Bollywood film offers peek into India fashion trade

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar
MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - A new Bollywood film takes a long hard look at India's fashion industry, putting the spotlight on its underbelly of drug abuse, depression and politics at a time when haute couture is making inroads into middle-class homes.
"Fashion," which opens in cinemas on Wednesday, comes close on the heels of three high-profile fashion expos in New Delhi and Mumbai, in a fortnight that has seen the country's media obsessed over post-show parties hosted by India's top designers.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, an award-winning Bollywood filmmaker who created some of the most memorable woman protagonists of Indian cinema, said he hoped to give Indians an intimate, fly-on-the-wall look into the corridors of fashion.
"Two years ago, a common man on the streets in India wouldn't have cared about models and brands and ramp shows," Bhandarkar told Reuters in an interview. "Suddenly, fashion has entered our lives like never before."
India's fashion industry has raised its global profile, following a rise in disposable incomes, victories by Indian beauty queens at international pageants and a multitude of fashion events.
"The common man still can't afford many of those clothes on the ramp, but modeling as a career is a bright option for many girls," said Bhandarkar.
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, a former Miss World, is cast in the role of a small-town girl who harbors dreams of becoming a supermodel, but has to battle obstacles to succeed in the big, bad world of Mumbai.
"This industry has back-stabbing, politics, superficiality, envy and all that," said Bhandarkar

The filmmaker, who went backstage at fashion shows and modeling shoots as part of his research, said "Fashion" also deals with drug abuse and homosexuality in the industry.
Industry insiders agree that the film is for the most part accurate in its depiction of India's fashion fraternity.
"A lot of what is shown in the film does happen," said fashion designer Narendra Kumar, who has designed the film's look.
"I am not saying every model does drugs or that every designer is homosexual, but this is the story from the director's viewpoint."
Made at a budget of 180 million rupees ($3.6 million), the film has earned an adult rating from India's censor board, making "Fashion" off limits for any one under 18.
"This film should open up our eyes to what goes behind the making of a model," Kumar said.
(Writing by Tony Tharakan; Editing by Bappa Majumdar and David Fox)

INDIA FASHION WEEK--DAY--1


In sharp contrast to the low-key kick-off last year with a line-up of turbanned models, this year's India Fashion Week was flagged off by a provocative Diandra showing the audience her middle finger to the accompaniment of a raunchy number. That, I thought, set the pace for the entire event, giving it a hep, racy, provocative feel.The shows began with Delhi designer Aki Narula and Goa whizkid Savio Jon showcasing their collections jointly. The clothes were really wacky. The hairstyles were even more interesting.What was indecent though was model Ajay Balhara giving a show of his pubic hair with real low-slung golden G-strings. Disgusting!!!Outside the Taj Mahal Ball Room, where the shows were being held, the scene was picking up very slowly on this, the first day of India Fashion Week 2001. People were busy making their press calls; designers were still setting up their stalls.The second show of the day was Ritu Kumar's. As is expected of the lady, she put up a brilliant performance! Ruby Bhatia and Pooja Batra opened her show to the song, Yeh hai Mumbai, yeh hai Mumbai, meri jaan… Ruby was full of beans and the entire scene was nicely handled.The evening was once again a treat with the Monisha Jaisingh show. I expected nothing less from this Mumbai designer and once again, she presented a fabulous collection. Lots of colour, loads of Indian sensibility and Swarovskys all over the place. The day was rounded off with the party thrown by the Fashion Design Council at the Indigo restaurant. The invitee list went out from Tarun Tahiliani and the Who's Who was there. An enjoyable evening! More to look forward to tomorrow….
by Vijay Arora

FASHION AND BEAUTY TIPS:

Can I apply amla powder on my hair? Tell me how to do it. — AartiAmla powder can be added to oil or henna. You can add 10 to 15 gms of amla powder to 100 ml pure coconut oil or sesame seed (til) oil. Put the mixture in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid and keep it in the sun for 15 days, shaking it daily to stir the amla. Then, strain the oil and keep. It can be applied on the hair to nourish it.
Amla can also be added to henna paste. You can buy whole dry amla. Soak a handful of amla in about 3 cups of water overnight.
Grind the amla the next day. Do not throw away the water. Both the water and the ground amla can be added to henna paste, along with 4 teaspoons each lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs and 2 teaspoons oil.
Amla is said to check graying and also keeps the scalp healthy. Of course, henna will leave a reddish brown colour on white hair, but will not colour dark hair.
Give me some tips for frizz-free and split-end free long hair. — PrakritiCut off the split ends. Avoid tying the hair with rubber bands. Avoid hair dryers and brushes for some time. Use a wide toothed comb. Twice a week heat pure coconut oil and apply on the scalp and hair. Apply on the ends too. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban.
Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use less shampoo and rinse well with water.
Avoid very hot water to wash the hair. After shampoo, apply a creamy conditioner, taking less quantity and massaging it lightly into the hair. Apply on the ends too. Leave on for 2 minutes and rinse off with plain water. Applying egg yolk half an hour before shampoo would also help.
Tell me home remedies to make my hair straight and long. — MonikaHome remedies soften the hair, but do not straighten it. You can use a hand-held dryer at home to straighten the hair. The effect will last till the next shampoo. After washing the hair, while the hair is still damp, divide it in sections. Hold the end of a section with a comb or brush.
Holding it straight and slightly downwards, use the hand held dryer to dry the hair. Repeat this with each section. Hold the dryer at least 6 inches away from the hair. However, excessive use of the hair dryer can cause dryness. Diet is important for hair growth. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, curd, in your diet-= HINDUSTAN TIMES.


STAY YOUNG FOR EVER

In today’s world, even 35-year-olds are worried about ageing, not realising that worrying itself could lead to a stray wrinkle here and there. The answer to ageless beauty lies not as much in beauty products and injectables like botox and miracles of plastic surgery as it does in simple lifestyle.
The other day, I was sitting with the chairman of a well-known domestic airline. His skin looked completely dehydrated and I was trying to suggest some solutions. His exquisite chamber overlooked a plush green expanse of never-ending trees, beautifully trimmed bushes and the rarest of flowers.
What surprised me was that there was a huge window but but no balcony to breathe in the fresh air. Hydrating your skin with fresh air and keeping it away from the maladies of air conditioning is extremely important. A five-minute skin cleansing, toning and moisturising routine and having a healthy lifestyle can work wonders for your skin. Here are some wonderful skin toners and tighteners that can be created from natural ingredients.
Apple cider oily and combination toner200ml apple cider, 1tsp powdered camphor, 1 drop witchazelMix all the ingredients and store in a bottle and use it to wipe skin three times a day. The ingredients will help tone and clean the skin as well as increase blood circulation.
Honey and rose toner for dehydrated and dry skin200ml of pure rose water, 2tsp raw honey, 2 drops lavender essential oil Mix all the ingredients well and store in a bottle in the fridge. Wipe the skin with this three times a day for cleansing, toning and moisturising.
Egg white skin souffle2 egg whites, whipped till it peaks and put in freezer, 1tsp honey, 1tsp china clayClean the skin and mix these ingredients and brush onto the skin with a broad flat brush and relax. Let it dry completely [avoid talking] and wash off with ice water and pat dry. This is excellent to fade out fine lines and wrinkles.
Papaya porcelain mask2 cubes mashed papaya, 2tsp grated cucumber, 2tsp fullers earth, a pinch of powdered camphor BP, 1 egg white, rose water to mix to a smooth pasteMix all the ingredients and apply on a clean skin. Let dry and wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Honey age care3 tsp raw honey, 2tsp fresh cream, 50 gms beeswax, 1tsp wheat germ oil, 1tsp olive oilHeat the beeswax in a double boiler and add all the ingredients except the fresh cream, stir in well and let cool. On cooling add the fresh cream and stir well until it becomes a smooth consistency. Pour into a glass air-tight jar and refrigerate. Massage for 20 min. You can safely store this in the fridge for up to 10 days. It is an excellent skin polisher and hydrater.

Diwali festival

-->Diwali, 'Festival of Lights', is celebrated with great fervor and gaiety. Deewali is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the country to dispel darkness and light up their lives. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way. The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.As with other Indian festivals, Divali signifies many different things to people across the country. In north India, Deepavali Festival celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. Celebrations in the home vary from region to region, and from family to family. For some the day is celebrated with religious fasts, oil baths and other rituals, while for others it is primarily a social occasion with visiting relatives and friends, exchange of sweets and food items, and a time of giving and receiving new clothes or utensils for the year. Merchants are particularly interested in attracting the good graces of the goddess, and many begin their fiscal year at this time. Likewise, gambling is a common pastime during this festival, for it is believed that the winner will have financial success during the year. For some families a special box is kept inside the home, and on this day a silver or gold coin will be added in Laxmi's honor.


