Saw a brilliant play yesterday...Anupam Kher's Kucchh Bhi Ho Sakta Hai! Its not easy to keep 500 people entranced while giving a monologue of your life's stoey for two-and-a-half hours, but Kher handles it with a finesse and aplombe that has always been unique to him. He made the audience swing from rib-hurting comedy to deep introspection and pathos in the twinkling of seconds all throughout.

What I especially liked about the play was its honesty. Its not everyday that such an established personality goes up on stage willingly and lays bare all his follies, imperfections, faliures and heartbreaks to the world. It was a tremendous act of courage!

What remained with me after the play was realization of the way in which all of us so often get wrapped up in our own sense of self-importance, that we simply fail to see how transitory our successes are, and how little we actually matter in the scheme of things.

Thanks, Anupam, for a wonderful evening!

Going for Suede's (Kelly Dorji's modelling academy) first event. Its at Red Light, Kala Ghoda. Lets hope there are lots of gorgeous guys around :)

2 media job openings in Bombay

This is a favor to a couple of friends in the journalism industry, both of who are looking for people to join their organization.

One is on the lookout for someone with 2-3 years experience to take on the role of Assistant Features Editor. This is for a major lifestyle magazine, which is part of an international media group and has an office in Bombay.

Second is for a start-up magazine, headed by veteran journalist Rauf Ahmed, and focussing on personalities. The post is that of Executive Editor, and is again Bombay based.

Cant tell more here, but if you are interested in knowing more email me on anubha76@anubhacharan.com ASAP!

Singles Night at Provogue Lounge

Tomorrow will see the first of the Provogue Lounge’s alternative therapy for men & women who like their nights out to be full of adventure and anonymity.

At “Singles Night” (scheduled to be held every second Tuesday of the month) people can only enter in pairs of the same sex and will be handed a purple heart at the door. The word ‘NO’ is taboo, and anyone who uses it loses their heart, albeit purple, to the rejected person.

And at the end (the very end!) of the night, the guy or girl who’s most plush with hearts gets a Fling Vodka hamper. And, if they’ve played their cards right, a new
friend who could graduate to “significant other”…?

It is not often that I get around to seeing a sunrise, unless I haven't yet gone to sleep from the night before, but witnessed one today, and let me tell you, a Bombay sunrise is amongst the most gorgeous marvels of nature! Especially if you see it across the waters...

Athena re-opened after its makeover yesterday. Looking good...well thought out interiors in relation to the space crunch that even the hugest clubs in Bombay face. White walls and details, spartan furnishings so as not to clutter the place and impede dancing and other movements, all made dramatic by extremely creative lighting effects and tons of candles! And, of course, wonderful wines and champagne from the Chowgules' to pep up the most happening party of the weekend!

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that while the women of Bombay are getting increasingly hipper and smarter, the guys are just letting themselves deteriorate...through the weekend's parties, have not seen even one guy who is worthy of a second look :( C'mon men, we women need our eye candy too!!!!

Was talking to a senior reporter whom I know from my CNN days. He was lamenting the state of most Indian news channels today. Since I get most of my news from the Net, and do not get around to seeing too much of it on TV, could not really contribute to the conversation then, but came back and watched a couple of shows on NDTV and Star News. And man, was it terrible. No substance, no technique, no style, no personality. It was like handing a camera to a 3-year-old and leaving him or her free to swing it wherever they want, with some ear-piercing shrieks to accompany the hotch potch of shots. This is for the ladies at Star News: When conventional broadcast journalism wisdom ask you to "throw your voice", they mean that the modulation should be crystal clear and engage the listener...they do not mean that you shout at the top of your voice and literally throw the words in a manner that they assault the ears of the TV audience!

TV is a complex medium. It needs special training and modulation of thought processes of the reporters. I guess this is the flip side of such user friendly technology that everybody can become a TV reporter, without any training whatsoever!

