Month: October 2016

Wine Hampers for Festive Season

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

On the onset of the festive season, people, thankfully, are shifting from conventional gifting options like from sweet and getting on to more interesting gift items with each passing festive season like Diwali, X-Mas and so on, but the Wine is a wonderful host gift.

The Happy High’s Wine Concierge

The Happy High one of India’s wine and spirit experience co has launched the Wine concierge, a wine selection and gifting service. The Happy High advises clients on wines; based on budgets, preferences and the end recipient. The service can be availed throughout the year, be it advice on a personal collection or for gifting purposes.

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Festivities call for gifts, give and take is the norm, a goodwill exercise, it symbolizes togetherness and gifting companies are waiting to ride on the back of ‘Diwali gifting’ and offer to source everything under the sun. The Happy High is a specialist in wines and spirits, run by Ajit Balgi a certified wine educator and an S P Jain alumnus they know what it takes to create an impression and also let your loved ones drink good wine!

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“People in India are taking up to wines and want to gift wines. They however get blinded by the fancy packaging, nuts, chia bars, chocolates et al and wine takes a back seat, ‘House wines’ the sellers call them, usually wines not moving, old or on deals.”

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“We at The Happy High provide options for the discerning wine lovers who are looking to gift good wine and not just for the sake of it. We help corporate houses to pick wines based on their budgets and taste profiles to ensure that the message of quality and wine finesse is communicated to the recipient.” says Ajit Balgi the Founder and Beverage Consultant.

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To know more about their services you can log onto www.thehappyhigh.com.

Tasteful Thursdays- Bhujeli Kaleji, a Parsi Delight by Master Chef Kaizad Patel

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Bhujeli Kaleji is a typical way of making chicken or sheep liver. It was one of the very popular Parsi dishes and is savoured by a lot. Its simple yet full of taste. Do try it out and I am sure you will love it and this recipe coming from Kaizad makes it 100% authentic.

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Ingredients:

200 gms chicken or goat liver

½ tsp coriander seed

½ tsp turmeric poweder

½ inch piece of ginger

6 cloves garlic

6 peppercorns

2 green chillies

1 bunch coriander leaves

Salt

1 tbsp oil

Ground the above ingredients into a masala

Method:

Remove the thin skin off the liver (goat). Wash and cut the liver into small pieces. Mix it in the ground masala, salt and oil and keep overnight, or for at least 4 hours. Stick the pieces on skewers. Light a coal fire, see that the flames have subsides. Barbeque each skewered stick with liver over the fire for about 5 minutes each until tender.

Nutrition Fact: Each serving provides about 109 calories, 10.3g proteins, 1.0g carbohydrates, 6.3g fat.

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About Chef Kaizad

Being brought up in a Parsi Caterers family, Chef Kaizad says he always knew someday he would always take up this family business. He have always had a different approach on views and always wanted to exceed expectations. This has been his drive and what keeps him going. Upon completing catering college, He joined the Ratan Tata Institute, Mumbai, as he wanted to broaden his horizon on Parsi food. He came across interesting people who shared their views on Parsi food. After completing almost a year; He joined the Oberoi Hotel’s, Mumbai and worked his way up the hierarchy. After his 3 ½ year employment with the Oberoi Hotel’s, he decided to go and study further in Culinary Arts. He joined the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, which is affiliated with “ Le Cordon Bleu”. He joined the Ritz Carlton, San Francisco as an intern and upon completing his internship, he was hired and trained by the Ritz Carlton values, which changed his life, truly. On his return to India he decided to take over his family business as he felt the need to revamp the image of the business without changing the core values of the community and the business, which were instilled into him. He always looks at a glass full and not the other way around. He has just begun his journey as a Caterer (for the last 10 years) and has a long way to go…..

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Book Review-Suhani by Turia

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Suhani is a book by Indian author Turia based in Mumbai. She is a publicist by profession. An avid reader, she is fond of traveling, day dreaming and writing poetry in her free time. Day dreaming is a new one for me. Before I go on to the book I was more curious about the name Turia and ventured to find out about the meaning of the name. Turia they say is a Tahiti name meaning the name of a princess. Other descriptions say Turia is someone very capable and in control of life which Turia sure seems to be.
Let me start with giving you an extract from this beautifully penned book:

The Sadhu looked into the eyes of the pilgrim who had travelled from far to meet him.Such powerful eyes thought the pilgrim

The Sadhu must have read that in his eyes.

