MAGAZINE MAG AZINE Leela Spring 2017.pdfplanning and preparations went into organising the event...

M A G A Z I N E

Masterpieces at The Leela

M A G A Z I N E

Masterpieces at The Leela

Vivek NairChairman & Managing Director,The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

The biggest political and economic story last year was demonetization,

aimed at combating black money, terrorism and corruption. While the

long term impact will be positive. By driving non-serious players away from real

estate investment, it will help clean up the system and remove poor practices.

The drive will help the organised hospitality sector. And the cutting of interest

rates by banks will fuel the growth of the industry.

summit being hosted at the scenic Leela Goa, in October. The Leela Goa is 75

acres of beautifully landscaped gardens along with a long stretch of golden

planning and preparations went into organising the event that hosted heads of

of the event. Get an insider’s view of the summit in our ‘Talk of the town’ feature.

success story of the man and the group, ‘The Best of The Leela’ gives you a good

idea as to why the group continues to win global acclaim. The special issue also

which all the Leela hotels are celebrating.

and overseas markets through our asset light strategy of management contracts.

The special issue also coincides with the 95th birth anniversary

of the late Captain Nair (9th Feb 2017)

THE LEELA MAGAZINE | 6 | SPRING 2017

CONTENTS

32Tech

26Books

16Luxe Effect

22Proust Questionnaire

53Spotlight

48Food

34Travel

44Craftsmanship

40Art

32

CONTENTST H E L E E L A M A G A Z I N E — S P R I N G 2 0 1 7T H E L E E L A M A G A Z I N E — S P R I N G 2 0 1 7


COVER The ‘Face of Life’ painting, by Paresh Maity, located in the Business Centre of The Leela Palace New Delhi

“This Magazine is published by Hotel Leela Ventures Limited (“Leela”) and produced by Mediascope Publicitas (India) Pvt. Ltd., on behalf of and under agreement with Leela. Opinions expressed herein are of the authors

about editorial matters, reproduction of articles and advertising should be addressed to The Leela Magazine,

Email: Material in this publication may not be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the consent of the publisher. Neither Leela nor MSP assumes any responsibility or endorses any claim made by the advertisers herein.”

This magazine is printed on environment-friendly, wood-free paper.

—

C O N T E N T S

BACK OF THE BOOK

THE LEELAEDITOR-IN-CHIEF — Lakshmi NairEDITORIAL & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR — Shobha Patel PRODUCTION — Prakash Bachche

PUBLICITAS PUBLISHINGEDITORIALEDITOR-IN-CHIEF — Deepali Nandwani EDITOR — Jaideep DaveWRITER — Nisha ShroffCLIENT SERVICE MANAGER — Reshma Malvankar

ARTCREATIVE DIRECTOR — Muhammad Jaan FaruquiART DIRECTOR — Rane Sanjay VamanGRAPHIC DESIGNER — Shivaji B. GaikwadIMAGE EDITOR — Mrunali Gujarathi PRODUCTION MANAGER — Elidio Fernandes

ADVERTISING SALESMUMBAI (022- 61377400) Vice President — Monica ChopraKatty Gia, Rashmi Kapoor DELHI (011-23730873/66599300) Sr. General Manager (North) — Asha AugustineBANGALORE (09886041356) — Nagesh RaoHYDERABAD (08978866599) — Sheetal Petkar KERALA (09414069321) — Sanjai Krishnan

AD SALES - INTERNATIONALHONG KONG (+852-2516 1003) — Winky Wong MALAYSIA (+60-3-7729 6923) — Shallie Cheng SINGAPORE (+65 6735 8681) — Joui Ong DUBAI (+9714 3913360) — Sunil Kanchan

MARKETINGMANAGER MARKETING SERVICES — Salim B.

FINANCE & ACCOUNTSSR. MANAGER - ACCOUNTS & ADMIN.— Girish SharmaACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE — Ashwin MakwanaCREDIT CONTROLLER — Girish Joshi

CORPORATECEO & MANAGING DIRECTOR — Marzban Patel EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — Anita Patel VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE — Sunando Roy DIRECTOR — Indu Joshi

CONNECT WITH US ON

80 Events

83 Guest Speak

84 Snapshot

85 Launchpad

86 Social Index

8280

Brand Special

60

64

76

72


a morning raagini

A selection of cool accessories

for men and women.Style Check

GUCCI

deconstructed Cambridge

Flannel Jacket is sure to

enhance your corporate

look. The jacket comes in

and red grosgrain trim

with green tape detail

will help you stand

out. Other highlights

include the front

Available in gray.

JINSOON

created by renowned manicurist Jin Soon Choi.

Drawing inspiration from the classic Mikimoto

FENDIAdd a dash of panache to your daily wear

with Fendi’s HypnoShine Sunglasses

lenses are encircled by metal cat’s eye

frame. The cerulean blue wavy print

highlights the model’s unusual shape.

TOD’S

then pair your denims

available in smooth

leather. With its high-

tech fabric panels in

houndstooth print and

other intricate branded

these shoes look trendy.


LUXE EFFECT

Our picks of the season’s

most stylish watches.

Timepieceswe adore

BREGUETBreguet’s Tradition Répétition Minutes

with a robust 18k rose gold case.

The watch has a 60-second

tourbillon at 6 o’clock

and a minute repeater.

This spectacular dial is

features an hour’s chapter ring

in roman numerals, as well as the

signature blued steel open tipped

Breguet hands. Measuring 44 mm in

caseband, the watch features welded

lugs with screw bars.

ULYSSE NARDINUlysse Nardin’s new

Marine Chronograph

the latest of its

Marine Collection.

The diameter

of the watch is

available in stylish

18k rose gold case.

The dial comes in

striking blue colour and

it’s water-resistant

up to 100m.

PANERAI This season, Panerai and the famous South

African explorer Mike Horn have

which seeks to raise awareness

about the crisis oceans are

going through. Horn, who will

be circumnavigating the globe

through land and sea, is going

to be sporting the brand’s

Automatic Titanio model. Engraved

on the back are the logo of the

expedition — which consists of two

animals symbolising the two poles,

the polar bear and the penguin — and

Mike Horn’s signature.

CHOPARDChopard’s new

Imperiale Joaillerie

collection of

with blue or

turquoise damask

straps. The model retains

its aristocratic characteristics,

and has been enriched by

artistic details evoking the Inca

civilisation. Like a mosaic from the

pre-Colombian era, the dial cover

is entirely set with brilliant-

cut diamonds and turquoises

in subtly varied shades. The

case, in Fairmined 18k white gold, is

entirely set with diamonds.


LUXE EFFECT

Jeffrey Archer

What do you like most about your recent book

This was a Man?

It’s pleasing to have come to the end of the

Clifton Chronicles, and discover how many

people are enjoying it.

What is your current state of mind?

Very happy, thank you.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Impatience.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Ambition.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

‘Never in doubt’.

What one quality should every woman have?

Understanding.

Which one quality should every man have?

Kindness.

What do you most dislike about contemporary culture?

Twenty20 cricket.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Never look back.

What one experience would you like to have?

Opening the batting for England at Lord’s.

What is your greatest fear?

On what occasion do you lie?

When a woman asks me if she’s beautiful.

Which living person do you most admire?

Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub (British-Egyptian

cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the charity Chain

of Hope, which treats children with correctable cardiac

conditions from war-torn and developing countries).

Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to sing.

What is your most treasured possession?

Whichever latest pen I’m using.

Who are your favorite writers?