Its been the hottest October ever in Bombay, and the mercury shows no signs of dropping. Normally, by this time it starts getting cooler, but the heat is killing this year. Afternoons come in at something like 40 degrees, while even the nights do not get cooler than 3o degrees. On top of it, its stiflingly still and humid! Stepping out of the house is sheer torture, a fate to be reserved only for your worse enemies!

My sari did not unravel! Yippee :)

This has to rank amongst the best dinners I have ever attended in Bombay. Hosted by Nusli Wadia and the De Beers Group, in tribute to Rajmata Gayatri Devi, for just 100 people drawn from royalty and the Wadia's and the Rajmata's friends like Arvindsinhji of Udaipur, Sunil Gavaskar, Leander Paes, Ratan Tata, Simi Grewal, Jagjit Singh...it was very different in the sense that people were far more chilled out as they were enjoying being with friends and associates rather than being on display for the media or for the snobby socialite crowd. As Arvindsinhji put it, this was for people who really have nothing to prove to anybody! Had immense fun!

The diamonds were equally gorgeous. Gayatri Devi unveiled the Arisia Gayatri Devi Solitaire Range, which has just 200 limited edition pieces crafted around the rarest and most flawless contemporary diamonds mined by De Beers, so snap one up NOW if you want it. Each piece is initialled by the Rajmata herself. The first set was auctioned off for a final bid of Rs. 4,50,000! Most stunning were the two 5-karat pieces that had the Rajmata's image etched onto the diamond tablet itself, with a special technique that has been used for the first time in the world.

Some might consider this as a tribute to the Rajmata. To me, however, there can be no better tribute to the diamond than to have Gayatri Devi's image associated with it!

Me going for a dinner that sez "Dress Code: Diamonds" on the Invite. So, its mom to the rescue once again. There is no hope of finding anything remotely suitable in my collection, which is mostly abt silver and semi precious stones, and tons of kundan-work pieces!!!!

Second prob...wearing a sari...mom's saris are here, but she is in Pune. Who is going to help me?????? Just pray that the whole ensemble does not unravel in front of Rajmata Gayatri Devi, who I think is one of the most elegant ladies the world has ever seen :(

There are so many monotonous things that we depend upon for our daily sanity...for example, when you switch on the TV, you expect it to show up all channels; when you log on to your internet connection, you expect it to log on; when you try to send emails, you expect them to go through; when you try to take a call on the cell phone or send an SMS, you expect to get through...lately all these systems seem to be malfunctioning for me, and the end result is a terribly uncomfortable sense of disorientation and a strange kind of depressive lethargy...HELP!

Diwali was yesterday, but Bombay's fireworks frenzy is yet to die out. While I am not to fond of bursting firecrackers myself, I just love watching the sparkling lights from afar. And the view from my study window is amazing at the moment...all those huge, dazzling displays lighting up the sky at Marine Drive and Nariman Point and beyond. Trust the Indians to transform the darkest night of the year into one of infinite lights!

There is something so beautiful about our traditions and heritage. Did the Diwali pooja yesterday and went to the temple today, and it felt so good, so calming and rejuvenating.

Also did something really gutsy yesterday...and still have stomach cramps thinking about it. Have been working up the courage to do this for three years now!! Feels good to confront my fears and move ahead!

Diwali symbolizes the beginning of a New Year for us. I have a feeling that this is going to be a momentous year for me. Lots of changes and major life decisions lined up for the next 365 days. Am excited and scared at the same time about all this!! Good or bad...time will tell...

Am in the middle of doing a story on the history of the Sari for a US-based fashion magazine. The sari is seriously one of the most sensuous garments known to mankind and I feel really proud to have it as part of my heritage, even though I end up wearing it only on special occassions. There is something so luxurious and exotic about this attire. Reminds me of what Kiron Kher once told me, and she should know because she has some of the most gorgeous saris I have ever seen in Bombay!

Kiron Kher on Indian Saris:

Sensuous silks, sheer chiffons, soft muslins, diaphanous organzas or gossamer nets. Woven, printed, embroidered or plain in six sexy yards, translating into the most beautiful garment in the world…the saree.

