
He also reveals the real reason Sonia
NE GHRSNQHB@K @MDBCNSDR SNKC ƥQRSG@MC AX
Gandhi refused to become Prime Minister
someone who has spent a considerable part
in 2004: “Rahul (Gandhi) was vehemently
NEGHRKHEDHMFNUDQMLDMSƥQRS@R@ATQD@TBQ@S
opposed to his mother becoming Prime
Editor Unplugged, by Vinod Mehta
3DIO@KŗRONVDQSQHOBG@QFDCENQQ@ODSG@SƥM@KKXK@MCDCGHLHMOQHRNM
and later as a professional politician. It is the
Minister, fearing that she would lose her life…
The late Outlook Magazine Editor’s (he passed away this year)
These serve as glaring and timeless warnings as to the extremes of
tale of a self-declared Nehru dynasty courtier
as a mother, it was impossible for her to ignore
@TSNAHNFQ@OGHB@K $CHSNQ 4MOKTFFDC NƤDQR AQDDYX @MDBCNSDR @MC
media-politician-business nexus, and show how wide the tentacles of
which redeems itself by its sheer honesty. Its
Rahul….”
personal observations and experiences, not just spanning the last 15
corruption and sleaze had spread in the previous regime. (Post-2004,
NSGDQ RHFMHƥB@MBD KHDR HM SGD E@BS SG@S 2HMFG
But Singh’s most damning indictment of
years, but from the 1970s, when Mehta entered journalism.
Tejpal had became intimate with powerful Congress MPs and ministers,
is the only politician alive who has served all
Sonia Gandhi is this: “What Sonia Gandhi has
Reputed to be, and infamous as, a Congress sympathiser, Mehta
who invested in Tehelka, which forayed into lucrative businesses
SGDENTQFDMDQ@SHNMRNESGD-DGQTBK@MŕEQNL
achieved is to reduce the Congress, one of
takes an irreverent look at politicians, media, business tycoons, and the
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)@V@G@QK@K -DGQT SN 1@GTK &@MCGHŕ@MC SGTR
the greatest political parties of the world, to a
K@QFDQRNBHDSXHMGHRANNJ R@LDCH@HMRHCDQGDAKNVRSGDKHCNƤSGD
extravagant venues.)
the book makes for a good historical record.
rump of forty-four members in the Lok Sabha...
media skulduggery that contributed in large measure to the previous
On the historical 2014 elections, Editor Unplugged gives a pretty
realistic assessment.
Congress government’s misdeeds and scams.
One Life is Not Enough also is the only
One Life is Not Enough in a way marks the
book that exposes most of the dirty family
end of an era in Indian politics of the seven-
secrets, especially since Sonia Gandhi became
decade long dominance of the Nehru dynasty,
He also recounts two episodes that’ve decorated the halls of media
First, it traces the drama of Delhi’s 2013 assembly election,
infamy: the role of senior journalists and editors in the infamous Nira
when the Arvind-Kejriwal-led AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) came to power
SGD"NMFQDRROQDRHCDMSHM-@SV@Q2HMFGV@RGDQBKNRDBNMƥC@MS
which culminated in the excesses that began in 2004 and ended in 2014.
Radia tapes scandal, and the disgraced former Tehelka editor Tarun
and where Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister after a mere 49 days.
and personal friend for decades. The book dedicates an entire chapter to
The book is autobiography, history and a denouement.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 48 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 49 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
Price was allowed
unprecedented
access to Modi after
the latter became
the Prime Minister
7KH0RGL(ƨHFWE\/DQFH3ULFH
organiser par excellence to his four-time stint as Gujarat Chief Minister
No piece on the history of the last 10 years of India can be complete
@MCƥM@KKXSNGHR@RBDMS@R/QHLD,HMHRSDQ
without a mention of the colossus-like emergence of Narendra Modi. No
(S V@R CTQHMF GHR RSHMS @R &TI@Q@S "GHDE ,HMHRSDQ SG@S ,NCH ŕ
politician since Independence has been the focus of so much sustained,
VD@SGDQHMFDMCKDRRUHBHNTR@SS@BJREQNL@KKPT@QSDQRŕCDLNMRSQ@SDC
UDMNLNTR UHKHƥB@SHNM @MC BTKSKHJD @CNQ@SHNM @S SGD R@LD SHLD -N
how sheer political will could transform a state. Under his tenure,
politician has ascended the Prime Minister’s chair with an absolute
Gujarat emerged as one of the largest manufacturing hubs in
majority on the strength of just his accomplishments. And no politician
India, built amazing infrastructure, and clocked more than 11 per
had been able to articulate a well-rounded, long-term vision for the
cent of agricultural growth (in a state that was not known for any
nation without resorting to the usual cliches of appeasement, caste,
RHFMHƥB@MS BNMSQHATSHNM SN SGD RDBSNQ RHMBD (MCDODMCDMBD (S V@R
and freebies.
this record of good governance and economic growth and stability
Among the slew of books written about Modi, former UK PM
that formed the central plank of his 2014 campaign, where he won a
3NMX!K@HQŗR@CUHRDQ+@MBD/QHBDŗR3GD,NCH$ƤDBSHRODQG@ORSGDLNRS
VGNOOHMFRD@SR@MCCDKHUDQDCSN(MCH@SGDƥQRSRS@AKDFNUDQMLDMS
readable one. It is primarily a behind-the-scenes narrative of Modi’s
after 30 years.
high-powered campaign during the 2014 Indian elections. Price was
Price narrates these and other aspects of Modi the man, the minister,
allowed unprecedented access to Modi after the latter became the Prime
campaigner and the Prime Minister in impressive, comprehensive
Minister. The book provides more than just a glimpse of Modi’s personal
detail. The book also serves up a fairly objective record of the political
journey as a tea-selling boy in rural Gujarat to an RSS pracharak to an
happenings of the previous decade.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 50 | MONSOON 2015
%..#
Trend spotting:
Curated food
experiences
There probably hasn’t been a more exciting
time to be a foodie in the history of civilisation.
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exclusive chef’s tables to pop-up gigs in an art
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Sharan Saikumar reports on how eating out is
becoming about so much more than food.
A “brunch with strangers” event by Food Talk India,
which is the brainchild of Anjali Batra (centre)
L
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who’d never met each other chatted over kaanji and delicate
and a cocktail of these formats in the form of curated pop-ups in
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UDMTDRSG@SG@UDMNSGHMFSNCNVHSGENNC@S@KKŕR@X@XNF@GNTRDNQ@
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ETQMHSTQDRSNQDʖ
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#DKGHE@QDENKKNVDCAXOQTMDRSTƤDCFTIHX@R@MC@OOKDOQTMDG@KV@
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V@RVHSGSGDHMSDMSHNMNEBQD@SHMF@RL@KKTMCDQFQNTMCENNCRBDMDSG@S
There probably hasn’t been a better time to be a foodie in the history
runs parallels with all the commercial food available at restaurants. “At
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SG@SSHLDHSV@R@MHBGDATSMNS@MXLNQD(MSGDK@RSXD@QVDBTQ@SDC@ANTS
themed food experiences are being thrown at urban dwellers. There are
DUDMSRŚR@XR"G@AAQH@
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 52 | MONSOON 2015
Blind tasting sessions, “dinner with strangers” —
Food Talk India’s curated experiences are exciting
MONSOON 2015
| 53 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
3QDJTQHNTRŗƥQRSDUDMSED@STQDC@CHMHMFDWODQHDMBD
LNCDQM(MCH@MBTHRHMDVHSG,@RSDQBGDEƥM@KHRS1HRGH#DR@H
“Nobody wants to settle
for the common when the
experiential beckons. Why
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meal paired with boutique,
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can’t they be served in an art
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ideas were essentially experimental in nature. They allowed star chefs to
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world.