The Sadhu smiled and thought,In your eyes I can see the lives you have lived,the journeys you have made,the people you have loved and those you have lost,the tales you told and those that you didn’t,do not look into my eyes,for in your eyes I see the stories you have lived,when I see you they become part of me……..

“Everyone is part of the same story”,thought the Sadhu……after all life is a story……told and retold so many times,in so many worlds and so many lives.

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This to me really forms the essence of this book.
The book traces the story of Suhani a tea vendor on the ghats of Ganges in the holy city of Benares who goes through the most unholy of experiences while growing up as on orphan,the repeated sexual abuse by her Uncle.
The quite dignity with which she still carries herself while pursuing her love for Abstract paintings is just commendable.Her limitations and despair come through beautifully.
One day her life takes a huge turn with the advent of Kabir and his undying selfless love for Suhani.
From hereon very skillfully the author brings about the love between the two and the courage Suhani is able to bring to surface because of Kabir.
How she embarks on a new journey bringing forth the all new Suhani is for you to find out.
What I liked is the undercurrent of true,undying,unwavering love between the two protagonists.

Highly recommended. Go grab your copy.

Available on Amazon- Price Rs 510(paperback)

Street Food Fiesta at Plaza Premium Lounge

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

India is home to one of the largest street food culture in the world. Street food is an integral part of the Indian culture and is a way of life. This October, Plaza Premium Lounge is bringing street food into the airport for all travellers to enjoy and get a bite of the delicious dishes. How much more exciting can this get? Getting a bite of street food while travelling is every travellers dream.

Street food is a perfect way to sample India’s vast cuisine and culture. India is one proud nation when it comes to street food; every city has its own specialty to offer. Delhi, with its rich heritage and history, is known for a variety of street food such as the crispy samosas with its delicious potato filling and equally tempting chutney or the mouthwatering Chole Kulche. A visit to Mumbai is not complete without getting a taste of the famous Pav Bhaji or Kolkata for its sizzling Phuchhka.

Plaza Premium Lounge has handpicked some popular street food to bring joy to the travellers on their journey. One can look forward to get a bite of the ever popular Samosas, Pav Bhaji, Gol Gappe, Dahi Vada, Batata Vada, Aloo Tikki Pao and much more.

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Where: Plaza Premium Lounge, Domestic Departures at Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad Airports

When: On till 6th November 2016

Price: Lounge access starts at Rs.1200 plus taxes

About Plaza Premium Lounge

Plaza Premium Lounge, the world’s largest independent airport lounge network, gives travellers a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the airport, a home away from home, by providing a space with top-notch services and facilities for travellers departing, transiting and arriving at major international airports including Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Toronto and Vancouver.

Comfortable seating, enticing food and beverage selection, showers with amenities, private resting suites, VIP rooms, recharging stations, Wi-Fi, computer workstations are but a few of the services offered to enhance the airport experience.

As the first airport lounge network to achieve ISO 9001:2008 certification and the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge by Skytrax, we are committed to consistently providing quality services and continual improvement for valued customers. By putting into action, the best ideas and practices from across the network and around the world, we focus on innovative and quality products and services.

Happy Birthday Shiamak Davar..!! My personalised interview with an ace choreographer..!!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

I have been Shiamak’s dancing and choreography ever since I was a kid, when I saw Mohabbat Kar Le and Dil Toh Pagal Hai.. my love and respect for Shiamak grew multi-folds. Then as I grew up and joined the event industry, I started understanding choreography, dancing and stage shows even more, as I myself organised lots of events and still do. Shiamak is synonymous with dancing for me and he is the ultimate. I am not much of a dancer myself but have always fancied joining his dancing school and may be I can learn to dance as well.

Today being Shiamak’s birthday, I wish him all the luck and love for his life.. I have been fortunate to get to interview him personally, I don’t know how reasonable my questions have been, but to ask questions to such a big celebrity is a task in itself, so I just tried to do my best, here it is…

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Aditi: How did you decide to become a choreographer? Was it something you always wanted to do or is it something that happened suddenly?