R K Narayan, Stefan Zweig and H H Munro (Saki).

What is your greatest regret?

Never having had a daughter.

What would you want your epitaph to read?

‘I was just about to start the next chapter…’

| | | |

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

[email protected]

DIAMONDS SOLITAIRES JADAU POLKI GOLD

Follow us @hazoorilallegacy

D-6 South Extension Part IIRing Road New Delhi T : +91 11 48733333

Gold Souk Shop 19-20 C Block Sushant Lok Phase 1 Gurgaon T : +91 124 4115123

T M

Details on excavated Harappan seals provide evidence that the

shapes of the lotus, swastika, trishul (trident) and leaves of

the pipal tree were popular in jewellery. Some artifacts show

‘alpha’, or the trishul.

DRESSING IN THE INDUS VALLEY

| 26 | | |

Indian fashionthrough the ages

Geeta Khanna’s Style of India

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SARI

THE INFLUENCE OF THE ISLAMIC RULE

The loose voluminous pants, the salwar, was a

This silhouette was

Sultanate period in

variation is an import

(styled after a jama) in

with Turkish motifs

A variation of the Maharashtra nauari

a white-frill shirt-top

Credits:

Soni. This sari is made in pure silk thread jacquard technique on

Credits:

| 28 | | 29 |

| | | |

Artificial Intelligence

The rise of

If Amazon’s Alexa can be your cooking

assistant, India-based Magic X’s

Android-based chatbot takes your

Jason Fernandes

MIntelligence (AI) in late 2011, with

AI can be found in autonomous cars, in

curiosity, today AI is the new battleground for

furiously, our lives get a little bit easier and a

Amazon Alexa vs Google HomeBoth Amazon and Google have launched AI

“smart speakers”, featuring integration with

gadgets can do a lot more than control your

be your cooking assistant, using the internet to

set several timers, so that none of your brilliant

Alexa about movie reviews and showtimes, and

use its integration with Uber to get a cab to take

features as Alexa, but many of us already

have Google accounts and our data on Google

servers, and thus harbour the expectation that

the company would be much better at knowing

upcoming events or even add new ones to your

Amazon’s AI “smart speaker” Alexa fares much better than Google’s Home

Magic X enables you to order groceries, whereas the India-based Arya.ai works behind the scenes to help businesses leverage AI

till they’re perfect, but that’s not the ideal

India’s AI industry

companies have leveraged deep learning

and neural networks to deliver consumers an

order groceries and complete a variety of other

me a hotel with a swimming pool in Goa” or

“book me two airplane tickets from Mumbai to

Goa on January 25” and it will walk you through

all the steps, providing the required information

and allowing you to make payments, all within

aggregating their functionalities within a single

trouble of launching all these apps individually,

the same functionality as the standalone app

only all friends were like them!

AI Enablers quietly revolutionising ecommerce

companies that are operating more behind

the scenes, and are focussed on building tools

deep learning has produced amazing outcomes

over the last few years but “… is complex to use

and needs huge requirements both in skill set

a few months ago, is an open source software

provided free to other companies attempting to

could use Braid to build their own deep learning

applications in sectors as varied as predictive

Suppose you saw a shirt on a shopping site, but

past, you’d have to comb through hundreds or

thousands of thumbnail-sized photos on the

site deemed “related” only to discover that

they weren’t really related at all, and that shirt

company founded by the husband-wife team

startups to easily deploy image analysis-based

use this as the basis of their recommendation

technology to conduct visual image analysis on

matches based on actual color and pattern, not

M i X bl d i h h I di b d

Amazon’s Alexa can very quickly begin to feel

like extended family

THE LEELA MAGAZINE | 32 | SPRING 2017 SPRING 2017 | 33 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE

(Facing page) Street art in Chelsea in New York; (Below) The High Line features brand stores of DVF and Zadig & Voltaire

The idiom ‘shop till you drop’ applies perfectly to London’s Covent Garden

You’ve probably already experienced the irresistible glamour of Fifth Avenue and Times Square in New York, and shopped at Oxford Street and Camden in London.

Big Apple’s elevated promenade High Line is now one of the city’s top tourist attractions,

while Covent Garden, in the British capital, features excellent cultural and dining experiences. Here’s a guide on four of the world’s most modish destinations.

By Anamika Butalia

Chic neighbourhoods

HIGH LINE, NEW YORK

Experience:

Shop

Eat:

COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

Experience:


The fashion store of Mimco (women’s clothing) at Chapel Street

Shop:

Eat:

CHAPEL STREET, MELBOURNE

Experience:

Shop:


Eat:

RUA OSCAR FREIRE, SÃO PAULO

Experience:

Shop:

Eat:

(From top) The restaurant Chez Oscar, at Rua Oscar Friere, is a great place for an

best-known casual beachwear brand


The Carpet Cellar

1, Anand Lok, Khel Gaon Marg, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi - 110049.

(Herbal Washing & Restoration also undertaken)

“Persian Dabeer Kashan 6.5 x 4 Feet”

Art for your Floors

1, Anand Lok, Khel Gaon Marg, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi - 110049.

(Herbal Washing & Restoration also undertaken)

“A lot of my ideas were arrived at during the lowest periods of my life”

From curating the third edition of the Kochi Muziris Biennale to being the only Indian artist at the Rolls-Royce Art Commission,

Sudarshan Shetty is a pioneering installation artist and sculptor. In an interview with Nolan Lewis, he talks about the

existentialist themes in his works, his creative process, and more.

It takes a while to comprehend what is happening at Bandra-Kurla’s

Ambani-owned Maker Maxity business hub. Sprawling across the

freshly-manicured green lawns are two wooden replicas of ancient

South Indian architecture, adjacent to the premise’s high-end

eateries. One is an empty cottage, with a black umbrella and a

pair of gent’s shoes, arranged by the doorstep. The second is a pillared

gazebo, with a lotus pond immersed in the centre.

It is only when one enters the dark room besides the exhibits that

A Story’, starts to play, on dual-screens. There are two narratives, one is the

perspective of a housewife and the other of her husband.

In the partitioned screen on the left, the housewife is stricken with

inertia, due to her mundane life, and a story and a song emerge through

her breath while she is asleep, and take tangible form as men’s items lying

on the verandah. Simultaneously, on the other screen, the husband, upon

Both screens depict the ensuing argument.

the other her partner escapes to seek shelter in the gazebo for the night,

where he later plunges into the pond to cool down. He overhears the

conversation exchanged by the ceiling lights above does he realise how

his wife’s muses took physical form, to escape the dull monotony he had

recalls a male visitor nor the creative elements that broke all ties with her.

An allegory about artistic repression, this project is the result of

Shetty’s collaboration with Rolls Royce. The Rolls-Royce Art Commission is

born out of a partnership between the British luxury car brand and some

of the world’s greatest artists: a series of art talks and in-situ commissions

enabling the crème from the global art community to realise innovative

projects, explore new ideas and engage with the public in international

One of the elements of ‘A Song, A Story,’ Shetty’s installation for the Rolls Royce Art Commission


ART

(From left) The installation “Ghost in the bottle” (2007) featured

mobile sculpture (2004) (From left) The installation “Ghost in

arenas. On the Commission’s roster of handpicked talents are Chinese

installation artist Isaac Julien and Brazilian virtual artist Ana Maria Tavares,

among others.

Shetty is the only Indian on this list. Not surprising considering that he

has been among the most sought-after names in the nation’s blossoming

art circles for a while now. Shetty deciphers his cryptic commission over

a salad bowl during lunch, and talks about an artistic journey that has

spanned over three decades.