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@MCNMBD@F@HMSGDEQDMYXRS@QSDC/DNOKD@SS@BJDCSGD3DMCDQKNHM3@S@JH
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@MC DUDM OTQDKX UDF@M !TS DUDM SGNTFG HS RNTMCR SDQQHAKX OQDSDMSHNTR
@MC&TOOXŗR2HFM@STQD/NQJ!DKKX@MC!K@BJ"NCKHJDHSV@RFNHMFNTSNE
“Nobody wants to settle for the common when the experiential beckons.
now hosts events that are pivoted around this central idea of ‘dining with
"G@Q@MX@L@XG@UDRNLDSGHMFSGDQD/QHX@MJ@2G@G@CDCHB@SDCONOTO
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outburst of people cooking simply out of passion and not just experience
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(M,@QBGSGHRXD@QSGDBGHB3QDRQDRS@TQ@MSCHC@ONOTOHMSGD RH@C
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HM SGD BHSX SGHR )@MT@QX VHSG ARSQ@BS HM %NTQ "NTQRDR @ BTQ@SDC CHMHMF
V@MSR LNQD SG@M ITRS FNNC ENNC 3GDX V@MS @ TMHPTD @MC DMF@FHMF
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 54 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 55 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
3GD!NGQH*HSBGDMFHUDR@M@TSGDMSHBƦ@UNTQNESGDENNCNESGHR,TRKHLBNLLTMHSX
2L@KK%QX"NŗR!NLA@X+NB@KONOTOAQHMFR
together home chefs, bakers, venders, and
food enthusiasts under one roof
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EQNL NTQ O@RRHNM ENQ ENNC NTQ KNUD ENQ AQHMFHMF ODNOKD SNFDSGDQ NUDQ @
QHFGSRO@BDENQSG@SO@QSHBTK@Q@TCHDMBDBNLDRHMSNOK@XŚR@XR+@BDV@KK@
good meal and the sheer pleasure we get every time we see one of our
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A@JDQRUDMCDQR@MCENNCDMSGTRH@RSRTMCDQNMDQNNEBQD@SHMF@LDKSHMF
CHMDQRRHFMTOENQ@MNSGDQDUDMS.TQDUDMSR@QDRL@KKBTQ@SDCBNMBDOSRENQ
@M@TCHDMBDNESNCHMDQR3GHRVHKKMNSBG@MFDŚ
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the intimacy of the experience of dining in a real Bohri household on their
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E@LHKXŗRŗRHKUDQSQ@XADQDS@HMDC MCHESGDXCNMŗSFQNVVHKKSGHRDUDQAD
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but the die-hard foodie is certainly having a great time eating his way with
publicity on social media is the preferred mode of garnering participants
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@RNEMNV2@XR MI@KH!@SQ@NE%NNCS@KJ(MCH@ř3GHRVGNKDATRHMDRRRSDLR
GHRR@JD@SKD@RSL@XSGDƦ@RGED@RSHMFRSNQXBNMSHMTD!NM ODSHSʖ
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 56 | MONSOON 2015
POLKI I DIAMOND I GOLD I PLATINUM
GAURI KE GAHNE JEWELLERS
SB-54-C, Near Rambagh Circle, Opp. SMS Stadium, Tonk Road, Jaipur-15
Phone: 0141 - 4022561, 2708719 E-mail: gaurikegahne@gmail.com
DRINK
I
M OQHK SGHR XD@Q SGD !DMF@KTQTA@RDC LQTS #HRSHKKDQHDR OTKKDC NƤ
a sort of cheeky nutmeg against, well, folks who are pretty much
curmudgeons when it comes to single malt whisky (read: the men who
set down European Union regulations for malt whiskies, and, possibly, the
Scotch Whisky Association). According to EU regulations, “adding anything
SN@VGHRJXCHRPT@KHƥDRHSEQNLADHMFB@KKDC@VGHRJXŚ!TS LQTSV@MSDC
to make the only single malt whisky in the world to have expressions of
orange. So, around six years ago, it got in olorosso-sherry casks from Spain
and matured wine in it along with orange peel — the oranges were from
Coorg — for three years. Then, it chucked out the wine and the peels, and
matured their single malt in the casks for another three years. The result is
the Naarangi, a single malt that remains a single malt despite suspiciously
ŕ@MCCDKHBHNTRKXŕQDLHMCHMFXNTNEODQG@ORNQ@MFDR3GDƥQRSA@SBG
of Naarangi, about 900 bottles, in all has already been picked up by Amrut
fans and connoisseurs across the world, and going by the reviews on the
internet, it has been, like all of Amrut’s whiskies, well received. Here is a
short review by popular website whiskynotes: “This is an interesting but
E@HQKXRHLOKDCQ@LRKHFGSKXCHƤDQDMSEQNLVG@SVDDWODBSDC3GDNQ@MFDR
are not taking the lead — instead you get a sherried dram with plenty of
ROHBDR@MCGHMSRNENQ@MFDRŚ
In 2004, Bengaluru-based Amrut
#HRSHKKDQHDRTMUDHKDCSGDƥQRSRHMFKD
malt to be made entirely in India.
1DBDMSKXSGDƥQLBQD@SDC@RHMFKD
malt with expressions of orange. But
Amrut has not just blazed new trails;
all of its whiskies are consistently
rated among the world’s best.
Satyendranath Chatterjee charts out
the brand’s success story.
KNSNEODNOKDVHKKNEBNTQRDMNSADRTQOQHRDCSG@SSGDŖVNQKCŗRƥQRS
single malt whisky with orange’ has come from Amrut. In its own way, the
distillery, whose products retail in over 30 countries and which sells over
15,000 cases of its single malt annually, has been a pioneer. We mean,
if you can get the world to sit up and take notice of your Indian single
L@KS VGHRJX XNT @QD @ ANM@ ƥCD SQ@HKAK@YDQ 3G@S L@JHMFSGDVNQKC
sit-up-and-take-notice bit happened way back in 2004. Prior to that
Amrut Distilleries, among India’s oldest, manufactured brands such as
Above: 3GDƥQRSA@SBGNE-@@Q@MFHŕ@ANTS
ANSSKDRŕG@R@KQD@CXADDMRNKCNTS
Right:-DDK@J@MS@1@N)@FC@KD"G@HQL@M@MC
,#NE LQTS#HRSHKKDQHDR
3'$+$$+ , & 9(-$
| 58 | ,.-2..-
,.-2..-
MaQintosh and Prestige whisky, Old Port Deluxe Rum and Bejois brandy.