Shiamak: Dancing happened to me much later. My first love was singing and I used to act in a lot of musical productions. I chanced upon dance classes at the Pineapple Studio in London where the teacher thought I had prior training. She was shocked to know I had never learnt ballet before that. I took the training forward and then decided to come back and start western jazz dance classes in India. I realized my mission was to spread joy through dance. Thirty years later, it’s a pleasure to watch the same people send their kids to my class who back in the day used to wonder what am I doing dancing and conducting classes!

Aditi: Was there any person that had great impact on your decision to become a choreographer?

Shiamak: It was my spiritual guides, the Bhavnagris and their book – Laws of the Spirit World that made me realize my mission to spread the joy of happiness through dance.

Aditi: What influences you?

Shiamak: There is inspiration in everything – music, movement, nature, animals, silence. There is an emotion, a feeling that each piece of music communicates, this is what I translate into movement.

Aditi: Can you choreograph a dance without music?

Shiamak: Of course. There is movement in even silence.

Aditi: What kind of body is able to dance? Do you believe that the type of body can be one obstacle for someone who wants to dance?

Shiamak: My motto is ‘Have Feet. Will Dance.’ which reiterated the fact that everyone can dance. Through my dance academy, I wanted to create a platform for people to come and express themselves through movement, without being judged.

Whether they are four or eighty four, everyone learns and performs on stage. The sense of achievement and fulfillment they get is greater than any other feeling. It’s been over thirty years and it’s great to see the impact it has had on people. Through my NGO Victory Arts Foundation, I took the motto one step further to ‘Have Spirit. Will Triumph.’ And you can see people with crutches or on wheelchairs, people with mixed needs all performing on stage. Dance truly heals.

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Aditi: Who has been your most favorite student from Bollywood?

Shiamak: You know it is amazing how hard working and professional our actors are in Bollywood. Right from legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Govinda to current stars like Ranveer, Sushant, Shahid and Varun. My dream came true when I choreographed Madhuri in my very first film, and in the latest actresses, the likes of Deepika, Priyanka, Alia… all are just so talented and hard working!

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Aditi: What do you enjoy most directing stage shows or choreographing in movies?

Shiamak: I enjoy choreographing! Whether stage or film. But yes, stage is closer to my heart. There are no second chances, it is live and you receive the audience reactions instantly. I feel more at home on stage. There is a lot of movement you can create it is it all continuous, without any retakes. The energy of a stage show is something else!

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Aditi: What’s your message for aspiring dancers, what does it take to become a successful dancer/choreographer?

Shiamak: You have to work hard and be patient. Before you think of becoming professional, take time to train and learn. Most importantly, be original! Dance requires a lot of dedication, but if you love what you do, you will smile your way through!

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Here is wishing Shiamak a very happy birthday.. and someday I will go to his dancing school and enrol myself.. because I have feet..so will dance 🙂

Special Dinner Buffer at Hang Out Diner & Bar, Cyber Hub, Gurgaon

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Colorful Treat for your Palate

Exciting Range of Buffet Dinner & Cocktails @ Hang Out Cyber Hub

Bored of eating regular food? Take a break and savour the menu at Hang Out!

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Come out with your family and friends and enjoy new dinner buffet menu @Rs.499 plus taxes every Friday & Saturday along with amusing rides and exciting games.

Relish your days at Hang Out Cyber Hub in style with Chef’s Daily Special ,signature drinks like Gamers Fix, Gin Soaked Jungle , Wild Fire and many more

So, let the good times roll!!

Visit at:

Hang Out Cyber Hub, Gurgaon

Cyber Hub: 9560700811/9821496971

 

Hell O Hello.. Waiting Eagerly for this Short Film

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Short films have their own charm, I have always felt that these films focus more on the content and messaging rather than the star powers. I find them to be more real and closer to life than the larger than life imagery created by most main stream films. But to conclude, both have their own respective place in the industry. An another interesting short film will be coming our way soon and I am eager waiting for the same, its called Hell O Hello, and the name itself has made me curious.

