FEBRUARY 24, 2019 60 www.t.

me/njm_magz A Times of India publication

RAVEENA
TANDON
Truly
unstoppable
FEELIN’ BLUE?
It’s all in
the jeans
www.t.me/njm_magz

MIND OVER
MATTER
LET’S TALK ABOUT
MENTAL HEALTH

FLAVOURS
OF INDIA
Party on
your plate

his
Come again

on t
Understanding
the female orgasm

w w w. ali vear. co m
WATCH THE BEHIND
THE SCENES OF THIS
COVER SHOOT.
FOR INSTRUCTIONS,
TURN TO PAGE 22
Tr ip LO O
T
K
RAVEL
WHA LIKE IN 2
T
WI
0
LL
19
 EDITOR’S
LETTER
While the sun bid sayonara and the sea breeze played with my hair,
I sipped on the Sangria overburdened with syrupy apples without a wince, snubbed a wasp wanting
to share my drink, and steadfastly gazed at the horizon beyond the dancing waves. It was my break
and nothing could ruin it. Taking this as a challenge, my phone buzzed. With due nonchalance,
I silenced it and refocussed on the scene at hand. It buzzed again. This time I shut it and kept it
away. And then it happened.
My phone, clearly rebuffed, committed hara-kiri, and plunged to its death in the waters. And
that’s when I felt the panic within. I was on my own at an almost secluded beach in an alien
country, a few miles away from my hotel; the
THE KIND OF pitch darkness of the night was setting in, and the
INDEPENDENCE, people milling around were definitely not friendly.
www.t.me/njm_magz
EXPER EN E AND FREEDOM My trek back to the hotel was dotted with all the
OLO TRAVEL VE moments that a thriller-horror flick is made of.
IS UNPARALLELED. Each and every sound made me whirl around and
lumbering shadows made me pick up pace to the
extent that I was sprinting by the time I reached the hotel. That was my first solo trip ever—more
than a decade ago. I swore then that I would never travel solo again.
Happy to report that I have broken that promise at least a dozen times since. People who love to
travel will spell out its pros and cons to you by heart. But the kind of independence, experience, and
freedom it gives you is unparalleled. That is my kind of tourism, but if wanderlust is what grips you
every now and then, find the trends that every traveller should encounter in 2019. From conscious
tourism to tech-inspired sojourns, our big story assists you in prepping an itinerary that is on fleek.
Bon voyage!

Tanya Chaitanya
@tanyachaitanya
@tanyachaitanya27
 ON THE COVER
MODEL: RAVEENA TANDON;
PHOTOGRAPHER: ROHAN PINGLE;
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Deepak Lamba HAIR: ARIZAH NAQVI AND SHURA KHAN
CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER & EDITOR Tanya Chaitanya MAKEUP: SHURA; STYLIST: PRACHITI
PARAKH; FASHION INTERNS: KRITI GUPTA
AND JHARNA CHANDRA; EMBELLISHED
GOWN, JADE BY MONICA AND KARISHMA
MANAGING EDITOR Baishali Chatterjee
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ruchi Chopda FEBRUARY 24 2019 60 A Times of India publication

ASSOCIATE EDITOR (DIGITAL) Sneha Mahale

PRODUCTION EDITORS Shraddha Kamdar, Charlene Flanagan
COPY EDITOR Anushree Kandalkar
BEAUTY WRITER Sanjana Salunkhe RAVEENA
ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR Prachiti Parakh TANDON
Truly
SENIOR STYLE WRITER Shruti Shukla unstoppable
FEELIN’ BLUE?
FASHION WRITER Shruti Shende It’s all in
ACTIVATIONS COORDINATOR AND STYLIST Mayola Almeida the jeans

MIND OVER
MATTER
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Nachiket Barve, Masaba Gupta, Shaheen Abbas, Dr Jaishree Sharad, LET’S TALK ABOUT
MENTAL HEALTH

Kapil Bhalla, Savio John Pereira FLAVOURS

OF INDIA
SENIOR REGIONAL EDITORS NEW DELHI Anindita Ghosh, CHENNAI Neeti Jaychander Party on
your plate
REGIONAL EDITOR KOLKATA Hemchhaya De

his
Come again

t
FEATURES EDITOR PUNE Radhika Sathe-Patwardhan

on
Understanding
the female orgasm

Trip
JUNIOR FEATURES EDITOR AHMEDABAD Kalwyna Rathod
MULTIMEDIA CONTENT MANAGER Shilpa Dubey ILL
VEL W 19
T TRA 0
SENIOR MULTIMEDIA EXECUTIVE Natasha D’souza WATCHTHE BEHIND
THE SCENES OF THIS WHA LIKE IN 2
LOOK
COVER SHOOT.
FOR INSTRUCTIONS,
TURNTO PAGE 22

SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR Meetesh Taneja

DESIGN DIRECTOR Bendi Vishan Raveena Tandon looks ravishing
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 VOLUME 60 NUMBER 4

The
biggest
travel
trends for
2019
Is wanderlust your second name? If yes,
then here’s a forecast of the hottest
things in travel this year from micro
vacations to green travel, and more. Start
making your itinerary today!
www.t.me/njm_magz

ALL ABOUT YOU FASHION

22 Front row
16 Passion KNOT THEORY
COURSE OF ACTION We show you how to inntegrate
We show how you can boost the conventional croch
het Crochet
your chances of saying, ‘Yes, into your wardrobe bes
yes, yes!’
24 Details
19 Love ON THE EDGE
SILENT BURSTS The finishing touch
Pointers to deal with
passive-aggressive behaviour 26 Fashion feature
BLUE STREET
36
Glitter
Denim is here to stay is in

19 Don’t
keep it in
36 Hotlist
TRENDING
All the latest news
in fashion

BEAUTY
40 Hair spotlight
THE COOL BUN
In a bun or a top knot?
?
Do it all!

41 Trial-a-trend
GREEN REVOLUTION N
Put down the nudes for this
season’s biggest colour trend
 60
Tempting treats

63 Quick bites
A PASSION FOR PEARS
Sweet or savoury—take
your pick

64 The buzzmakers
SHIBANI DANDEKAR
GOING WITH THE FLOW
The actor-anchor talks about
her small screen stints, her
love for cricket, and
her dream projects

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64
Anchoring
it in

50
Doing it all

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lashes are all you need
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leading in all kinds Last but not the least,
CELEBRITIES of professional fields you have made the cover
Take style inspiration from them today. It was inspiring girls look like they can
to read about the give any model a run for
MAKEUP TIPS FOR Newsmakers of 2018 her money.
VALENTINE’S DAY (Cover Story). Kudos Jigna Seth, Rajkot
Celebrate the day of love
looking beautiful to the team for not
only introducing us to The January 9, 2019 issue
DESSERT RECIPE
Banana split cheesecake
insightful and thought-
provoking stories, but
of Femina was powerful
in many ways. I loved
also giving us mouthwatering recipes the article Newsmakers of 2018
TOP PLACES TO in every issue. Let us begin the New (Cover Story) depicting girl power.
VISIT THIS SEASON Year by bringing about changes not The interviews with Swapna Barman,
Everything you need to know only in the country, but also in our Vinesh Phogat, Rahi Sarnobat, and
homes. Happy New Year! Hima Das inspired me. Behind every
We asked our followers Dristhi Gangwani, Mumbai successful athlete are his/her family,
on Twitter about
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destinations. Here’s what In the January 9, 2019 issue, I want to thank Femina for providing
they had to say: www.t.me/njm_magz
I particularly loved the article, Make us with thoughtful articles. I am
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Kashmir is my go-to place
You, She-conomics). Growing your Shwetha Parakh, Delhi
in India. money in a healthy way is the best
Priyanka
expert advice for both single and The first issue of 2019 had it all to give
@npriyanka_nandi married women. The feature Time me a perfect kick-start to the New
Himachal Pradesh Capsule (Fashion, Feature) motivated Year. My favourite part in this issue
is my favourite travel
destination. me to shuffle my wardrobe with more was the Cover Story. We salute and
sustainable fashion brands and labels. applaud India’s women champions and
Vishakha Kashyap
@vishwish19 I thoroughly enjoyed reading this their dream run at the Asian Games
Arunachal Pradesh is the issue. Long live Femina. 2018. They made the entire country
most beautiful state that
I’ve been to.
Aashi Ravi Malhotra, Amritsar proud and inspired mothers all around
to encourage children to engage in
I’m Melvin In the article Newsmakers of 2018
@MelwinShajan
sports. Femina has always brought
Bali, hands down! (Cover Story) from the January 9, such stories to the forefront. This issue
2019 issue, Femina informed us about is a testament to the fact that Femina
Shweta @shweta1799
For me, the state of Kerala women who ruled the previous year. only gets better with time!
is my second home. Reading such articles motivates us Alka Joshi, Noida
Palkan Nagori Dave @
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and London in the UK
WIN!

are two of my favourite

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www.t.me/njm_magz
THE BIG STORY

The
biggest
travel
trends for www.t.me/njm_magz

2019
Is wanderlust your second name? If yes, then here’s a forecast
of the hottest things in travel this year, right from
micro vacations to green travel, and more. Start making your
itinerary today! By Anindita Ghosh

Travel is one of the things that makes our dreary lives a little brighter.
Correction, a lot brighter! It gives flight to our imagination and enlivens us to the
countless possibilities the world offers. It makes us gaze longingly at impossible
Instagram posts, mark the long weekends in red on our calendars way before their
time, and dream about uncharted places we have only heard of. But travel, as we
know it, is changing rapidly.From tech-charged holidays and minimising one’s
carbon footprint to experiencing a destination beyond the touristy spots, there’s
something new and exciting for everyone. Here’s a forecast of all the travel trends
that promise to be big in 2019. Start planning now!
 Solo travel
Indian women are travelling solo like
never before, and the number is only set to
increase this year. Reports suggest that it’s
not just fearless 20-somethings, but older
women too, who are taking the leap of faith.
According to digital payments company
ePaylater, which has partnered with railway
booking website IRCTC, there has been an
upsurge of solo women travellers in the last
year. Aishwarya Dayal, Manager, Growth
& Strategy, ePayLater, says, “The profile of
women who are booking tickets has changed.
Previously, solo women travellers were all
aged between 22 and 28 years; this has now
extended to 34-35 years. We have also seen
a few bookings by women in their mid-40s.
Among the most popular destinations with
women are Secunderabad, Delhi, Chennai,
www.t.me/njm_magz
Pune, Allahabad, Visakhapatnam, Howrah,
and Tirupati.”
It’s not just tried-and-tested Indian
destinations, but international hotspots like
Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand, and
the US that women are flying to as well.
Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head of
Leisure Travel & MICE, Thomas Cook (India)
Limited, elaborates, “We’ve witnessed an
uptake of over 28 per cent, with education,
awareness, and increasing independence
clearly powering this revolution. And the
trend is both age and geography agnostic. The
corporate woman traveller has further fuelled
this tide, with business trips extending
beyond mere meetings to business-cum-
leisure—bleisure travel.”

International: Japan, France,

Spain, USA, and Indonesia
Domestic: Udaipur, Sikkim,
Shimla, Hampi, and Rishikesh
THE BIG STORY

“A COMMON
INITIATIVE
IS THE
DEPLOYMENT
OF LINEN
REUSE
CARDS.”