In the early 2000s, Neelakanta Rao Jagdale spoke to his son Rakshit, scion
NESGD)@FC@KD&QNTOVGHBGNVMR LQTS@ANTSƥMCHMFNTSGNVSGDHQL@KS
|| 3'$+$$+
, & 9(-$
3GDQDK@SHUDKXBNNKVD@SGDQNE!DMF@KTQTLHFGSG@UD
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LQTS2HMFKD,@KS6GHRJX
B@TFGSSGD@SSDMSHNMNEVGHRJX
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SGHMFRSNR@X@ANTSHS,TQQ@X
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!HAKDHRRNQSNESGD6@QQDM
!TƤDSNESGDVGHRJXVNQKC
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FNNCHSOQNA@AKXHR
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often been asked about the reason why Amrut’s whiskies are consistently
10 expressions, including Fusion, which uses barley from both India and
rated among the world’s best, and he doesn’t really have an answer to that
Scotland, with the latter being peated; Bourbon Cask, which is matured
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HM MDV LDQHB@M .@J ADENQD ADHMF ƥMHRGDC HM @ ƥQRSƥKK ANTQANM B@RJ
We use quality ingredients, we take our time, but, at the end of the day, I
/NQSNMNU@@MTMRD@SDCVGHRJX@FDCHM LDQHB@MN@JA@QQDKR@MCƥMHRGDC
think some kind of miracle takes place in the cask. That, and the climate
in port casks from Portugal; Herald, a heated single malt, and Greedy
HM!DMF@KTQTŚ
Angels. (In the 2014 edition of the Whisky Bible, Murray rates nearly
With its cool temperatures — relatively speaking, of course,
all of Amrut’s whiskies very highly, and that means a score of over 90 out
compared to other Indian metros — Bengaluru is more conducive to
NE
making whisky, but Jagdale says that the angels’ share — the amount of
Rakshit is slight, soft-spoken and courteous to a fault. He took to
whisky which evaporates from casks during maturation — is also pretty
whisky pretty late in life, and is also a Newcastle football club fan. He
GHFG @R LTBG @R ODQ BDMS ř!TS VG@S G@OODMR HR SG@S SGD Ʀ@UNTQ NE
whisky would fare in the West. The Jagdales had accumulated enormous
The Pot Still made their informed guesses, and they named nearly all of
is also pleasantly modest about his distillery’s achievements, including
SGDVGHRJXFDSRUDQXBNMBDMSQ@SDCŚ/KTR)@FC@KDR@XRSG@SSGDBNMRS@MS
quantities of distilled spirit in their warehouses, and Neelakanta Rao was
Scotland’s whisky-making regions. When they were enlightened about the
the latest one. Naarangi, he says, was conceived by Ashok Chokalingam,
changes in temperature along with the city’s generally dry climate also
certain that they would make the cut abroad. So, Rakshit, then a student
place where the whisky came from, their jaws, says Rakshit, dropped. It
Amrut’s global head for single malt whiskies, and he was assisted by two of
OK@XSGDHQO@QSHM@CCHMFBG@Q@BSDQSN LQTSŗRVGHRJHDR LQTSŗR&QDDCX
in Newcastle, contacted Amrut Distilleries’ UK agent, and got the latter to
might have been an informal dipstick survey, but both Rakshit and his
SGDBNLO@MXŗRRDMHNQRS@ƤDQRř(SSNNJTRMD@QKX@XD@QSNFDSHSQHFGS(SV@R
Angels, released in 2013, is a whisky that seemingly got better even as
get him and his dram some time at the famous Pot Still pub, in Glasgow.
father knew that they were doing something right, and in 2004, they
@L@RRHUDBG@KKDMFDŚR@XR1@JRGHS MCV@RSGDQD@MXO@QSHBTK@QQD@RNM@R
the angels kept taking their share of it. Amrut, says Rakshit, lost over 270
The owner of the pub didn’t need any convincing once he sampled the
K@TMBGDC SGDHQ ƥQRS CQ@L LQTS 2HMFKD ,@KS 6GHRJX 3GD VGHRJX B@TFGS
SNVGXNQ@MFDRVDQDBGNRDMř(RTOONRDHSHR@L@SSDQNEHMSTHSHNMŚR@XR
litres of spirit that was matured in bourbon casks for eight years, but the
miniature bottles that contained the single malt, and he was keen to
the attention of whisky guru Jim Murray, who had nice things to say about
Rakshit. “The fact that the product has been well-accepted means that we
144 bottles of the spirit sold out within minutes.)
know what his customers thought of it. “It was a cool Wednesday evening,
HS,TQQ@XVGNHRADGHMCSGD6GHRJX!HAKDHRRNQSNESGD6@QQDM!TƤDSNE
VDQDQHFGSVGHRJX@MCNQ@MFDRCNFDKVDKKŚ
but the pub still had its fair share of regulars, most of whom are very
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Amrut procures most of its barley from north India (a few of its drams
occurrence in the world of malt. “It is still in its infancy, though, and will
knowledgeable about whisky. Our whisky was poured into their glasses,
years later, he rated Amrut Fusion as the world’s third best single malt, and
also use whisky from Scotland), and new American oak, sherry barrels, and
S@JDSHLDŚR@XR)@FC@KD6G@SGDKD@UDRTMR@HCSGNTFGHRSG@SSGDV@HS
@MCSGDXVDQD@RJDCSNFTDRRHSRNQHFHMŚR@XR1@JRGHS3GDBTRSNLDQR@S
the little-known distillery from India was on a roll. Today, Amrut, which is
bourbon casks are used to mature their whiskies. Rakshit says that he has
will be worth it.
3'$+$$+ , & 9(-$
|| ,.-2..-
Next up is most probably, a triple-distilled single malt, again a rare
,.-2..-
|| 3'$+$$+
, & 9(-$
CREATIVITY
Artists on their Art
Considered one of the world’s best contemporary sculptors, Italian
Lorenzo Quinn is known for his ingenious creations of the human
hand. The son of late Oscar-winning actor Anthony Quinn, he
experimented with multiple disciplines, from painting to acting,
before settling on sculpting as the medium of choice. Quinn,
who was in India a couple of months ago, spoke to Nolan Lewis
@ANTSRXLANKHRLGHRE@SGDQŗRHMƦTDMBD@MCVGXRBTKOSHMFHRLNQD
challenging than painting.
L
He
space’s grand opening, scheduled a few days later. The Gallery
calling was to carve. A graduate from New York’s Academy of
Odyssey will be introducing to India the works of renowned international
%HMD QSR GD RGNVB@RDC GHR ƥQRS DWGHAHSHNM @R @ O@HMSDQ HM artists, and Quinn is here for its inaugural show. All around us are
Following in the footsteps of his father, the Hollywood legend
outstretched marble palms of various sizes suspended in mid-air that
Anthony
reach out to us, longing for a caress or touch that would deem them as
delivered some powerful performances, such as playing the
human, not stone. The human hand almost seems emblematic of Quinn’s
young
work. It features in many of his collections — and I ask him why. He tells
Ŗ!DRS -DV
me that the hand symbolises human potential; that we hold in our hands
for his acclaimed interpretation of Salvador Dali. In short, his
the power to create and destroy, to love and hate. Technically speaking,
paintings were commendable and he was a good actor. So why did
the human hand is every sculptor’s nightmare; being extremely intricate,
the Italian ultimately choose the chisel over Hollywood’s limelight or
it is most challenging aspect of the human anatomy to get right.
the paintbrush?
Quinn has three decades of art experience behind him.
orenzo Quinn and I are seated on a bench in a corner of Mumbai’s
Gallery Odyssey, whose newly whitewashed walls await the
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
struggled
with
Quinn,
he
violin-maker
BSNQ
| 62 | MONSOON 2015
many
mediums
explored
Antonio
before
the
Stravidari,
art
and
realising
of
that
acting
even
won
his
and
the
V@QCŗ @S SGD !H@QQSHY %HKL %DRSHU@K HM The Force of Nature is a series of sculptures, by Quinn,
depicting a woman pivoting the world around with a piece of cloth
MONSOON 2015
| 63 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
Musee D’Orsay, in France,
is Quinn’s favourite museum
You quit the big screen after your portrayal of Dali. Tell us more
As an artist, I don’t understand abstract art. Life is so rich. Why say
nothing when there’s so much to be said? My art is about symbolism.
about it.