Tell us about the installation you’ve created for the Rolls Royce Art

Commission?

The installation is a retelling of a Ramanuja poem that I often heard in

school as a child. Coming from a family of performers — my father used

telling a story using the visual medium isn’t something new to me. Indian

why I chose it as the theme for an international commission. It is important

for us as a nation to constantly look back at our native legacy to move

forward.

‘A Song, A Story’ lies beside ‘Winged Bus’ – a popular installation you

The double-decker bus is an allegory for a childhood memory that is

fast disappearing in an adult world, and how the city’s public transport,

the common man’s preferred choice of transport, is also the ticket to

kids obviously, but even the older folks had a lot of appreciation. The

installation is more than merely an objet d’art, even today the space within

is used to host intimate gatherings such as theatre performances and

poetry readings. I’m happy to

be displaying in a quasi-public

space, where the restaurant-

goers can admire something on

their way in.

Tell us more about how art

was a part of your growing

experience?

Because of my father’s career,

I grew up in a house, in

Mangalore, which was full of

dance and music. Cinema is

also something that has always

inspired me. I still remember

my days at the Sir J.J. School of Art, when pioneering artist Akbar Padamsee

These laid the foundations for my love for art.

Small successes can also be little traps. It is very important to remain

outside of your own creative processes and to observe them detachedly.

A signature style cannot be conscious or an imposed position on yourself.

If you continue being the same author throughout your writing career, for

example, not much remains to be said. It is important to be in touch with

your instincts, and allow time to alter your expressions as a person. and,

more importantly, as an artist.

General Studies and Pittsburgh’s Mattress Factory impact you?

What Indian artists learn in Western Art History is often at loggerheads

with local art. Here, art is everywhere — on our temples, in our scriptures,

in our community spaces. In the western world, art expresses itself in the

clinical settings of gallery and exhibition. The space of a gallery comes

between the two polar opposites.

A lot of my ideas were arrived at during the lowest periods in my life.

When my father was dying from cancer in hospital, I spent six months

an artist is to remove himself from the sentimental attachment to such a

situation, and create something cathartic from the grief.

It was a parody on the profound titles that artistes give to their art

of this exhibition, in fact, started with the title.

the event has changed the country’s artistic landscape?

contemporary art is looked at. Before it, art was essentially a market in

government-funded agencies, but those aren’t fully functional.

There are 98 artists participating in this edition of the biennale. It is

a very deliberate decision not to involve celebrity artists and big names. A

biennale isn’t about the artists, but about their work and the conversations

they generate.

What changes have you made to the structure of this KMB, compared to

its previous editions?

in their essence. The turnout had a lot to do with the individual

curatorial style.

be outside the expectations of the biennale. Instead of coming up with a

curatorial speech at the opening, we had a Chilean poet, Raúl Zurita, read

us his work. Rather than take centrestage, I wanted to give direction to the

event from the outside. Also, I want it to be possible for conversations to

spill beyond the timeline of the actual biennale.

Aromatic woods were used to construct Shetty’s installation at the Rolls Royce Art Commission

Shetty’s Consaguinity (2003) was inspired from his father’s

Love (2006) parodied profound titles artistes give to their exhibitions


The art of bespoke timepieces has come closer home, with Jaipur Watch Company’s Make in India service.

Watches are customised, using elements like traditional motifs, ancient coins, monograms and emblems, to suit

your tastes. We found out more.

By Prerna Singh Butalia

Made in IndiaMade in IndiaWhat’s common between Marie Antoinette, banker

Henry Graves, Queen Victoria, the Maharaja of

Kapurthala and the Afghan royal family? They’ve

all owned some of the most exquisite watches

ever created, which were custom-made for them.

And now, you get to join their ranks, with Jaipur Watch Company’s Make

in India service, which brings together exceptional concepts, skilful

handcrafting and innovative engineering, to give to you a bespoke watch.

that revisit an era gone by,” says Gaurav Mehta, Founder-Designer, Jaipur

Watch Company. “These pieces are timeless and exude tradition within

contemporary design.” Here’s everything you would want to know about

this super-luxe service.

BRINGING HISTORY TO HOROLOGY

desire to bring coins to the fore in an unprecedented manner, that

led to the creation of Jaipur Watch Company, in 2013. What emerged

played with coins as the centre of focus. While most watches are

made-to-order, he has also created a collection from which you can

a concept, which is a throwback to imperial times, or beyond, through

the use of historic coins, royal insignia and olden motifs. “We work

with auction houses and numismatic societies across India, to acquire

coins from across time and space—ancient coins, pre-independence

coins, world war era coins and coins from India’s currency revolution, to

The idea is to create heirlooms.

SOME OF THEIR STAR COLLECTIONS AND PIECESImperial Wristwear: This collection of timepieces incorporates the One

Rupee coin from colonial India and King George VI’s half silver coin,

reminiscent of India’s currency revolution, on the dial. Its name is derived

from the fact that King George VI was the last ruling British king and the

each element.

King’s Wristwear: This collection is built around the 1 Pice Coin from

World War II, which stayed in currency during India’s independence.

The coin is unique in its punched hole, which was done to bring down

the minting cost, and bears testimony to a revolutionary era, in not just

rustic, old-world charm.

The Peacock Feather Watch: This ticker is an ode to India and its royal

A bespoke watch from Jaipur Watch Company takes a minimum of 60 days to ship


CRAFTSMANSHIP

SPRING 2017 | 45 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE

history. Set in 18-carat gold, with a peacock

feather handcrafted onto the dial, and a

diamond at 6 PM, this watch is inspired by

the famous Peacock Door at the City Palace

in Jaipur, and is symbolic of the beauty of

this majestic bird.

But these aren’t all. You can have

watches monogrammed, or you can get

messages engraved at the back. You can

also have your own coins or insignia worked

into the watch.

THE CRAFT IN THE CREATIONThe watches are all precious, handcrafted in

gold or silver. “The process of customising

a bespoke luxury watch is indeed an art,” says Mehta. “In fact, watch-

shape, the designer and the watchmaker work on it, together, to transform

the idea into a sketch or a digital image. It is

you, working with the watchmakers to craft

what is precious to you. For monogrammed

watches, once the details of the design and

text have been collated, a handmade sketch

is prepared, which is then used to create a

wax dye. This wax dye lays the foundation

of the cast. “With special attention given

to the intricacies of the design, the

monograms are then cast in gold or silver,

while ensuring extreme attention to detail,”

Mehta elaborates. “While the letters are

laser cut out of precious metals, before

being set into the watch, the signature and

messages are engraved onto the back of

the watch.” The straps, in genuine leather or precious metal, are created

to complement the watch dial and the concept, and are attached to the

watch by hand. But what really makes these timepieces stand out is the

marriage of the traditional with the contemporary. “It is also imperative to

know the importance and relevance of a perfect and sturdy movement,”

and placement of the movement inside the case, making it a

perfect blend of the ancient and the modern.”

GET YOUR OWN BESPOKE PIECEThe trademark of a bespoke timepiece is the

watchmaker’s precision at craft and detailing, which

ensure that you get exactly what you want. And that

takes time. Beginning with the initial appointments with

the client, each watch takes a minimum of 60 days to be

handcrafted and moulded into form. “The customisation

involves closely working with the client in understanding

the client and the watch designer leads to an exchange of

ideas, which are then worked upon to build concrete

you get to pick the strap. You can choose from a select

range of straps in a variety of genuine leather, or

precious metals.