Staying at an eco-hotel or resort

while travelling is a good start
towards taking an environmentally
responsible holiday

www.t.me/njm_magz

Eco-friendly travel According to Ignace Bauwens, Regional Vice

President Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa,
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, “A common initiative is
Travel has a huge ecological impact. Research the deployment of linen reuse cards that encourages
published in the journal, Nature Climate Change, guests to reuse bed linens and towels when staying
suggests that travel accounts for one-tenth of for more than a night, in an effort to reduce water
the world’s carbon emissions, with the airline and energy consumption.” Other hotel brands like
industry leading the list of offenders. And that’s not Fairmont report that their guests want experiences
all. The advent of scores of tourists to a place puts that do not harm the local community, and think
a severe strain on meagre resources like water, environmentally sustainable practices and locally-
and overburdens garbage disposal and sewage sourced kitchen ingredients are important.
treatment mechanisms. So what can you do to ensure that your next
Thankfully, a new breed of conscious travellers holiday leaves a lighter carbon footprint? Travel
is looking for ways to minimise its carbon footprint, writer and founder of Breathedreamgo.com,
and this trend promises to become even bigger in Mariellen Ward, has some ideas. She says, “Fly less,
2019. According to a survey conducted by Booking. avoid single-use plastic, and spend locally. Carry your
com among its Indian users, 97 per cent travellers own reusable bottle and shopping bag, and stay in
said they would be willing to spend time on locally-owned guest houses. Spend on locally-made
activities that offset the environmental impact of crafts and take walking tours offered by locals.”
their stay, and almost half (46 per cent) said they Doesn’t sound too difficult, right?
would be willing to clear plastic or litter from their
destination, while on holiday. The study International: Switzerland, Bhutan, Iceland,
also found that 70 per cent would choose Costa Rica, and New Zealand
not to travel to a destination if it negatively Domestic: Thenmala and Kumbalangi in
Kerala, Sadhana Forest in Pondicherry,
impacts the locals. Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim,
Hotels also report that travellers want and Mawlynnong in Meghalaya
to make their stay as ‘green’ as possible.
THE BIG STORY

showed that 69 per cent of us are using voice search

Tech-inspired to research with tools such as Apple Siri, Google
Home, or Amazon Alexa; 85 per cent have used
travel a digital wallet/payment app while travelling; over
half use payment apps; almost two-thirds prefer to
Sighting a tiger in a wildlife sanctuary has always check into a hotel via an app rather than at
been a matter of luck and, to some extent, the a reception desk; and 84 per cent travellers are open
instinct of your forest guide. However, these days, allto offering their biometrics to reduce waiting in
you need to do is log onto an app like WildTrails to security lines.
get the complete details of sightings of tigers With all the advantages that travel tech offers,
and other animals across most of the top national it’s not surprising that it has so many converts.
parks and reserves in India. With the help of data Vishal Kejariwal, CEO at Taxidio, an online DIY trip
mining and analytics, the app comes up with planner, elaborates, “With the help of AI, portals
a sighting index metric that predicts your chances can recommend the best destination for your needs,
of seeing a particular species in a particular zone at plan a customised itinerary in less than a minute,
a given time. and book your accommodation, transportation, and
This is just one example of how technology tickets to attractions. Some platforms have chatbots
and artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionised that reserve tables at restaurants and book tickets to
the way we travel. Besides the ubiquitous booking tourist attractions in the city you are travelling to.”
apps, AI, robot concierges, and virtual travel agents You also get to compare prices and choose one that
promise to make travel experiences much smoother gives you the best deal. What’s not to like?
in 2019.
According to travel commerce platform
Travelport’s 2018 Global Digital Traveler League
Priority Pass, Google Translate,
Table, India already tops the list of the countries
GetYourGuide, Hopper, and Citymapper
S

with the most digitally-advanced travellers. The AP P

www.t.me/njm_magz
study of over 16,000 respondents from 25 countries

AI has made it easier for wildlife

enthusiasts to spot animals in
national parks across India

“SOME PLATFORMS
HAVE CHATBOTS THAT
RESERVE TABLES AT
RESTAURANTS AND
BOOK TICKETS TO
ATTRACTIONS IN
THE CITY YOU ARE
TRAVELLING TO.”
THE BIG STORY

Immersive
experiences
Travel is no longer about going to a popular
destination and catching all that there is to see
through a ‘10-point’ sightseeing tour. These days,
travellers would rather opt for a niche, curated
vacation where they get to live a unique experience.
For instance, last winter, Delhi-based content
For the adventurous traveller,
creator, Suchitra Sinha, and her husband, Rajat, cycling in the tough terrain of
decided to ditch their Goa plans for a culinary tour Lachen in Sikkim can be an
exhilarating experience
through Kolkata. “We stayed at a local homestay
with a celebrated home cook who took us on
a delicious tour of the city’s famed eateries, from
heritage bakeries to authentic Awadhi restaurants,
“TRAVELLERS WILL EXPLORE
and family-run eateries in Tangra in Chinatown to NEW PLACES THROUGH
the best street food vendors. It was a memorable
experience,” says Sinha.
SHARED HOBBIES, SKILLS,
While the Sinhas may have created their own AND EXPERTISE.”
itinerary, many hotels and travel service providers
like Cleartrip, Yatra, and Airbnb offer such niche
vacation packages too. For instance, Airbnb Trips
offers unique curated experiences where travellers
learn about an interesting aspect of a city from
local experts like a calligrapher, an organic farmer,
www.t.me/njm_magz
or a photographer. Amanpreet Bajaj, Country
Manager, Airbnb India, explains, “Indian travellers
are actively seeking more holistic, exclusive, and
quirky experiences. The booking data from Airbnb
Experiences shows that meditation and hiking
activities are among the most-searched experiences.
In terms of food, pizza and pasta still lead as the
most-booked food experiences. We see 2019 as a year
where travellers will explore new places through
shared hobbies, skills, and expertise.”
According to Ward, there seems to be
Bite-sized trips
a deepening divide between those who flock to the Every time the New Year rolls around, you can’t
Going for
oversaturated ‘Instagram worthy’ hotspots, and miss the cheery posts on your social media timeline a food trail
those who do the opposite. “The more adventurous that tell you how many long weekends the year can be an
travellers will continue to look for offbeat and has in store for you. And before you know it, you authentic way
to experience
authentic experiences that could include things like are frantically scrolling through your calendar and a destination
trekking and cycling tours, and wellness retreats. dreaming of all those exciting weekend getaways that
Then there are those who travel for inspirational and are calling out to you. According to the Booking.com
educational reasons, and I’m seeing more of this type study, almost three quarters of the travellers (73 per
of travel. People who want to learn about indigenous cent) plan to take more weekend trips in 2019.
or tribal cultures; people who want to discover local According to Megh Doshi, co-founder of
artisans and crafts; people who want to learn to cook Moonstone Hammock, a Mumbai-based travel
local cuisine or play a local instrument.” start-up that curates unique camping adventures
for city folk, “At present, the most convenient travel
Food trail in Kolkata, tribal village option is getting away for the weekend. With hectic
NC S

tour in Wayanad, bird watching in

E

work schedules, people are unable to take longer

X
P E RIE Coorg, and temple hopping in Hampi vacations, and opt, instead, for shorter trips multiple
E

times a year. Also, it is a more affordable option.”

THE BIG STORY

“IN MOST CASES,

DONATING MONEY
Scuba diving is a popular
activity among tourists
IS THE BEST
in Thaliand CONTRIBUTION,
PROVIDED IT IS
RESPONSIBLY
CHANNELLED.”

Conscious travel
In 2019, travel is going to be less about sightseeing
and more about responsible, mindful tourism that
takes into account the social, political, economic,
Weekend travellers from cities like and environmental landscape of a destination.
Mumbai and Pune often flock to
Lonavala for a night of camping Booking.com reports that these days almost seven in
ten (69 per cent) Indian travellers take social issues
Better transport options, more flight routes, cheaper into account when choosing a holiday destination,
www.t.me/njm_magz
fares, good public transport, and easy, on-demand and 60 per cent would also like to volunteer or
car rentals have also made weekend trips easier. contribute to some social cause while they are there.
Sunil Gupta, MD and CEO, Avis India, a car However, while well-intentioned, not all
rental firm, says that his company sees an upsurge of these efforts actually end up benefitting the
in car rental bookings whenever a long weekend local community, so choose your cause wisely.
comes along. “Booking requests come in at least four Chandralekha Ghosh, London-based lawyer,
or five days in advance with SUVs and vans, most in photographer, and intrepid traveller, says, “In 90 per
demand for destinations outside metro cities, like cent of the situations, the tourists have neither the
Kamshet and Kolad in Maharashtra, Lahaul and skills nor the time to actually contribute. In most
Spiti in Himachal, and Ooty and Chikmagalur in cases, donating money is the best contribution,
Bangalore,” he informs. provided it is responsibly channelled. There are ways
Even international destinations are not too of contributing over a short period, particularly in
far away for the new-age weekend traveller. wildlife conservation. So for example, when
Daniel D’souza, Head of Sales, India and NRI I tracked gorillas in Uganda, we tracked a group
Markets and E-Commerce, SOTC Travel, says which was already habituated with a small group
that there is a spurt in demand for domesttic of other toourists. Separately, my friend and I joined
holidays as well as international short-hauul rangers on a different day to track an unhabituated
destinations for micro-trips and long weekkends. group, w which was undergoing habituation (not
“Today’s smart travellers plan well in t ready for tourists to come close in the wild
advance to make the most of long weekends. state). So while we didn’t singlehandedly pull
Destinations with visa-on-arrival facilities baack the mountain gorilla from the critically
are in great demand, he says.” enndangered list, our efforts may have
c
contributed to the cause in a small way.”
International: Thailand, Bali,
Mauritius, Bhutan, and Sri Lan ka
International: Belize, Benin,
Domestic: Goa, Shimla,
Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica
Ranthambore, Gokarna, and M ysor
THE BIG STORY

Off the
beaten track Vietnam offers tourists the
opportunity to learn about the
All of us have just a little bit of Christopher
art of calligraphy during its
Columbus in us. Something that makes us take annual calligraphy festival
off into the unknown, charting (what we’d like to
believe) undiscovered territories!
Anita Ngai, Chief Revenue Officer of travel app “IN BALI, A BATIK
Klook, says, “More travellers are abandoning the MAKING CLASS INVITES
mainstream tourist guides in a bid for bespoke
itineraries that take them off the beaten track. The GUESTS TO JOIN A
Phu Quoc Island Sightseeing Tour in the South of GROUP SESSION AND
Vietnam’s quaint island takes travellers off the beach,
with a journey to fascinating pearl and pepper farms,
DISCOVER THE ART.”
the infamous Coconut Tree Prison, and more. In
Malaysia, a three-hour drive out of Ipoh takes guests
to a Malaysian rainforest older than the Amazon and
Travel to learn
Congo—where they can embark upon the Belum What is the point of travelling if you don’t learn
Temenggor Forest Reserve Tour. Reminiscent of something? While most travellers swear by the
a land before time, the exploration of the life-skills they have developed on their journeys,
130-million-year-old nature-scape presents a separate set (about 86 per cent according to
opportunities to spot Malaysian tigers and Sumatran Booking.com) would like to go a step further and
rhinoceroses, and culminates with a plunge into the actually learn a skill and participate in cultural
cool waters of the magnificent Nam Waterfall.” exchanges while they are at it.
If you’re looking for the ultimate off-piste When we talk of a skill, we don’t mean taking
www.t.me/njm_magz
destination, think space travel. Seven in ten Indian up something complicated. You could upgrade an
travellers (71 per cent) say they are excited about the existing talent or get a new perspective on a subject
prospect and are open to considering the experience that you are interested in. For instance, if you are
themselves, says the Booking.com report. an art student or interested in art, you could try,
as Ngai says, “A Chinese painting class in Shanghai
International: Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, that teaches its students the evolution of Chinese
Bolivia, Ethiopia, and Argentina painting in a fun and engaging way, including
Domestic: Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh, how to use a Chinese paintbrush and master the
Sandakphu in West Bengal, Majuli in technique of Oriental painting. In Bali, a batik-
Assam, and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh making class invites guests to join a group session
and discover the art included in the UNESCO
ntangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
ist—from traditional wax-resist dyeing
to the fundamental principles of the
intricate skill.”
It is not limited to art. You could
train with professional Muay Thai boxing
instructors in Pattaya or pick learn to
rustle up indigenous cuisines from local
chefs in different countries.
So, what are you waiting for? Make that
booking now!