I think I came into acting for the wrong reasons; for its mediatic
DƤDBS @MC SGD E@LD ( V@RMŗS @R O@RRHNM@SD @ANTS SGD BQ@ES NE @BSHMF
<RXU ZRUN KDV EHHQ LQƪXHQFHG E\ 5HQDLVVDQFH DUW :KDWśV \RXU
as I am about art. I am a very impatient person and the process of
take on it?
becoming an actor involves a lot of waiting; waiting for an agent
I was born in Rome. I still go back to Rome all the time, as my mother still
to select you, waiting to get cast, waiting on your set, waiting for
lives there. Rome is a living museum. You turn a corner and — whoa!
XNTQ ƥKL SN QDKD@RD V@HSHMF ENQ XNTQ MDWS OQNIDBS ( V@RMŗS VHKKHMF SN
— there’s a Michelangelo, a Bernini or a Rodin. It is mind-boggling
RTƤDQ ENQ @BSHMF ( @L VHKKHMF SN RTƤDQ ENQ @QS @MC SG@S HR R@XHMF @ KNS
and yet depressing. Depressing, because as an artist you see these
6GDM(V@ROK@XHMF#@KH(V@RLDRLDQHRDCADB@TRD(V@RƥM@KKXFDSSHMF
masterpieces and you feel like you will never be able to do that and
to play my hero. I used to be a surrealist painter. Researching Dali, in a
reach to that level of expertise. Stimulating, because you at least try to
sense, was easy because I was already a painter. He was my inspiration
get a little close to them. You don’t sit back in your cocoon feeling like
ATSVGDM(ADF@MOK@XHMFSGDQNKD(QD@BGDC@RS@SDNETMQDRS(SƥM@KKX
you’ve achieved it. All you have to do is make a trip to any museum or a
dawned on me that there was only one Dali and there could never be a
street corner in Rome and you’re blown back to your humble beginnings.
better surrealist painter. I was wasting my time. Dali was my catharsis,
he made me sit down and think about what I wanted to do with my life.
:KRDUHVRPHRI\RXUIDYRXULWHFRQWHPSRUDU\DUWLVWV"
3G@SHRVGDM(OHBJDCTOLXBGHRDKENQSGDƥQRSSHLD@MCADF@MSNRBTKOS
( SGHMJ )DƤ *NNMR HR UDQX BNNK ( @KRN @CLHQD MHRG *@ONNQ @MC )@TLD
I had never sculpted before that…
Plensa’s work. There are many contemporary artists I don’t like but
won’t mention.
Tell us something about how your creative process works.
I am inspired by life. There is so much you can draw from life.
:KLFKDUH\RXUIDYRXULWHJDOOHULHVRUPXVHXPVLQWKHZRUOG"
It is an endless fountain of creativity. Wherever I go, whoever
The work across Vatican City. It is more spectacular than any museum.
I meet, rich or poor, irrespective of their status or religion,
Musee D’Orsay in France is my favorite museum in the world because
teaches me something that I can render in my work. I read a lot and
they have an extensive collection. I grew up going to The Metropolitian
there is always a phrase out there or a text that inspires me to
Museum in New York and have fond memories in it. Galleria Borghese in
translate it into a visual.
Italy is very interesting.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 64 | MONSOON 2015
‘Gravity’, a bronze and carrara marble sculpture that
DLOG@RHRDRSGDHLONQS@MBDNEƥMCHMF@A@K@MBDHMKHED
MONSOON 2015
| 65 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
“Sculpting grounds you;
painting is uplifting. Sculpting
HRLNQDCHƧBTKSSG@MRJDSBGHMF
in the sense that you are bound
by the laws of gravity”
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HRNMDNE0THMMŗRLNRSQDBNFMHRDCVNQJR
From Quinn’s ‘Finding Love’ series
Sculpting grounds you, painting
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complex. Ask yourself how many famous people are there? Many.
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Yes, my art always has a strong social message incorporated into it. I
Hundreds of hundreds. How many famous children do you have? Not
I guess it depends on the medium. A
than sketching in the sense that you are
recently created silver and leather bracelets called the ‘Give and Take’
many because people are always comparing them to their parents.
gallery if it’s art, but the outdoors if it is
bound by the laws of gravity.
collection… Giving and receiving is a way of live. We have to learn to be
When you are not known, your mistakes are not recognised.
able to give without expecting in return, and those of us who receive
A famous person is scrutinised from the beginning. He is expected to
should remember to give more. That is the circle of life.
be perfect.
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a monument.
Growing up, was art a large part of
your experience?
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I began drawing when I was seven-years-old;
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My father was professional and dedicated. I guess he did things with
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almost 30 years ago. My earliest memories of art are the
passion. He was very courageous and did things I would never be able
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artists with no business sense. Learn to market yourself as an artist.
DPHGLXP"
Sculpting is very expensive, which is why you have
more (other kinds of) artists than sculpturers. I couldn’t
Anthony Quinn
long walks with dad through the desert on set. Dad was very restless
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Sculpting is very three-dimensional. Painting allows you to cheat.
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I, on the other hand, am very diplomatic, because I have a name to
You can always hide a hand behind a back when you’re drawing a
chiseling something. I began painting by looking at him. I have always
defend — his name. He never had a name and he was busy making one
The Gallery Odyssey, in the Lower Parel area of Mumbai, threw open its
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been drawing since I was a child. I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I
for himself.
doors recently, in association with the world-famous Halycon Gallery,
A viewer can walk right around the back and spot your mistake. Sculpting
ITRSCHCMŗSJMNVVG@SLDCHTLNE@QS(V@MSDCSNOTQRTD6GHBGQDLHMCR
is perfectionism.
me that I should paint more, I haven’t sketched in a while.
@ƤNQCSNAD@RBTKOSTQDQSHKKLTBGK@SDQHMLXKHED
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 66 | MONSOON 2015
People often think that life is easier for famous people. For all
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MONSOON 2015
London. Its inaugural collection is ‘In the hands of Lorenzo Quinn’,
which remains on display till 20th July 2015
| 67 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
HIGH ACHIEVERS
and collated lesser known stories from far away
corners of India. After several hours of internal
SD@L CHRBTRRHNMR @ ƥM@K KHRS NE MNLHMDDR
“I believe that a
woman can achieve
anything if she
puts her mind to it.
My core team is allwomen, and I am
very proud of it,”
said jury panelist
Madhu Nair to
Femina magazine
was put to paper. The jury decided the winners
in all the categories except the ones that were
open to voting. Finally, 16 women walked away
with beautiful Tangram trophies.
The winners spanned a total of 12 domains,
including
business
and
entrepreneurship,
sports, art, and education. Said Nair to Femina,
“I believe that a woman can achieve anything
if she puts her mind to it. My core team is allwomen and I am very proud of it. The nominees
female
The future is
one of them deserves recognition for what she
does. This is a wonderful list and I am so glad I
documentaries along with her father, and long
got to learn about so may incredibly powerful,
hours of gazing at the night sky - hopeful of
emancipated women.”
reaching the space some day. One day, she
went to a robotics workshop with her mother,
+HUHZHSURƩOHWKUHHRIWKH
and came out with a dream. At 12, she made
extraordinary winners.
her own robot.