One of the most wonderful things about being an Indian woman is that we have a wealth of shringar to adorn ourselves with. Where else in the world can you wear bindis, bangles, parandis, exotic ornaments and sarees? The magical saree is our own heritage, and we can wear it legitimately.

My love affair with the saree started when I was a child. I would watch my mother dressing up to go to a party with fascinated eyes. I remember her zari-bordered georgettes and printed French chiffons. Come winter and silks would come tumbling out from the suitcases, and the sarees would be spread on durries to soak in the sun. I longed to grow up and swathe myself in the myriad hues glittering in the afternoon light. Finally, when I turned sixteen, I got to wear my first saree. Since then it has remained a passion. As I grew up and travelled across our country, I learned a lot about the saree.

Kanjeeverams, woven in the temple town of Kanchipuram near Madras, are my favourites for winter eveningwear. The silk is heavier and stronger than other sarees and has solid brocaded borders that are pure gold. The traditional style pallav and borders contrast in colour to the main field of the saree and usually have deep rich jewel tones.

Legend has it that the Dhakai mulmuls once used to be so fine that an entire saree could easily pass through a finger ring. These Bengal handlooms, along with the Tangail sarees, are unbeatable for summer wear. They usually use sindoor-red, green, blue, black or purple colours to weave designs on the border and buttis on the main body of the saree, the latter having an off-white or cream background.

Benarasi sarees also use heavy gold and silver brocades. Their jaamevaar weaves and tanchoi satins are exquisite and make elegant winter wear and their heavy jaal and butti brocades are a must for every bride’s trousseau.

The Patola from Patan in Gujarat, woven in the double ikkat style is probably the most complicated of all textile designs in the world. Using a unique tie and weave method, it has a tremendous richness in colour. A single saree can take up to six months to make and prices range upto two lakh per saree.

One of my favourites in heavy sarees is the Paithani from Maharashtra. The most exclusive paithanis are woven in Paithan, a small taluka on the banks of the Godavari near Aurangabad. It has its origins in the tapestry weaves of Central Asia. The Rig Veda mentions a golden woven fabric and Greek records talk about gorgeous Paithani fabrics. The Peshwas had a special love for Paithanis. The Nizam of Hyderabad made several trips to Paithan and his daughter-in-law Niloufer, introduced several new motifs to the border and pallav designs. The favourite motif used during the Maratha period was a kind of flower called the asavali. Real zari is used for brocade work. The traditional colours used are red, pink, black, yellow, purple, peacock blue and a greenish-red combination. The shot effect with two-tone colours is exquisite and gives great depth to the silk. The original Paithani colour is kusumbi-purple with a green border. The brocade pallav and border take on a bejewelled appearance. The best Paithanis are available in boutiques owned by ladies who are designing and working directly with the weavers.

The soft coloured Chanderis in muslin or silk from Madhya Pradesh, the Maheshwaris introduced by the Holkar royal family also from Madhya Pradesh, the Bandhinis of Kutch and Rajasthan, the ikkats of Orissa and Pochampalli in Andhra Pradesh, the Baluchari and Gorod from Bengal…the list is endless.

Sadly, today’s urban Indian women seem to be moving away from the saree towards more westernised and (dare I say) asexual clothes. Younger girls are into faded jeans. Older women mistakenly feel that a saree ages them and prefer to wear trousers or skirts. The result is obvious at most parties. You get a roomful of black trousers and shirts. Dull, boring and jaded.

The saree can be the most versatile dress of all. There can be nothing more dramatic, elegant, understated or sexy…whatever the statement you want to make, there is a saree available for every occasion. The world is waking up to the workmanship of India. We have master weavers and craftsmen. But only if we wear the saree will we be able to keep the market alive and ensure that the craftsmen can earn their livelihood. We must not let these artisans disappear. It is easy to take our heritage for granted and scoff at centuries of artistic evolution. Let us enjoy our Indianness and revel in its luxury. Do we need a Madonna to make the bindi into a fashion statement?