Learn Spanish in Spain, dig for

ruins in Colorado, surf in California,
ES

Perak in Malaysia offers travellers cook in Vietnam or Kerala, and

TI

a number of adventures C TIVI

Scuba dive in Bali or Pondicherry
A

to get their pulse racing

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK
* SOURCE: A CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY OF 28,000 HETEROSEXUAL PARTICIPANTS AGED 18 TO 75 YEARS. SURVEY DONE BY MELISSA R. FALES, DAVID
A. FREDERICK, JUSTIN R. GARCIA, KELLY A. GILDERSLEEVE, MARTIE G. HASELTON, HELEN E. FISHER.

www.t.me/njm_magz
WHEN DO WOMEN
PLEASURE IN BED?
EXPERIENCE THE MOST

9%
During
clitoral

vaginal

Clitoral
36%
to orgasm

no orgasm
18.4%
36.6%

stimulation
stimulation

penetration

through sex
Experienced
Only through

wasn’t needed
ALL ABOUT YOU passion

O
ver the years, researchers
have tried to demystify
women’s orgasms. One of the
inferences from a plethora of
studies conducted across the
world is that no single, fail-safe factor can
guarantee deeply erotic orgasms.
Instead, a 2017 study says there are a host
of factors that help women attain the Big
‘O’; these include frequent oral sex sessions,
sex marathons, a fulfilling relationship,
compliments from one’s partner, clear
communication from both partners
regarding their sexual desires and fantasies,
and stimulating conversations before and
during sex. Then there are socio-cultural,
psychological, and physiological factors
to consider. So, how do we essentially
deconstruct the female orgasm?

Spoiler alert!
First, we need to know what can possibly
stop us from having orgasms. Research
shows that several factors can be inhibiting
in nature. A 2013 study, The Faking Orgasm
Scale for Women: Psychometric Properties,
www.t.me/njm_magz
published in Archives of Sexual Behavior,
says that around 75-90 per cent of women
do not “consistently orgasm” during sex
with a partner, while around 5-10 per cent
do not orgasm at all. A lack of an open
communication about one’s desires and
fears seems to be a common obstacle. In
a 2017 study, Women’s Orgasm Obstacles:
A Qualitative Study, researchers say,
“...inability to talk about sexual activities
with a spouse can be observed in women
with orgasm problems.” The researchers
further say that psychological factors such

COURSE OF
as introversion, emotional instability, not
being adventurous, and sexual myths can be
veritable hindrances too.

Heart-to-heart

ACTION
Sexologists say that open communication
between partners is the best way to resolve
issues or overcome hurdles. “The key
to helping women shed inhibitions about
sex is communication. It’s a simple
four-letter word—talk. Engage your
partner in conversations about sexual
Female orgasms have always been considered likes and dislikes. It also ensures
elusive. Hemchhaya De shows how you can boost a catharsis of sorts, since with frank
your chances of saying, “Yes, yes, yes!” discussions, many hurdles can be
ALL ABOUT YOU passion

crossed,” says Mumbai-based sexologist help women gain confidence about their
Dr Prakash Kothari. bodies. It’s time women stop considering it
EXPERTS Banish taboos
a taboo. “Female masturbation seems to be

SAY THAT
more hushed up than male masturbation.
In the study The Faking Orgasm Scale This again goes back to the idea that women
MASTURBATION for Women: Psychometric Properties, do not know anything about their bodies,

CAN HELP researchers say that sexual myths or

preconceived notions about sexual activities
and sexual desires need to be inculcated
in women through somebody else,” says
WOMEN GAIN can have an impact too. For instance, Dr Dr Maitri Chand, a Delhi-based family

CONFIDENCE Kothari says a lot of men across India

still feel that if women initiate sex, they
therapist and former couples and sexual
therapy and sexual dysfunction professor
ABOUT THEIR might be more ‘experienced’ from other at Mercer University Medical School, USA.
BODIES. encounters before them, which is not
looked upon well. Women, too, often fall
She stresses that masturbation is essential
for women because they know what pleases
for the age-old belief that initiating sex is them the most. And that self-knowledge can
un-feminine. “Needless to say, these are lead to satisfying orgasms.
preconceived notions,” says Dr Kothari.
KNOW THE So, banish such outdated ideas; don't be Touchy-feely
TYPES afraid of initiating sex and being in control Focussing on the pivotal role played by the
It was Sigmund Freud who
of your pleasure. clitoris, a recent study published in the
put forth the idea of two
types of women’s orgasms—
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, titled
clitoral and vaginal. Well, that Masturbate more Women’s Sexual Experience with Genital
was the 20th century. Science Believe it or not, masturbation can have Touching, Sexual Pleasure, and Orgasm:
and society have progressed, a wholesome and long-lasting effect on your Results from a U.S. Probability Sample of
and researchers have come sex life. Experts say that masturbation can Women Ages 18 to 94, tried to assess how
up with plenty of theories
www.t.me/njm_magz
and counter-theories
regarding the types of
orgasms. Researchers
maintain that there are
several, not just two.
We list the popular ones:
BLENDED:
When you get all types of
orgasms, including clitoral
and vaginal, blended
together.

MULTIPLES:
This seems to be the most
coveted form of orgasm.
It occurs when a woman
experiences waves of
orgasms, one after another.
FANTASY ORGASMS:
No prize for guessing, these
are orgasms you experience
by fantasising or mental
stimulation alone.

G-SPOT ORGASMS:
These orgasms are
experienced when the
erogeneous area of the
vagina is stimulated.
ALL ABOUT YOU passion

“THE CLITORIS OR THE

‘LOVE BUTTON’ IS THE
FEMALE VERSION OF THE
HEAD OF PENIS. IT IS THE
SITE OF THE GREATEST
NERVE CONCENTRATION
AND SEXUAL PLEASURE.”

sexual pleasure,” says Dr Sanjay Kumawat,

consultant psychiatrist and sexologist,
Fortis Hospital, Mumbai. “In some women,
the clitoris becomes noticeably erect
when excited and peeks out from under
the clitoral hood formed by the joining of
the inner vaginal lips. The clitoral hood is
women’s version of ‘foreskin’; rubbing or
caressing it gives rise to immense erotic
pleasure as the area is highly vascular and
increased lubrication causes secretions.”
Dr Kumawat says that the clit should be
www.t.me/njm_magz
treated to predominantly gentle strokes; it
shouldn’t be pinched or bitten or poked as
that can cause hurt. He further advises,
“A close but slightly oblique stimulation can
be ensured by fingers, tongue, or vibrator on
either side and on the clitoral hood.”

ORGASMS ARE heterosexual women liked their genitals Practise edging

to be touched and how it can help them It’s kind of a mini edge-of-the-seat thriller,
GREAT FOR achieve an orgasm. Essentially, the team with a delayed climax, during lovemaking! To
YOU! of researchers wanted to find out precisely put it simply, edging is all about controlling
In her book, Sex: A Natural what types of genital touch made straight your orgasm. Try to reach a climactic point,
History, Joann Ellison Rodgers women climax. They looked at the points bring yourself back from that brink, and start
describes how the process of
where the women polled liked to be all over again. Repeat this till you cannot
‘tenting’ or opening of the
touched, preferred intensity of pressure, hold it anymore and you have to absolutely
cervix (when a woman
style of motion (up-and-down or circular) orgasm, no matter what! Shares Anita Rai*,
orgasms) helps to flush out
unfriendly organisms from
and so on. Interestingly, it was seen that 38, a Delhi-based homemaker,
the vagina. Studies have also most of the women (81.7 per cent) enjoyed “Trust me, this ensures bigger, better
reported that regular orgasms “rhythmic” touching. Other popular orgasms. Sometimes my husband and
can make women live up patterns included a circular rubbing of I practise this together. For instance, we
to eight years longer than clitoris (78.3 per cent), a varying intensity masturbate in each other’s presence, and we
those who don’t of pressure (75.8 per cent) and any kind of do not allow each other to climax. It’s fun.”
PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK
*NAME CHANGED ON REQUEST

experience it regularly. touch that delays pleasure (73.6 per cent). If you haven’t tried it yet, start with
Research has also found that Sexologists say that touch is, of course, the controlling orgasms while you masturbate
women who orgasm more often language of lovemaking. alone. That way, you can be familiar with
have a lower chance of “The clitoris or the ‘love button’ is the how you orgasm and how far you can go
developing heart disease female version of the head of penis. It is the when you control it. So, what are you waiting
than those who don’t. site of the greatest nerve concentration and for? Go, get busy!
ALL ABOUT YOU love

SILENT BURSTS
Passive-aggressive
behaviour can take
a toll on you and on
your relationship.
Neeti Jaychander
provides the
pointers to deal
with it in
a constructive
manner

A
ccording to
research,
a passive-
aggressive
individual is someone who
‘may appear to comply or act
appropriately, but actually
behaves negatively and
passively resists’. It involves
www.t.me/njm_magz
the person being indirectly
aggressive, making excuses
to carry out tasks, and
resisting by being sullen WHAT YOU CAN DO:
about it or acting stubborn IT IS PERFECTLY HEALTHY Stop looking at anger as an
to express anger. TO BE ANGRY ONCE IN A incorrect way of reacting.
It is perfectly healthy to be
WHAT ARE WHILE, SINCE IT IS A NORMAL, angry once in a while,
THE SIGNS CATHARTIC EMOTION. since it is a normal,
OF PASSIVE- cathartic emotion. It’s
AGGRESSIVE the other person in the elaborates, “Usually, passive- better to get things off
BEHAVIOUR? dark. Also, if someone calls aggressive people believe your chest, than leave
passive-aggressive people it’s better to let the issue them ambiguous.
Passive aggressive behaviour out on their behaviour, it is simmer, rather than
is characterised by subtle common for them to feign let the anger surface. YOU’RE ALWAYS
barbs, backhanded ignorance or shock. Psychologically, certain types VICTIMISING
comments, sarcasm, and of personalities also display YOURSELF
unkind jokes. It can also go YOU ARE this trait. For example,
to the extent of such people SUPPRESSING a person, who during their According to D’Mello,
repeatedly claiming that YOUR TRUE childhood is dominated by passive-aggressive
they are not angry, but in FEELINGS assertive caregivers who individuals are constantly
reality, they are infuriated. demonstrated anger easily, finding ways to blame the
Basically, it boils down to Passive-aggressive behaviour could develop this trait. So other person and, in turn,
them being unwilling to leads individuals to suppress when anger or an expression land up playing the victim.
express how they feel and the emotions they are of displeasure is looked at “For instance, if your partner
being emotionally closed, experiencing, especially the as a negative emotion, being offers critical feedback about
refusing to communicate negative ones. Relationship passive-aggressive is an something, and you know
about the issue, often leaving counsellor Maria D’Mello easy way out.” he’s right, you still find
ALL ABOUT YOU love

It’s always better to ‘I have to play second

express your feelings
clearly to your partner. fiddle to your desktop
all the time’. I tried
to understand and be
supportive, but when
it got too much for me to
handle, I had to let go.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Confrontation is never
pleasant, but brushing
things under the carpet is
not the solution. Unless
you take up an issue to
discuss, even if it leads to
an argument, you won’t
be able to do justice to the
relationship. So try and
do what is right, not what
is easy.