HEMANI KALUCHA
achievements to her credit. In 2012, she and
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her team made AR-Jen, a robot that stimulated
'DQ BGHKCGNNC V@R ƥKKDC VHSG DMCKDRR SQHOR
human actions. It was inspired by the story of
to the museums, watching reruns of science
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Kalucha, now 17, already has a scroll of
Madhu Nair, Director, Interior
Design and Operations, The Leela,
was part of the eight-person jury
that selected some of the winners
SUSHANT JADHAV/FEMINA
Shravani Hagargi H[WUHPHULJKW receives her award from theatre
veteran Arundhati Nag and Rajiv Kaul, President of The Leela Group
VAIBHAV NADGAONKAR, VINAY JAVKAR/FEMINA
are all achievers in their own right, and each
Femina, in partnership with L’Oréal Paris, recently conducted the fourth edition of its annual
Women Awards. The event, which cast a spotlight on relatively unknown female achievers,
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There were two set of winners. One set
The winners in the Reader’s Choice awards
Awards, held at The Leela Mumbai, a
was chosen by an eminent jury; the other,
categories, like Face of a Cause, Social Impact,
BNTOKD NE LNMSGR @FN DWDLOKHƥDC
via reader votes. The jury comprised Kalpana
Environment and Science and Innovation, were
both the magazine brand’s and the hotel
Morparia, CEO, JP Morgan India, actor Supriya
chosen by Femina readers, through digital and
group’s support for women empowerment.
Pathak,
Facebook fan page voting.
Sixteen women were recognised for their
designer
exceptional achievements, and the occasion
educationist
also drew actors such Katrina Kaif, Aishwarya
Nair,
Rai, Sonam Kapoor, Nawazuddin Sidiqqui and
The Leela Group, JC Letellier, MD, L’Oréal
and analysis went into compiling the list.”
Neha Dhupia.
India, and Tanya Chaitanya, Editor, Femina.
Femina contacted its bureaus across the country
theatre
veteran
Ritu
Kumar,
Ashwini
Director,
Design
Arundhati
Nag,
athlete
and
Said Chaitanya to The Leela magazine,
Madhu
“This year, our nominees were unknown, with
Operations,
barely any Google history. Hours of research
Nachappa,
and
VAIBHAV NADGAONKAR, VINAY JAVKAR/FEMINA
environment. Here, Apekshita VarshneyOQNƥKDRSGQDDNESGD@BGHDUDQR
Winners Hemani Kalucha (left) and Swati Bedekar got their trophies from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 68 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 69 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
The other winners
READER’S CHOICE
JURY AWARDS
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2QOLQHLQƪXHQFHUř6KUDGKD6KDUPD
She has been the face of awareness against
The Founder and Chief Editor of YourStory,
breast cancer. Biyani didn’t let her diagnosis
a portal that covers the entrepreneurial
of cancer leave her wish lists unchecked.
ecosystem in India.
3GQNTFGGDQNQF@MHR@SHNM'HFGV@XR(MƥMHSD
6SRUWVř%KDNWL6KDUPD
VAIBHAV NADGAONKAR, VINAY JAVKAR/ FEMINA
MNODMV@SDQRVHLLDQSGDXD@QNKC
awareness workshops across the country
HRSGDƥQRS@MCXNTMFDRS RH@MSNG@UD
while living her traveller dream.
swum across the four oceans. In January,
)DFHRIDFDXVHř %LQDODNVKPL1HSUDP
she swam in the freezing waters of
(FB fan page voting). The founder of Manipur
Antarctica, becoming the world’s youngest
Women Gun Survivors Network and Control
swimmer to achieve the feat.
Arms Foundation of India is the face of north-
(GXFDWLRQř *LWDQMDOL%DEEDU
east activism against violence.
The founder of Kat-Katha, an organisation
6RFLDO,PSDFWř0DQMXOD3UDGHHS
in Delhi that operates in brothels
(Digital voting). Through her organisation,
SNOQNUHCDDCTB@SHNMSN@MCETKƥK
Navsarjan, has been striving to give
aspirations, of sex workers.
marginalised women of Gujarat a voice.
/LWHUDU\&RQWULEXWLRQřLeena
2GDƥFGSRENQSGDHQQHFGSR@MCOQNUHCDR
0DQLPHNDODL
counselling and rehabilitation to sexually
VAIBHAV NADGAONKAR, VINAY JAVKAR/ FEMINA.
she has conducted around 630 breast cancer
)URPOHIW Rajiv Kaul, President, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts,
Madhu Nair, Director, Interior Design and Operations, Hotel Leelaventure
Limited, and Ashish Rai, General Manager, The Leela Mumbai
“If I was thinking about myself,
I would be doing something else.
Today, I’m happy because I’ve helped
transform lives,” says Hagargi
ƥKLL@JDQONDS@MC@BSNQ
assaulted women.
Kanavupattara, her publication house, has
6RFLDO,PSDFWř 'U5XNPLQL5DR
OTAKHRGDCANNJRNMVNQKCBHMDL@@MC
Actor Katrina Kaif and Satyaki Ghosh, Director,
Consumer Products, L’Oréal India
(FB fan page voting). The Executive
literature.
VJ Cyrus Sahukar and actor Neha Dhupia
were the hosts for the evening
Director of the Centre for World Solidarity
0XVLFDQG3HUIRUPLQJ$UWVř Sonam
never had a dull moment in class,” she says.
Hagargi wanted companies to employ
strode forward. Hagargi provided them with
(CWS), Delhi, she works against gender
.DOUD
“Since childhood, I got the right kind of
female security guards. The sentence itself
adequate self-defence training, along with
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discrimination, and with Saheli (an
She fuses various genres of music
exposure, which most girls don’t, and so they
met with astonishment and ridicule every
lessons on how to maintain a register or keep
came the complex interplay of physics and
organisation she founded) has helped amend
SNFDSGDQ'DQA@MC3GD2Tƥ&NRODK
end up being uninterested.” But a lot of girls
time Hagargi spoke; people thought she was
an eagle’s eye on the surrounding. Companies
motion engineering. Kalucha and her team
12 laws pertaining to domestic violence and
/QNIDBSG@RGDKODCQDUHUD2TƥLTRHBHM
from her school would be trying out robotics
BQ@YX -N ƥM@MBDR MN RS@Ƥ MN RTOONQSDQR
were equally hesitant, but Hagargi told them to
employed various tiny robots to represent
pornography.
the modern circuit.
after her, isn’t it? “I am still trying to convince
but young Hagargi didn’t give up. She started
try out their services for a month and decide
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(QYLURQPHQWř 1LVKD%RUD
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them,” she laughs.
Safe hands 24x7 in 2009 to provide security
for themselves. Most clients came back. And
site Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Kalucha
(FB fan page voting) She is the founder
She is the Consultant Arts Advisor and
and housekeeping services by employing and
when uneducated women sought work from
desires to use robotics creatively- “to build
of Elrhino Eco Industries in Assam. It is a
Curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the
aerospace engineering from The University of
training poor women.
Hagargi, she started housekeeping services for
social awareness and bring people together,”
wildlife conservation-linked waste recycling
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. She has
Princeton this fall.
she says.
project that doesn’t just employ villagers to
curated several exhibitions in India and
make paper using rhino dung, but also helps
abroad.
interacting with the visually impaired at an
protect the valuable one-horned rhinoceros.
institution, she and her friends were appalled
(QYLURQPHQWř/DNVKPL1DUD\DQDQ
by the lack of recreational facilities for the
Kalucha will begin her graduation in
“At that time, Deshpande foundation
institutions, hospitals, malls, etc.
believed in me and paid for our incubation
For Hagargi, there is no bigger joy than
SHRAVANI PAWAR HAGARGI
charges,” she recalls. From the `RDDC
seeing meek, timid women turn independent.