Read the entire transcript in India Today Plus (November, 2003)

Its Diwali, finally, and it means tons of sweets and chocolates, colorful candles, dressing up, dazzling fireworks, sumptuous dinners with kachoris and aloo ka sabzi and lots 'n lots of fun with family and friends!

Being a totally Arya Samaaji family, our Diwali pooja is really simple. Its just us immediate family members around a rangoli bordering Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi, followed by mom reading out Satyanarayanji ji katha. There is something so heart-warmingly wonderful about this simple ritual. There are no priests, no middlemen so to say, or lavish gold coins and diamond ornaments or the other superficial trappings that so many other families get caught in. This is the way I like it! Of course, I do love the dressing up part...the bangles, saris, bindis, mehndi...and the twinkling lights that my brother strings over the staircase and windows, and the candles and all that...but the wonderful part of Arya Samaj is that it allows you to do things your way, on your own terms, without imposing rigid and tedious rules and regulations for everything. What matters, in the end, is your devotion to God and not the way you choose to express it!

This Diwali is going to mark a lot of new beginnings in my life. Primary among them is my mom's shifting to Bombay. Am going to be staying with her after more than three years. And its been a long three years! Have really missed her...and am looking forward to making up for all that lost time now!

You have a great Diwali!

Zakia Shakir, a well known photographer who has shot some of the best landscapes and portraits in the country recently spend some time in the US at one of the most prestigious photography schools in the world, The ICP - the International Centre of Photography, New York.

She has shot several advertising and editorial features before her stint at the ICP, New York and on her return a number of magazine covers too. She would be opening her own studio shortly at Versova.

An exclusive preview of her work, with a display of over 30 of her photographs, including exotic shots of models and some of her best personal work will be on display at Caliente, Mumbai, on the 30th of Oct from 8.30 pm onwards. Among those displayed will be exclusive pics of Vijay Amritraj, Amitabh Bachchan, Sheetal Mallar, Cleo Isaacs, Aditi Govitrikar Nina Manuel and others.

Mezzo Mezzo Creates a Little Apulia In Mumbai

One of Italy’s best-kept secrets is out! From a little town on Italy’s South East Coast (the heel of the Italy’s boot shape), comes authentic Italian food brought to Mezzo Mezzo, the Italian restaurant of JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai, by Guest Chef Tommaso. He and renowned Resident Chef Danio Galli will be pooling their considerable resources to produce a feast worthy of the gods from the 20th of October to the 2nd of November 2003.

Apulia is a food and wine lover’s paradise. One reason is that the fresh produce is of such high quality. In fact, many of the basic elements of the Italian kitchen originate from Apulia – a huge proportion of Italy’s fish is caught off the extensive Apulian coast. 70% of the country’s olive oil is produced here and the region provides 80% of Europe’s pasta. Just to give you that uncompromisingly pure Apulia feeling, Chef Tommaso brings his ingredients all the way from the little town itself.

Vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised with Antipasti Vegetariani, pure vegetarian specialities like Bruschetta del Tavoliere delle Puglie con pomodorini secchi (Bruschetta from Puglia’s Tavoliere with sun dried tomatoes) or Frittelle Di Ricotta Ed Alghe Marine Con Pomodorini Del "Salento" Marinati All'origano (Deep-fried Ricotta cheese balls and seaweed served with cherry tomato marinated with dry oregano).

But non-vegetarians certainly need not feel ignored what with Calzone alla Barese con la ricotta forte, Manzo e cicoria (Calzone Barese style with strong ricotta cheese, beef and, yes, chicory!) or Polpo Al Forno Con Le Patate E Zucchine Al Profumo Di Menta (Baked octopus with potato and zucchini in mint flavour). For gourmets, there’s also a truffle menu. Round it all off with a dessert of Dita Degli Apostoli Farcitio Con Ricotta, Pasta Di Mandorle, Cannella E Frutta Candita Con Salsa Al Caramello ("Apostle fingers" filled with ricotta cheese and almond paste in cinnamon flavour and caramel sauce). Then wash it down with a wide selection of Italian wines, grappas and digestives.