GET TO THE ROOT

ways to get defensive. Most OF THE PROBLEM
passive-aggressive people HOW DO YOU SO TRY AND
want sympathy, and want DEAL WITH DO WHAT
According to Chennai-
to guilt-trip their partners,” A PASSIVE- based psychologist Manjula
she says.
AGGRESSIVE IS RIGHT,
www.t.me/njm_magz
MK, passive-aggressive

PARTNER?
WHAT YOU CAN DO: people avoid conflict of
Stop playing the blame
NOT WHAT any kind. “It is an indirect
game. If you feel you’re the IS EASY. way of punishing the
one getting the short end The first step is to other person, and feeling
of the stick, put yourself identify the behavioural superior in the bargain.
in his shoes and ask how pattern. “Don’t retaliate old software engineer, The problem is never
you’d feel if the roles were by mirroring your narrates his experience, discussed, and the other
partner’s behaviour, the
reversed. You will only “My ex-girlfriend never person does not even get
relationship will go
burn bridges if you keep nowhere. It isn’t wise to
came right out and told me a chance to present his
exploiting your partner’s demonstrate extreme what was bothering her. side of the story, forget
niceness and willingness anger or frustration since She just expected me to resolving the issue at
to be blamed for stuff that it will worsen the guess what was wrong all hand,” she says. When
may be as much (or even situation. Explain to your the time. For instance, I had you don’t have an open
more) your fault as his. partner that you have an important work meeting conversation about the
a hard time understanding once, which went on longer problem, the hostility
what is going on, and
YOU ARE LOOKING than anticipated, so I could can cause friction in
unless he is willing to be
AT WHAT IS direct and talk about the
not call her or answer her the relationship.
CONVENIENT, NOT issue, you won’t be able to calls. I did get in touch WHAT YOU CAN DO:
WHAT IS RIGHT meet him halfway to immediately afterwards Manjula MK advises,
resolve it. Don’t apportion and explained the situation “It is foolish to expect
*NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED ON REQUEST

To avoid the discomfort blame, but make it sound to her. While she assured your partner to do
of asserting their opinion like it’s a problem that me she understood, she all the remedying.
PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

in a situation, passive- both of you have, and kept bringing it up in You’ve got to do your
have to resolve it
aggressive people often conversation for days bit too. Discuss what’s
together,” says Manjula
do what is convenient, afterwards, saying things bothering you with your
MK. If the problem
rather than what they persists, consider seeking
like ‘You should date partner, however trivial
feel is right. Raghav professional help. your boss, since you like the issue may seem
Lakshman*, a 26-year- spending time with him’, or in your head.”
 Crochet bag,
`4,040,
Nordstrom.com

Beaded drop THE

RODARTE

KORS
earrings,
`3,030,

(K)NITTY-
Stella + Ruby

GRITTY Breaking away from

the old-school stereotype,
crocheted knits have
taken a rather cool-kid
turn this season. We
bring the most sought-
after designs for you
www.t.me/njm_magz
to pick from
ETRO

ALTUZARRA
JW ANDERSON

DE LA RENTA

Multi-coloured
PHOTOGRAPHS: DANIELE OBERRAUCH/IMAXTREE.COM

crochet dress,
`4,490,
Zara

Knot bangle,
Ankle-strap `5,908,
wedges, `6,019, Kate Spade
Steve Madden @
Nordstrom.com
FASHION front row
Ribbed crochet
knitted coat,
price on request,
Mira Mikati

Crochet crop
top, `1,499, Hand-held
H&M crochet
tote, `7,494,
Nordstrom.
com

KNOT
THEORY
We show you how to integrate the
conventional crochet effortlessly into
your wardrobe

www.t.me/njm_magz

Striped crochet top,

`888, Topshop

Hoop earrings,
`2,876,
BaubleBar
OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Crochet Crochet dress,

espadrilles, `3,490, Zara
`6,809, Steve
Madden
FASHION accessories

Patent boots,
`4,522, Jeffrey
Faux leather Campbell
handbag, `4,552,
Aldo

Leather bucket bag,

bag
`29,300,
Longchamp

TRUE
BLUE
The warmest colour of the season is
here to challenge your fall blues with
azure-coloured accessories

www.t.me/njm_magz

Leather handbag,
price on request,
Mansur Gavriel
Faux leather
crossbody bag,
`3,300, Accessorize

Velvet sling, price

on request, Gucci

Suede heels,
`1,850, Neiman
Marcus

Leather sandals,
`2,290, Zara
FASHION details

ON THE EDGE
Runways for spring/summer 2019 are laced with trimmings. Not to forget, the array
of embellishments. We take a closer look at the finishing details of the new fashion season
GIORGIO ARMANI AT MILAN FW S/S19

CRISTIANO BURANI AT MILAN FW S/S19

TEMPERLEY AT LONDON FW S/S19

www.t.me/njm_magz
MARY KATRANTZOU AT LONDON FW S/S19

MAX MARA AT MILAN FW S/S19

DELPOZO AT LONDON FW S/S19

ERDEM AT LONDON FW S/S19

www.t.me/njm_magz
FASHION feature

BLUE S
www.t.me/njm_magz

TREET
Deni
Prac ms are
hiti P ba
arak sic, vers
h pic a
ks th tile, and e
Phot e season njoy an u
ogra ’s
phs: hottest biquituo
Vina s u
y Jav tyles from s presen
kar the je ce.
an p
ool
 COOL KIDS
S
Team your denim wear withh
athleisure separates to bee
right on trend. Sports bra??
Check. Whimsical sneakers??
Double check.

Jersey bralette, `3,299,

Calvin Klein; denim jacket,
`1,679, SR store; denim skirt,
price on request, Pepe Jeans;
knit sneakers, `8,999, Aldo
o

www.t.me/njm_magz
FASHION feature

NICE AND EASY

If going all-blue is too
much, opt for lightweight www.t.me/njm_magz
chambray layers to give
you the look of denim
without the weight of it.

Embellished black shirt,

`16,250, Shahin Mannan
FASHION feature

www.t.me/njm_magz
KNITS AND YARNS
Break the monotony and
update a co-ord set with
a layered denim skirt.

Knitted co-ord set, `2,594

SR Store; denim skirt,
`6,000, Shahin Mannan; jelly
sandals, `6,999, Melissa
FASHION feature

www.t.me/njm_magz

ON
NE DIRECTION
Add a relaxed Kanye-esque
charm to your dungarees
by thhrowing an oversized
sweaatshirt into the mix.

Cotton sweatshirt, price

on reequest, Moschino
[ ] H&M; chambray
[tv
jumppsuit, `1,699,
Westtside; jelly sandals,
`5,999, Melissa
FASHION feature

GLITTER PARTY
Glam up your denim outfits
with embellished sleeves.

Jersey bralette, `3,499,

Calvin Klein; denim
sequinned jacket,
`7,500, Purple Paisley;
denim trousers, `2,699,
ONLY @ Koovs.com

www.t.me/njm_magz
FASHION feature

www.t.me/njm_magz

TWO’S COMPANY
Why stop at a jacket
over your shoulders? Add
a tie-up jacket on your
waist for some NYC oomph.

Denim jacket, price on request,

Pepe Jeans; embroidered denim
jacket, `16,500, Shahin Mannan;
denim shorts, `3,799, Levi’s
FASHION feature

HYGGE LIFE
Faux shearling jackets, but inside
out, are your fall friends. Throw
on a pair of doodle-printed
pants for added quirk.

Embellished shirt, `4,800,

embroidered denim trousers,
`5,500, both Pause; faux www.t.me/njm_magz
shearling jacket, price on request,
Pepe Jeans
FASHION feature

www.t.me/njm_magz

OOVY MIX
Embroidered jackets
addd a feminine charm
to a denim ensemble. Extra
poinnts for dainty footwear.

Cottton blend bodysuit,

`2,5500, Purple Paisley;
dennim skirt, `1,299,
K Denim
D @ Koovs.com;
embroidered jacket,
`255,500, Shahin Mannan;
fauxx leather sandals,
`7,2299, Charles & Keith
FASHION feature

www.t.me/njm_magz

HAIR AND MAKEUP: CYNTHIA; MODEL: SALONI (ANIMA CREATIVE MANAGEMENT); FASHION NTERN: VATSALA GUPTA
FASHION FORWARD
Upgrade your basic denim
shift dress with a pair
of bold futuristic boots.

Denim dress, price

on request, Pepe Jeans;
synthetic boots, price on
request, Moschino
[tv] H&M
FASHION hotlist

FINE JEWELS
Designers Abu Jani and
Sandeep Khosla have forayed
into a new design medium, fine
jewellery. Their collection,
Luminescent Rose, is crafted
by the jewellery brand Saboo.
The line is available in colours
like emerald green and red wine.
Available at: Abu Jani Sandeep
Khosla store
Price: On request

WHOOP IT UP!
Woods recently came up with its party wear collection featuring silver and golden
TRAVEL
stilettos, platform heels, sandals, pumps, and wedges with tassels. The shoes sport
crystal embellishments in metallic shades of silver, gold, copper, black, and white.
DIARIES
Satya Paul introduced
Available at: All Woods stores across India Price: On request
its recent line of holiday

Trending
essentials comprising
bags, wallets, clutches,
scarves, and shawls for
www.t.me/njm_magz women. The bags are available in a wide
range of patterns, while the scarves sport
digital, floral, and mosaic prints in chiffon,
silk, cotton, and satin.
Available at: Select Satya Paul stores
Femina’s round-up of the latest news, views, and buzz in fashion Price: `2,795 onwards

FREE SPIRITED
Jaipur jewellery brand 925 Silver
unravelled its latest collection
of neckpieces, earrings, clutches,
bangles, anklets, toe rings, bracelets,
maang tikkas, and pendant sets in
silver. The intricate hand-crafted
ornaments in traditional designs will
take you back to a time long gone.
Apart from enhancing your Indian
wear, these could be paired with

LAUNCHES WE LOVE
western wear for an edgy look.
Available at: 925silverjaipur.com
Price: `1,000 onwards
Designers Shantanu and Nikhil opened their first
flagship store in Mumbai. Spread across three floors, it
displays their patent styles like draped kurtas, tailored
Jodhpurs, and sharply cut bandhgalas, along with fusion
and western wear for both men and women. Meanwhile,
Italian luxury footwear brand, Santoni, made its entry
into the Indian market with its first store launch at the
DLF Emporio Mall, Delhi.
www.t.me/njm_magz
FASHION hotlist

CLASSIC TALE
Parallel Jewels, the latest collection
from Prakshi Fine Jewellery,
features stackable rings and
diamond hooped earrings. The
range comprises pieces that are
minimal yet classy, and perfect
for formal or semi-formal
occasions. Finely crafted
in 18K white and yellow gold,
the ornaments are
embellished with diamonds.
Available at: Prakshi Fine
Jewellery store, Mumbai
Price: On request

OLD
TOP- IS GOLD
NOTCH ASICS Japan introduced the
‘OK Basketball MT’ and ‘OK Basketball
Lo lowcut’ models of shoes under
Tom Tailor, the the brand, Onitsuka Tiger. The recent
global models are the modifications
fashion retailing brand, of the original one (mid-cut basketball
shoes). The line is available in black,
launched its Power-Trip white, and blue, ideal for casual
Collection, comprising occasions. You can sport them
latestwww.t.me/njm_magz
trends in women's for movies at noon or to clubs
at night with your girlfriends.
fashion. The range The brand also marked 70 years
includes leopard-printed of its existence in the industry.
Available at: Onitsuka Tiger
coats, formal jackets, shoes, Mumbai
long-sleeved tops, and Price: `6,999 onwards
floor-length dresses,
among other wardrobe
staples. These could be
worn on any occasion,
from day brunches
Available at: Tom Tailor stores
Price: `2,999 onwards

AN EVENING
AFFAIR (EYE)DEAL
Premium eyewear brand, The Monk,
Designer Rebecca Dewan unveiled her unveiled its latest sunglasses
latest collection, Nightingale, with actors collection, Edgy Comfort. The glasses
Rhea Chakraboty, Niddhi Agerwal, and Elli are a perfect balance of vintage
Avram present at the event. As its name elegance and contemporary appeal
suggests, the line has evening wear for available for both men and women.
women, ideal for soirees and get-togethers. Available in black, marble, and
The dresses and gowns are available transparent pink, they are ideal for
in shades of blue, green, red, and black. daily wear and special occasions.
Available at: Rebecca Dewan store, Mumbai Available at: Themonk.co.in
Price: `13,999 onwards Price: `7,777 onwards
www.t.me/njm_magz

GLOSS
GLOSS
BABY!
Be it lavishly lacquered
nails, shiny eyelids,or
a gleaming pout, the wet
look is here to rule your
beauty game this season.
It’s time to go glossy!
BEAUTY hair spotlight

Alia Bhatt

THE
COOL
BUN
Can’t decide whether you want your hair
up or down? In a bun or a top knot? Let’s
do it all, suggests Sanjana Salunkhe
The half bun is one magical hairstyle
that is achieved out of indecision. That
said, it is one hairdo that is practical,

PHOTOGRAPH: YOGEN SHAH

chic, keeps your hair off your face, and
is clearly a star style. It works for an
easy day-time travel look and even
a high-impact party outing. Alia Bhatt,
known for her easy-breezy style, gives BBlunt www.t.me/njm_magz
us some inspiration and shows us Intense
Moisture
how to rock this cool hairdo with Hair Serum, Wella
utmost ease. For Seriously Professionals
Dry Hair EIMI Stay
Styled Workable
IF YOU LOVE THIS Dafni Allure Cordless Finishing Spray
HAIRDO AS MUCH AS Hair Straightening Brush
WE DO, TAKE NOTES Moroccanoil

S
Hydrating
tart by using a hydrating shampoo
Shampoo
and conditioner for the hair to look
smooth and shiny. Blow-dry your hair
and use a heat protection mist. Follow by
straightening your hair with a hair
Toni&Guy
straightener. Apply a hair serum for Heat
a healthy look. Protection
Now, section Mist
your hair in two Schwarzkopf
CURL YOUR Oil Ultime
halves—top and
bottom. Bun the
HAIR INTO Argan &
Barbary
top half neatly SOFT Fig Oil-In-
and secure it WAVES FOR Conditioner
with a band. Use
bobby pins to
A TOUSLED
secure any LOOK.
loose ends, and
ensure it’s sleek
and tight. Let the rest of the hair Philips
Salon Dry
loose and you are done. Finish with ample
Compact
amounts of hairspray to tame any Hair Dryer
flyaways for a sleeker look.
 BEAUTY trial-a-trend

GREEN
REVOLUTION
Colorbar
Nude It
Lip Color

Put down the nudes, for this season’s biggest trend is

Sephora
Colorful colour, says Sanjana Salunkhe
Eyeshadow

skin tone. Follow with

a concealer to hide any
flaws and for even skin
tone. Set with a powder.