(GLWRUśV&KRLFH:RPDQ:H/RYH ř
Winner, Business & Entrepreneurship
money Deshpande Foundation put in, Hagargi
“If I was thinking about myself, I would be doing
%DGHU6D\HHG
-XU\FKRLFH
has now grown a big, fruiting tree: Safe hands
something else. Today, I’m happy because I’ve
(Digital voting). The founder of a cooperative
A lawyer, she has been advocating for
Hagargi found herself at a crossroads early
24x7’s current turnover is 2.6 crore.
helped transform lives.”
visionless. They decided to spread some
called SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection
Muslim women’s rights for several years.
in her career. She had done her graduation in
But it has been a tough tread. “Women
happiness by making a sensor-laden air hockey
and Handling), which works with the Pune
2GDQDBDMSKXƥKDC@/(+HMSGD,@CQ@R'HFG
social work with a single-minded objective:
themselves were not willing to wear trousers,
SWATI BEDEKAR
game for them.
government to handle the city’s waste and
Court to stop the practice of kazis issuing
working for women empowerment. She had an
parents told me that I’m spoiling their
Winner, Science & Innovation
stop it from polluting the land.
CHUNQBDNQS@K@PBDQSHƥB@SDR
idea to help rural women out of their misery,
daughters - the complaints kept pouring in.”
)%)DQ3DJH9RWLQJ
an otherwise geeky subject fun. “My robotics
the passion to slog for the purpose, but she had
But for every woman who hesitated, there
.MD SGHQSX ƥUD JL EQNL 5@CNC@Q@ HM @ QTQ@K
coach made science so interesting that we
no backers.
were several women of self-help groups who
hamlet, Bedekar saw a girl sitting on a stone.
She is a thoughtful teenager. While
Kalucha credits her mentors for making
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 70 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 71 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
VAIBHAV NADGAONKAR, VINAY JAVKAR/ FEMINA
Art for your Floors
Among the celebrities who attended the event were actor
Sonam Kapoor and cricketer Zaheer Khan
“Women have told me that they have
no option but to tolerate the violence
because they’re sick,” says Bedekar
Combaitore-based
girl was menstruating and would sit there
Arunachalam
set
to our environment. According to a statistic,
till dusk. Later, she would water the stone
up
units
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and walk home. In rural Rajasthan, she saw
in Gujarat and employed women to make
decompose. This led Bedekar to develop an
women sitting on mud. In the heart of Mumbai,
napkins of highest quality, keeping the
incinerator that burns the napkins to ash, which
Bedekar saw construction workers insert rags
cost as low as `2. But most importantly,
can be used as a fertiliser. It is aptly named
in their vagina to absorb menstrual blood.
she started talking — through seminars,
Ashudhinashak and is already in place at
New rags would replace the old ones and
bhajans, garbas, and songs. A sarpanch drove
several institutions in Gujarat.
often, the old rags would be left inside.
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“I have seen so much that now I want to
Bedekar, a science educator by profession, had
ways to spread awareness. “When dialogue
ƥW SGHMFR PTHBJKXŚ !DCDJ@Q R@XR RNQQNVETKKX
already known that girls drop out of school
is triggered, a solution always appears,” she
She believes that violence against women
once they hit puberty. But this startling lack of
believes.
would stop if they practice better hygiene.
hygiene in India compelled her to look deeper
within the problem.
Studying
the
model
set
up
by
sanitary
social
Muruganantham,
napkin
entrepreneur
(unholy).” But the real ashuddhi has been
When she enquired, she found that the
she
manufacturing
The awareness is abysmal. “Women still
“Women have told me that they have no option
think that they menstruate to remove all the
but to tolerate the violence because they’re
dirt from their body. That they are ashuddh
sick,” she says.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 72 | MONSOON 2015
The Carpet Cellar
“Persian Kashan -Pashmina Carpet”
1, Anand Lok, Khel Gaon Marg, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi - 110049.
7HO‡(PDLOLQIR#FDUSHWFHOODUFRP‡:HEVLWHZZZFDUSHWFHOODUFRP
KWWSVZZZIDFHERRNFRPWKHFDUSHWFHOODU KWWSVWZLWWHUFRP7KH&DUSHW&HOODU
'6XOWDQSXU0*5RDG$GMDFHQWWRWKH6XOWDQSXU0HWUR6WDWLRQ1HZ'HOKL7HO
(Herbal Washing & Restoration also undertaken)
23(1$//'$<6$07230
THE AESTHETE
Samyukta Nair
Samyukta Nair, The Leela Group’s Head of Design and Operations, recently unveiled her latest personal
venture, Dandelion, a line of stylish sleepwear fashioned purely from cotton. Vintage-inspired robe, pin tuck
camisole set, printed nightshirt — the handcrafted nightwear label is available online, at designer Pernia
Qureshi’s Pop Up Store. Nair talks to us about how Dandelion came about, her style aesthetic, and more.
How do you describe your personal style?
Who are your style icons?
Clean and classic, with a dash of lightness. I’m very
Grace Kelly and Maharani Gayatri Devi, for
embodying timeless elegance
no-nonsense in my approach, and nothing appeals
— those pearls
and large lashed eyes are transcendental. Audrey
to me more than a direct and simple style. I am
Hepburn, for her grace, a tremor of European chic.
drawn to a piece of piano solo from Philip Glass
Beyoncé has enough voltage to light up a small
or one of Rothko’s giant canvases — that same
sensibility informs my style.
city, as much as siren as she is now a devoted
mother, her music is legend and so is she.
Samyukta Nair
CLASSIC DRESSING ROBE
What’s the one thing that you really
What are the places, from across the globe,
you like to shop at?
I’m as happy at my favorite haunts at Chor
Bazaar (for furniture or bric-a-brac) as I am
splurge on?
morning in something so revealing that our families don’t know where to
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Anything vintage, my vice being vintage
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— I’m often raiding my father’s address book (he was hugely successful
Chanel bags and Yves Saint Laurent oussy-
my grandfather, and, later, my father, made their names in textiles
when he started one of the largest lace companies in India) and I work with
and fabric.
younger designers to come up with prints that are raring for young Indian
bow blouses.
audiences. It’s hugely exciting, and also a responsibility I take seriously.
at the Bon Marche in Paris. The vintage stores and
What’s your vision behind Dandelion?
boutiques of New York’s East side, with its young
The idea was to create a fun and chic sleepwear brand
designers and individual voices, win my trust. I follow a
How involved are you in the nitty gritties of creating Dandelion
products?
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lot of Scandinavian designers from Sweden — Monica
that made it easy for women to feel at home in their
I think of Dandelion as a brand that will be a part of every Indian woman’s
My personal style philosophy, as I mentioned, is clean and classic. To that,
Förster, who creates chairs, comes to mind. Harvey
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wardrobe. My designers are already working on the next line. We spend
I would add comfortable. Sleep in style, and wake beautifully. This is a
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@ RHFMHƥB@MS SHLD HM NTQ RKDDOVD@Q ŕ ODQG@OR DHFGS GNTQR @ C@X 6GX
brand I am absolutely committed to nurturing and growing. Come and try
when you’re in London. Bombay Electric, Le Mill
from strength to strength, and recently style icon Sonam
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for yourself!
and Pernia’s Pop Up Shop — I have these three
Kapoor wore Dandelion on a recent jaunt to Cannes. I am
excellent stores in Mumbai on speed dial.
told she lounges in them in her down time.
Nichols and Portobello Street Market are worth scouting
What are some of the products/accessories you
How did the idea for Dandelion come about?
can’t do without?
It came about in my conversations with women who told
me that there was no nightwear that was stylish yet
I believe a wardrobe would be incomplete without
wearable. I had to respond to this need because
a basic structured jacket from Helmut Lang,
the alternative — the Great Indian Nightie —
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Lim, button down shirts from Equipment,
is essentially a giant tent. I wanted to work
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with fabrics that were sensitive to Indian
I am equally at home in something my
skin and our complexions. Moreover, my
mother would have given me — there’s
team of designers are extremely alert
something very special about being in
to the fact that sleepwear needs to be
Stockists
the company of an heirloom pashmina,
relevant to the Indian cultural context –
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For orders and enquiries, kindly email at info@dandeliondreams.co or call +91 98201 82366.
and the air of history it carries.