“Bespoke watchmaking involves designing

timepieces from scratch, which emanate from

the client providing his personal choices

of style. This is then blended with the

Jaipur Watch Company specialises in,”

he adds.

your personality and personal choices.

“Numerous watch connoisseurs approach us

with monograms, coins and motifs of personal

Mehta reveals. “We work with them in suggesting

their personal elements into the timepiece.”

Set in 18-carat gold, a peacock feather onto the dial, and a diamond at 6 PM, this watch is inspired by the Peacock Door at the City Palace in Jaipur

The King’s Wristwear collection is built around the 1 Pice Coin from World War II, which stayed in currency during India’s independence

Gaurav Mehta, founder of Jaipur Watch Company

The Peacock Feather Watch symbolises the beauty of India’s national bird

SPRING 2017 | 47 | THE LEELA MAGAZINETHE LEELA MAGAZINE | 46 | SPRING 2017

Savouring Spain

I squint at the menu in the low light of the restaurant at Hotel

San Antonio el Real in Segovia, in central Spain. When I read the

description of Cochinillo Asado, I know instantly what I’m having

for dinner. The whole roast suckling pig is a Segovian specialty, and

and as I sink my fork, the insides are soft and juicy.

but it seems like a world apart when it comes to food. The cuisine here is

more rustic and hearty, and generously portioned. Apart from the roast

pig, I also have a helping of Judiones de la Granja, a warming stew made

with the large white butter beans available locally. And a large slice of

Ponche Segoviano, a light sponge cake layered with cream and encased in

marzipan (I am glad I am wearing stretchy pants!)

and my next stop is Valencia, home of the famed paella. Non-

Spaniards may consider paella a national dish of Spain, but it’s really

a regional specialty from Valencia. And no other dish shows how

were people of Berber and Arab descent from northwest Africa who

reigned over the Iberian Peninsula from the 8th century till they were

driven out in the late 15th century. They brought rice to Valencia,

flavoured it with their favourite Arabic spice, saffron, and threw in

wild game meat, especially rabbit and foraged snails. Even today,

the traditional version of paella contains rabbit and chicken, and the

more well-known seafood paella is merely a nod to the bounty of the

long Spanish coastline. Paella, named after the wide, shallow pan in

which it’s prepared, is usually cooked for Sunday lunch, and almost

always by the men in the family.

Go beyond the tapas and paella to

discover regional Spanish cuisine.

From Catalonia to Andalusia, the

country’s gastronomic variety is

guaranteed to delight any gourmand.

By Prachi Joshi

Pintxo are the Basque variation of tapas: a small snack served on bread Tortilla de patatas is a popular Spanish breakfast Vermouth is a wine traditionally drunk before breakfast in Spain

Paella is a staple Sunday lunch in Valencia Slicing Jamon Iberico (Iberian ham) is an art

The bar at Quimet y Quimet in Barcelona sells hundreds of montaditos (food served on a slice of baguette) every evening

Churros con chocolate make for a decadent breakfast in Madrid

Sausages for sale

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FOOD

Andalusian town of Córdoba, I get a taste of salmorejo, a variant of the

more familiar gazpacho cold soup. Unlike gazpacho (which also contains

onions, bell peppers and other ingredients), salmorejo is a simple three-

ingredient soup — just a cold puree of tomato, bread and garlic, with a bit

of oil drizzled in. It’s thicker and creamier than gazpacho, because of the

bread; and minus the distractions of other ingredients you can actually

taste the sweetness of the tomato cut by the sharp garlic.

Real (Plaza de Isabel II, 8) is a small, family-run bar set in a place that was

used by the Royal Palace for culinary tasks that couldn’t be performed

inside the palace. As I eat the thinly sliced, deep red, cured ham and take

in its rich, savoury taste, my guide Luke tells me about jamón ibérico,

which comes from the black Iberian pigs, which are native to inland Spain.

The pigs are fed barley and maize, and later allowed to roam free in the

woods, where they graze on herbs and grass and acorns. The acorns give

the ham its characteristic earthy, nutty taste. The ham is cured for at least

one year, though sometimes the curing time could be as much as four

years. And, like it is with wine, the longer the curing, the better the taste.

Another city, another food tour — this time with Devour Barcelona,

exploring the bustling, former Catalan village of Gràcia, now a district of

Barcelona. Gràcia still retains its community feel, and is dotted with family-

run eateries and shops. At Can Tosca (Torrent de l’Olla, 77), I’m initiated

into the Spanish ritual of a second breakfast. It’s 10 a.m., and I’m a bit

then meet friends or colleagues for la merienda — the second breakfast

usually eaten at a local bar. I promptly

get on board with it, and order a grilled

botifarra de perol sandwich, which is a

typical Catalan pork sausage served in a

bread roll of sorts. I wash this down with a

glass of cava, the Spanish sparkling wine

made from grapes grown in Catalonia.

There are no pretensions attached to

cava, unlike Champagne, and I have

seen the Spaniards drink it at all times,

breakfast option for la merienda is the

tortilla espanõla or the Spanish omelette,

a thick, almost cake-like omelette made

with eggs and potatoes.

If you want to drink like a local, get

Pep (Carrer Verdi, 141) in Gràcia for a taste of the aperitif. The old-school

bodega is packed with locals, including a large group of particularly

argumentative senior citizens who are apparently regulars here. Rafa, the

drink; it’s sweet, spicy and a bit heady, and goes perfectly with the fuet

(thin pork sausage cured in pork gut) and the pickled anchovies.

After spending two weeks travelling around Spain, if you’d ask me

for foodie pick, it would undoubtedly be San Sebastián. This coastal city

in the northern Basque Country of Spain is a true gastronomic delight,

some of the best cuisine in Spain. I spend my time pintxo-hopping in San

Sebastián (yes, it’s a thing). Pintxo (pronounced pin-cho) are the Basque

variation of tapas, a small snack served on bread, and usually skewered

with a toothpick (hence the name pintxo, which literally means a thorn

or spike). San Sebastián’s Parte Vieja or old town is a maze of cobbled

pick from a dazzling array of pintxos — anchovies, sardines, lobster rolls,

An evening with friends at a tapas bar is de rigueur in Spain

In Segovia, the suckling pig is slowly

While the traditional paella is made with rabbit and chicken, seafood paella has also become very common in Spain

The whole roast suckling pig is the piece de resistance at the dinner table in Segovia

The 100-year-old Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid houses tapas bars, and stalls selling cured meats, cheese, and other gourmet delights

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The must-dos

Top restaurants and bars

This standing-room only bar serves some of the best

montaditos (small open sandwiches) in the city.

Try the salmon and Greek yoghurt topping, generously drizzled

Brie and artichoke topping.

that serves its own brewed sweet and spicy vermouth on tap.

A lively bar serving fabulous gambas al ajillo

(freshly fried garlic and chilli shrimp).

glass of cold Cruzocampo Glacial beer.

For a taste of txakoli, the Basque dry, sparkling white wine, and

a variety of anchovy pintxos.

avant-garde, experimental pintxos like rosa de bogavante

(lobster served over a smoking shot of rosewater).

Markets

foodie’s delight, though its raging popularity means you will be

with the locals at the intimate community market L’Abaceria

Central in the Gràcia district. It’s smaller and less atmospheric

than La Boqueria, but the quality of produce is unmatched.

very touristy; instead head to the smaller, neighbourhood

worth a visit.

