Defining Dance

As you watch her perform, you are mesmerised by her sheer grace and perfection. You feel as if you are transported to another realm, as her tales seem to come alive right in front of your eyes. Her conviction in her art is evident and it comes as no surprise that Sarpatatvam, the dance documentary based on the ancient wisdom of serpents, a fruit of her research, has become a contender for the Oscars. It proves that language and culture cease to be a barrier when it comes to art. For this gifted artiste and scholar, dance has been a companion since the age of four. As a young girl, she mastered the Thanjavur style of Bharatanatyam under Guru Melattur S Natarajan. She went on to pursue a degree in commerce, won a gold medal in MBA and briefly worked in a media house; until she realised that dance was her true calling. She set out to pursue her dream - a doctorate in dance from Kolkata. But that required a post-graduation in dance and once again she completed her masters with a gold medal (this time, in Kuchipudi) and went on to receive her PhD. She stunned dance critics by mastering Mohiniyattam and her signature style of dance has since become one that boldly defies convention and breaks all stereotypes. Her dedication and hard work have won her prestigious accolades like the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, the Devadasi National Award and the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademy Award! Ritz gets into a candid chat with the charismatic and super talented Dr.Methil Devika, who is married to renowned Mollywood actor and politician, Mukesh.

HEART-TO-HEART Chat With Harshvardhan

Actor Harshvardhan Kapoor was in Bengaluru for the launch of a new watch collection at a luxury watch store in UB City. RITZ Magazine spoke to the fresh and raw yet promising Bollywood actor, better known as Anil Kapoor’s son in a candid interview at the launch.

Coming Soon: Stalin's Day In The Sun

For far too long, it was a case of 'so close, yet so far' for M.K. Stalin.

The Bar That Raises A Bar

The Gourmet Bar opens @ Novotel Chennai

Kalidas Jayaram Going The Extra Mile

It was his deep passion for films that led him to renowned film maker, Mani Ratnam’s office. With just a college degree and no recommendations, they rejected his request instantly but he wasn’t ready to quit just yet and fervently persisted. Soon they realised that this young chap is not giving up that easily and eventually, they agreed to take him in. He was so excited to be a part of the team that he zealously went about doing every single task assigned to him– irrespective of the nature of the job! In the process, he got to watch and work with his dream film maker at close quarters! Later, Superstar Jayaram happened to meet Mani Ratnam during one of his trips and he casually enquired about his son’s apprenticeship. It was only then that the film maker realised that it was young Kalidas Jayaram who had been working at his office but he had never even once mentioned his dad. That is Kalidas Jayaram for you – a thorough gentleman, down to earth and charmingly unassuming! RITZ has a candid chat with the handsome young star, who, after having bagged national awards as a child artist, is currently stealing the hearts of the South Indian audience just like his iconic father!

Skin Talk

They Have Decoded the Mantra on All Things Skin. They Combine Age Old Beauty Secrets With the Latest in Skin Trends to Leave You Stress Free. We Dig Into Their Beautypedia to Let You in on Everything You Ever Wanted to Know.

Spinning Her Magic!

Though she was brought up in Dubai, she has her roots firmly in Kerala thanks to her strong ‘Malayali’ upbringing. It was when she moved to Pune to pursue her studies that she began to explore films and slowly, she started falling in love with Cinema. Thus began her journey of self-discovery! While everyone expected her to do a Master’s in business management, they were in for a shock when she chose to go to the London Film School instead. Her family reluctantly agreed to let her follow her heart. It was during the convocation ceremony, that they watched her work on screen for the very first time and that’s when they realised that this was her deep passion and true calling. Since then they have been her strong source of support and strength. Her first tryst with Mollywood seemed like a nightmare, as her debut film ‘Manjadikuru’ met with struggles, delays and bias. But she didn’t give up! Soon she was ready with the script of Ustad hotel, which swept the state, national and international awards! With her next blockbuster, Bangalore Days, she had built a brand for herself! Anjali Menon, is a name that is the pride of Kerala today! Ritz catches up with the ace filmmaker, whose latest flick, ‘Koode’ is rocking at the box office!

Crime & Punishment: Resolve Not Rage

When a crime shocks the collective conscience of society, that itself constitutes a ground for the harshest punishment - the death penalty. The social media has opened the floodgates for freedom of opinion, which makes these platforms a barometer of public sentiment. But is it informed opinion on display? Whether it was Nirbhaya or the Kathua horror or, closer home, the Child Rape in Chennai, there was a loud cry for justice.