Fishmouth Short Set
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 74 | MONSOON 2015
I mean, we are not going to wake up in the
Nair admires Monica Förster, a Sweden-based chair designer
MONSOON 2015
Bombay Electric is one of Nair’s shopping haunts
| 75 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
2- /2'.3
+ 4-"'/ #
Concept designer cakes
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ou may have attended some wedding whose invitiation card was
impressively personalised — perhaps it had some element of
the family heirloom of the groom or bride, or perhaps it had a design
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the nuptial ceremonies hosted at The Leela properties, it’s not uncommon
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The pastry chefs at The Leela also enjoy personalising your marriage
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Heavenly scent
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here’s a Kailashpati (Courpita Guianensis) tree at the main
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entrance of The Leela Mumbai, planted in 1990, which arrests the
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is also referred to as cannonball tree, is considered sacred by
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THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 76 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 77 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
"'$%ŗ2".1-$1
' 43$/1./$138
Chef Surender
Mohan
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cuisine and creating a special menu for Bill Clinton
Dream
What’s the best compliment you have ever received from a guest?
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homes
meals he had eaten, and the dal especially reminded him of the dal made
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The Leela Residences at Bhartiya City, in Bengaluru:
T
SHABNAM SIRUR
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“Every food, irrespective of the
cuisine, has three courses: anticipation,
consumption and remembrance.
This is what we serve at Jamavar”
he much-anticipated launch of The Leela Residences at Bhartiya City,
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You have spent a decade as a chef at The Leela Mumbai? How has
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edition world-class lifestyle residences, in the 125-acre integrated city,
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the journey been for you?
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What’s your favourite kitchen tool?
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(MCH@MBTHRHMD@MCG@ROK@XDC@UHS@KQNKDHMRDSSHMFTOSGDQDRS@TQ@MS
(left) Dinesh Nair, Co-Chairman
and MD, The Leela Group
(left-right): Sasi Madathil, Snehdeep Aggarwal, Chairman and Founder,
The Bhartiya Group, and Arjun Aggarwal
TO BOOK YOUR LUXURY LEELA RESIDENCE AT BHARTIYA CITY, BENGALURU, call on +91 80 4932 6900 or email at leelaresidences@bhartiyacity.com
More info at: leelaresidences.bhartiyacity.com5HRHSLeela Residences Experience Centre on location, near Hebbal
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 78 | MONSOON 2015
If you had not been a chef, what would you have been?
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What is your favourite cuisine?
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MONSOON 2015
| 79 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
www.theleela.com
MEETINGS IN INDIA,
BEST CURATED BY
THE LEELA.
Breathtaking settings | Inspiring themes | Up-to-date
meeting facilities | Meetings Concierge for bespoke planning
To know more about the ‘Rewarding Meetings at The Leela’, promotional offer, call The Leela Reservations Worldwide (Toll Free) India: 1800 1031 444 | USA: 8556 703 444 |
and Resorts: New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Udaipur, Goa and Kovalam.
UK: 08000 261 111 | Hong Kong: 800 906 444 | Singapore: 1800 223 4444 | +91 124 4425 444 (Private lines) | Email: mice@theleela.com | The Leela Palaces, Hotels
OENOPHILIA
EVENTS
In Memoriam
On 17 May, at 11 AM, The Leela employees, at the various properties,
observed a two-minute silence as a mark of remembrance and
respect for the late Capt. C.P.Krishnan Nair, who passed away last
year. Later, all the GMs gave a short speech, sharing their memories
10 things
Champagne, the utility of
decanting a wine, and more.
third is Chardonnay, which is white.
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RS@Ƥ KTMBG 3GD HCD@ ADGHMC SGD BNLLDLNQ@SHNM V@R SN AQHMF @KK
served in glasses with a larger surface area,
employees (old and new) together in one forum to deepen their
to expose the wine to the air.
resolve to carry the Founder-Chairman’s legacy forward and uphold
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the values he stood for.
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6.
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labels that are complete value-for
Glitz and glamour
In April, Grazia India celebrated its seventh anniversary at The
money-products.
usually
Leela Mumbai, with a 70s-themed fashion party, also hosting
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the Grazia Young Fashion Awards, an annual event that picks
older wines, to enhance the
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sensory pleasure of tasting, and
were renowned names from the industry, such as Saket
also to remove sediment left by
Dhankar, Aparna Badlani, Tina Tahilani and Sujata Assoumal,
only from the region
the tannin.
among others. Besides the categories that recognised great
of
8.
A good time to vacation in
work in fabric innovation, accessory design, creative labels, etc,
France. Other sparkling
the wine regions of the northern
there also was a set of glamorous popular awards to highlight
wines cannot be called
hemisphere is July and August; in
7.
1. Champagne
are blended to make a
of the late founder, which was followed by a screening of a short
4. Wines that are higher in tannins should be
5.
you should know
about wine
How many kind of grapes
grapes: Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The
comes
Champagne,
in
India,
Rajiv Kaul, President of The Leela Group,
and media mogul Vineet Jain
stylish trendsetters.
and March.
considering
9. Wine at home should be stored
the humid climate, wine
should be served cooler than
room
is
the southern hemisphere, February
Champagne.
2. In
Decanting
temperature,
with
red
wine at 17°C, white at 12°C, and
Champagne at 6°C.
3. Champagne is actually made from
three grapes. Two of them are red
in a cool, dark place, with a constant
Mughal history
temperature. Between 8°C and 13°C is
In May, The Leela Mumbai hosted the performance of Mehernama, a
ideal, preferably not in your kitchen fridge.
play that revolves around Noor Jahan and emperor Jehangir, a play
10. A glass of red wine (120 ml) is about 80
that has travelled all across the country. The story, which is a mix
calories, and a glass of white wine (120 ml)
of love story and political intrigue, was highly appreciated by the
is approximately 70 calories.
audience members, including Priya Dutt and Zeenat Aman.
Aishwarya Nair
Food & wine merchandising,
The Leela Palaces,
Hotels and Resorts
Vivek Nair, Chairman and MD of The Leela Group
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
| 82 | MONSOON 2015
MONSOON 2015
| 83 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
ACCOLADES
EVENTS
Nature care
T
he Leela Group
celebrates The World
Environment Day on
June 5 annually at all its
hotels, and this year was
MNCHƤDQDMS S3GD+DDK@
Mumbai, the employees
participated in ‘Green
Walk-Plant a Sapling’
initiative, in which trees
were planted in and
around the property.
The group is continuing
the legacy of its FounderChairman, the late Captain
C.P. Krishnan Nair, who had
been globally recognised
for being a committed
environmentalist.
The Leela Palace New Delhi,
Presidential Suite’s Sitting Room
The best of T
the best
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issue. This fantastic property, which opened its doors in 2011, drew critical acclaim for setting new
global standards of luxury in the hospitality industry. Another of the group’s city properties, The Leela
,TLA@HFNS@OOQDBH@SDCENQHSRENNCŕSGDGNSDKŗR+D"HQPTD2HFM@STQDVNMHMSGDB@SDFNQXŖ!DRS(S@KH@M
in Mumbai — Fine Dine (suburbs) at Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2015.