Pro tip: Hit the markets early in the morning to get the best out of

them; avoid the afternoons when many stalls may be closed for lunch

followed by siesta.

Food WalksA food trail with Devour Spain is a great way of experiencing

Details at devourspain.com

local beer or a young white wine called txakoli.

On my last day in Spain, I make my way to Chocolatería San Ginés

long ‘doughnuts’ served with a decadently thick and dark hot chocolate.

each bite.

(From Top) A food tour in Madrid is a great way of experiencing the city’s buzzing tapas bars; La Boqueria is a historic public market in Barcelona, chock-full of local produce (and tourists)

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When it comes to Indian theatre, few people can be

as informative and erudite as veteran director and

costume artist Amal Allana, ex-chairperson of the

famous National School of Drama. About three

years ago, her book The Act of Becoming- Actor

Talks — a whistle stop ride through a century of the country’s theatre —

was released.

“The Act of Becoming — Actors Talk” (“Her parting gift to NSD and

a salute to the theatre in our country,” according to a blurb) documents

personalities’ autobiographies, or interviews done by Amal herself.

view of the early days of Indian theatre, when the courtesans were the

only women who would go on stage, when male actors would also essay

female characters. The idea for the book emerged from a photo exhibition

of theatre actors Allana had curated a few years ago, during ‘Bharat Rang

the absence of theatre archives,” says Allana.

One of the actors covered in the book is the Bengali-speaking

going to become one of Indian theatre’s most successful stars. Staunchly

opposed by a caste-ridden society that was unable to tolerate a ‘polluted’

woman donning the garb of either a goddess or Brahmin royalty on stage,

Binodini was applauded and damned in equal measure. Another

Amal Allana served two consecutive terms as Chairperson of NSD

before retiring

How Amal Allana, the former director of National School of Drama and daughter of

theatre legend Ebrahim Alkazi, is documenting and preserving the story of Indian theatre.

Stage Chronicles

SPOTLIGHT


Bal Gandharva (left; 1888-1967) was a male theatre legend who also played female characters on stage

Jaishankar Bhojak (left; 1889 – 1975) was a leading actor in Gujarati theatre

interesting account is that of Bal Gandharva (1888–1967), one of the

greatest Marathi singers, and a stage actor who played female characters.

Well, imagine a man who became famous for donning saris, imagine a

cross-dresser in those times!

The book tells us about the time (early 1900s) when Gubi Veeranna,

a pioneer of Kannada theatre, established his Nataka Company, which

up to watch Gubbi’s plays and were willing to dish out hard cash in a time

when theatre was mostly free entertainment. A lot of artists from the

some of its top names.

‘The Act of Becoming‘

also gives us a glimpse of the

key players of the modern-

era theatre — among them

untrained practitioners such

as the legendary Prithviraj

Kapoor and Utpal Dutt, who

Despite his involvement with

Hindi cinema, Kapoor, remained

committed to theatre, launching

the Prithvi Theatre in Bombay,

in 1944, to promote Hindi

stage productions. He was also

a founding member of Indian

People’s Theatre Association

(IPTA), the cultural wing of the

(undivided) Communist Party

of India. Formed in the times

and World War II, in 1942, the

body’s explicit purpose was to

stir the masses against their

oppressors, to instill in them, the

leftist consciousness. Dutt, too,

of the said association. He was

personalities of the Group

Theatre movement, which was

developed as an alternative to

the commercial theatre.

Allana’s most recent

project was ‘The

exhibition she curated on her


Who’s Who of Contemporary Theatre, “is considered a milestone in Indian

theatre for its costumes”.

he has been my guru, I went on a trajectory of my own,” says Allana. In

Germany, she was taken by the theatre of Swiss dramatist and author

Friedrich Dürrenmatt. He was a proponent of epic theatre, and his plays

centred on the experiences of World War II. “I was interested in the form

of his theatre and his writing,” says Allana. “My plays took on a new form.”

Allana’s theme from early on has been women. “My plays were

essentially rooted in questions about the place of women, but not as

some kind of feminist. It was more to do with the nature of a woman’s

psyche, which is splintered.”

Allana’s current focus is preserving her father’s legacy. She is building

for students and researchers soon. She is also in the process of writing

children, Zuleikha, Rahaab and Tariq, too, play an active role in preserving

the family heritage. The brothers look into the art heritage, and Zuleikha

is immersed into theatre.

Allana likes to break away from the pattern, as she realises that she

is both a colleague and a mother to her children. “You have to be non-

emotional. We can’t be mommies and daddies at workplace. One has to

draw that line,” says Allana. “Though I also get plenty of time to discuss

my grandchildren and what is happening in their life. Though that comes

after theatre.”

It’s theatre that has taught the family various skills. Allana and

her family can work backstage, act, design a book, and also write.

”There is so much to do in theatre and not enough funds to hire

a battery of people. We all get on our hands and legs. to do all kinds

of jobs.”

The exhibition ‘The Theatre of E. Alkazi’ featured more than 200 photographs, letters, paintings, posters, audio and video installations and models of stage designs

a doyen of Indian theatre, and who’s among the country’s leading post-

independence directors. After a successful stint in Delhi in January 2016,

the exhibition travelled to Mumbai’s National Gallery of Modern Art (from

September 7 to October 18, 2016).

1962–77. Not only is he credited with introducing professional training

of the might of Naseeruddin Shah, Nadira Babbar, and Om Puri — he also

revolutionised Indian theatre by applying formal techniques to stage

management, lighting and props through his

own theatre unit, set up in 1954. The master

craftsman enthralled his audiences in over

50 plays that he directed. Among the most

popular were Mohan Rakesh’s Ashadh Ka

Ek Din, Dharamvir Bharati’s Andha Yug and

numerous Shakespeare and Greek plays.

The exhibition featured more than 200

photographs, letters, paintings, posters, audio

and video installations and models of stage

“Theatre isn’t permanent,” says Allana, 70. “Hence, it is important that

material on theatre history is put together and presented to and shared

with people. In an exhibition, people can interact and communicate with

the history of important theatre institutions and work done by important

people, including actors, directors and designers.” Allana realises the

importance of preserving the theatre heritage of the country and so did

her father. “Back then, nobody recorded their plays, but my father did,”

says Allana.

Awas inspired by Sultan Padamsee, who was the pioneer of English

other brother is Alyque Padamsee, an acclaimed theatre personality.

Allana is married to Nissar Allana, a stage designer.

From a very young age, Allana and her brother Faisal, also a celebrated

theatre personality, would help their family members, especially father

put together the plays. The rehearsals would happen in their drawing

room and the kids would make tea for the actors. “We were also acting,

distributing posters and helping my mother make costumes.”

After Allana completed her 12th grade, her father was keen on her

joining college. But the 16-year-old Allana insisted on joining the NSD, of

to build a sterling career.

Allana has directed more than 50 plays in Hindi, and many of

these have been from the western canon; for instance, Erendira & Her

Her production of King Lear, writes Daniel Meyer-Dinkgräfe, in the book

(Above) Ebrahmi Alkazi is one of the 20th

directors and drama teachers (Adjacent) ‘The Act of Becoming’ documents the story of Indian theatre by tracking the careers and lives of 22 of its

Allana has directed more than 50 plays in Hindi, and many of these have been from the western canon


The Leela Palace New Delhi


In keeping with the bold vision of its founder, Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair, The Leela Group is expanding its presence, both nationally

as well as internationally. And this indigenous hospitality group that fuses the best of Indian heritage with world-class luxury continues to win global acclaim. The Leela Palaces, Hotels

15 ‘World’s Best Hotel Brands’ named in the Travel+Leisure’s USA 2016 World’s Best Awards survey. The special issue celebrates the fact that the group has won this esteemed accolade.