DIWALI SWEETS



Doodh Pak

Ingredients:
1 litre Milk
1 tsp Saffron
250 gms Sugar
½ cup Almonds
1 ½ tbsp Kismish
1 tbsp Pistachios
1 tsp Cardamom powder
Method:
Soak the almonds in warm water for couple of hours. Remove the skin and grind to a fine paste.
Dissolve the saffron in 1 tablespoon of warm milk and keep aside.
Boil the milk in, stirring constantly.
Add the almond paste and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring regularly.
Add the saffron, sugar, kishmish and pistachios. Cook on a low flame till thick

Sprinkle cardamom powder and serve.


KHAJA

Ingredients
Maida flour : 2 cupsWhite sesame : 1½ tbspSugar( powdered ) : 4 tbspGhee : 5 tbsp
Method
Mix maida, sesame and powdered sugar.Add ghee, a little water and knead to a dough.Make small balls of the dough and make them into long thin tails.Press them with hands to broaden.Heat ghee in a frying pan.Add kaaja and fry till golden.Store them in airtight containers.


PEDA

Ingredients:

1/2 kg Soft white khoya 2-1/2 cups (approx.300gms) sugar powdered 1/2 tsp cardamom powder1 tsp cardamom seeds semi crushed 1 tbsp slivered or crushed pistachios

How to make peda:
Grate khoya with a steel (not iron) grater.Add powdered sugar and mix well.
Put mixture in a large heavy or nonstick pan.
Heat first on high for few minutes.
The on slow till done.
Make sure to stir continuously, while on heat.
When mixture thick and gooey, add cardamom.
Mix well, and take off fire.
Allow to cool, gently turning occasionally.
Use cookie moulds, or shape pedas with palms into patty rounds.
Mix pistachios and cardamom seeds and press a bit on top of each.
If using moulds, first sprinkle some at bottom.
Take some mixture and press into mould.
When set well, invert and carefully, unmould. The pedas are ready to be served


KALAKAND

Ingredients
10 oz powdered milk
10 oz confectioners white sugar
16 oz ricotta cheese(a small container of the
cheese will do)
2 tsp sliced almonds and chopped cashewnuts
Method
Mix the three together to get a creamy paste.
Put the mixture in a microwaveable dish and
cook on low heat in the microwave for about an hour.
Transfer to a open flat dish and top with sliced
almonds and cashewnuts.
Eat when cooled down to room temperature.
If you use low-fat cheese and milk and cut down on
the sugar, you have a very low-calorie delicious
and nutritious dessert.


BESAN LADDU

2 cups chickpea flour (available in Indian stores it is called Besan)1.5 cups butter1.5 cups confectioner’s sugar.½ tsp cardamom powder2 tsp. Chopped nutsTake chickpea flour in microwave safe dish (preferably flat like cookie sheet). Add butter. Microwave it for eight minutes in high power. In between remove dish from microwave in every two minutes and stir. After eight minutes add confectioner’s sugar, cardamom powder and chopped nuts and mix well. One more time microwave it for two minutes. Remove from microwave and let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Make balls and garnish with nuts.


MITHA KHAJ


Ingredients
1 1/2 cup maida (plain flour)
1/2 cup jaggery
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
1 tbsp. ghee
ghee to deep fry
Method
1.Heat the water and jaggery till all of it dissolves in the water.
2.Strain and cool a bit.
3.Mix the cardamom powder and ghee in the flour.
4.Knead the flour with the jaggery water.
5.The dough should be stiff but pliable.
6.Break into approx. 20 parts.
7.Knead each with palm and roll into 4" rounds.
8.Make many tiny slits with knife or fork on each on both sides.
9.Keep them aside on a clean cloth for an hour or so to dry a bit.
10.Deep fry in hot ghee on low flame till light golden in colour.
11.Drain and cool for a while.
12.The khajas will become crisper and harder as they cool.
13.Store in airtight container after cooling completely.
Making time: 45 minutes
Makes: 20-25 pieces