Timeless Tales

This month RITZ goes back in time to two places that are a few centuries old and have been restored with modern sensibilities yet keeping the aesthetics and essence of the era gone by — The Tamara Kodai luxury resorts in the historical La Providence, in Kodaikanal, built at a 160-year old monastic retreat that has been restored and added with new constructions and revisit India’s magnificent past at Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner, Rajasthan that was once the grand residence of Narendra Singh, the last reigning Maharaja of Bikaner HH. We showcase a first-hand experience…

Curating Art Beyond Boundaries!

Kochi is hosting the fourth edition of its very own Kochi Muziris Biennale that has become a popular global platform for expression of art today. This year, apart from the celebration and exhibition of art in a multidimensional, epic scale, the event boldly echoed voices – voices from the margins. There were artists and collectives from across the globe who spoke about gender rights and equality, there was a distinct element of women empowerment with more women artists coming to the forefront, art installations involving the queer community and artists from all walks of life who jointly put up a great show. It was invigorating to see how suppressed voices were given their due space amidst celebrated artists. The mastermind behind it all is the renowned contemporary artist and a true liberalist at heart, who has literally broken all the barriers and invisible norms laid down by social conditioning. As the grand art fiesta draws to a close, RITZ is delighted to catch up with the first ever lady curator of the Kochi Muziris Biennale, Anita Dube.

From Martial Arts Action To Lights, Camera, Action

THE STORY OF A MARTIAL ARTS PRACTITIONER, WHO TURNED INTO AN ACTOR IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF HIS LIFE…KravMaga SreeRam is a name well known among police and corporates in Tamil Nadu. From being an artist to a karate black belt, from being an ad films maker working behind the scenes to KravMaga practitioner and trainer, he has seen it all in the first three quarters of his life, and now in the final quarter, he has got his big break as an actor in a movie based on different perspectives of romance.

Yami Strikes & Struts On The Ramp

Yami Gautam, walked the ramp at the Blenders Pride Magical Nights for designer Rina Dhaka at Conrad in Bengaluru. The actor of the Vicky Donor movie fame, who got recognition for her role as an intelligence agent in the recent Bollywood hit Uri-The Surgical Strike, spoke to RITZ Magazine in a candid interview post the show.

Our Star In The Skies

Wing Commander ABHINANDAN VARTHAMAN.

Making Kerala Proud

Mollywood adores this Diva who enthrals her audience with her power-packed performances and melodious songs! Be it comedy, romance or drama, her movies have kept the cash registers ringing and through the years, she has charmed Kollywood and Tollywood audiences as well with her music and acting prowess. Her fans were devastated when they learnt of her battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but her family and friends stood by her like a rock. With her ‘never say die’ attitude, it didn’t take long for her to stride right back into Mollywood in full vigour! Ritz gets into a candid chat with the gorgeous diva, Mamta Mohandas, who never ceases to amaze her audience!

5 Minute Genie In The Kitchen!

You are a working mom and have an important board meeting.

Ayurveda In Its Purest Form

For times when you want to return to nature and rejuvenate.

The Silent Superheroes

Quite often working moms find themselves at the heart of controversy - what makes them tick, how they operate and how they manage life seems to be a subject of complete and utter fascination. Why else would we find entire research studies devoted to whether or not working mothers are happier and healthier than non-working mothers? Having said that, what working women do - raising children and managing a professional life - is no joke as most people find playing only one of these roles awfully challenging. On the occasion of this Mother’s Day, we asked some successful mums about how they shuttle between these two extremely important roles in their life. Read ahead to understand how easy/difficult it is to strike a balance between being a good mother and professional…

Sizzling On The Silver Screen

The bubbly and beautiful actor Sanchita Shetty, will soon be seen in movies l ike Party, Pallu Padama Parthuko, Johny and Devdas Brothers. Sanchita who has acted in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu movies, shares her journey with R ITZ Magazine in a candid interview.

Live Like A Local

Move beyond beaches and booze on your next Goan sojourn and try these amazing Airbnb experiences, that allow you to travel like a local.