Kiko Milano
2 Use a shine highlighter
on the highest points
of your cheekbones,
Unlimited
Foundation the centre of your nose,
SPF 15 forehead, chin, and Cupid’s
bow for a striking radiance.
Dab some blush on the
cheeks for a natural flush.

Benefit ADD SOME

Cosmetics
BAD gal Bang! www.t.me/njm_magz FALSIES
Volumizing
Mascara Mini TO THE
LOOK FOR
The look SOME
ELECTRIC SERIOUS
EYES EYE
Wear it to CANDY
VACATION
3 For the eyes, apply
a forest green

Maybelline
Cover FX
Glitter Drop
Highlighter
Clarins Paris
Poudre
S triking eye looks with
dewy skin spotted at
the Jacquemus Spring
eyeshadow. Extend the hue
from the crease to the outer
corners of the eyelids. Use
New York Multi-Eclat
Gigi Hadid Mineral Loose Summer 2019 show at the a black kohl pencil on the
Tinted Powder Paris Fashion Week are upper and lower waterline.
Primer
sure to leave you yearning Highlight the inner corners
for some sun and sand. of the lids with a gold hue.
The look is fresh and Apply ample amounts
PHOTOGRAPH: JACQUEMUS/IMAXTREE.COM

breezy, and definitely the of mascara. Groom the

one for your next vacation. eyebrows with a spoolie
and fill to create an arch.
M·A·C Galactic
Cosmetic Glitter
Gold
GET THE LOOK

1 Start with a tinted

primer for the makeup
4 To maintain a natural
glossy look for the lips,
use a lip scrub to exfoliate,
NYX Professional
Makeup HD to last long. Apply a matte and follow with a creamy
Photogenic
Concealer Wand foundation closest to your nude pink lipstick.
 BEAUTY makeup mantra

KIKO Milano Huda Beauty

Universal Stick Faux Mink

GREAT
Concealer Lash

NYX
Professional

LENGTHS
Makeup Studio
Perfect Primerr
Lakmé 9 to
5 Weightless
Mini Mousse Longer, thicker, and fuller lashes are the new
Foundation
special effects you can add to your beauty look
this season, says Sanjana Salunkhe
Maybelline New
York City Mini
Palette Eye
Clarins Paris shadow L’Oréal Paris
Mineral Loose Volume
Powder Million Lashes
Mascara

FACE EYES
Apply a glitter brown eyeshadow
h d
Cleanse, tone, and moisturise on the lids. Swipe a soft brown
for healthy looking skin. Apply liner to accentuate the eyes.
a primer for a seamless base, Smudge the hue on the lower
and use a matte foundation lashline as well. Now, it’s time
to set it. Follow by applying to elevate the look with some
a concealer under the eyes falsies. Use lash glue to secure Wet n Wild
and on blemishes for a flawless the false lashes in place. Add Coloricon
finish. Set with a translucent a hint of drama with mascara. Kohl Liner
loose powder. Pencil
www.t.me/njm_magz Groom the eyebrows with
a pencil by shaping
and filling them.

The Balm
Cosmetics Meet
Matt(e) Hughes
Long Lasting
Liquid Lipstick

Smashbox
Studio Skin
Shaping
Foundation
Stick

Becca Shimmer
Perfector Poured
Highlighter
Shraddha Kapoor

Minimal yet supreme, the dramatic lashes trend is

here to stay. Shraddha Kapoor gives us lessons on how
to pull off those falsies with utmost elegance. The Body
CHEEKS
HE S Shop
Strawberry
Contour the face for
Lip Balm
PHOTOGRAPH: YOGEN SHAH

a chiselled look. Highlight MAKE IT YOUR OWN

the highest points of your FOR WORK FOR A WEDDING FOR A DATE LIPS
cheekbones, your nose, Skip the mascara on Swap the soft brown Wear a red Exfoliate the lips and apply
forehead, Cupid’s bow, and the falsies and wear eyeshadow with pout to a moisturising balm. Use
chin. Dab some blush on the a soft pink lip to a glittery bronze enhance the a soft nude matte lipstick
cheeks for a natural glow. complement the eyes one drama to finish the look.
BEAUTY mandate

MAKEUP SKIN HAIR

What is the I'm suffering from I am in my teens.
ideal number of rosacea (a skin Lately, I’ve started
makeup products condition that noticing a lot of
to use? What are causes redness). grey hair. What
the key products Is it advisable to can I do to stop the
for regular use? get a facial? premature greying?
— Sameera Mishra, Delhi — Jinal Shah, Mumbai — Kanika Mehta, Pune

Ordinarily, all your makeup Rosacea gets aggravated Grey hair at an early age
should fit into a small pouch. with stress, sun exposure, is hereditary or a result
If you are someone who steam, alcohol, spicy food, of a lifestyle change.
regularly wears a full face and sometimes even Unfortunately, there is no
of makeup, it’s essential a massage. It is advisable to cure for premature greying.
that you have a good quality avoid facials as the products Monitor your stress levels
foundation, mascara, black used can aggravate the due to recent changes
and brown kohl pencils, condition. Instead, opt for in your life, and try and
blush and bronzer, the three a mixture of aloe vera gel reduce them. Even though
basic lip colours (pink, nude, and mashed papaya. Gently no colour treatment can
and coral), and a compact. rub the paste on your skin increase or decrease
Travel-sized containers are for 10 minutes, and rinse the growth of grey hair,
ideal for those who prefer with lukewarm water. This adding a few highlights will
minimum coverage. will give you an instant glow.
www.t.me/njm_magz camouflage them.

KAPIL Dr JAISHREE SAVIO

BHALLA SHARAD JOHN PEREIRA
Renowned celebrity Celebrity cosmetic Celebrity hairstylist and founder
makeup artiste dermatologist and CEO and creative director of Savio
of Skinfiniti Aesthetic Skin John Pereira Salon
& LASER Clinic, Mumbai

YOU ASK
The one-stop panel for all your skin, makeup, and hair questions
Send in your queries to femina@wwm.co.in
BEAUTY

GET GLOWING

HOT The newest magic potion to hit stores is the

RIGHT
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facial oil combines the potent clarifying
powers of two types of charcoals—activate
coconut charcoal and white Japanese

NOW
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not only protects your skin against pollution,
but nourishes it as well, making it the perfect
travel buddy. Enriched with salicylic acid,
Teaxoi tumeric, and aloe vera, this go-to face
All that’s fresh and fun oil is just what you need.
on the beauty shelf Price: `4,400
Available At: Sephora
and Nykaa.com
GOING ROGUE
The Narciso Rodriguez fragrance line
narrative continues to embrace the GLAM CODE
infinite powers of femininity, and this
Rogue redefines mystery. The signature After dressing millions of
heart of musk is animated by an women in his exquisite
exquisite floral bouquet of Bulgarian creations, couturier Manish
rose and iris; and the vivid amber Malhotra is now making his
woody notes—tonka, vetiver, presence felt in their vanity cases.
and black and white The designer, in collaboration
cedar—add a sense of with premium European makeup
luxury. If that’s not all, brand MyGlamm, has launched
the Rogue is presented www.t.me/njm_magz a new cosmetic collection—the
in a signature bottle Manish Malhotra Haute Couture
enriched with a singular red Makeup. Pick from shimmering
hue. The simple transparent eyeshadow palettes, glossy
cube, incidentally, is the lipsticks, high-shine blushes,
perfect size for when you’re and highlighters to doll up
on the road. anytime, anywhere!
Price: `3,500 onwards Price: `450 onwards
Available At: Parcos and select Available At: All leading stores
department stores

FLOWER POWER LA VIE EN ROSE

Nykaa, in collaboration with Drew Kérastase has re-imagined
Barrymore, has exclusively a masterpiece. Its Elixir Ultime
launched Flower Beauty, range is now reinvented with
Barrymore’s straightforward, a new fusion of sacred macula oil
no-nonsense philosophy and precious camellia extracts
of empowerment. The brand for the ultimate sensory
caters to every woman’s intrinsic experience. The L’Huile Rose is
need for quality products at an specifically formulated to
affordable price. The range illuminate colour-treated hair
consists of 24 exciting shades of with deep fibre nutrition and
Petal Pout Lip colour, six colours lasting frizz control, which eases
of Warrior Glitter Shadow, Flower the tangles and smoothens the
Pots Powder Blush, Blush Bomb, hair instantly. With no residue, the
Wanderlust Eyeshadow Palette, hair dries faster, giving it
and many more. a radiant, lightweight result.
Price: On Request Price: `1,350 (50 ml)
Available At: Nykaa.com Available At: All leading stores
www.t.me/njm_magz
BEAUTY health documentary

Pursuit of www.t.me/njm_magz

HAPPINESS
Depression and anxiety can chip away at immunity, sabotage relationships,
and even accelerate the ageing process. Anupama Bijur speaks to survivors about
emerging out from the fog and into the light

T
he veil of secrecy around mental health gratification, and hectic lifestyles that pack too much
in mainstream Indian discourse was lifted into one day.”
when actor Deepika Padukone shared Although the root of depression may be found
how she battled depression a couple of in early childhood issues that have not been resolved
years ago. The actor then started The Live Love and involve dysfunctional families, violence or even
Laugh Foundation (TLLLF), with her counsellor socio-economic causes, both Chandy and Mahesh
Anna Chandy, to offer support to people like her who Natarajan, a counsellor at Innersight, Bangalore,
are not just battling mental health but also fear say being busy is one of the biggest causes for the
exclusion from society. condition. “Because of this increase in busyness,
And there are many out there. The 2017 World normal self-care has taken a back seat,’’ says Natarajan.
Health Organisation (WHO) report states that “Stress, work pressures, unreal expectations of success
56 million Indians suffer from depression and that and failure, not having a sense of purpose and going
around 38 million suffer from anxiety disorders. through life without feeling engaged, all contribute
The report further states that almost 7.5 per cent to people falling prey to depression. Lack of physical
of India’s population has a major or minor mental exercise is also a huge factor.”
disorder that requires expert intervention. Chandy
says, “Mental illness has increased in the 20-30 THE TELLTALE MIND
age group due to lifestyle changes, need for instant According to the 2017 estimates from WHO,
BEAUTY health documentary