This special issue also coincides with the 95th birth anniversary of the late Captain Nair (9th February 2017), which all the Leela hotels are celebrating. It recounts his inspiring success story as well as the journey of Brand Leela.

Brand Special

Inside

The legendary

late Captain Nair

The soul of

The Leela

The best of

The Leela

60 64

76Jamavar:

a culinary jewel

72

From humble beginnings to incredible entrepreneurial success, the remarkable story of the late Captain Nair, Founder of the Leela Group of Hotels, was characterised by a burning desire to be the best at whatever he did. On the eve of his 95th birth

anniversary, Akhila Rangannaand armyman put Indian hospitality on the global map.

Palace Udaipur embodies the spectacular cultural heritage of Rajasthan

— from Mughal architecture to beautiful pottery to gold-encrusted

furniture; the lavish Leela Palace New Delhi has gold-plated doors more

than 12 feet high.

story began in the 1980s. Nair had achieved tremendous entrepreneurial

domestic handlooms were perceived outside India. His business trips to

the US had often led him to stay in the most illustrious hotel of that time

— the Waldorf Astoria in New York — and meet perhaps the most famous

Astoria and the support he got from Hilton inspired him to build similar

hotels in India. “Living in the verdant-wood surrounded bungalow in

had noticed that the precinct was gradually developing into an important

Nair had said in an interview to journalist Vimla Patil. This space was near

covertly and overtly trying to scuttle its construction. “History has proven

Nair had famously declared. He managed a meeting with the then Prime

Leela Mumbai opened its doors in 1986.

A team of designers from India and US was put together for Project

“My journey will always be that of a karmayogi. It

It was in his 60s — when most people retire — that he started building

what is today arguably the country’s most celebrated indigenous

The Leela Mumbai

late Captain NairThe legendaryThe legendary

THE LEELA MAGAZINE | | | | THE LEELA MAGAZINE

a popular destination for tourists and international visitors.

combine the beauty of South Indian temples with a touch of

took The Leela brand to other destinations. Ramakrishna

resulting in a loss of tens of crores.

up for auction. “We were determined to get this plot for our

is the heart of India. It is the power centre where the destiny

Leela Palace New Delhi was described by Nair as a “jewel

Today there are a total of nine Leela properties in India:

indulgences himself. He patronised watchmakers like

of cars were two very special Rolls Royces — an azure Rolls

and another azure Rolls Royce Ghost that he had bought for

his 89th birthday.

This was in a sharp contrast to his childhood years. He was born in a

selling coconuts and rice grown on two acres of land.

something he believed he had derived from his mother. Nair steadfastly

which was prevalent in his high

One of Nair’s early

in Abbottabad for a salary of

the Maratha Light Infantry in

business.

Nair’s aim was to improve the lives of the millions of handloom

which would go towards the funds. Three hundred crores were generated

hand-woven fabric from India that was guaranteed to bleed. This

restaurants. “...I have always

tree planting and landscaping

whole townships where each

Leela Hotel stands. Greening

an area is not just a corporate

obligation for me. I have loved

every tree that grows in our

huge variety of plants with

been the force behind the

greening of the areas around

the hotels with rare trees

gardening and landscaping

to create fabulous gardens in

He was awarded the Global

he always wore with great pride.

More awards and accolades followed. The Indian Government

conferred upon him the third highest civilian honour in the country

Restaurants Association.

humility and a man with such integrity is very rare indeed. Not one in a The Leela Palace New Delhi was close to Captain Nair’s heart

The then President Pratibha Patil presents the Padma Bhushan to

THE LEELA MAGAZINE | | | | THE LEELA MAGAZINE

The Best of The LeelaThe Leela Group is synonymous with world-class hospitality

and luxury. But what are the features and facilities at The Leela hotels that illustrate this most vividly? From opulent suites to international-

style dining experiences — here’s our selection.

By Devika Pathak

The lavish living room in the Maharaja Suite at The Leela Palace Udaipur


BRAND SPECIAL

The Leela Palace Udaipur (above) and The Leela Goa (below) make for stunning settings for weddings

With a legacy that spans over three decades,

The Leela Group has been delighting guests with

resorts, palaces and hotels. The Leela aims to

provide the discerning traveller with memorable

stays that channel the essence of India’s

heritage and culture, while providing world-class facilities that rival any

international brand. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts have been

New Delhi being ranked among the top three city hotels in Asia. Here’s our

take on what are the most impressive features of The Leela hotels.

INTERNATIONAL STYLE DININGThe Leela provides guests with unparalleled gastronomic experiences,

with international brands like Le Cirque and MEGU. The Leela Palace

dishes and bestselling items from the parent brand’s legendary

restaurants around the world. These include their signature Caesar

Salad, Sirio’s Spaghetti Primavera and Rock Lobster Risotto. The

with a harmonious blend of French subtlety and Italian robustness, all in

a chic setting.

The Leela Palace New Delhi also houses the Japanese restaurant

across the world. Some of MEGU’s international signature dishes include

the MEGU Oriental Salad, Salmon Tartare, Hamachi Carpaccio, MEGU

Original Crispy Asparagus, Crispy Kanzuri Shrimp and MEGU Wagyu

Carpaccio. Situated at the lobby level of The Leela Palace New Delhi,

MEGU provides respite and solace from the hustle and bustle of the city,

with its Zen-inspired surroundings.

PICTURESQUE WEDDING DESTINATIONSThere is nothing more luxurious than a destination wedding, where you

celebrate your love amongst family and close friends. The Leela Goa

countryside, the hotel’s palatial architecture is derived from the city’s

Portuguese heritage.

views of the Aravalli mountain range. The property’s outer courtyard

designed water bodies, fountains, stone sculptures and marble seating.

Watch the sunset dip into Lake Pichola for a picturesque wedding of

a lifetime. This doesn’t mean that you have to tone down the party; in

at Sanjay Hinduja’s wedding.

The Leela Palace New Delhi, on the other hand, is a great venue

for city weddings. This award-winning hotel has two ballrooms —

ornate ceilings, grand arches and handpicked artifacts, revealing facets

of royal Indian splendour, and an outdoor landscaped terrace. The hotel

day perfect.

Salmon Tartare at MEGU

Private dining at MEGU at The Leela Palace New Delhi


WELLNESS EXPERIENCESEvery Leela hotel is home to a complete spa and wellness centre,

where you can rejuvenate and reenergise before heading out to take on

the world.

Spread across 8,000 square foot, Favourite Kerala and Ayurveda

& Spa at The Leela Kovalam combines authentic Ayurveda and modern

luxury. One of the popular treatments here is the Kalari massage, an

ancient massage that evolved as an adjunct to Kalaripayuttum, one of the

world’s oldest martial arts.

Marina Beach stretch. Here you can enjoy a state-of-the-art gym, steam

rooms, multi-functional treatment rooms, relaxation rooms with private

sleep zones, thermal suites for men and women, manicure and pedicure

traditional Indian design with a contemporary feel, to help you feel your

absolute best.

If you’re in the north, you cannot miss The Leela Palace Udaipur.

