The Kochi-Muziris Biennale has triggered offa tourism renaissance in Kerala. Already famous globally for its ayurveda charms, the biennale has ironically caught the attention of the Indian traveller many of whom are hotfooting there for the spectacular art on display. So if you are a biennale visitor what else should you soak in? Kochi junkie Priti Mahajan leads you from the fort to the backwaters.
Over my 50 plus visits since, the city has surely and slowly undergone a renaissance. Kochi is now a world city. Amitabh Kant’s path breaking work in positioning Kerala to the world and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale more specifically has ensured that Kochi gets its own share of glory under the sun. While odes have been written about its lush beauty and many articles penned on the numerous things to do, here are my gems lovingly gathered and cherished over the years.
Those in the know of things cut the clutter at the numerous stores in Jew Town and head to Crafters (www.crafters.in). Sunny and Johny Malayil, the very amicable owners run a beautiful store where one can find some real treasures like Chettinad four-poster beds to Chinese urns. Proudly on display at the store is the largest ‘Varp’ (uruli) in the area! Over the numerous restorations and new builds that I have spear headed for the Taj Group of Hotels in Kerala in the past, Sunny has always had some surprises in store for me. One of my favourites is a classic Travancore swing lovingly restored and placed outside the Rice Boat restaurant at the Vivanta Malabar—a favourite lookout of mine to spot dolphins from!
For the ultimate curated collection of small pieces, rummage through Sheratone (www.antiquesdealershop.com) located next to Crafters. On my recent trip, I found some rare pieces from a ship break. My brother has happily come home with an early 1900s vintage telescope and I placed a weather beaten brass ship model from the same ship in a client’s backwater facing villa.
This story is from the February 2017 edition of Hi!BLITZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2017 edition of Hi!BLITZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ranveer Singh: Bollywood's Don Quixote
In an industry falling apart financially at the seams, you sometimes need an entity like Ranveer Singh to remind you of the joyous madness of the movies and why we watch them. He’s the Don Quixote of Hindi cinema, playing out his heart, body and mind, always delivering the unexpected, keeping the audience hooked for the next act, the constantly performing artiste of our times. In this interview with Shalini Sharma the actor talks about how a career threatening health scare liberated him from fear and judgment and empowered him with the conviction that he can do anything he wants.
The Sisterhood
They’ve both been known for their sense of style, good looks and plenty of chutzpah. Malaika Arora Khan and Amrita Arora Ladak have through the years tried their hand at veejaying, films and are now enjoying the role of motherhood and ladies who lunch. In a freewheeling chat with Farhad J Dadyburjor, the glamorous sister-duo take a nostalgic trip down memory lane while talking about how their relationship has evolved over the years, what’s the most annoying habit of each other and the individual relationships they share with their brother-in-law.
Casting A Web
She’s always ready to try something different, whether it’s in her choice of roles or venturing into the relatively new world of web series. The talented and fearless Swara Bhaskar tells Hi! Blitz why she was drawn to a story about extra-marital affairs and the one dream role she’s still hankering for.
being bodacious!
parineeti chopra has reinvented herself, in a slimmer, fitter avatar—with her extreme weight loss causing much buzz around her. in a candid tête-à-tête with farhad j dadyburjor, the actress talks about the fear that’s crept in when she gains a kilo or two, how her last two flops were a blessing in disguise, and the one guy in bollywood she’s besotted by.
Disha Rising
From the small town of Bareilly to the bright lights of Bollywood, Disha Patani has fast become one of the hottest newcomers to watch for post the success of MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. Now starring opposite Jackie Chan, Bollywood’s newest ingénue tells Farhad J Dadyburjor about how life has changed, her fashion inspirations and a certain Tiger in her life.
Club Med Kani, Maldives
Turquoise, cyan, azure, periwinkle, pantone, ultramarine—are some of the myriad colours at the Club Med Kani, a stunning private island in Maldives. Tucked away in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the colours continue as you enter this place through the warm sun-kissed brown sand and the swaying green coconut palms that lead you to this oasis.
Top Funk Style Tips To Stand Out In The Crowd
The incorrigible but dashing Ranveer Singh is shaking up the fashion stakes for the average Indian male. The desi homme fashion scene has not been the same since he stormed into it with shocking confidence, thumbing his nose at the fashion police doing his own thing with unabashed joy. Inspired? Ranjit Rodricks shows you some funk style tips that will make you stand out in the crowd.
Twinkle Khanna: A Novel Approach
Her widely-read newspaper columns and bestselling book Mrs Funnybones have given her a new lease of life, making Twinkle Khanna a force to contend with in the literary world. The book has gone into its ninth reprint while she gears up for her second release, a collection of short stories that centre around bruised women. Armed with much wit and candour, in a freewheeling chat with Farhad J Dadyburjor she talks about dealing with the sudden success she’s found in her forties, how she’s a lot like her dad Rajesh Khanna and the private scrapbook of family letters that will be her literary legacy.
Sonakshi Sinha: I'm Every Woman
From slaying Twitter trolls to cutting a pop single, Sonakshi Sinha is making news beyond the silver screen. With two action films on the anvil that see her martial arts training put to use, the talented and always candid actress tells Farhad J Dadyburjor why she loves kicking ass (on and off screen), her schoolgirl crush on Hrithik Roshan that still continues and revelling in the power of being a woman.
Revealing family secrets: Zarine Khan
Married to producer/director Sanjay Khan and mother to Sussanne Khan, Farah Khan Ali, Simone Arora and Zayed Khan, Zarine Khan has been part of the original 'Khandan' of Bollywood. As she releases her cookbook Family Secrets, she tells Hi! Blitz about being inspired by her mother-in-laws cuisine, modelling with the likes of Persis Khambatta and how Bollywood was more scandalous in the past.