more than 300 million people are now living

with depression, an increase of more than
18 per cent between 2005 and 2015. “More
people are able to recognise it today and
distinguish it from just feeling low,’’ says
Natarajan. “If you get ticked off by your boss
and feel low for a few hours or a couple
of days, it’s normal. But if the feeling persists
for a few weeks and you have no interest
in what you normally do, it could point
to something bigger. Depression shows
up as anger, rage and recurrent thoughts
of life not being worth it.’’
Depression can affect different age
groups. For example, in adolescents,
it can manifest as disinterest in activities,
grades dropping, engaging in reckless and
risky behaviour, and substance abuse. So,
organisations such as the TLLLF are working
with doctors to help them recognise the signs
of depression, many of which are physical—
headache, migraine, loss of appetite or
an excessive desire to eat, backache, rapid BEATING THE
and shallow breathing, apathy and insomnia.
Looking back at Deepika’s struggle with
BLUES
These are the tips
depression, her sister Anisha Padukone, now that counsellor
www.t.me/njm_magz
one of the directors at TLLLF, says she had and transactional
no idea what was going on in the beginning. analyst Anna
She says, “Perhaps it was the maternal Chandy believes
are key to avoiding
instinct that helped my mother spot the depression.
signs. Deepika was irritable and would snap
a lot. It’s easy to feel bad about it, but PAUSE. TAKE
A BREAK FROM THE
we learnt to be patient and supportive, and
BUSYNESS OF LIFE
never left her alone. One of us would always AND REFLECT.
be with her.” ageing, which was published in Molecular
There is research now to prove that PRACTISE Psychiatry in 2013.
MINDFULNESS.
depression and anxiety have a physiological
impact too. Families and caregivers EAT RIGHT AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE
have noticed how depression can alter EXERCISE DAILY. Twenty-five-year-old Kala Rao, for instance,
physical appearances and advance ageing. MEDITATE AND saw her mother slip into depression after
“Psychological distress, as experienced DO YOGA. her father left her for another woman. She
by depressed people, has a detrimental IF YOU FEEL LOW, became withdrawn and disinterested in life.
impact on the ‘wear and tear’ of REACH OUT “A couple of years after my father left us,
a person’s body, resulting in accelerated TO SOMEONE. I began to notice visible changes in my
biological ageing,” says Josine Verhoeven, RECOGNISE AND mother. Her skin had become dry and
lead author of a study on cellular MANAGE THE leathery. She used to take pride in her
TRIGGERS THAT appearance, but now had rough feet,
CAUSE STRESS.
Psychological distress, as unclipped nails, hair on her upper lip…”
VALUE AND TAKE Her mother suddenly lost a lot of weight,
experienced by depressed CARE OF YOURSELF. after which they realised it was due to high,
people, has a detrimental IF SYMPTOMS undetected diabetes. Rao says, “We’ve been
PERSIST, REACH OUT
impact on the ‘wear and TO A PROFESSIONAL
to two counsellors, but she resists therapy
and medicines.” Her health took a toll on the
tear’ of a person’s body. FOR HELP. other members too. Rao’s sister left home and
BEAUTY health documentary

and bipolar disorder. After two suicide

CAREGIVER’S PARADOX attempts and an episode in which she

locked herself in a room for five days
Deepika Padukone’s sister Anisha without food or water, her career suffered.
knew she had to maintain a
She says, “I’d be stressed by deadlines
delicate balance while caring for
and extend them. Work would pile
her sister during her battle with
depression: “I remember feeling up and I would get more stressed.
like I wasn’t doing enough to help, When I wasn’t able to deliver and someone
but doing too much could also pointed it out, I would feel cornered.”
mean doing harm.” Here are
Anisha’s tips to other caregivers: MISSION: LIFELINE
Today, Menon manages her illness with
BE PATIENT AND STAY INFORMED
ABOUT THE CONDITION. medication and therapy. Menon says,
“I’ve changed therapists many times. You
SEEK HELP FROM need to when you’re in long-term therapy.
CREDIBLE SOURCES.
Sometimes you come to the end of the road
OFFER SUPPORT AND BE AVAILABLE. with one and there is not much you gain.’’
REMEMBER THAT RECOVERY The medication is not without side-effects.
IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT She has double vision, slow responses
BETWEEN THE THERAPIST, and a flatness of mind. She says, “As a single
COUNSELLOR AND FAMILY. mom, and despite the illness, I still have
to drop my children to school, go to work,
is not in touch with them. And even for Rao, sit for meetings. Sometimes, I’m sitting
every day is a battle between giving up and in my office with a roomful of people who
making her mother see the reason to live. are buzzing with ideas and I can’t keep
www.t.me/njm_magz
Sandhya Menon, writer and editor my eyes open. It’s the effect of the
at Zenparent, has been vocal about her medicines. It’s a constant struggle.”
struggle with borderline personality disorder There are good days and bad days.
Menon says, “The medication knocks you
Both the caregiver and the person suffering out and there are times I haven’t heard
my children scream when they’ve had
from the disorder must seek therapy a nightmare. I live with guilt and worry
together to understand the illness, its about the damage I’ve caused my children
by not being available to them.’’
manifestations and how to provide support. On the other hand, Amira Khan,
a former lawyer, has been informed about
the likely effects of the medication she takes

**DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY; CONSULT YOUR

for depression and bipolar disorder. She
is on Lithium and is advised frequent kidney
function and thyroid tests because it can
affect her kidneys. “I’m advised to drink lots
of water. But I still feel thirsty, lethargic and
I lack concentration,’’ she says.
The only way to deal with depression
is regular therapy and, if it’s severe, then
medication. Menon says, “A routine helps.
I need to feel a sense of self-worth and being
PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK

DOCTOR FOR FURTHER ADVICE

employed has accelerated my recovery.

I also believe that both the caregiver and
the person suffering from the disorder must
seek therapy together to understand the
illness, its impact, its manifestations and
how to provide support.’’
The unlikely YouTube star
With over 49,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, Manga Rani is revolutionising
the way education works, discovers Nikita Sawant

S
chool would be It was during her
so much more own school days that
interesting if Manga Rani had set her
tedious subjects mind upon becoming
were converted to video a teacher. “I was inspired
lessons. To think that by my Telugu teacher,
something like this is and since then I wanted
actually happening in to become a teacher
a school in a remote corner myself. I used to teach
of the country, sounds my brothers and sisters at
too good to be true. But home,” smiles the educator.
a primary school teacher And she realised her
from Murari in the East long-time dream. After
Godavari district in Andhra graduating in computer
Pradesh is doing just that. science, she completed
Manga Rani, a teacher at her B.Ed from Addepalli
www.t.me/njm_magz
Sri Nagaraja Elementary Mahila College, and
School, Rajahmundry, has started working for the
devised a cool new way to “A good scholar may not be a good Rajahmundry Municipal
get her students interested teacher. We have to change our Corporation before she
in their school work. teaching attitude according to started teaching at the
When Manga
Rani taught her class, children’s needs.” elementary school.
When it comes to
however, she found that Created by Manga to create the videos. being a good teacher,
certain students had Rani herself, some videos For improving the quality Manga Rani believes
some difficulty grasping on her channel are of of the videos, Manga that the amount of
concepts and couldn’t rhymes, while others Rani even traded her knowledge one possesses
follow the exercises given explain difficult math old phone for the latest doesn’t matter; what
in textbooks. “I adopted and science concepts Android smartphone. matters is how one chooses
different methods for slow through interactive and Manga Rani’s efforts to share that knowledge.
learners like worksheets fun videos. At first, she have not been in vain. “A good scholar may not
and interesting TLM didn’t know how to upload She has been getting be a good teacher. We
(teaching/learning or add music to the videos. a phenomenal response have to change our teaching
material). I saw that these But her husband helped her for her lessons, not only attitude according to
methods helped. There with it and her two children in India, but also from children’s needs,” she
were other teachers too help her with voiceovers. people abroad. “There are says. The next step for
who were facing the same She says, “I learnt to 41 kids in my class. The this avant-garde teacher is
problem, and I wanted to make videos with audio. daily attendance doesn’t to finally learn animation.
share my experiences with I prepared Telugu and dip below 38-39. I show She also wants to prepare
them. YouTube was the English rhymes from our the lessons through the more e-content for her
perfect platform to do that, class 1 to 5 textbooks.” She computer in my classroom. primary classes, and is
and I started the channel uses PowerPoint, screen Most of my students and looking for even better
Manga Rani Lessons in recording software, and their parents follow my ways to help slow learners
2012,” she says. other apps like KineMaster channel,” she says. improve their efficiency.
REALITY cover girl

www.t.me/njm_magz
“When I decided
TOTAKE MY GIRLS
in, my parents
SUPPORTED IT”
A versatile actor, dancer, he wowed the audience with her dancing prowess
writer/producer, mother, and in songs like Tu Cheez Badi Hain Mast Mast and
wife, all rolled into one—it’s Kissi Disco Mein Jaayein in the ’90s. And she set
the screen on fire with powerful author-backed
no wonder that Ravishing performances in films such as Daman, Satta, and,
Raveena Tandon continues to www.t.me/njm_magz
more recently, Maatr. But there is more to Raveena
stay on top of the audience’s Tandon than a successful career in the Hindi film
mind today. She chats with industry. The actor, who is currently donning multiple hats—that
Ruchi Chopda about her of a writer, producer, actor, philanthropist, wildlife photographer,

BLUSH PINK ITALIAN TULLE BASE JAPANESE MICROBEAD WORK GOWN, PRICE ON REQUEST, JADE BY MONIKA AND KARISHMA;
upcoming web series, how mother, and wife—is truly unstoppable. We catch up with her as
she gears up for her upcoming digital series.
she raises her kids, the
kind of marriage she and You have done comedies like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
Anil Thadani have, and the with as much panache as serious films such as Satta

OPEN RING WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS, `2,500, ACCESSORIZE; ROSE GOLD RINGS, `2,500, ANAQA
#MeToo movement in the and Shool. Is there any actor in today’s time who you
Hindi film industry feel can essay such diverse roles with equal ease?
Amongst the current crop of actors, I think Alia Bhatt can pull off
such diverse roles well. Her progress from Student of the Year to
Highway was fantastic. But I think most actors are trying that today.
In the ’90s, we tried to experiment in our 11th or 12th film. But the
younger actors are experimenting as early as in their second film,
and their performances are improving by leaps and bounds.

When you are approached for a film, what is the one

factor you consider before signing on the dotted line?
Has this factor changed over the years?
The script has always mattered. Over the years, I have been getting
offers and I could have done them to stay in the limelight. But
I wanted to do something that touched my heart. So, when Maatr
came my way, I decided to do it because the film was about an issue
I feel strongly about—rape. And though it was not a commercial
success, it was critically acclaimed.
REALITY cover girl

You have openly spoken up in support of

the #MeToo movement. How tough is it for
women to speak up?
It is tough; it is a battle that everyone is facing. But
luckily, our industry is open and liberal enough to
hear us out, and even reprimand the perpetrators.
There is a sense of fear that has settled in and, to
a certain extent, we have corrected our ways.

These days, many film personalities are

choosing to be single parents. But you
adopted two girls way back in 1993 while
still single. Do you think society has become
more accepting of single parents?
Yes, today, there’s greater awareness and people’s
mindsets have broadened. Parents of those who want
to adopt children as single parents are supporting
them in the decision. My parents were always liberal.
So, when I decided to take my girls in, they thought it
was fantastic and supported it.

You are actively involved in social work. How

do you maintain a balance between kids,
acting, and social work?
I have been doing it for a long time, so it has become
a part of my life and doesn’t feel like an effort.
www.t.me/njm_magz
I have also raised my daughters to be compassionate
because I feel, in today’s world, everything is so
materialistic, self-centred, and self-absorbed that the
compassion to feel for and do something for others
is missing. We need to teach the next generation
a little more compassion, a little more love, and
a little more care.
Luckily, our industry is open Apart from the qualities you just
and liberal enough to hear mentioned, what other qualities would you

SHIMMER GEORGETTE AND RUFFLES OF ORGANZA GOWN, `18,000, TISHARTH BY SHIVANI; BAROQUE
like to imbibe in your girls?
us out and even reprimand I have always told my children that there is nothing

the perpetrators. without hard work. Nothing comes easy in life.