Apart from the Rajasthani heritage and views of Lake Pichola, the hotel

is also home to ESPA, an award-winning tented luxury spa. Each bespoke

treatment tent here boasts of opulent tekri work, and is adorned with

has crafted quite a few wellness-focussed packages to rejuvenate your

body and soul — programs that are a mix of ESPA massage treatments and

creating exclusive spaces within the hotel spaces. This is how The Club

concept was born: a hotel within a hotel, so to speak, with many super-

exclusive services and features.

A good illustration is The Club Suite at The Leela Kovalam, where you

can gaze at the vast Arabian Sea while being nestled in absolute luxury – a

centre and private sundeck.

and eight, where discerning travellers and guests can avail of the two-

way limousine airport transfers and the dedicated check-in and check-out

food and beverages for breakfast, midday, high tea, cocktail and night cap.

internet access for half an hour per day, at The Royal Club Business Centre,

STUNNING LOCATIONSThe exquisite views at The Leela restaurants and bars could make for

especially stunning at sunset. The upscale bar serves a range of alcoholic

and non-alcoholic drinks, alongside fusion snacks freshly prepared at its

Gurgaon, you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the bustling city, through

clear glass panels. The live-kitchen keeps the atmosphere buzzing while

the display of fresh vegetables and homemade pickles from Italy highlight

the culinary philosophy of master chef Christian Cabera Rubio.

The Leela hotels also feature suites with inspiring views. From the

splendor of Lake Pichola and the Aravali mountains. Udaipur is the city of

(From top) Every Leela hotel is home to a complete spa and wellness centre


Suite’s living room has a grand dome, showcasing exquisite hand-painted

gold and silver leaf work.

The Leela’s opulent suites exemplify the brand’s commitment to luxury.

wood work, pure silver and semi-precious stone art works, rich tapestries

and state-of-the-art facilities. The eight-bay suite is built to anticipate

in-room dining, a jacuzzi and Asprey London toiletries. The suite is also

enhanced with bullet-proof glass, and has the option of an additional

bedroom to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

The Maharaja Suite at The Leela Palace Udaipur is another example

of grandness at The Leela. Here, plush interiors come alive with heritage

artefacts and traditional artworks that weave a spell of splendour. The

a master bedroom with walk-in closet, a jacuzzi and a private massage

parlour. You can take your relaxation even deeper with your own private

hour private butler, so that you don’t need to worry about a thing.

CULINARY TRAILS ACROSS INDIAIn today’s day and age, half the fun of travelling is experiencing a new

created bespoke culinary packages for gourmands.

The culinary package at The Leela Palace Chennai

takes you on a tour of Chettinad cuisine spices like

combine to create spectacular dishes, which you can

savour while interacting with a team of expert chefs.

The culinary team at The Leela Goa, too, curates

an array of dining options featuring local dishes, from

freshly caught seafood to curry and rice. These packages

include lavish breakfast spreads, a tour of the in-house

herb, spice and vegetable garden, lessons on organic

farming, cooking demonstrations and more.

recommend visiting The Leela Palace New Delhi, for a

personalised tour of the region’s diversity and cuisines. Similarly, you can

explore the nuances of Rajasthani cuisine with one of The Leela Palace

Udaipur’s bespoke culinary packages.

Our pick of the Leela bars is The Library Blu at The Leela Palace Chennai.

interiors create the perfect ambience to kick back and relax over cocktails

and conversation.

supply. Among the sprawling acres of the Bengaluru and Goa properties are

resplendent prototypes of architectural brilliance. Emerald golf courses,

paths complement and complete these architectural marvels.

A leader in green practices from inception, The Leela Group follows

a stringent eco-conscious model, which is part of the routine functioning

of each of its properties.

The rooms, suites and conference rooms at The Leela hotels are equipped

with state-of-the-art facilities. The rooms at The Leela Ambience Gurgaon

demand), an interactive IPTV, iPod docking stations, polycom facilities,

media hubs and more. With easy availability of AV and conferencing

features, you won’t miss a beat.

Likewise, technology plays a big role in enhancing the guest

experience at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Express check-in services at the

hotel enable arriving guests to head straight to their room and skip waiting

done, in the room, through a hotel iPad. The hotel’s boardrooms feature

allows those present in the meeting to simultaneously share what’s on

their laptop or smartphone on to the presentation screen with just a click.

There’s IP telephony in every room as well as hands-free phones, and

mirror TVs in bathrooms

(From top) The dining room inside the Maharaja Suite at The Leela Palace

of the region’s cuisine

(From top)


A relative newcomer in the global arena of Indian haute cuisine, Jamavar has earned a fair share of international accolades since it opened in 2001,

and has been a long-standing partner restaurant of Lufthansa. The signature Indian restaurant of The Leela Group just made its international debut by

opening in London. Sourish Bhattacharyya charts out the story of Jamavar as well as that of its bestselling dishes.

When Jamavar opened in London, a couple of

months ago, it marked the second innings of The

Leela Group’s signature Indian restaurant. By the

haute cuisine, Jamavar is a newbie; it is all of

Named after the exquisitely brocaded Pashmina wool shawls

popularised by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, and present in The

Leela Group’s Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Chennai and Goa properties,

Jamavar has taken the road less travelled to script its success story. Before

Managing Director, Hotel Leelaventure Ltd, it developed a menu studded

When the DNA of Jamavar was being

coded, Dinesh Nair was presiding over

Leela Lace, the garment exports business

that his visionary father, the late Captain

C.P. Krishnan Nair, had launched in 1964. A

friends in the garment business — that there

was no decent place to go for a North Indian meal in Bengaluru (we are

Vogue India.

Maybe because he came into the business without the baggage of a

hospitality professional, Dinesh Nair discovered home recipes and chefs,

much before the media started lionising such discoveries. And they gave

two dishes that have been Jamavar’s bestsellers since the restaurant’s

based on home recipes.

Aangan restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Delhi — recalls visiting the Talreja

home many times so as to master the preparation of the mutton curry.

of texture. The preparation is spicier, but the

combination of mutton with the greens gives

Jamavar London is situated in the heart of the posh area of Mayfair

Kid Goat Shami kebab seasoned with black cardamom, mint chutney and served with chur chur paratha at Jamavar Londonpurple potato and Indian mustard — at Jamavar London

A Culinary Jewel

Jamavar London is the new avatar of the restaurant —

Jamavar 2.0 — masterminded by Dinesh Nair and his

daughter, Samyukta


The Lobster Nerulli is an ode to the

wife of the late Captain Nair, Leela Nair,

who created this dish that was brilliantly

replicated by the family’s home cook. It’s

literally a ‘house speciality’, for the home

kitchen of the Nair family is famous in

Mumbai for the tasty variety of Kerala’s

renowned dishes that come out of it

daily. In the case of the Lobster Nerulli,

the gravy, whose simplicity disguises the

umami bomb that it is, is prepared with

pearl onion, tomatoes, curry leaves and

deghi mirch, and coconut milk is added

for those who like it a little mild. This dish

which was developed by another chef,

hunted by Dinesh Nair from Taj Hotels.

After Lobster Nerulli, the other favourite,

according to Mohan, is also a preparation

from Kerala: Prawn Mappas.

A standout feature of Jamavar’s cooking style is the lightness. The

used in copious quantities to prepare its competitors. To make it, a mix of

every Punjabi’s favourite mah ki dal (black

and deghi mirch (a blend of red chillies

that infuses any dish with an attractive

a copper degh for an hour and a half, its

paste, tomato puree and deghi mirch, with

cream and butter added only at the end to

accentuate the natural creaminess of the

masala are added before the dal is served

to guests.