The New Tycoons Are Here

George Benjamin Cherian of Raj Waterscape Properties and Udeep Bogollu Reddy of Mayajaal Entertainment are focussed, driven and ambitiously changing the game in their respective fields, one path-breaking decision at a time! They invest in their passion, and more importantly in themselves, to further their interests. In one of the most interesting interactions for our prestigious cover, RITZ, South India’s largest lifestyle magazine, gets to understand what drives these two young tycoons who helm family businesses but have deftly reshaped them to suit our modern, rapidly changing times and their own ambitious life goals.

The 'Instant Action' Collector

ROHINI BIDARI, IAS, Collector of Salem.

Cyberchondria: The 'Doctor Google' Effect

Gargling is better than googling antibiotics when you have a sore throat. Here's a spot poll. How many of us end up going online to glean information on our symptoms?

On A High Note!

As a four year old, she detested the long hours of practise and never understood why she had to undergo this ‘torture’! Her father was a musician and a relentless taskmaster when it came to training. He insisted that she learn singing – western, Hindustani and Carnatic styles and also master instruments like guitar, violin, veena, sitar, tabala, drums and keyboard. Through the years, although she tried to be patient, there were times when she almost gave up! Little did she know that her father had recognised the spark in her and was fervently nurturing her latent talents! Sayanora Philip has today, become not just a renowned playback singer, who has worked with top musicians like A R Rahman, but has also become a music director herself – the first lady music director in Mollywood who confidently crafts music not just for songs but for the background scores as well! RITZ catches up with the bubbly musician who is rocking the charts with the World Cup Anthem by the Orfeo Band, ‘Davai Davai’!

For The Love Of Wines

Indians are well travelled and are now looking at wines beyond red, white and Rose. They’re now looking up the vintage, terroir, blends and so on and that’s why Abhay Kewadkar decided to launch his own brand producing handcrafted small batches of wine for the Indian tipplers, after working for more than three decades in the wine industry. His venture focuses on bringing to India a Grand Cru Class of wines under the umbrella brand Tetrad Global Beverages Pvt Ltd, along with partner Rishad Minocher and Joseph Andrade. Long-time friends and wine lovers, they have a carefully curated portfolio of wines under the Early Dark label, that has been produced in the celebrated vineyards of near Boudreaux in the Sud Quest region in France. RITZ Magazine speaks to the wine aficionados on the making of the Early Dark.

Of Sushi Platters And Delectable Dimsums

Let Your Food Make You Do The Taiki Taiki Rumba At This Newest Pan-Asian Eatery In Town

Dairy Dreaming

Meet Mehal Kejriwal the young entrepreneur from Bengaluru who’s doing her bit to bring you the goodness of milk

India Through Her Canvas

Shy and reserved by nature, someone who prefers to communicate visually, not verbally - meet Ildikó Morovszki Halász, an Hungarian Artist who now works and lives in India. In order to display her expression through aquarelle and acrylic paintings, and showcase her visions about India, which are a composition of the life of simple Indians, street celebrations, the beauty and surprises of the ’Incredible India’ - an exhibition of her work was held at JW Marriott Bengaluru in March and at the Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Gachibowli after that. Read on to know her better…

Happily Never After

Heart – the most powerful organ in the human body; the centre of our existence also happens to be the most fragile; prone to getting broken, shattered into smithereens when the one you love also happens to be the one that hurts you the most. What do you do in such scenarios? What do you do when you know you’re in a relationship that makes you feel stifled, remorseful and despondent? Many moons ago, people would stay stuck in the rut pretending all is well due to various reasons but not anymore. With changing social mores, independent personalities and freedom of choice, many youngsters and some not-so-young couples are breaking the vows. The year gone by is a testimony to the fact. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that 2016 has been a year of break ups, some acrimonious and some dignified, some expected and some completely shocking... Does the concept of `Happily Ever After’ exist anymore? RITZ takes a look at what’s going on in the ubiquitous splitsville around the globe.

The Beauty Spot

The business of beauty is at an all time high. After all, who doesn’t want to feel good and look beautiful! Every beauty addict will admit that they constantly and discreetly check out tips from beauty gurus and beauty bloggers, who are generously dishing out beauty advice supported by equally amazing photographs and videos. Mastering the art of a smokey eye, cat eye or a perfect pout isn’t a cakewalk and these passionate beauty aficionados turned bloggers are giving you your fix of hair care, skin care and makeup tips for a picture perfect look. Meet five of Bengaluru’s top beauty bloggers who stand out from the pack for their edgy and informative content and photographs.

The Changing Face Of Facebook

The Changing Face Of Facebook