Whatever you want to be, whatever you want to do, PEARLS WITH BEATEN GOLD CASING EARRINGS, `1,500, KOHAR JWELLERY

you’ve got to work hard for it. Self-respect is another

Rumour mills are abuzz with the news that quality I’ve taught my girls.
you will be starring in a seven-episode web
series. Is it true and can you tell us more? What part about being a star do you enjoy
I have been offered quite a few web series. So far, the most and what is the worst?
I have been saying no, but now that I’ve liked one, I no longer like being dressed up all the time and
we’re working on it. I have also turned producer. looking perfect for the paparazzi. What I love about
AA Films, which is our production entity, has tied it is dancing.
up with the producers of Baahubali to create three
web series. While I will not be acting in them, one Over the years, how have you changed as
of the concepts has been created by me and another a person and as an actor?
has been written entirely by me. I’m enjoying writing In my earlier days, I was restless; I was constantly
and producing these days. We also have a movie in seeking something, and felt unsettled. Luckily,
the offing. through all my personal and professional ups
REALITY cover girl

and downs, my family has stood by me, which is how

I managed to salvage myself from every situation. You know when you are rock
I was also impulsive and extremely sensitive. I did
not know how to play politics or games, and I was
solid and stable, and you
not in anyone’s camp nor did I have a godfather. So,
I just bumbled through all the mistakes I made in
don't need to show it to
life. At this point, I feel anchored and content. God the world.
has given me everything. He took me on my path
of destiny, he took me through my ups and downs, better, I couldn’t have asked for more, especially
and I thank him for that. Every decision I made at in this era of fake marriages —you know when the
the time backfired and hurt me immensely. But now couple is holding hands only for the cameras. Neither
I realise that it was all for the best. And this is the Anil nor I feel the need to do mushy, couply things
effect Anil (Thadani) has had on me. And I guess like eating out of the same plate. You know when you
somewhere, the kids too. I couldn’t have ever done are rock solid and stable, and you don’t need to show
it to the world.

Most stars openly share pictures of their

kids on social media. But we hardly see any
pictures of your kids. Why is that?
I believe there is a right age for everything. I don’t
agree with giving children too much attention when
they don’t know how to handle it. I don’t want my
kids to grow up thinking they are more special than
others; I want them to have a normal upbringing.

Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner,

www.t.me/njm_magz
tell us about your love story. What is the
most romantic thing Anil has done for you?
The first time I set my eyes on Anil was on Valentine’s
Day—he was on a single’s night out with his friends
and I was out on one with mine. The first time I met
him, I felt he was a sweet, decent man. He was dating
someone else then. We even worked together after
that, but nothing happened between us.
The most romantic thing he has done for me
is to get down on his knees and propose to me in

STYLIST AND COORDINATOR: PRACHITI PARAKH; STYLING INTERNS: KRITI GUPTA, JHARNA CHANDRA
the presence of our families on Diwali. And such

HAIR: ARIZAH NAQVI; MAKEUP: SHURA KHAN; SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MEETESH TANEJA;
romantic gestures haven’t stopped even today. He
still surprises me all the time.
EMBROIDERED V-NECK GOWN, PRICE ON REQUEST, JADE BY MONICA AND KARISHMA

What is your favourite travel destination?

I am a complete wildlife buff, that’s my zen
space. I love to run away to the forest and practise
my wildlife photography. In fact, a lot of my work
has been sold and we have collected funds for
various charities, as well.

Do you prefer long vacations or quick,

short getaways?
Long vacations. I hate coming back to Mumbai.

Any places on your 2019 travel bucketlist?

I want to take my children back to Botswana and the
Okavango Delta.
REALITY interview

FUSION FORWARD
www.t.me/njm_magz

American hip hop artiste and Indian classical dancer Svetha Rao is happiest juggling
two worlds and many identities, finds Anindita Ghosh

F
or Svetha Rao, life has always been Rao during comfortable embracing the dichotomy of
a bit of a balancing act. It started a tour her staunchly Indian upbringing and her
when she was a little girl from all-American ethos. Or, she is now.
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, trying to “There were times in school where I wanted
fit in with her blonde-blue-eyed classmates to be blonde and blue-eyed, but my parents
in California. Then as a teenager proficient had instilled such a love for Indian culture in
in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi, she me that I didn’t want to trade it for anything
discovered a passion (and talent) for hip hop else,” says Rao. “Initially, I didn’t let anybody
and rap. By the time she became an award- know I was dancing and kept it a secret, sort
winning singer-songwriter who’d collaborated of like living a double life. Later, I wanted
with Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea and Fall Out to become somebody that a younger version
Boy, Rao had become a pro at managing her of me could have been inspired by.”
schedule, so she could make time for the Rao’s parents were first-generation
occasional dance performance at the immigrants who’d settled in the US in the
Tirumala temple in Tirupati. ’70s, but they were determined not to lose
The 31-year-old known in music circles as
Raja Kumari, aka the princess, started learning “MYPARENTS HAD INSTILLED SUCH
Indian classical dance at the age of seven and
discovered hiphop about three years later, so
A LOVE FOR INDIAN CULTURE IN ME
despite the gulf that separates the two forms, THAT I DIDN’TWANTTO TRADE IT
both have held a similar appeal for her. She’s FOR ANYTHING ELSE.”
REALITY interview

sight of their Indian heritage; Rao’s mother

had once harboured ambitions of becoming
a classical dancer herself. So Rao was not
enrolled in a regular Indian dance school like
other Indian-Americans, but actually had
a guru trained in Kuchipudi stay with her
family in California and train her. “My guru
started teaching me when I was about six.
A renowned teacher from Hyderabad, she
agreed to stay with us after her husband
passed away. I was very lucky to have such
a unique opportunity to learn classical dance
directly from a revered guru.”
Under such able guidance, Rao soon
became ready for the stage. “My first ever
public dance performance was in school at the
age of seven in front of Pandit Ravi Shankar,
who was the chief guest. It was daunting, but
just having him there and blessing me at the
start of my career has been a sign as to how
things would evolve for me.”
For most of Rao’s dancing career, she’s
performed for the aid of various charities
in India. She has helped build a hospital,
a meditation hall and a school for physically
disabled children in Hyderabad. “My parents
www.t.me/njm_magz
gave me opportunities to affect real change.
When I was 10, I had raised money in the US
to build a meditation hall in India. I visited
the hall when I was touring India—it showed
me, at a very young age, that my art and my “DANCE WAS MYFOUNDATION.
music could help me make the world a better BUTMUSIC WAS THE WAYI COULD
place,” says Rao, who is a benefactor to EXPRESS MYSELFAND COMMUNICATE
a number of Indian charities. “I am still
associated with the Vegesna foundation in
WHAT I WAS FEELING AND THINKING.”
Hyderabad with whom I built the meditation from college with a degree in Comparative
hall. Even though I wasn’t born in India, I feel Religions. Soon she found herself in LA,
like I should be giving back to the land that with a talent for songwriting. With a bit of
my parents came from.” luck, she got in touch with the right people
Besides dance, there was another passion at the big music studios.
she was secretly harbouring since the fifth “I took the journey as it came,” says Rao.
grade when she came across an album called “What I did realise was that songwriting
The Score by the Fugees. “Dance was my helped me be in the studios a lot more, so
foundation. It taught me where I came from I could master my craft and gain experience.
and made me respect my history. But music I was in the studio every day and that way
was the way I could express myself and I got to work with some of the biggest
communicate what I was feeling and thinking. artistes. I signed a publishing deal in 2012
It was something personal and not what my as a songwriter, and with that deal, I was in
family wanted me to do. It was definitely the studio every day, sometimes doing two
a hard transition from dance in the beginning.” sessions a day.”
Rao started off her musical journey by During this time, Rao co-wrote, appeared in
writing songs and music to express herself. or sang background vocals for hit songs like Fall
At 15, she recorded her first song, and started Out Boy’s Centuries and Lindsey Stirling’s Brave
writing songs officially after she graduated Enough, besides contributing to Iggy Azalea’s
REALITY interview

and I was thankful to be able to learn from

really good people.”
It wasn’t long before Rao got her big
break as a recording artiste with her debut
solo single Mute, featuring Elvis Brown and
produced by Jules Wolfson at Epic Records.
“If you listen to the lyrics, you can listen to
the angst that I was going through at that time.
I think I had to take my own advice and put
everybody on mute, and really just put my
music out there. I am very proud of it and of
the people who supported me and believed
in me. It was a labour of love.”
Since then, Rao has been spending a lot
of her time in India, touring and collaborating
with artistes like AR Rahman and Anirudh
Ravichander, playing at concerts and
rediscovering her roots. “I came to India right
after I released The Come Up EP in 2016 and
I did my first show here. I just fell in love with
the way India was accepting me and allowing
me to be myself. Coming from America, where
it is always about dual identities and balancing
the east and west, it was great to be myself and
not be questioned. Just by being me, a strong
female voice that’s unapologetic, I know I can
www.t.me/njm_magz
draw more Indian women to music and help
them express themselves through their art.”
Rao considers Rahman as her ‘musical
father’. Her first collaboration with him was for
Mani Ratnam’s film Kaatru Veliyidai, where she
“JUSTBYBEING ME,ASTRONG FEMALE rapped for the track Jugni. “He is a legend and
VOICETHAT’S UNAPOLOGETIC,I CAN you learn so much from working with him. It
DRAWMORE INDIANWOMENTO MUSIC was a privilege to tour with him and to perform
in the UK with him. I can definitely say that
AND HELP THEM EXPRESS THEMSELVES.” without AR Rahman, I would not be making
Grammy-nominated album The New Classic the same music that I have been making.”
and songs by artistes like Gwen Stefani, Fifth For Ravichander, Rao has sung the track
Harmony, Twin Shadow and Dirty South. Never Give Up for the film Vivegam. “Working
In May 2016, Rao was honoured at the BMI with Anirudh was such a fun-filled experience.
Pop Awards for co-writing Centuries. “It was People have responded well to the song, and
the first song that I was a part of that sold it has almost hit a million views on YouTube.
a million records and became a platinum Anirudh is an incredible producer. I have been
record. After that, the door kind of opened a fan of his since Kolaveri Di. One of my songs,
and I signed a deal with Epic Records.” Believe In You, is actually an interpretation
Working with artistes like Stefani helped of that song.” Rao has just signed a deal with
Rao evolve as a person and a musician, she Sony India that she is super-excited about.
says. “When I was working with Stefani, she “We are going to release my first single very
was getting divorced. So a lot of our time was soon. It is in collaboration with Divine and
spent emotionally healing and talking about he is my favourite rapper here in India. And
karma and different spiritual ideas, and using I am excited also for people to see that this
our conversations to inspire the lyrics and type of collaboration between a western artiste
the melody. Being a good songwriter is and an Indian artiste is quite possible.”
sometimes about being a good listener, Rao’s entire oeuvre is testament to that.
REALITY interview

Simran Sethi and Kelly Luegenbiehl

POWER DUO www.t.me/njm_magz

As part of a global OTT platform’s creative team, Kelly Luegenbiehl and Simran Sethi have been
trying to steadily bring about a change in the kind of entertainment Indians consume in their
living rooms. Simran Ahuja talks to the progressive women

I
t’s fascinating that India’s Maximum NBC and then worked at ABC for a while.
City, Mumbai, served as the backdrop I joined Netflix about two-and-a-half years ago.”
for Sacred Games, a compelling crime Sethi’s tryst with the industry, on the other
drama series. While the first Indian hand, began with a connection with the city
original series on Netflix was lauded of Mumbai. “I did my under graduation
across the world, there’s a lot more to celebrate in Mumbai. I wanted to be a lawyer after
beyond the final product that meets the eye, I watched a law-based TV show. But eventually,
especially the evolution of the kind of roles
Indian women play. They have come a long
WHILE BOTH I realised that I liked the TV part more than
the lawyer part,” she laughs.
way from the quintessential damsel-in-distress WOMEN MAY While both women may have had distinct
to Radhika Apte’s fearless character, Anjali HAVE HAD journeys, the one constant in their lives is the
Mathur, a RAW agent, in Sacred Games, and
Simran Sethi and Kelly Luegenbiehl have
DISTINCT love for movies and TV series. This led them
to align with a quest to bring out more original
played an instrumental role in this portrayal. JOURNEYS, content from various countries across the
Narrating how she became a part of this THE ONE world, including Sacred Games from India.
exciting industry, Luegenbiehl says, “I actually
didn’t know what I wanted to do. I joined CONSTANT IN The series is an eight-episode thriller, starring
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, and
NBC’s Page programme (a 12-month paid THEIR LIVES IS Saif Ali Khan, and has been well received by
fellowship). Once I started working in TV,
I realised that it was a lot of hard work, but it
THE LOVE FOR audiences. Some have even labelled it as the