And then there are dishes that come

with a helping of culinary theatre on the

a New Zealand lamb shank marinated for

aphrodisiac shilajit. Once cooked, the shank is refrigerated, for, according generous pour of Old Monk rum. The sweetness infused by the molasses

Jamavar London is the new avatar of the restaurant — Jamavar

Executive Chef Rohit Ghai, — under whose

Michelin stars (he has also worked for six

techniques, without playing around with the

of the dishes.

Before Jamavar London opened, on

strategically located between Grosvenor

House and The Connaught, Ghai went on

an immersion trip across India to visit all

helped him soak in Jamavar’s philosophy,

and also develop a presentation style

that would appeal to evolved diners in one of

the most competitive markets in the world.

The Lobster Nerulli, in London, undergoes a visual transformation,

atop, wearing the shell like a crown, a sauce cooked with pearl onions

presented with a twist — in the form of the

scallops come accompanied by Chowpatty

bhel (Mumbai’s favourite savoury snack

— the Dal Dhungar is made with yellow

suggests. It should come as a relief for

people yearning for a departure from mah

ki dal.

Jamavar is reinventing itself — and

how! As it goes global, it continues to be

rooted in Indian cuisine, but not in the

boring predictable sort of way. There’s a

new excitement about it.

Jamavar Mumbai’s decor is a mix of modern and traditional Indian elements

Jamavar at The Leela Palace Chennai features Jamavar (shawl) patterned walls in marble chips

Jamavar at The Leela Palace Bengaluru,

Jamavar serves excellent Tandoori style dishes

Jamavar’s desserts are to die for


A clear and strong vision undergirds the aesthetics at The Leela hotels. Madhu Nair, Director, Design and Operations, Hotel Leelaventure Ltd,

is the brain behind that philosophy. She explains how the properties draw inspiration from India’s art, architectural and cultural heritage, and the

research and work that goes into conceptualising them.

The soul of The Leela

REGIONAL INSPIRATIONS

Madhu Nair and her daughter, Samyukta, who’s carrying

forward her mother’s design legacy

Satish Gupta’s Devi, an eight-foot long sculpture fashioned from bronze,

at The Leela Palace New Delhi’s inner courtyard

THE BIRTH OF THE LEELA DESIGN AESTHETIC

The Leela Palace Udaipur’s design draws inspiration from the architecture

of the region’s ersthwhile Mewar kingdom


KEEPING INDIA’S ARTISANSHIP ALIVE

ART AT THE LEELA

One of the paintings from Subhash Awchat’s ‘Parampara’ series, at The Leela Palace New Delhi; and (below)

Indian craftsmanship and

The Leela

Madhu Nair

From interesting artefacts to jewellery, AMALYA showcases the best of Indian artisanship

“

Exquisite installations elevate the décor of Library Blu, The Leela Palace Chennai’s elegant bar


(Clockwise from top extreme left) Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, gets a welcome; Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar; Manohar Parrikar (centre), Defence Minister of India and Shridhar Nair, GM at The Leela Goa; Sheikh Hasina,

Maithripala Sirisena (extreme left), President of Sri Lanka, MJ Akbar (third from left), Minister of

(extreme right); PK Dahal (left), Prime Minister of Nepal, and Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister of Goa; and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, hosted the summit

The Leela Goa is an opulent resort with 75 acres of beautifully

landscaped gardens along with a long stretch of golden sandy

beach. Abutted by River Sal on one side and Arabian Sea on the other,

outreach summit, held last year.

About six months of meticulous preparations went into organising

were made for them from dendrobium orchids, harvested at the resorts

refreshing mint and green apple.

The highlight of the event was the food at the gala dinner, on the

The culinary team at The Leela Goa had extensively researched

Research was also done to understand the preferences of

other leaders.

The desserts, such as strawberry pate de fruits malai sandwich

with passion fruit sauce and boondi and cream cheese tart with carrot

orange relish, made the feast even more memorable.

The gala dinner also witnessed some wonderful performances

of security arrangements. There were several organisations involved,

president having a stretch limousine in addition.

The Global High TableThe Global High Table

THE LEELA MAGAZINE | 80 | | 81 | THE LEELA MAGAZINE

Tibetan spiritual leader His

Holiness the Dalai Lama

XIV (Tenzin Gyatso) delivered

his annual teachings for Russian

Buddhists at The Leela Ambience

Convention Hotel, Delhi in

December in 2016. The three-

day event was held at the hotel’s

grand and expansive pillar-less

ballroom. Since the event was

open to all, the sessions were also

attended by numerous in-house

hotel and non-resident guests as

well. About 1,200 guests were

present each day.

His Holiness addressed the

gathering in Tibetan. Five experts

were present to translate his

teachings to Hindi, English, Russian, Chinese and Mongolian, respectively,

in real time. The guests used earphones and set their radio frequencies to

the language of their choice.

The Tibetan spiritual leader concluded the event with an explanation

of the poem “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life”, composed by

Nalanda University’s 8th century scholar Shantideva. People residing in

the Russian Republics of Buryatia,

Kalmykia and Tuva have been

followers of the Tibetan Buddhist

tradition for many centuries. After

the disintegration of the Soviet

Union, which had state atheism

Buddhism as a philosophy and a

religion has spread to other parts

of Russia as well.

Although the annual

teachings event for Russian

Buddhists began at His Holiness’

residence in Dharamshala, in

2009, since 2012 it has been

hosted in Delhi. And The Leela

Ambience Convention Hotel

has been the preferred choice

of venue for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s stay as well as the annual

teachings since 2012 itself.

Loved and admired by all, His Holiness specially allocated the day

of his departure, December 28th 2016, to bless all who wanted to seek

his blessings, and graciously posed for photographs with the employees

of The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in front of the hotel façade.

The way of the Buddha

Five experts were present to translate his teachings to Hindi, English, Russian,

Chinese and Mongolian

The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi


EVENTS


His Holiness The Dalai Lama Spiritual Leader of Tibet

Maithripala Sirisena President of Sri Lanka

Sheikh HasinaPrime Minister of Bangladesh

Pushpa Kamal DahalPrime Minister of Nepal

Tshering TobgayPrime Minister of Bhutan

Aung San Suu KyiState Counsellor of Myanmar

Virasakdi FutrakulSpecial Envoy of Prime Minister of Thailand

The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi

The Leela Goa

The Leela Goa

The Leela Goa

The Leela Goa

The Leela Goa

The Leela Goa

“My recent stay at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi

made for the teaching were excellent. My prayers and good

“Thank you for the wonderful hospitality.”

“My stay during the BRICS- BIMSTEC summit (outreach) from 15th October to 17th October 2016 was very comfortable and memorable. I would like to thank the whole team of for the brilliant management. The wonderful and peaceful environment of the hotel will always stay in my heart and mind.“

“Thanks for the excellent arrangements and very warm hospitality. A special ‘thank you’ to Ms. Indra, one of the best butlers I have had the pleasure of meeting. She made sure that my stay here was comfortable.”

“In keeping with the Leela tradition, we have been rendered excellent service during our brief stay here. The Indian cuisine is superb. With much appreciation.”

“I wish to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for the excellent arrangements during my stay at your beautiful hotel. The service is very friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at your hotel and wish it continuing success.”

GUEST SPEAK

TThe Leela Calendar


T

(From top) Cherry Bar at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi; and comedians Kunal Vijaykar (second from left) and Cyrus Broacha

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