SYNOPSIS

They say they empower the consumer! They say that Customer is the King! Offers, packages, special discounts they sell him a lot of ‘schemes’! From a paltry chaiwaala to the owner of a car showroom everybody has a product to sell! Welcome to the hilarious world of ‘Consumerism’.

Competing organizations create all the possible noise to lure a consumer. But in the midst of this all what happens to the voice of an innocent consumer is the essence of this short satire – Hell..O..Hello.

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INFORMATION

Hell O Hello is directed by Pratik Rajen Kothari, son of veteran DoP Rajen Kothari, and he has been mentored on this short by legendary film maker Shyam Benegal. The short film is a part of the anthology ‘Shor se Shuruaat’. This anthology presented by Humaramovie is a part of Spotlight Premiere section of Jio MAMI with Star 2016. Shor Se Shuruaat will also release in theatres soon.

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The film stars Suchitra Pillai and a bunch of exciting theatre actors including Jay Upadhyay, Abhishek Pandey, Sahitya Sahay, Suyash Joshi, Anand Alkunte and Surya Rao.

The film features a theme song penned by Gulzar and sung by Rekha Bharadwaj. The song has been composed by veteran composer Amod Bhatt.

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Keep watching this space for more updates regarding the film..!!

What are you gifting this festive season…??

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

With the festive and wedding season approaching, we always are thinking on how to make our gifting experience more unique. We all want to move away from the usual gifts, and make our loved one feels special with something that is different, unique yet inexpensive. So here is our hand picked list of all beautiful gifting options that you can consider for this festive season.

Chocolates and Desserts never really go out of fashion, so how about gifting your loved ones a box of handmade chocolates, or donuts or beautiful dessert jars or cupcakes and many more delightful sweets. Ikreate has been into the business since 10 years and have been gifting partners to brands like Colgate, Marico, Sarda Plywood etc apart from private elite clients. Their chocolates and desserts have not just got rave reviews from the clients, but also repeat orders for years together. The best part about Ikreate is the love and passion that the put into everything they make, maintaining the quality over the years and yet being very very reasonable.

Donuts

Price Rs 400/dozen

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Cupcakes

Price Rs 400/6pcs

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Chocolates

Price Rs 650/kg onwards

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For more, check out their Zomato page

Handikart.co.in, an online handicraft’s store that offers assorted range of genuine and original handicraft products across India, has announced its exquisite range of products across categories to celebrate its first Diwali. These exclusive products are designed by the untouched & rural artisans from various parts of India and showcase the undying spirit of the artisans’ and their creativity.

The mesmerizing range of gifting options from handikart.co.in has you covered this festive season with idols of lord Ganesha, goddess Lakshmi, eye catching puja accessories like diyas, t-light holders and amazingly genuine brass ware products, terracotta, pattachitra, leather lamps, marble products and more.

With array of lamps, lanterns and decorative accessories, Handikart’s latest collection is about dreamy luminescence and shimmering brilliance.

The collection is priced between Rs. 100 and Rs. 5000 and will be up for grab from 5th Oct till 30th Oct with home delivery across India.

Over 1000 handcrafted products across 27 categories are available from traditional local artisans across the country. From Gorara Stone’s fine carvings to intricate Zardozi boxes of Old Agra; from Sambhal’s hand-made camel bone jewellery boxes to north east’s eco-friendly bamboo and cane products; from Orissa’s Palm leaf art and Pattachitra art to Bhadohi’s Shikauli baskets, Handikart is truly a place where Indian essence comes alive.

Price – Rs. 770

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Price – Rs. 1,800

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Price – Rs. 1,009

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Price – Rs. 198

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Check more on their website

Surprise Someone.in is another wonderful online portal where you can get beautiful boxes, photo frames, handmade bags and a lot of other gift items, which will help create an element of surprise for your loved ones. The price range is very affordable and a lot of times you will double check the price, because the moment you will look at an item you will assume a higher price, but when you will see the rates surprise someone is charging, you will be amazed. They are so pocket friendly. I have personally used this portal a lot of times to gift my loved ones, on father’s day (check post here), to surprise my son (check post here), on rakhi (check post here) and other occasions (check post here).

Hut Shaped Box

Price- Rs. 499

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Folding Rack Box

Price Rs. 399

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House Warming Green Goodie Box

Price Rs. 100

Get more options on their website

So make the most of this festive season by gifting your loved ones these beautiful gifts, have a great season ahead!