Mezzo Mezzo is located on the lobby level of JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai. The interactive open kitchen at Mezzo Mezzo allows one to view the chefs at work, where jars of pickled items such as sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and artichokes take prominence. The restaurant’s gild rimmed mirror dominated bar offers a wide selection of wines by the glass, and an extensive selection of cocktails. The bar area of the restaurant is used as a pre-dinner drinks or coffee and drinks bar after dinner. Fresh flower arrangements mainly in monotone or duo tones complement the settings. Mezzo Mezzo is currently open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday from 6.30 p.m. till midnight and serves brunch on Sundays from 12 noon till 3:30 pm.

Mumbai Never Lets Down Its Loyalists: Gerson da Cunha

Everyone has loyalties, like the devotion to one’s local variety of mango (eg Apoos Pyrie vs Dussehri). Close after mangoes on the loyalty scale would come ardor for one’s city. Mumbai, like its mangoes, never lets down its loyalists.

There is something oddly appropriate about the shape of this island in the glance of a map. It looks like a hand extended in greeting, or help. It’s symbolic of the way the city is.

Mumbai is its people. It is the city’s people, generation after generation, who have caused a glittering metropolis to rise where seven lumpy islands had dozed before, amid drying fishnets and bombil. Here, in an abandoned Government House, the plague vaccine was given to the world – needing of course a prior outbreak of the bubonic variety. The silver lining was the package of urban improvements that followed, first as therapy then taking graceful form as broad avenues and causeways, some conceived as cross-island ventilation against noxious vapors, setbacks from them, parks, gardens and vistas.

The city’s Indo-Saracenic public buildings live haughtily on, from the High Court and University to two great railway termini and a museum, not so much edifices as imperial fanfares. Here, too, stands a treasure of Art Deco buildings, second in number and scale only to Miami, which together with the city’s colonial past constitute a unique corner of world heritage.

Modern art in India was born in the Progressive Artists’ Group on Rampart Row, the street connecting "Kala Ghoda," – a square with Edward VII as Prince of Wales rampant on a leaping steed, all in bronze – to Lion’s Gate, the main entry into the dockyard of the home port of India’s Navy.

The mind was encouraged to flower here, some in ways that history records: the birth of atomic research and space science in the land. In humbler ways, too, minds were nurtured in classrooms and lecture halls. Mumbai’s robust cosmopolitanism is unusual, with its happy babble of Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil, Konkani and 14 other languages with their own schools here, to say nothing of the French and German medium schools.

Two of Mumbai’s greatest riches are the magic of the sea and the monsoons. Visitors from the Gulf and Arab countries still come to marvel at torrential downpours and the violet clouds of the season. These are the same mild, moist breezes that through history have blown trade here, to and from Africa and the Gulf. Greeks and Arabs came and went, sheltering among islands that its fisher folk called "Mumbadevi," after their kindly Mother Goddess. The Portuguese came and gave away, in a style we understand as dowry.

In the hands of the bridegroom’s nation, the city corrupted from "Mumbadevi" to "Bombay." Later, there would be other, less innocent corruptions. Today, politics trails "Mumbai" not "Bombay" in its wake. The city’s human energy and the power stroke of its thought have made this the country’s commercial and financial capital. Its very riches and success have crafted its problems.

The hand-shaped island has welcomed all, some would say too many for an infrastructure born in the horse-drawn tramcar and the delicate bronze-held gaslight lit by a marathon runner with a pole bouncing on his shoulder. But from the strangulating streets and illegal constructions on the gold of a slipper island, from the Irani shops with bent wood chairs and marble-topped tables serving buns and butter sprinkled with sugar; from the flamboyant dons whose dreams are a clutter of Bollywood maidens jostling RDX and extortion, from here rises a thunder of crowds cheering their Tendulkars’, as they had their Merchants’ and Mankads’ in an earlier time.

Read the entire transcript in India Today Plus (November, 2003)