MOVIES AND
next Narcos. The crime drama is based on
was also a lot of fun. There were so many great Vikram Chandra’s extensive novel of the same
stories out there to bring to a larger audience. TV SERIES. name. Says Luegenbiehl, “I actually went to
I eventually made my way up the ladder at college with Vikram Chandra and when
REALITY interview

Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a
still from Sacred Games
“YOU HAVE TO BE
AS WOMEN-CENTRIC
OFF-CAMERA AS YOU
ARE ON-CAMERA..
IT CAN’T BE LIMITED TO JUST
BE YOUR TOKEN FEMALE
WRITER AND DIRECTOR.”

of their seats,” says Luegenbiehl. Interestingly,

the shades of grey aren’t just limited to the
male characters, as in most Indian content.
“Women no longer have to fit into a box. This
concept is not just reflected in Apte’s character
in Sacred Games, but several others too. Take,
for instance, Sheela from Wild Wild Country.
Today, women can be layered and don’t have to
pick a side between all good or straight-up bad.
Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte
In fact, we’ve been able to reclaim all the on-
in a still from Sacred Games screen fun that men have been having all these
years,” says Luegenbiehl.
So, what’s turning the tide? As one would
have thought, behind every successful female
character on the screen is a team of driven and
www.t.me/njm_magz
tenacious women off it. According to Sethi,
there’s an exciting rise in female storytellers
being given a platform to tell their story. “You
have to be as women-centric off-camera as you
are on-camera. There needs to be inclusivity
through the entire back-end process as well as
among the staff. So it can’t be limited to just be
your token female writer and director. We’re
talking women editors and cinematographers
too,” she says. If there’s one thing both of them
want more of, it’s having more women as allies
I figured out that I had an opportunity to work in the industry. Luegenbiehl recalls times when
with him, it was nothing short of a fan girl she would be the only woman in the room. She
moment. We had to figure out a lot of says, “At those times, I felt it was important to
things like to what extent we could alter represent my gender. I ensured that everyone
and expand situations, how consistent we else present there was aware that I’d earned
had to be with the written word, and how the right to be in that room.”
much creative liberty we could take. The With such a progressive outlook, things
process was far from easy, but then again, are gradually but definitely changing for
good art is never a product of ease.” women in media. Sethi and Luegenbiehl
Although the plot of Sacred Games is assure that there’s an evolution at play. “It’s
riveting in itself, the power duo was equally an exciting opportunity for us to be the kind
drawn to the way the characters were of women in this industry who can find,
etched out. “We loved the complexities of support, and encourage other women in front
the characters, as none of them are purely of the camera, behind the camera, and at many
black or white. Who emerges as the hero and other positions. It’s something we’ve been
who emerges as the villain constantly keeps craving for and we can’t wait to see what
changing, keeping the viewers on the edge lies ahead,” says Sethi, as a parting shot.
 ALOHA!
Food and drink have the
power to transport us to places
we’ve never travelled to, or places
we hope to get to in the near
www.t.me/njm_magz future. Sometimes, all it takes
is a mocktail to set us a-dreaming.
Take, for instance, this
Blue Lagoon that will take you
instantly to Hawaii! Isn’t it an easy
way to transform an ordinary
evening into
an exceptional night?

BLUE LAGOON
Ingredients
10 mint leaves
2 strips of lemon rind
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup Blue Curacao syrup
1 tsp ginger juice
Ice cubes, to serve
¾ cup soda
1 maraschino cherry

Method
Crush the mint leaves
between your fingers.
Put the lemon rind strips, mint
leaves, lemon juice, blue curacao
PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK

syrup, and ginger juice in a glass,

and top with ice cubes.
Pour in the soda and mix
with a stirrer.
Garnish with a maraschino
cherry, and serve immediately.
LIVING food

DELECTABLE
DESIRES
From savoury to sweet, Executive Chef of Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa, Mukesh Sharma,
takes you on a journey of exotic flavours

HARI GOBI KE KEBAB

For the kebab 2 tsp fennel powder

2 tsp ghee Salt, to taste

5g cumin seeds 30g Bengal gram flour,

roasted
5g garlic, finely
chopped 100ml ghee for frying
4g ginger, grated For the tomato relish
100g tomato, chopped
300g broccoli, grated www.t.me/njm_magz
1 green chilli, chopped
50g potato, boiled and
grated 50ml honey

1 tsp chaat masala 5g red chilli powder

1 tsp roasted cumin Salt, to taste

powder
1 tsp cardamom
powder

Calo
counrie
250 t:
(per scalories
ervin
g)
SERVES: 4 > PREP TIME: 15 minutes > COOKING TIME: 40 minutes
s

1. To make the tomato relish, cook together the tomato, green chilli, honey, red chilli powder, and salt in a heavy saucepan
over a medium flame until the mixture acquires the consistency of a jam. Set aside.
2. Heat two teaspoons of ghee over a medium flame. Add the cumin seeds, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for a minute.
3. Add the broccoli and sauté until it is moist and cooked. Set aside.
4. Mix together the potato, chaat masala, roasted cumin, cardamom, and fennel powders. Add this mixture to the sautéed broccoli.
Season the mixture to taste.
5. Sprinkle enough roasted Bengal gram flour to bind the mixture, and divide it into small roundels.
6. Place a little tomato jam in the centre of each roundel, cover and shape into a patty (kebab). Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
7. Heat the 100ml ghee in a pan over a medium flame and fry the kebabs until golden brown.

TIP: SERVE THESE PIPING HOT WITH MINT CHUTNEY AND ONION SALAD.
 CHEF’S SALAD

40g rocket
5 tbsp olive oil
1 bunch microgreens
Salt, to taste
40g iceberg lettuce,
roughly torn 6g pepper, crushed
www.t.me/njm_magz
40g Romaine lettuce, 10g caramelised
roughly torn walnuts, crushed
10 basil leaves, 20g Parmesan
roughly torn cheese, grated
4 sprigs mint, shredded

10g red pepper, chopped

4 sprigs coriander
leaves, shredded

Calo
counrie
822 t:
(per scalories
ervin
g)
SERVES: 1 > PREP TIME: 15 minutes

1. Place the rocket, microgreens, iceberg lettuce, Romaine lettuce, red pepper, basil, mint, and coriander leaves in
a large mixing bowl.
2. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to mix.
4. Serve on a salad plate, garnished with the caramelised walnuts and grated Parmesan cheese.

TIP: FOR ADDED CRUNCH, PLACE THE ROCKET AND LETTUCE IN THE FREEZER FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE ASSEMBLING THE SALAD.
LIVING food

MARATHI MUKKU TIRAMISU

100g Marathi mukku 500g mascarpone

(kapok buds)
250g cream
10 egg yolks
10g cardamom
125g refined sugar powder

40ml water 12 sponge finger

biscuits

www.t.me/njm_magz

Calo
counrie
800 t:
(per scalories
ervin
g)
PHOTOGRAPHS: SHERATON GRAND CHENNAI RESORT & SPA

SERVES: 4 > PREP TIME: 30 minutes (+ 4 hours soaking time) > COOKING TIME:
E 5 minutes
i t

1. Crush the Marathi mukku and soak in water for four hours. Bring the water to a boil after four hours, and let it cool.
2. Whisk the egg yolks in a large mixing bowl until fluffy.
3. Cook the sugar with the water till 116°C. Add this sugar syrup to the egg yolks in the mixing bowl.
4. Whisk the mascarpone with a fork to soften it, mix with the egg yolk-sugar mixture, and set aside.
5. Whip the cream and fold into the mixture.
6. Add 5g cardamom powder and mix it well.
7. To assemble the dessert, dip the sponge finger biscuits in the Marathi mukku sauce and place them on a serving plate.
Pipe the tiramisu mixture over the biscuits. Sprinkle with cardamom powder.

TIP: DECORATE THE SERVING PLATE WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS AND CARDAMOM MACARONS.
LIVING quick bites

Pear crisps
An alternative to any chips or wafers, pair these with a dip of your choice.

INGREDIENTS
2 firm pears

METHOD
* Preheat the oven
to 120°C.
* Chop off the top and
bottom of the pears,
and thinly slice as
uniformly as possible.
* Place the pear
slices on baking
trays, ensuring that
they don’t touch
each other.
* Bake in the preheated
oven for 75 minutes,
then flip the slices
over, and bake for
a further 75 minutes.
* Turn off the oven,
leaving the pear
crisps in for another
hour to become crisp.

A PASSION
Pear salad
with feta and
www.t.me/njm_magz cranberries
Pear jam

FOR PEARS
Experience a guaranteed
This versatile slow-cooked burst of flavours with every
jam will be the perfect bite of this salad.
accompaniment for hot
buttered toast, an English
muffin, or some funky INGREDIENTS
blue cheese. In season now, pears make the ideal base 4 cups mixed salad greens
2 pears, sliced
INGREDIENTS
for creating something sweet or savoury, ½ cup candied walnuts
1.3 kg ripe pears, peeled, so ensure you have them handy ½ cup dried cranberries
cored, and diced ½ cup crumbled feta
3 tbsp honey cheese
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon powder FOR THE POPPY SEED
½ tsp ginger powder DRESSING:
¼ tsp salt 1 cup sugar
¼ tsp grated nutmeg ¼ cup white vinegar PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK (FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY)

¼ tsp clove powder ½ cup vegetable oil

1 tbsp yellow mustard paste
METHOD 1 tsp salt
* Place all the ingredients ¼ tsp pepper, freshly ground
in a saucepan over a medium-
high flame and bring to a boil. 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Reduce the flame to medium-
low and simmer for about METHOD
50 minutes, covering the pan * Combine all the ingredients
in a way that the lid is slightly for the dressing in a tightly-
open, and stir occasionally sealed jar, and shake
to prevent burning. vigorously until well
* Remove from the flame once combined.
it has reduced and thickened, * Divide the salad greens
and leave it to cool. among four salad plates.
* Pulse the cooled mixture in * Top with the pears, walnuts,
a food processor until smooth. MAKE THE MOST OF and cranberries.
* Transfer to a heat-proof
container; you can store it
THIS FRUIT THAT IS READILY * Sprinkle the feta cheese
* Drizzle the poppy seed salad
in the fridge for a week. AVAILABLE IN MARKETS NOW. dressing over the salad.
THE BUZZMAKERS

SHIBANI DANDEKAR:
Going with the flow
The actor-anchor talks about her small screen stints, her love for cricket, and her dream projects
You’ve done a lot of How do you beat
television and a few the stress that comes
films. Which medium with the profession?
do you enjoy more? There’s constant stress, but I try
From the kind of and strike a balance with some
shows I’ve done time out. I hang out with friends
and the format or work out. Of course, there’s
that they’ve no way the stress is going to
followed, go away, but it becomes a little
I can say more manageable as you get
that I’m very used to it. It’s just the way the
comfortable with business works, and things are
television. Films, on the not what they used to be before,
other hand, get me more so you just learn to go with it.
excited because they are so
much more challenging.
What kind of film
Did you ever roles would you
want to play in
think cricket would the future?
figure in your life www.t.me/njm_magz There are so many. I would
in such a big way? love to do something
Like almost every Indian, substantial that challenges
me as an actor. Something
I grew up watching cricket;
that doesn’t box me into
it was always playing in the a specific character or
background. My dad is stereotype. I think when it
a huge cricket lover. I knew comes to casting, often,
how the game was played, people look at you and see
only one thing and
so during the Indian
somehow don’t picture
Premier League (IPL), I just what the myriad
needed to figure the T20 possibilities are. I would
format and familiarise like people to see
myself with the concept. that I could play
different characters.
But yes, it was never
something I thought
I’d end up doing.
Can you tell
us about your
upcoming
Do you have projects?
a dream co-star? I’ve just done the
I don’t know about remake of Queen
a dream co-star, but being called That Is
a regular in a Hollywood Mahalakshmi in
TV show would be two south Indian
a dream come true for me. languages, which will
There are such diverse release on February 14, 2019.
opportunities in TV there; Also, Top Model India will start
I would love to focus on it. sometime next year.
—As told to Nikita Sawant