Cancer Yenna Rascala..!!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Oxford Bookstore hosted the fifth exchange in the Pink Tea Cup Conversation Series titled “Cancer yenna rascalla!” with Honorary Joint Secretary, Indian Cancer Society, Indra Jasuja, Director, Cancer Healer Centre, Dr. Deepika Krishna, Medical Director, Can Support, Dr. Reena Sharma and Nutritionist, Kavita Devgan in conversation with communication specialist, Kaanchan Bugga on 12th October, 2016 at Oxford bookstore, connaught place.

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The conversation revolved around Breast Cancer, October being the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The talk aimed at creating awareness in society for actively fighting breast cancer by helping people understand what breast cancer is, how to detect the disease , its treatment options and ways to cope with the physical and emotional side effects . The talk bought out real life stories of breast cancer survivors who shared their experiences as to how to deal with the deadly disease as a patient, family or caregivers.

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Indian Artisans Amplify Diwali Shopping

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

On the onset of the festive season, Hast Karigar Society rendered a lasting impressions on the shopaholics culture of Mumbai. The Delhi based NGO has been organizing the 6 day event for years now and this time too they hosted the annual property “Impressions” from Oct 12th-17th. Hosted at Coomaraswamy Hall, Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, the exhibition had artifacts and handicrafts made by traditional painters, jewelers, weavers, craftspeople and hand block printers across India and sported their skill and creativity.

“Impressions” presents

Rhymes & Rhythms of Life

Reflecting the Harmony of Tradition, Colour and Creativity of our Weavers and Artisans

What: Impressions – an exhibition-cum-sale – Reflecting the Harmony of Tradition, Colour and Creativity of our Weavers and Artisans

Date: October 12 to 17, 2016, from 10.30 am to 7 pm daily

Venue: Coomaraswamy Hall, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum of Western India), M.G.Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400023 (Near Colaba).

Summary:

Hast Karigar Society, a Delhi based NGO founded by a group of artisans, designers from Tribal areas of India present Impressions – an exhibition-cum-sale – Reflecting the Harmony of Tradition, Colour and Creativity of our Weavers and Artisans. This is the eight year running where Hast Karigar Society is bringing together 35 National & State awardee artisan members in Mumbai for its annual exhibition.

Hast Karigar exhibitions emphasize on reviving and redefining the traditional skills of traditional artisans to recreate a market that showcases Indian tradition and heritage while being sensitive to the present day requirements of the connoisseurs. Traditional artists, jewellery makers, handloom weavers, craftspeople and hand block printers from all over India participate in this exhibition expressing their skills weaved in motifs and symbols.

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This year’s exhibition showcased a collection of hand woven organic cotton (Popala, Karnataka) tussar and silk and khadi sarees, dupatta, stoles and fabrics from Benaras, Bhagalpur, Chanderi, Maheswar, Phulia, Sambalpur (Ikkat), Phalodi, Machilipatnam, and Kutch. Laheria, Batik, Shibori, Kalamkari, Indigo and Tie and Dye using vegetable and natural colours were the added attractions this year.

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Sanghaner, Bagru, Dabu, Ajrak, and Machilipatnam hand block prints on sarees, dupattas, stoles, fabric and home furnishings combined traditional shades of colours with a fusion of intricately cut traditional and contemporary designs and patterns.

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Colourful Durries from Uttar Pradesh and intricately woven Mats from West Bengal will also be on sale.Presence of Pattachitra, Miniature art, and Madhubani painting added style and colour to the exhibition.

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Lambani, Kantha, Rabari, Ari, Desert embroidery, Chikan and Applique reflected the skill of deft hands of our women artisans.

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Colourful dupattas, stoles and wrap-arounds adorned with hand crafted traditional motifs; woven by the tribal women residing in the forests of North Bengal were stunning to look at.

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Unique collection of hand crafted Lambani jewellery, Rajasthan stone and silver jewellery, leather bags and candles from Pondicherry, Dhokra from Chhatisgarh, pottery & ceramics from Maharashtra leather puppets and lamp shades and block printed stationery was colourful and a joy to look at and buy.