GUEST SPEAK
The ESPA at The Leela Udaipur
Suresh Raina
Cricketer
Prince Andrew
Duke of
York
Catherine Carlton
Mayor, City of
Jennifer Lopez
Actress and singer
Menlo Park, California
Geet Sethi
T
Nine-time world champion
in billiards
Travel + Leisure India & South Asia
hosted its India’s Best Awards 2014 at
The Leela Palace
New Delhi
The Leela Palace
Bangalore
The Leela
Kovalam
The Leela Palace
Udaipur
I have travelled to
many 5 star and 7
star hotels all over
the world, but I must
say, The Leela Palace
in New Delhi tops my
list of best hotels.
3G@MJRSN@KKSGDRS@Ƥ
members for making
my stay perfect.
I wish for the
continued success
of The Leela Palace
Bangalore.
We sincerely
appreciate the
beauty and
kind hospitality
at The Leela. I
hope to return
with my family
very soon.
Thank you for the
most beautiful stay.
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
Wellness
paradise
| 84 | MONSOON 2015
The Leela Ambience Gurgaon. The ESPA at
The Leela Mumbai
The Leela Udaipur was declared ‘The Best
Thanks for your warm
hospitality, and for the
superb Chinese food.
Destination Spa’ at this event.; this is the
sixth such accolade the resort has won
in the past four years. On the other hand,
the food at The Leela Palace New Delhi’s
ESPA was declared the ‘Best Spa Cuisine
in India’ by wellness solution provider
GeoSpa at its asiaSpa Awards 2015.
MONSOON 2015
| 85 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE
/$12/$"3(5$
2."( +(-#$7
Combating
poverty
Christel House, founded by American entrepeneur-turned-philanthropist Christel DeHaan, is a global NGO
that transforms children from BPL families into contributing members of society. By Sabiha Ghiasi
C
GQHRSDK
A Swede in India
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Sula’s vineyards in Nashik
grew into a renowned global enterprise with
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Cecilia Oldne, who is global brand ambassador and international business head
1996, and since then, has devoted her time and
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ƥM@MBH@KQDRNTQBDROQHMBHO@KKXSNOGHK@MSGQNOX
C
Christel House, an NGO DeHaan founded in
oming to India wasn’t a culture shock for me because I have such a
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1998, educates children from families whose
strong connection to Asia and Thailand, where my grandparents lived
travelling on work I do love to pack my bags and do weekend trips.
income falls substantially below the poverty
for 30 years, and where I have a second home. My grandfather Axel Oldne
( BNLD EQNL 2VDCDM VGHBG G@OODMR SN AD NMD NE SGD BKD@MDRS
was recruited as the Chief-Flight Operations at Thai Airways, to help them
places in the world. India is such a gorgeous country; I think we do it a
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where it was established.
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DeHaan recalls lowered eyes and lack
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of self-esteem in the children she met when,
between Asian cultures, and I came here with a sense of knowing what
to expect…
(ƥQRSLDS1@IDDU2@L@MSSGDENTMCDQ@MC"$.NE2TK@5HMDX@QCR@S
I’m passionate about my job
because wine-making is an art that
requires a lifetime to perfect
in 2001, she was visiting slums in Bangalore,
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3GDX RONJD MN $MFKHRG VDQD L@KMNTQHRGDC
and had a number of mild health problems.
a wine exhibition in Cape Town, in 2004. While it was a brief meeting, he
Christel House in Bengaluru has 1,065 students
They have goals and dreams and plans to achieve
them. They are caring, respectful, ethical,
independent, and responsible, and know they have
a responsibility to make the world a better place
left quite an impression on me: that was my introduction to the beautiful
disservice by not keeping it clean. Besides that, as a professional in the
Holding a pencil or a crayon was, for them, a
world of Indian wines. Little did I know that three years later he would
alcobev industry, it breaks my heart to see the high taxation imposed on
far-fetched dream.
invite me to spearhead his dream of building a brand that would become
wine and the rules and regulations that govern its advertising: India has
Today, though, many of these children,
Christel House has another centre in India
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one of the highest taxes and duties, and most stringent rules in the world.
after being aided by the NGO, have successfully
at Lavasa, near Pune. Here, 327 students are
the city’s most talked about annual fundraising
because I love challenges, I’m free-spirited and the idea of travel always
3GHR HR MNS ADMDƥSHMF @MXNMD HM
reached the 12th grade and beam with self-
enrolled in kindergarten through 5th grade,
gala, for the NGO. The hotel invites current
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particular, not even the health-
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and one grade is added annually.
and prospective Christel House donors, high-
that requires a lifetime to perfect.
conscious consumer.
achieve them. DeHaan visits India once
93 per cent of its graduates are studying,
a year to stay updated on the successes of
working, or doing both. 85 per cent are
her students.
pursuing higher education and are on track to
receive monetary assistance and mentorship.
children singing carols before hotel guests.
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community and The Leela’s corporate clients.
$MNTFG @ANTS VNQJ SGNTFGʖ (ŗL @M D@SDQ @MC KNUD ENNC 8NT VNMŗS
If, by any chance, you’ve
notice that, though, because I also exercise a lot. On weekdays, I wake
ever seen my photographs in the
up every morning at 6.30 a.m. and head out for a class at a yoga studio
media, you may have noticed
Christel House in Bangalore presently
in Bandra. Over the years, I have explored many forms of this discipline:
that I often wear a tiara. I’ve had
has 1,065 students, including those who
Incidentally, Christel House and The Leela
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RGS@MF@(XDMF@Q'@SG@2HU@M@MC@@MCDUDMSGDLNCDQMUDQRHNMRRTBG
a penchant for them ever since I
are participating in the College and Careers
Palace Bangalore have worked together since
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@RONVDQXNF@$UDMVGDM(ŗLSQ@UDKHMF(ŗL@KV@XRNMSGDKNNJNTSENQ@
was a child. I have a big collection;
Program. This College and Careers Program
2011. The hotel has held numerous events
hopes that one day, some of Christel House’s
class or a yoga teacher. My yoga mat goes with me wherever I do and even
SGD L@INQHSX NE SGDL @QD SNC@X
aims to guide students for success in university,
for the NGO, including exhibitions of student
graduates will be among the Leela Group’s
from India. I’ve been a trend setter
technical schools or the workplace. Graduates
artworks and Christmas events with the
most valued employees.
HE(B@MŗSƥMC@BK@RR(VHKK@KV@XRCNLX@R@M@R@MCLDCHS@SHNMQDFTK@QKX
I’m pretty big on meditation, too -- they are cerebral exercises.
I’m a big fan of Goa, especially of the eateries like Ku, La Plage and
2TQ+@,DQ(@KRNKNUDSGDLNTMS@HMRNE(MCH@(SHRRNL@FHB@KOD@BDETK
and picturesque up there. Work has allowed me to travel and see most of
Cecilia Oldne has been part
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since 2007. The former
sommelier, who has studied
in London, is one of the most
recognisable faces of the
country’s alcobev industry
HM SG@S RDMRD $UDQX SHLD @ FHQK
wears a tiara at an event I’m at,
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doing a Cecilia.”
graduate from university.
| 86 | MONSOON 2015
group’s way of demonstrating its ongoing
Support Christel House in India‚$G?GFLGOOOAF;@JAKL=D@GMK=GJ?GJ=E9ADGF;@JAKL=D@GMK=NKFD;GE
.AKALGF=G>L@=AJ;=FLJ=K=DD9@9DDA*G9<
'Ì =FMJ*G9<#=FFMJ(GKLNA99?9DMJ9F?9DGJ=
9KLæçãåâê#9JF9L9C9
,=Dáéáãéåçæêêêçæêèêâããâääâåå9Páéáãéåçæááä
— As told to Nolan Lewis
THE LEELA MAGAZINE
DeHaan believes that this is the hotel
MONSOON 2015
| 87 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE