Onam Supplement 2014 Part II

5/20/2018 Onam Supplement 2014 Part II

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KHALEEJ TIMES | SEPTEMBER 6, 2014 44

Onam

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KHALEEJ TIMES | SEPTEMBER 6, 201445

Onam

State Bank of TravancoreSBT is a leader in the In-dian NRI banking space,having a long and success-

ful track record of rendering topquality service to a very large num-ber of Indian expatriates. SBT hasbeen in existence for nearly sevendecades and since , has beena part of the State Bank group, thelargest banking conglomerate inIndia. The bank offers a wide va-riety of attractive and customisedNRI products and services that

cater to every need and fancy of itsvast NRI clientele.

As the only Indian Public Sec-tor Bank based in Kerala, SBT hasbeen playing an important role inthe social milieu of the state. SBTprovides high quality, personalisedNRI banking services from its vastnetwork of branches and also fromits dedicated representative officein Dubai, UAE.

In order to reach out to the vastNRI population in the UAE, thebank established the representa-

tive office in Dubai in . TheSBT Representative Office in

SBT: A leader in NRI banking

The State Bank ofTravancoreoffersextensive servicesto the UAE-basedNRI community

Dubai facilitates all types of NRItransactions and provides all req-uisite services for the banks NRIclientele in the UAE, acting as aconduit between them and the SBTbranches in India. SBT also man-ages two exchange houses, oneeach in the UAE and Oman; viz,M/S City Exchange LLC, Dubai,UAE, and M/S Global Money Ex-change Company, Ruwi, Oman. Inaddition to this, in order to ensuresmooth business facilitation forNRI clients in the other GCC coun-

tries, the bank has posted relation-ship managers in countries such asQatar, Oman and Bahrain.

In order to enhance the bankingexperience of its vast NRI clientele,the bank has established severalspecialised NRI branches andpersonal segment branches atmajor centres in India. The bankhas also opened four boutiquebranches for its premium,high-end NRI customers NRIPremium Banking branches atThiruvananthapuram, Mumbai

and Kollam, and a Platinum Pointbranch at Hyderabad. The bank has

plans to open more such branchesduring the coming years.

The NRI deposits of SBT record-ed a growth of Rs billion dur-ing the last financial year, reachinga level of Rs billion as onMarch , . The bank con-tinues to maintain its number oneposition in Kerala, in terms of NRIdeposits, enjoying a market shareof per cent among public sec-tor banks in the state. NRI depositsconstitute per cent of the bankstotal deposits.

For facilitating smooth remit-tance of funds to India, SBT hasestablished direct remittance ar-rangements with exchangehouses in the GCC. Of this, fivetie-ups were established last year.The bank plans to have more suchtie-ups in place, and the target isto reach -plus tie-ups during-.

Remittances equivalent to Rsbillion was routed through SBT dur-ing FY -, which amountedto per cent of all remittances re-

ceived by banks in Kerala.Recently, the bank has intro-duced several new attractive NRIproducts such as: SUKOON, anew current account product ex-clusively for NRIs who wish tokeep their savings free of interest,and at the same time can enjoyseveral value-added benefits.Similarly, a foreign currency loanproduct against the FCNR B de-posits was introduced last year.Also, Indian expatriates all overthe world can now enjoy SBTsonline NRE account openingfacility, which is made avail-abl e through the banks website

www.statebankof travancore.com.Another special product

for NRIs launched this year isTWINKLE, which is a recurringdeposit for children below the ageof years. A child can be madea millionaire under the scheme in years, if the parent/guardiancan deposit Rs per monthfor months in the name of his/her child. A valuable gift indeedfor their loved ones!

The bank has also launched anew deposit product SAPTHAMI

tenure days with interest at per cent per annum. All theseproducts are available to the NRIcommunity for investment and toenjoy better yields.

Besides these special products,the bank also offers a wide choiceof attractive deposit and loan prod-ucts. These include NRE/NROSavings bank accounts and NREPlatinum Savings account. Apartfrom NRE/NRO Fixed and Recur-ring deposits in Indian Rupees, thebank offers the facility of FCNR

deposits and Premium Rupee de-posits one year term in nine majorcurrencies USD, GBP, EUR, JPY,AUD, CAD, CHF, SGD and HKD.Rupee Premium deposits in USDof longer terms is also available.

Retail loans such as home loans,car loans and mortgage loans areavailable for NRIs on very attrac-tive terms and conditions.

In short, the bank providestailor-made products to serve cus-tomers in all segments, across dif-ferent strata of society. SBT hasbecome a financial super market,offering the full spectrum of prod-ucts and services under one roof.


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Onam


Onam

Keralas dance forms arethe best portrayal ofits abundance in colours,expressions and cultural

wealth. Whether it is theworld-famous Kathakalidancebased on the stories and ideasfrom Indian epics and Puranas;Mohiniyattam, the more sinuodance of the enchantress;Kannyarkali and Kolkali, folk arperformances; or Kummattikka popular mask dance; everyart form is a true reflection ofthe richness and diversity ofculture. Onam, a celebration ofthe homecoming of the mythic

king Malabali from netherworlis a perfect time to witness themagic woven by these art form

Magical

OPPANA DANCE

Photos:KeralaTourism


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PULIKALI

KALARIPAYATTU

MOHINIYATTAM

THRISSUR POORAM

KATHAKALI


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Onam

Spicing it up

The story of Keralas spices and crops dates back tothousands of years into the past

CARDAMOM

Kerala cuisine might prove too spicy to a deli-cate palate... Thats a warning some tourist guidesgive visitors to the land of spices.

Spice trade in Kerala dates back years. TheSpice Coast of Malabar has found mention in ancienttravelogues. If chilli and pepper have been the hotfavourites across time, the cardamom of Malabar isconsidered the best in the world. Cardamom fromKerala is widely used for medicinal purposes.

Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum, apart from itsmedicinal qualities, has a pleasing flavour and aromathat makes it a chief condiment for tea, cool drinks,confectionaries and sweetmeats, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. At - metres above sea lev-

el, the wooded Western Ghats are the home of the car-damom. The hills of Idukki district, which is the maincultivator of the spice, are called Cardamom Hills.

India is the worlds largest producer of cardamomand Kerala contributes a lions share. Commonlyused in the state and in the country, cardamom isavailable at all provision stores, supermarkets andstate-owned emporia across the country.

CASHEW NUT

A popular dry nut of Gods Own Country, cashew nutkernels are either eaten raw or roasted and salted. Forcenturies a commercial export item of Kerala, cashewnuts are traditionally used for seasoning the sweet deli-

cacies of the lands cuisine. It is said that cashew nutswere brought to Kerala by Portuguese traders.The cashew nut tree Anacardium occidentale is

popularly called Parangi mavu in Malayalam andmost of the cashew processing units in the state areconcentrated in the Kollam district.

The cashew nut tree grows metres high and aremostly found in the tropical regions of the world like India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines, Brazil andAfrica. The tree starts yielding by the third year ofplanting. During the eighth to the thyear, the fruitbearing capacity touches a maximum and the treelives up to to years.

Cashew nut processing includes roasting, remov-

ing the shell, extracting oil from the shell, peeling thekernel, and selecting and packing the nuts accord-ing to quality. The nuts are available in the market atprices that vary with quality and brand names.

CLOVE

A common spice of Kerala, cloves are the driedfloral buds ofEugenia caryophyllaeta. Keralites call itGrambuorKarayambu.

Clove is one of the key ingredients of garammasala spices in varying proportions roasted andpowdered. Traditionallygaram masala is preparedand preserved at home, but now masalain ready-to-use powder form is available under different brandnames. Clove is also used to flavour sweets.

Cloves are available in sealed packs at provision storesin the state and can be preserved for years together.

In addition to being a flavouring agent, clove hasmedicinal value too. Clove oil is a balm for toothache even the crushed leaves of the clove tree give reliefto toothaches. Clove oil is also effective in the treat-ment of acidity and indigestion. Prices vary accord-ing to quality and seasons.

PEPPER

In Kerala, pepper is cultivated in a mixed crop envi-ronment. In Wayanad, pepper is planted amongst cof-fee plantations, and cultivated on a large scale. Pepperis also a main item in most kitchen gardens of Kerala.

The spice-scented shores of Kerala have beckonedtraders from time immemorial, and its allure contin-ues to hold sway even today.

The spice trade still dominates the commercialtransactions of the state. India, the worlds largestexporter of spices, realises three-fourths of its totaloutput from the rich plantations of Kerala.

Keralas spice trade with Babylon and Egypt can betraced back to the third millennium BC. Cinnamonfrom Kerala was used in embalming the dead bodiesof the Pharaohs and in the manufacture of perfumesand holy oils. Cinnamon from Kerala first found itsway to the Middle East through the Arabs.

PEPPER

CLOVE

CASHEW NUTS

CARDAMOM



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Onam

STARSPECTACLEKERALA WILL CELEBRATE ONAM WITH A SPECTACULAR LINE-UP OF LAVISHLY

MOUNTED FILM EXTRAVAGANZAS,DEEPA GAURI WRITES

PRITHVIRAJ AND REENU MATHEWS INSAPATHMASHRI THASKARA


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Onam

ime was it that

Onam festivities

meant heading to

the nearby paddy

ields, which are

laid bare after a

bountiful harvest,

for games ranging

from innocuous ball

games to the more-demanding sports

that call for sheer muscle power.

The womenfolk, in the meanwhile,

would retreat to the inner courtyards

for some gossip, a much-needed

rest or to watch traditional dance

performances.

Well, with time, pastimes change, and

so it is that ilms became a staple fare

to celebrate Onam.

One such movie that had the masses

thronging to theatres wasJeevitha

Nauka, directed by K Vembu and

starring Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair,

BS Saroja and Sebastian Kunjukunju

Bhagavathar. Although released

in March 1951, it went on run for an

unchallenged 284 days and had

children singing through Onam,

requesting their dads to spare 50 paise

to watch the ilm.

Next year, Vishappinte Vili, starring

Prem Nazir, chugged into theatres right

in time for Onam. The second ilm of

Nazir, and the irst in which he adopted

the screen-name, the ilms success also

deined the Onam period as one ideal

for ilm releases.Other notable films that have

succeeded following their Ona m

release include CID Nazir(1955)

and Chemmeen(1965), the Ramu

Karyat classic starring Sathyan,

Madhu and Sheela.

Two banners that realised the

importance of festival releases are

Udaya and Merryland Studios, the

former ensuring that every Onam or

Vishu, at least one ilm adapted from

the folk tales of north Kerala hit the

theatre circuit.

MAMMOOTTY AND RAAI LAXMI IN RAJADHI RAJA

NAMITHA PRAMOD

TA movie that had the masses

thronging to theatres was

Jeevitha Nauka, directed

by K Vembu, and starring

Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair,

BS Saroja and Sebastian

Kunjukunju Bhagavathar.

Although released in March

1951, it went on run for anunchallenged 284 days and had

children singing through Onam,

requesting their dads to spare

50 paise to watch the film.

MYDHILI, DILEEP AND SIDHIQUE


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Onam

Biju Menon and Kunchacko Boban in

Bhaiyya Bhaiyya

Mohanlal inPeruchazhi

The trend continued to

gain momentum during the

heydays of Nazir, Jayan, Soman

and Sukumaran. Under the

superstardom of Mammootty and

Mohanlal (that prevails to this

day), the stakes got higher.

With the advent of television, the

challenge became harder. Everyone

was now getting their fix of Onam

entertainment on the myriad

television channels that beamed

blockbuster hits. Rushing to thetheatre, therefore, was for the real

movie fanatics, who had to be up-to-

date with the newest releases.

Luring audiences back to theatres

meant mounting lavish spectacles,

and no doubt, the biggest ilms in

Malayalam are usually reserved for the

Onam period.

This year is no different with

Mohanlals Peruchazhi, extensively

shot in the US, already setting the

box oice on ire. A comic caper,

the ilm also stars Mukesh, Baburaj

and Vijay Babu. The ilm is directed

by Arun Vaidyanathan, who made a

mark in Tamil withAchchamundu!

Achchamundu!

With reports that the ilm has

grossed over Rs3 crore on the opening

day itself, it also celebrates the recent

trend of Malayalam festival releases

lagging out across the maximum

number of theatre halls. The more the

release centres, the greater the initials,

and larger the proits.

While reports about Peruchazhi

are mixed, the fact is that the ilm has

served its purpose as a festival release

and is touted as a mass movie made

for hardcore Mohanlal fans.

Set to give the Mohanlal-starrer a

run for its money, is another mass

masala by Mammootty. The actor,

going through a very rough patch

in his career, needs a solid home-run, and what better than the safe

hands of writers Udaya Krishna and

Siby K Thomas? Rajadhi Raja, the

Mammootty-starrer this Onam, is

directed by Ajai Vasudev, who was an

associate of director Shai.

Expect little from the movie, which

has Mammootty playing a small-

time restaurateur in a bordertown of

Kerala. Needless to say, unscrupulous

elements are out to get even with him,

and Mammootty must prove that he is

indeed king. To the actors credit, ilmsthat have portrayed him in such roles

despite being utterly forgettable

have worked at the box oice.

In Rajadhi Raja, he has Joy Mathew,

Mukesh Khanna and Siddique

for company, in addition to Unni

Mukundan in a cameo. His heroine is

Raai Laxmi none other than Lakshmi

Rai, who resorted to a name-change to

invoke lady luck.

Giving the two super-duper-mega

stars tough competition is Dileep, the

popular star who has the knack of

Movie that had the masses

thronging to theatres was

Jeevitha Nauka, directed by K

Vembu, and starring Thikkurissi

Sukumaran Nair, BS Saroja

and Sebastian Kunjukunju

Bhagavathar. Although released

in March 1951, it went on run for

an unchallenged 284 days and

had children singing throughOnam, requesting their dads to

spare 50 paise to watch the film.


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Onam

A still fromVillali Veeran

pulling hits even in the most impossible

situations. He comes as Villali Veeran,

directed by Sudeesh Shankar. Initially

called Buddhettan, the ilm has nothing

to do with warriors, but is the story of

a vegetable vendor (Dileep, of course)

married to the daughter of a rich man.

Namitha Pramod comes as Dileeps

heroine following their on-screen

success withSound Thoma.

Among the much-awaited moviesthis season, however, isSapathmashri

Thaskara, directed by Anil

Radhakrishna Menon, who surprised

viewers with his debut ilm North

24 Kaatham. The ilm about seven

thieves has Prithviraj and Asif Ali as

the lead with Reenu Mathews as the

female lead. This could be the surprise

package of the season.

And inally, there is Bhaiyya Bhaiyya,

which marks the return of the superhit

pair Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon.

Directed by Johnny Antony, the ilmcomes with no pretensions and is a

comic adventure. The earlier outings of

Boban and Menon had hit gold at the

box oice until the debacle of3 Dots,

after which they decided to take it easy.

No doubt, this Onam season has

a delectable offering for ilm lovers.

And if they are not satiated with all

these, they can always go back for

second helpings of Bangalore Days,

Vikramadityanand even walk down

to watch Mammoottys critically

acclaimed Munnariyippu.


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Onam

BRONZE WARES

The most famous bronze craftin India is the ancient statue ofNataraja. In Kerala, bronze bellmetal or gun metal popularlyknown as Oduis used for makingsmall and big vessels, lamps, etc.Huge wick lamps in different sizesand shapes like the Nilavilakku,Thookkuvilakku hanging lamp,etc. are widely used in every

house.The Valkannadi literally atailed mirror is representative ofprosperity. Other pooja articleslike the kindiwater container of aparticular shape with a sproutingnozzle, uruli wide shallow cook-ing vessel, thattu plates, etc.are exquisitely crafted in bronze.Most of these are now only avail-able in curio shops as collectors'items. The originals are pretty ex-pensive. The Malayalee kitchen,once almost fully occupied withodu ware, is now being replacedby stainless steel, aluminium, ce-ramic and glass wares. But even

today, odu wares are still used forrituals and religious occasions. Avariety of bronze vellodu is oftenused for making the uruli and ithas more alloy content of lead.

The oduis cast mostly in North-ern Kerala. Places like Payyanur

and Kunhimangalam in Kannur,Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, Pallip-puram in Palakkad all in theNorthern regions and towardssouth Aranmula and Mannar inAlappuzha district have severalbronze casting units.

Prices vary according to that ofcooking oil usually coconut oils,bananas, jackfruits, tapioca, pota-toes, and so on.

RAMACHAM VISHARI

Ramacham vishari a fan madeof vetiver and sleeping matsmade of ramacham and thailam

Traditional yet modern, here aresome fascinating aspects of thestates rich culture

KATHAKALI MODELS

Kathakalihas becomesynonymous with Kerala, and aKathakalimask or model is todayconsidered a representative ofKerala. Little models of the artform or its mask cast in plasterof Paris or carved out of wood are

popular souvenirs. The Kathakalipuppet is a rich representation ofthe Kathakali vesham (costume)and varies in size from smallcurios to huge statues.Kathakali, the 300-year-oldclassical dance drama, involvesmime, mudras and musicalaccompaniments and is basedon mythology. Capturinghuman as well as super humancharacteristics, the Kathakalicostumes and make-up strictlyfollow certain representationalrules.

The headgears and paint on theface vary for different characters.The costumes are distinct fromother art forms in their billowingumbrella skirts, full sleeveblouses, heavy ornaments andlarge headgears.

UNITED

COLOURSOFKERALA

Souvenirs are meant to cherish memories of one's experiencesin life. These experiences can be anything. And when it comesto travelling, souvenirs attain immense value, especially whenpeople visit truly exotic destinations like Kerala. Travellerswould come across a variety of souvenir items that reflect its

culture, history, art and socio-religious aspects. Kerala souvenirs comein a wide range of attractive and unique handmade items. Among themare the popular ones like theAranmula Kannadimetal mirror; handicraftproducts made from coconut shells, wood, clay and cane; mural paintingsand handloom products like Kasavu sari sari with golden brocade.Visitors can choose gifts and mementos like the uruli wok,para brassminiature of a traditional measuring vessel, kettuvallom rice barge,

Aranmula Kannadi metal mirror, nettipattam caparison for elephants,nettoor petti traditional jewellery box, and many others.

NILAVILAKKU

The Nilavilakkuis integral toall the rituals and ceremoniesin a Malayalee's (Keralite) life.An inevitable part of Hindureligious ceremonies in Kerala,the nilavilakkualso finds place insocio-cultural programmes.As dusk creeps in, young girlsbelonging to Hindu families bringlighted lamps (nilavilakku) to theverandah of the house. In theflickering light of the nilavilakku,she is joined by the children andelders of the family especiallythe grandparents in chantinghymns and evening prayers.

Lighting the nilavilakkuonoccasions to mark the beginningand for its success is consideredauspicious in Kerala. Hugenilavilakkuplay an importantrole at the presentation ofvarious art forms, since most ofthem are performed at night inthe light of traditional lamps.

an indigenous device, is made us-ing water, ramacham roots and anelectric motor. The breeze fromthis contraption is not only freshand cool, but also healthy. Bits ofthe roots of this plant are put inthe earthen water pots to make

or the perfume extracted from itsroots are a range of products usedin Kerala since ancient times dur-ing the hot summer. Even though

their purposes are better servedtoday by the modern electricalamenities, they still are luxuri-ous ethnic items seen in Keralahomes.

Botanically, ramacham is Vetiv-eria zizanioides. The grass and itsroots are used widely for medici-nal purposes.

Usually water is sprinkled on theRamacham vishari so that it givescool perfumed breeze. Ramachammats used as blinds would also besprinkled with water to keep therooms cool and soothing duringthe hot summer days.

The poor man's air conditioner,

TextandPhotos:KeralaTourism


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Onam

the drinking water sweet. Drink-ing such water is believed to bringdown high body temperaturequickly. It is also a common prac-tice to spread dried ramacham onroofs and sprinkle them with wa-ter on summer evenings to cool

the rooms below.

HAY ART

The backwaters and the eve-ning sky, vallomkali boat race,village fairs and festivals, hutsand hamlets, hills and valleys all the spellbinding sights ofKerala are captured and given lifein straw art. This peculiar craft ofpasting straw cut to different sizeson cloth or canvas to create im-ages is called vaikkol chritrangalstraw pictures.

A popular cottage industry,straw pictures find a good mar-ket during festivals like Onam,Christmas, New Year, etc. in theform of greeting cards. Thesegreeting cards are comparative-ly less expensive than others inthe market.

The vaikkol hay craftsmen aremostly villagers. Hence, the sim-plicity of the villager, his thinkingand aesthetic sense is very much

reflected in these pictures. Hugewall hangings sometimes madeeven two dimensionally are alsoavailable. These finely craftedworks of art, the elegant and inno-vative straw pictures are availablethroughout the year in handicraftemporia all over the state.

FIBRE CRAFTS

Dolls as light as feather, mats,purses, bags, bangles, wall hang-ing, even parts of dresses thelist of handmade fibre articles isendless and is best left to the cre-ativity of the craftsmen. A product

ELEPHANT MODEL

The more you come to knowabout festivals, the moreyou become familiar withphrases like 'caparisonedelephants', 'coloured parsols',etc. Kerala's craftsmen areskilled at carving out littleelephants in wood and stone,and decorating them with littlemirrors, beads and embroideryto make them look like theactual caparisoned tusker.

Kerala is famed for itscarvings, cast bell metalwork, jewellery, graniteidols, pillars, coir, coconutshell and seashell products,carvings in wood (especiallyrosewood or sandalwood),snake boat models andother figurines. Each ofthese crafts is confined toselect regions. Craftsmenin Thiruvananthapurammake rosewood elephantsbesides conch and seashellarticles like paperweightsand lamp shades. The actual

of the cottage industry, these ar-ticles reach the cities from manyhamlets across the state.

Usually white or flaxen, thesefibres are obtained from plantslike the banana stem, pineappleleaves, etc. The soft, silky tex-

ture of the fibre gives a glazed fin-ish to the products. These fibresare twisted, tanned and then dyedwith pigments before they are wo-ven intricately into these numer-ous articles.

Fibre craft articles are avail-able in fancy stores, the SMSMInstitute a state-owned handi-crafts emporium at Thiruvanan-thapuram and are also sold bystreet vendors at different touristdestinations.

These articles are not tooexpensive and last a lifetime ifused with care and kept in dust-free environs.

COIR PRODUCTS

Simple and elegant, the beau-tifully crafted coir products ofKerala give an aesthetic touch toany home or office. Crafted bythe women of the picturesquecoir villages of the land of co-conuts, the innovative range ofproducts include mats, rugs, wallhangings, door pieces, bags, ham-

mocks, ceiling/floor furnishing,

beds, cushions, little show pieces,blinds, etc.

Made from the husk of the co-conut, coir craft is a long drawnout process. First, the coconut

husks in huge quantities are leftto decay in the backwaters sur-rounding these villages. Oncethe softer parts decay and onlythe fibre remain, it is collectedand woven into ropes on indig-enous machines. These are thendyed and meticulously crafted tofill orders.

Most of the coir industry isconcentrated in the Kollamand Alappuzha districts. Over people, of which nearly per cent are women, are en-gaged in coir-making; one of thetraditional industries still surviv-ing in Kerala.

KATHAKALI SHOWPIECES

The Kathakali masks are available as little souvenirs and

showpieces are an icon of Kerala's culturescape. Complete withthe elaborate headgear, painted face and long black hair of theKathakalicostume, these curios are made in plaster of Paris, clayor paper mache.

Based on the colour of the face, the shape of the headgear andbeard, there are five distinctive types of characters in Kathakali.The pacha (green) costume represents the virtuous and noble;the kathi(knife) the proud, aggressive, and unrighteous; the redthadi (beard) is for the aggressive and demonic, the whitethadi the mythical and fantastic beings, and the black thadi thetribesmen, foresters and cave dwellers. The minukku (polished)characters represent women, sages, Brahmins, etc. The Keraliteusually goes for the pacha or the good characters for displayingat homes. This multi-coloured extravagant craft has become a

lucrative village industry.

caparison and decorations forelephants, and other festivalparaphernalia are made inThiruvankulam in Ernakulamdistrict and the adjoining areasof Thrissur.


14/40


Onam

Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli

Pioneer Auctions is oneof the leading auctionhouses in Dubai andSharjah providing asophisticated platform

for the auctioning of vehicles anda host of other activities.

Equipped with specialisedknowledge and infrastructure, Pi-oneer Auctions organises auctionsof vehicles, horses, real estate,marine boat, general and charity

auctions throughout the year.Interestingly, the company has

transformed the whole experi-ence of auctioning by introduc-ing online services.

Explains Mohamed Sharif AlBaidhaei, Vice Chairman, PioneerAuctions: Buyers can visit our of-fices in Dubai or Sharjah, registerwith a valid ID and pay a depositof Dh. Or else, log on to ourwebsite www.pioneerauctions.ae,register online, make the paymentand start bidding.

In case of a purchase, the ini-tial registration charge is set offagainst the purchase price and thebalance needs to be paid within hours to close the deal. However,in case you didnt find anything ofyour choice or budget, the compa-ny will refund the initial deposit ofDh immediately makingthe process a hassle-free experi-ence for buyers and sellers.

Buyers can rest assured aboutthe quality of the vehicles. PioneerAuctions, which has been in force

since , conducts a thoroughcheck-up of the vehicles before in-ducting it in the bidding process.Our sales executives check thecar and provide an evaluation. Allcars are tested by government-approved organisations such asTasjeel or Tamam. Based on thereport, Pioneer Auctions staff pro-vides a final valuation for the ve-hicle, says Al Baidhaei. The com-pany charges a testing fee, and apercentage of the sale value fromthe seller for its services.

We have one of the most ad-

vanced online bidding facilities.For the first time in the MiddleEast, we have launched the liveonline bidding and proxy biddingwhere customers can bid onlinefor our live auctions on Sunday,Tuesday and Friday. If the cus-tomers are too busy to watch theauction on line, they can selectthe vehicle, decide the price andplace a proxy bid for the highestprice they are willing to pay. Thesystem will automatically over bidother participants until it reaches

the desired price. SMS and emailnotifications are sent every time abid is placed.

This relative ease of buyingand selling cars and other prod-ucts through such platforms havekindled the interest of individualsas well. Pioneer Auctions has reg-istered an increased interest fromgeneral people and considers thisas a heartening trend for the com-pany and the industry. Auctionswork in the interest of both thebuyers and the sellers. Buyers get

to buy at discounted prices, whichis sometimes lower or comparablewith the wholesale price. Sellers,on the other hand, are able toquickly dispose the used product.

Pioneer Auctions launched itsfirst internet auction of buses inthe last week of August. For therest of the year, it will continueto have three auctions per weekin Dubai and Sharjah. It conductsvehicle auctions in Dubai on ev-ery Sunday and Tuesday startingat pm, and on every Friday inSharjah starting at pm. The

company also conducts about fourto five charity auctions and horseauctions per year.

Besides getting a platform tosell or purchase a good, customerscan also make good of the supportservices provided by the company.Pioneer Auctions provides value-added services such as cleaningand valeting of vehicles, bank fi-nancing and insurance, extendedwarranties through its partnercompanies and logistical and trans-portation services for exporters.

Pioneer Auctions is a fullyowned subsidiary of ARMS Groupof companies, which has beenactively contributing to the eco-nomic development of Dubai forover years. Pioneer Auctionshas pioneered the way auctionsare conducted by introducingstate-of-the-art technology, opu-lent infrastructure for customersto buy and sell vehicles in comfortand style.

[email protected]

Pioneer Auctions conducts vehicle auctions in Dubai on every Sunday

and Tuesday, and on every Friday in Sharjah giving a convenient

platform to buyers and sellers

And the sale goes to

Our sales

executives

check the carand provide an

evaluation. All

cars are tested

by government-

approved

organisations

such as Tasjeel

or Tamam.

MOHAMED SHARIF AL BAIDHAEI,VICE CHAIRMAN,PIONEER AUCTIONS


15/40


16/40


Onam

Take a break,head to KeralaResplendent with natural beauty and architectural marvels, Keralaoffers a wonderful retreat away from the hustle-bustle of city life

Must-see places


17/40


Onam

Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli

Onam, one of the big-

gest and the most im-portant festivals of theyear in Kerala, offers afantastic opportunity

to visit the state and bask in itsvisual and sensory treats. Life ispretty laid back here, which makesit apt for a leisurely vacation.

Kerala is named as one of the Paradises of the World by theNational Geographic Travellermagazine; and also features inthe magazines must-see des-tinations of a lifetime. If you areplanning a vacation to the GodsOwn Country any time soon, werecommend the following places:

KERALA BACKWATERS

If you have heard or researchedeven wee bit about Kerala, chanc-es are that you are already awareof the paradise called backwaters.A network of rivers, lakes andinlets interconnected by canalsforming km of waterways onthe west coast of south Kerala,backwaters offer the best retreatin the state. It is often called the

Venice of the east.The network connects a num-

ber of towns and is littered withhouseboats serving as the bestways to revel in the serenity andnatural beauty. You can spend

your vacation in the lap of nature,where the nature puts up spec-taular shows every day throughsunrise and sunset. In the night,sleep under the open skies underthe gaze of thousands of twinklingstars a rarity in the hot and hu-mid weather in Dubai.

FORT KOCHI

Known as the Gate Way of Ker-ala, Kochi has an interesting takeon history. Being a coastal city,Kochi attracted a number of trad-ers, invaders and rulers to its soil and imbibed peculiarities ofeach culture. Today, its architec-ture and the way of life is a blendof influences from Arabs, British,Dutch, Chinese and Portuguese.The architecture and historicalsites are frequent haunts of tour-ists and residents alike.

One of the must-see sites is theChinese Fishing Nets Kochismost recognisable sight. It hasbeen in use since the thcentury.One of the best ways to enjoy thelocal flavour and hospitality is to

take a stroll along the waterfronton a late afternoon, buy fish fromthe local fishmonger, get it cookedat a nearby shack, and enjoy eat-ing while the sun sets. Other no-table hotspots include Jew Town,Mattancherry, St Francis Church,and the Princess Street.

MUNNAR

A must-visit for all tea lovers,Munnar is located at an altitudeof feet above sea level.The verdant tea plantations withits winding lanes and misty hillsare a great escape from the hustlebustle of the city. You can see tealeaves being picked processed,and try fresh tea from the garden.If interested in a bit of history, theplace has a well-kept tea museumtoo. Intrepid explorers can trekto Anamudi, the highest peak in

south India; explore EravikulamNational Park, or go rock climbingand paragliding.

You can also visit the Era-vikulam National Park, IndoSwiss Dairy Farm, Chinnar

Kerala is namedas one of the

10 Paradises of

the World by

the National

Geographic

Traveller

magazine; and

also features in

the magazines50 must-see

destinations of

a lifetime.MARINE DRIVE KOCHI

HOUSEBOAT IN KERALA


18/40

60

Onam

Wild Life Sanctuary and Ana-mudi the highest p eak in theWestern Ghats.

WAYANAD

Resplendent with naturalbeauty and lush greenery, thepace of life is pretty relaxed inthis small town making it aperfect spot for relaxation in thelap of nature. The bright greenmountainous region stretchesalong the Western Ghats andis dotted with coconut palms,thick forests, paddy fields, andlofty peaks.

Adventure enthusiasts haveplenty to explore here. Popularattractions include trekking to

Chembra Peak and MeenmuttyFalls, exploring old Jain temples,climbing to Edakkal Caves, andwildlife spotting at Muthangaand Tholpetty Wildlife Sanc-tuaries. Another highlight ofWayanad is the many delightfulhomestays in the area.

PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

Periyar National Park is one ofthe most popular national parksin southern India. One of thebest things about the park is thatit stays open all year round, evenduring the monsoon season. Peri-yar is known for its elephants. A-minute elephant ride takes youthrough the jungle and gets you

acquainted with the best the placehas to offer. The national parkalso arranges safaris on boat, andenthrals its visitors by culminat-ing the ride at sunset making ita sight to behold. Visitors can alsotake part in an excellent variety ofeco-tourism activities there.

[email protected]

NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS IN MUNNAR

PARAMBIKULAM TIGER RESERVE, PALAKKAD GAVI WATERFALL

WAYANAD GHATS

A must-visit for

all tea lovers,Munnar is located

at an altitude of

1,600 feet above

sea level.


Photos:Ker

alaTourism


19/40


Onam

Travel kit

Cotton outits; hats, sunglasses,sunscreen lotion, etc.

DrugsHeavy penalties including

imprisonment for possession

of narcotic drugs.

AyurvedaGo only to those Ayurveda

centres that are classiied/

approved by the Department

of Tourism.

FoodAll standard restaurants offer

a variety of cuisines including

Continental, Chinese, Indian

and typical Kerala food.

Emergency numbersPolice control room: 100

Fire station: 101

Ambulance: 102 and 108

Police helpline

While travelling on Highways(Highway Alert Number): 9846

100 100

While travelling in Trains

(Railway Alert Number):

9846 200 100

Website: www.keralapolice.org

Temple CodesSome temples do not permit

entry to non-Hindus. Strict

dress codes are followed in

most of the temples. Footwear

is banned inside the temple

premises.

NudityNudity is not allowed in any

Kerala beach.

SmokingSmoking is banned in public

places.

Footwear in housesVisitors to most Kerala houses

leave their footwear outside

before entering the house.

Demonstrativeness in

publicBad behaviour and

demonstrating affection in

public like hugging or kissing is

not an accepted practice

in Kerala.

Wildlife sanctuariesTo visit a wildlife sanctuary,

prior permission has to be

taken from the authority

concerned of the sanctuary.

Website: www.forest.kerala.

gov.in

For further enquiries, contact:

The Chief Conservator of

Forests, Thiruvananthapuram

695 014

Tel: +91 471 2322217

Official websiteTo know more about Kerala,

visit the website of the

Government of Kerala

www.kerala.gov.in

TRAVEL TIPSMoney

There is no limit to the amount offoreign currency that visitors can

bring.

BanksBanks are open for transaction from

10:00 - 15:30 hrs on weekdays and

from 10:00 - 12:00 hrs on Saturdays.

Credit cardsMain hotels, restaurants and

shopping centres honour major

credit cards.

Time(Hours fast (+),

slow (-) on IST)

USA: -10.30

Germany: -4.30

Canada: -10.30

France: -4.30

Australia: +4.30

Spain: -4.30

UAE: -1.30

UK: -5:30

Best time to visitHigh season:

September-May

Monsoon Rejuvenationprogrammes: June-August

A HERD OF ELEPHANTS IN ITS NATURAL HABITAT IN KERALA


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Onam

I always wantedto make it

possible for

everyone to

enjoy the gifts

of technology

without having

to burn a hole

in the pocket.

Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli

Persistence, grit and supportof an inspiring life partnerhave worked in favour ofRajan Mathrani, Founder

and CEO of Elekta a world re-nowned brand that produces morethan types of products under categories and distributes it to countries.

It is a first generation companythat aspired to make luxury a re-ality for mid-income families byoffering a range of products in-cluding products for kitchen, en-tertainment, appliances, beauty,lighting and more.

Elekta is the brainchild ofRajan Mathrani. After attendinghigh school in India, Mathraniwent to the UK to study engineer-ing. He moved to Japan in forwork and established his companytwo decades later. Elekta was es-tablished as a contract manufac-turing organisation and an OEMoriginal equipment manufacturer

brand of consumer durables. Theinitial set-up had just five employ-ees, but gradually the organisationgrew into a multinational brandwith a workforce of more than. Today, Elekta has an annual

turnover of over billion.After spending a decade in the

Land of the Rising Sun, the com-pany re-established its headquar-ters in Dubai in . Its office inJapan still serves as the researchand design centre, and leads otheroffices in Guangzhou and Ningboin China. While all its productsare manufactured in China, Tai-wan, Europe and Korea, Elektahas marketing offices in each ofthe six GCC nations and one eachin Bangkok and Mumbai.

Growing by leaps and bounds inover years of its operations, thefirm has been expanding its hori-zons and recently launched twomore associate brands Aristoand Funhom. The Aristo range rep-resents exquisite class kitchenwarewhile Funhom is a motion sensorygaming console.

Our products have been de-signed to seamlessly fit into allbudgets and all types of home d-cor. The mantra for success is sim-ple: Be positive and loyal to your

customers, victory would followyou on its own, says Mathrani.

His move to the UAE has paidrich dividends. With a large con-sumer base, the UAEs consumerelectronics market is one of the

largest in the Gulf and accordingto industry estimates it commandsa lions share of per cent of re-gional spending. As per BusinessMonitor International, the UAEsconsumer electronic devices mar-ket is expected to grow roughly by per cent, which correspondsto an overall growth of bil-lion in making the UAEa booming market and one ofthe best places to do business.Burgeoning demand has fuelledElekta's growth too, as the com-pany has been registering growthof about per cent year-on-yearfor the last few years and expects tomaintain a double-digit growth thisyear too. We expect to grow at per cent and continue the pace inthe coming years, notes Mathrani.

The company has forayed intoelectronics, kitchenware, beautycare, gaming consoles and so onover the years and its latest ad-dition is the hugely popular con-sumer electronic product tab-lets. Elekta has also introduced

Platinum series in the appliancessegment to expand its collection.In the home appliance range, Elek-ta recently introduced a -inchsmart TV. To take the customerexperience a notch higher, it is now

Luxury a realityWith a wide range of quality products spanning across categories,Elekta is making luxury affordable for mid-income families

RAJAN MATHRANI, FOUNDER AND CEO, ELEKTA, RECEIVES AN AWARD FROM T P SEETHARAM, INDIANAMBASSADOR TO THE UAE.

RAJAN MATHRANI

looking at home management sys-tems that allow you to control airconditioners and other electronicdevices with your smartphone.

Mathrani attributes much of thesuccess of his company to his wifeYuriko Mathrani, who has not onlybeen a source of constant inspira-tion and encouragement, but alsoput equal efforts in the smoothfunctioning of the company. Sincetheir first meeting in Japan dur-ing an Expo in , the duo hasworked in tandem to realise theirdreams. Yuriko Mathrani heads the

company as its Chief Financial Of-ficer and is known to be extraordi-narily efficient and elegant.

Professionalism during work isthe key trait behind their success.Her support and meticulous organ-isation skills have supported thetwo and the company, and helpedthem reach great heights.

[email protected]


21/40


Onam

Hair fall is very commonthese days and there isno effective medicine toprevent it. Sakeer Hus-

sains Gulf Gate hair fixing is an ef-fective remedy and a safe productfor those who are suffering fromhair loss problems. The methodof hair fixing in Gulf Gate is verysimple and gentle. Gulf Gate usesCanadian technology to fix hair; ar-

tificial synthetic hair is weaved me-ticulously on to the polymer-basednon-natural scalp. The hairstyle isdecided by considering the colour,length and texture of hair, and thecustomers age. What sets GulfGate apart is the high quality of itsproducts, service provided by high-ly qualified technicians and clinicswith international standards.

Gulf Gate hair fixing methodis free from all kinds of side ef-fects as it fixes synthetic hair tothe scalp and looks original. Af-ter the process, customers caneven swim, travel in open vehicles

Gulf Gatehair fixingis an effectiveremedy for thosesuffering from hairloss problems

An affordable alternative

and do any type of work. Surgeryis not required and procedure isfree from allergic complaints, as itdoes not involve hair transplanta-tion. Nowadays people in the agegroup of to approach GulfGate for treatment. Customershave to spend only two hours forthe entire process. Plenty of pas-sage holes like human skin poresprovide abundant air circulationand prevents heat.

After much research by theR&D team of Gulf Gate, twonew products were developedlast year: Soft Hair Imbued HPatches and Super Soft Patches. It has been a grand suc-cess for those who seek high qual-

ity patching system. Similarly,in the company has intro-duced a special product namedTriple Nodded Soft Patches TNSP. The new productsconsist of superfine quality hairwith soft polymer skin base. Hairis treated several times to get thesuperfluous natural look with ap-propriate texture and colour. Thebase of this hair accessory is madeof a polyurethane-based material.It looks very similar to the skincolour. In addition, it provides ex-

cellent ventilation and has triplenodded strength. It is also veryeasy to maintain and use.

Gulf Gates vision is to providea permanent solution for bald-ness and offer an affordable al-ternative that will help those withthe condition to remove the baldlook and give them confidence.Hair fixing can also be done forthose who have lost their hair af-ter chemotherapy treatment. Likemen, women can also avail thishair fixing technique. Gulf Gateprovides one year free service toits customers.

SAKEER HUSSAINCHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Gulf Gate hair fixing method is free from all

kinds of side effects as it fixes synthetic

hair to the scalp and looks original. After the

process, customers can even swim, travel

in open vehicles and do any type of work.

Surgery is not required and procedure is free

from allergic complaints, as it does

not involve hair transplantation.

Sakeer Hussain and GulfGate wish all Malayalees a veryHappy Onam


22/40

Onam


RENEWEDCURIOSITY

SCHOOL YOUTHFESTIVALS AND

THE ANNUAL

UTSAVAM FESTIVAL

STAGE CULTURAL

PERFORMANCES

MUCH TO THE

CURIOSITY OF

AUDIENCES

MALEEHA RAGHAVIAH


23/40


Onam

t is no more only mohiniyattom, bhara-tanatyam, kathakaliand the like that find

a place in the list of performing art festi-vals in Kerala. Whether it is Government-organised fetes such as Utsavam, or school

youth festivals, almost-forgotten folkitems are finding a place in the list.

The venue may not be overflowing,but ancient folk art presentations thesedays are attracting sizable audiences

at cultural fiestas in Kerala. As much as the interest that isevoked in contemporary performing arts, discerning specta-tors, especially those interested in conserving tradition andheritage do not miss an opportunity to view the staging ofhoary dance, theatre and puppetry. A huge positive is thatearlier performed as rituals, these are now being viewed asindependent art forms.

The performing art scenario in Kerala seems to be in theprocess of a change a resuscitation of ancient folk art formsis being experienced here. Many of these traditional dancesthat would have been lost to posterity are making a come-back, thanks to the patronage that is being extended by thecivil society by way of viewing the staging with interest. In away, it was evidence of the general mood evinced among theyounger generation to go back to ones roots and customs.

The State Government also is going all out to popularisethe folk tradition through financing and conducting carnivalson a regular basis.

The Utsavam festival being organised annually by theKerala Tourism Department is a case in point. The fete in allthe districts in Kerala staged innumerable folk art items thatwould have become extinct but for the timely public view-ing accorded to them. The artistes were provided a venueto showcase their originality on stage. In the natural course,these dances would have been performed only at specific reli-gious rituals, many a time at temples.

At the Utsavamfestival held under the aegis of the DistrictTourism Promotion Council at Kottakunnu in Malappuram,the spectators were treated to a virtual feast of tradition andcolour by theyyamartistes who performed an ancient templeritual art besides many other forgotten dances. In Palakkad,for instance, at the Utsavamfete audiences travelled back intime as they watched a kurathiyattomperformance in its raw,original form. The skill of artistes performing these art formsis often mesmerising like when nokku pavakoothua tradition-al puppetry, was part of the Utsavamfestival in Kozhikode.

The Utsavam festival, which is in its seventh edition thisyear, is turning out to be a venue to rejuvenate folk arts suchas mudiyettu and kanyarkali. For many artistes, to performat mainstream festivals meant a tremendous boost not only

for themselves but for their dying art form as well. It evokedin them a feeling of pride and self esteem being back in thelimelight after being relegated to oblivion for long. The stag-ing was timed to attract tourists, especially those from abroadand to popularise their skills and artistry. Some artistes mean-while have had opportunities to stage performances abroadsuch as in Germany and Greece.

Many tribal dance presentations enliven cultural festivals.Ninabaliis one such traced to the ancient past and would havebecome extinct but for the present reincarnation. Others thatare watched with keen interest are theyyam, chimmanakali,

parichamuttukali, charadupinnikali, arabanamuttu, yak-shaganam, mayilattom, vilpattu, among others.

School youth festivals, too, are turning out to be venuesfor traditional folk dances including tribal art forms that aremuch appreciated by the general public because of the mythsand legends ensconced in them.

MAESTRO MATTANNUR SANKARAN KUTTY MARAR PERFORMING THRITHAYAMBAKA

POORAKKALI

KUMMATTIKKALI

65


24/40

Onam




25/40

As one of the UAEsmost success-ful media minds,

Global Edge Ad-vertisements LLCGE has a diverse

range of clientele hailing fromluxury brands, government bod-ies, developers, real estate, starhotels, educational institutions,etc. Having evolved vastly overthe last few years, GE has builton its reputation, thanks to itsexpertise and remarkable cre-ativity. The company is creditedwith providing the best mediasolutions across the platforms

print, design, radio, signage,digital, etc.

GE has been able to estab-lish itself as a one-stop mediadestination for all kinds of que-ries from existing or upcomingbrands when it comes to choos-ing the right media and reach-ing out to the right audience fortheir marketing needs. Based inthe Middle East, GE teams upwith prominent advertisers and

publishers, and strives to bringout the best right from themoment of building the brand

and launching it, up to the pointof sustaining it in the market.

Working with a definite strat-

egy, starting from setting con-crete, measurable and achiev-able goals, GE helps promoteand develop brands. It aids inbuilding brands effectively sothat customers associate andrecognise the product easily;helps attract new customers andalso supports sales. GE believesin setting specific objectives andestablishing benchmarks thatenhance publicity as well as thesocial media metrics of a par-ticular product. Brainstorming

for innovative ideas to promotea brand is another effective

strategy that the firm special-ises in. GE also tries to combinethe concept of traditional mediawith the latest trends in onlinesocial media, which results inthe best creative and strategicideas.

Advertising is a form of com-munication used to encourage,persuade or manipulate an audi-

ence for the clients advantage.This has been one of GEs im-portant marketing techniques

to serve the society and the cli-

ent in a better way. Advertisingcan broadly contain many as-pects like innovative thinking,creative teamwork and evenpsychological analysis of theconsumers minds. From theth century onwards, adver-tising has witnessed a dramaticgrowth in all kinds of product/service publicity. Realising theclients complete requirements,the prime focus stays on the cli-ent at GE.

Boasting several multina-tional, multi-cultural, enthu-

siastic, and customer-friendly

professionals in its team, thecompany has led from thefront. Although GE has man-aged to operate mostly from itshead office based in Sharjah,the company is in the processof expanding its Dubai officeactivities in line with the in-creasing opportunities. Confi-dent of the excellent businessclimate and facilities offeredby the UAE government, GEis committed to work towardsmutually beneficial growth forall stakeholders.




26/40


Onam

C.B.C. Coconut Oil is made from the finest coconuts, prized for bothits size and sweetness. To ensure its excellent grade, only the bestcoconuts from each harvest are used to create this premium coconut

oil. It has been available in this region for decades in its popular ml tinpackaging, and is now also being offered in handy one-litre and two-litreHDPE bottles.

C.B.C. Coconut Oil is an ideal choice for deep-frying; its unique qual-ity to resist high heat allows food to fry quickly without causing excessivesmoke. In addition to offering a relatively smoke-free cooking experience,it also prevents excessive absorption of oil into food, making it a popularhousehold choice.

In addition to being a good culinary partner, C.B.C. Coconut Oilboasts a host of other health benefits. Pure coconut oil is a good emol-

lient for the skin, scalp and hair, and functions as an excellent massageoil. It is also a good moisturiser for all skin types, preventing dryness andflaking of skin. With all these beneficial properties, it is no wonder thatcoconut oil forms the basic ingredient of many body care products suchas soaps, creams, lotions etc.

C.B.C. Coconut Oil is manufactured by Sime Darby Edible Products Ltd a fully-owned subsidiary of the Sime Darby Group, which was foundedin . Sime Darby Group is a multinational conglomerate involved inmany businesses, and most importantly plantation. It is one of the worldsleading listed oil palm plantation groups with significant presence in down-stream palm oil activities.

C.B.C. Coconut Oil is currently being exclusively distributed by the Em-sons Group in the UAE.

The fresh taste of natureC.B.C. Coconut Oil is a good culinary partner and offers a host of health andbeauty benefits

ADVERTORIAL

Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli

Did you know that virgincoconut oil is composedof medium-chain-lengthfatty acids or triglycerides

MCTs that aid metabolism, helpin quick absorption of food and actas an antiviral, antifungal and anti-bacterial agent? Traditionally usedin many Asian communities, espe-cially in India, as a dietary stapleand a natural beauty product, themodern day world is fast wakingup to its versatility and acknowl-edging the multitude of benefits itbrings along.

The beauty and health indus-tries, especially, are increasinglyusing coconut oil for hair and skincare, stress relief, cholesterol level

maintenance, weight loss, boostimmune system, proper digestionand regulated metabolism. Recentstudies also show that coconut oilprovides relief from kidney prob-lems, heart diseases, high bloodpressure, diabetes, cancer, and

helps in improving dental qualityand bone strength.

A rich source of vitamin E, vita-min K and minerals such as iron,coconut oil has umpteen benefits.

Here are a few:

Cook up a storm

If a recipe calls for cooking athigh heat like stir fry, consider us-ing coconut oil. It has a high smokepoint that doesnt emit harmful freeradicals as readily as other oils. Co-conut oil is widely used for roastingvegetables, and dressing salads. Sonext time you prepare a salad, swapthe usual olive oil for coconut oiland tingle your taste buds with thenew subtle flavour.

Moisturiser for hair and skinAyurveda, a traditional system

of medicine in India, has glorifiedthe use of coconut oil for differentbody parts, especially the hair andskin. The fatty acids in coconut oilsoften hair strands, and vitamin E

protects the skin and hair from dry-ing and moisturises it well. You caneither make a concoction of coco-nut and honey and apply it as a hairmask, or simply oil the ends of yourhair before washing. It keeps thehair shiny, healthy and hydrated.

To brighten up lacklustre skin,combine a teeny bit of baking sodawith coconut oil and gently applyit in circular motion on your skin.Rinse and notice the exfoliatingglow. A mixture of coconut andhoney also works well as an anti-bacterial facemask. Apply it andrinse it in minutes.

Make-up remover

Just apply some oil to a cottonmakeup pad and gently wipe offany product. The oil works very

well especially with heavy make-up. Rub a scoop of the stuff intoyour skin, leave it on for a few min-utes, and wipe it all off with a warmcloth. It is sure to work even on themost stubborn eye makeup.

Furthermore, coconut oil also

helps in cleaning and maintainingmakeup brushes. Simply mix anti-bacterial soap with a few drops ofcoconut oil. Rinse makeup brushwith lukewarm water and then dipthe damp part of the brush intothe soap mixture and coat it thor-oughly until clean. Rinse it againwith lukewarm water and voila! you can keep your brushes bac-teria free for long.

Leather shiner

If you leather is lacking in thegloss department, it is time to in-troduce coconut oil to its surface.Wipe some oil on it to return to itshigh-shine finish.

There are benefits galore. Nowonder why coconut oil, especially

the virgin one, is being termed asa super food. Introduce it to yourlifestyle, if you havent done so yet,and notice the wonderful changesit brings along sans the harmfulchemicals or side effects.

[email protected]

Versatility of

natureThe multipurpose use of coconut oil makes it akeeper in our kitchens, make-up boxes, shoeracks and more


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Onam

Located off Sarjapur Road,Bellezea is set in a pre-mium residential areasin close proximity to anumber of IT hubs such

as Electronic City, Sarjapur andWhitefield.

Providing a superlative life-style experience, Nambiar Build-ers has been instrumental inbuilding some unique structuresthat offer a tranquil life alongwith modern amenities.

Compared to other metros, themoderately good climatic condi-tions and lucrative employmentprospects in Bangalore lure lots ofpeople and youngsters to this southIndian IT hub, which has clearlyestablished itself as an IT centreproviding IT enabled services andBPO industries.

Bangalore is the third-largestreal estate investment hub for

High Net Worth Individuals HNIsand tops the list in terms of invest-ments from Non-Resident Indianslooking at settling down in India inthe future.

The world over, HNIs havestamped their preference forspecific locations to build secondhomes, and over the years, theselocations have developed a cer-tain snob value. The citys richand famous as well as HNIs inthe country are flocking to investin sprawling second homes in the

vicinity of Sarjapur village due toits location advantage. Sarjapurarea is easily accessible from allthe major IT hubs in Bangaloreviz. Electronic City, Whitefieldand Outer Ring Road. There aremore than good internationalschools in and around Sarjapurvillage. Moreover, NarayanaHealth City, one of Asias biggesthealth facilities is a stonethrowaway from Sarjapur area.

Nambiar Builders is an estab-lished real estate developmentcompany based in Bangalore with adiverse portfolio of projects includ-

ing gated communities, residentiallayouts, premium apartments andluxury villas.

Located just a few minutes drivefrom Outer Ring Road, Whitefieldand the Electronic City corridor,Nambiar Builders have come upwith its flagship project Bellezea,a gated community of ultra luxuryvillas, spread over acres of lushidyllic setting with only five villasper acre, off Sarjapur Road.

A truly inspiring amalgama-tion of Indian and Mediter-ranean contemporary archi-tecture, the homes at Bellezearange from square feetto square feet in landarea. The smallest villa boasts ofa built-up area of squarefeet and it comes with four spa-cious bedrooms. All bedroomshave a separate wardrobe areaand attached toilets with high-

end sanitary fittings from brandslike Villeroy & Boch and Hans-grohe. The walls of the powderroom and master bathrooms areadorned with Bisazza mosaictiles. Another unique aspect ofBellezea is the joinery work thatit offers in pure teakwood.

Each villa in Bellezea is equippedwith an ultra modern technologyoffering called Hexa-Play solu-tion. The entire layout is connectedwith optical fibre cable and brings

Distinct modern landscapeNambiar Builderspresents an inspiringamalgamation of Indian and Mediterranean

contemporary architecture in Bangalore withBellezea, a novel 90-acre gated community

six services viz. data, voice, DTH,entrance management service, se-curity and home automation sys-

tem to each home. Bellezea wouldbe one of the first gated communi-ties to roll out Hexa-Play solutionin the country.

Landscape is another areawhere Bellezea would create a newbenchmark in the industry. Eachstreet in Bellezea is treated with aunique landscape theme.

Six acres of centrally locatedpark is what adds to the luxuryquotient of Bellezea. All the out-door activities like two tenniscourts, etc. would be located in thishuge expanse.

Its square feet club-house spread over two-and-a-halfacres offers extensive optionswithin the sphere of world-classleisure ranging from amphitheatre,temperature-controlled indoorswimming pool, square feetof outdoor swimming pool that hashalf Olympic-sized lap pool in theupper level, with wet decks andgazebos and a lower deck, healthclub, multi-cuisine restaurant, andmore. Built to the highest qualitynorms with brands hand-picked

with utmost care from around theworld, this high-end gated com-munity offers world-class ameni-ties and facilities for an interna-tional lifestyle.

The first phase of Bellezea isgetting ready for possession; thecompany is running a pre-launchsession for its Phase II villas.

Nakshatra Morganite:

A Nambiar Builders initiative

Nambiar Builders have already

sold out around per cent ofthe sites in its BMRDA approvedresidential layout, Morganite in

Jigani, near Electronic City. Span-ning over a vast -acre area, theproject is shaping up into a self-suf-ficient residential township in fastdeveloping South Bangalore.

With the upcoming SatelliteTownship Ring Road within metres from the layout and therecent developments in the JiganiIndustrial Area including the up-coming IIM campus, Surya Cityof Karnataka Housing Board, theproject will definitely be a hugesuccess in terms of return on in-vestment for investors. No wonderit has more than per cent ofbuyers from abroad.

Urban Space:

Upcoming project

Nambiar Builders is proud toown a -acre land parcel righton Hosur Road NH with afrontage of around feet. Thecompany is planning a mixed-usedevelopment of around mil-lion square feet area. This projectwould cater to the growing needsof residential units for the expo-

nentially growing IT communityin Electronic City.

With less than six kilometres tothe upcoming airport in Hosur andan advantage over location, theproject will definitely give a greatappreciation to investors.

Nambiar Builders has opened upa satellite office in Dubai. Currently,it has partnered with Space ExpertsReal Estate Broker in Dubai to un-derstand the market and cater tothe needs of NRI customers.


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Onam

Delectabledishes


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70

Food is the centrepiece of every joyous festival and Onam is no stranger to wholesomedelicious meals to satiate every taste bud. Princy Bellina shares her favourite recipes

METHODRoast grated coconut with little oil.

When it starts to turn brown, add coriander powder,

turmeric powder, peppercorns, chilli powder and

shallots, and fry them.

Grind the fried mixture. Grind ginger coarsely.

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, let them crackle.

Now add the coarse ginger to this. When the raw smell of

ginger disappears and the colour starts changing, add

shallots, green chillies, curry leaves and saut till

golden brown.Add the previously ground mixture to this along with

tamarind, and allow them to cook and thicken.

INGREDIENTSGinger, large .............................. 3 pcGreen chillies ............................ 2 pc

Onion ........................................ 2 pcCoconut, grated ...................... pcCoriander powder .....................1 tbspChilli powder ............................. 2 tspPeppercorns ............................ tspMustard seeds ...........................1 tspRed chillies, dry ......................... 2 pcTamarind, gooseberry-sized .....1 pcShallots.......................................1 pcFenugreek ................................ a pinchCurry leaves and coconut oil.....as needed

TIPIt stays fresh forone week in the

refrigerator.

Inji Theeyal

INGREDIENTSBlack-eyed beans (vanpayar)................. cup

Ash gourd

(kumbalanga), cut into cubes ................2 to 3 cups

Green chilli, julienne ...............................3 to 4 pc

Coconut milk, thick ................................ to 1 cup

Water ......................................................3 cups

Salt ..........................................................to taste

Curry leaves and coconut oil .................as needed

METHODCook the beans in a pressure cooker with 1

cups of water. Strain the stock and keep aside

the cooked beans. The beans should not be

over cooked and should retain its shape.

Cook the ash gourd, green chilli, salt and two

cups water together till the ash gourdbecomes tender. The ash gourd also should

not be overcooked and should retain its shape.

Add the cooked beans to the ash gourd and

mix well.

Add coconut milk and curry leaves. Cook on

low flame for five to seven minutes.

Remove from the fire and drizzle some

coconut oil. The curry should have a

thick consistency.

Olan

PRINCY BELLINA


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INGREDIENTS

For inner stuffing

Chana dhal ........................... cupJaggery ................................ cupCardamom powder ............... 1 tspCoconut, grated..................... 1 tbsp

For outer wrap

Idli / dosa batter ................... cupOil ......................................... to deep frySalt .........................................a pinch

Sukhiyan

METHOD

For the inner stuffing

Dry-roast chana dhal till a nutty aroma comes. Then

soak it in water for at least one hour.

Cook chana dhal with water until soft but not mushy (it

should still be in shape if you press it). Drain the water

and keep aside. You can cook the chana dal in a

pressure cooker or an open pan.

Dry-roast the coconut till the moisture leaves.

Grind chana dhal with jaggery to a coarse mixture.

Note: Use the pulse option in your mixer and press it on

and off, dont make it a paste.Add roasted coconut, cardamom powder to the ground

chana dhal-jaggery mixture. Make small lemon sized

balls and keep it ready.

Take cup of idli-dosa batter in a bowl. Take each balland immerse it in the batter. Dip well such that it coats

on all sides.

Deep fry them in preheated oil. The balls tend to stick

to each other so try to leave space between them. You

can also separate the balls after taking it out.

Turn them over to the other side and cook on both

sides. Take them while they turn golden brown and

drain with a tissue.

Elaneerpayasam

INGREDIENTSCoconut water, tender (elaneer).................1 cupCoconut pulp, tender (valuval) ................ 4 tbspCondensed milk...................................2 to 3 tbspCoconut milk, thick ................................... cupCashew nuts, optional ................................2 pc

METHODIn a vessel, add the coconut water. Take out the soft

pulp of the tender coconut, and grind it into a smooth

paste.

Add this to the tender coconut water and mix nicely.Add condensed milk and coconut milk to this. Mix

well and transfer it to serving bowls. Serve chilled.

Note:If you want, you can add roasted cashew nuts

as topping.



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Onam

METHODChop the onion, green chillies, ginger and curry

leaves finely.

In a broad vessel, add the ragi flour, rice flour,

chopped onion, chillies, ginger, curry leaves,

asafoetida powder and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Heat one or two tablespoons of oil and add the hot

oil in the flour. Mix it well using a spoon.

Sprinkle handful of water and make loose dough.

Put this dough little by little into hot oil and deep

fry till it is crisp.

Note:Since the colour will be dark, we cannot

judge whether it is fried well or not. So fry the

first batch for few minutes till the sizzling sound

subsides. Note down the frying time. Normally

on medium flame, it will take four to five

minutes. Fry the remaining dough accordingly.

After frying all the pakoda, put a few curry leaves in

the hot oil and remove it immediately. Put the fried

curry leaves on top of the pakoda as a garnish.

Ragi PakodaINGREDIENTSRagi flour ......................................................... 2 cups

Rice flour ......................................................... 1 cup

Onion, big ....................................................... 1 pc

Green chillies .................................................. 4 pc

Ginger, fresh, small ......................................... 1 pc

Peanuts ........................................................... 2 tbsp

Asafoetida powder ........................................ 2 pinch

Salt, to taste ................................................... 2 tsp

Curry leaves .................................................... 1 sprig

Oil, for deep-frying ......................................... as needed

METHODCut the banana to thin round slices.

In a heavy-bottom pan, add the finely powdered rice

with bran (unakkalari) to the slices and saut for few

minutes till the raw smell fades.

Make a fine dough for idiyappamusing water and ghee.Flatten the dough on the banana leaf to a thin, flat and

round shape (except for the centre portion), and then

spread the banana slices with no gap in between.

Spread jaggery powder on top and fold the leaf.

Place this on a frying pan and cook both sides until

well done.

Serve on a plate when it comes off from

the leaf easily

Tasty Banana Ada is ready to serve!

Banana AdaINGREDIENTSRaw rice with bran, finely powdered .....100 gm

Jaggery, powdered ................................100 gmBanana ........................................................ 2 pc

Ghee .............................................................1 tbsp

Water ............................................................1 cup

Banana leaf ..................................................1 pc

Salt to taste

DHANYA RAGHU


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METHODRemove skin and cut eggplant into small pieces. Saut it with the green chilli in 1 tbsp of oil.

Mix in the cashew nuts, raisins and salt, and saut till cashews turn golden.

Soak tamarind in about half cup of warm water. Strain and remove the pulp.

Pour the tamarind juice and jaggery. Boil, strain and let it cook for about five minutes. Simmer the stove and let

the gravy thicken.

In the meantime, splutter the mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried red chillies in the remaining 1 tbsp of oil.

Pour this over the eggplant mix. Add salt as desired and remove from the stove. The sweet and tangyvazhuthananga pulinkariis ready to serve!

Madhura Pulishery

Vazhuthananga Pulinkari(Eggplant curry)

METHODCook the white gourd with turmeric powder in

a pressure cooker with cup of water and saltfor three whistles.

Open the lid and mix in the pineapple pieces.

Let boil for another two minutes.

Grind the grated coconut, a little warm water

and the curd together to a fine paste. Mix this

INGREDIENTSPineapple, diced ..................... cupWhite gourd, diced................. cupGreen chillies ......................... 2 pc

Curd ........................................ 1 cupCoconut, grated ..................... cupTurmeric powder ................... tspMustard seeds ........................ tspCurry leaves ........................... 6 pcRed chillies, dried ................... 2 pcCoconut oil ............................. 1 tbspSalt .......................................... to taste

INGREDIENTSEggplant, small .........................................1 pcGreen chilli ................................................1 pcCashew nuts ...........................................5 pcRaisins .......................................................1 tbspTamarind ...............................................10 gmJaggery .....................................................1 pcCoconut oil ..............................................2 tbsp

Mustard seeds ....................................... tspCurry leaves ............................................5 pcRed chillies, dried ................................... 4 pcSalt ........................................................ to taste

with the pineapple mixture, and add salt as desired.Splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried red

chillies in the oil and pour over the curry. Remove from

stove and serve.

Note:After mixing coconut paste, allow it to boil once and

take care not to over cook.


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Onam

Kashmiri Pulav

METHOD

Wash and soak rice for half an hourStrain to remove extra waterHeat ghee and add green and black cardamom, driedginger powder, cumin powder, and four cups of waterWhen it starts to b oil, add rice and saltCover it with a lid and cook on high flame till water isalmost doneSimmer and let it cook for about eight minutes oruntil doneMeanwhile soak saffron in warm milk and pour thisover the riceShallow fry thinly sliced onion, nuts mix and pine-apple pieces in butter

Serve pulav with the fried nuts and fruits on top

INGREDIENTS

Long basmati rice .............................................................. gmPineapple, small pieces ....................................................... tbsp

Cinnamon, cut into inch..........................................

pcBay leaf, small ................................................................................ pcCloves .......................................................................................................... pcGreen cardamom......................................................................... pcBlack cardamom ........................................................................... pcDried ginger powder ............................................................ tspCumin powder ............................................................................. tspSaffron .......................................................................................................A pinchOnion ........................................................................................................... pcGhee ........................................................................................................... tbspAlmonds, walnut,cashews and raisins mix .................................................. cupButter .................................................................................................... tbspMilk, warm ........................................................................................... tbspSalt ................................................................................................................... tspMETHOD

Chop mangoes into small cubes

Mix custard powder in quarter of milkBoil rest of the milk with sugarNow slowly mix the milk custard powder, stirringconstantlyMix in three-fourth of the chopped mangoes and stir untilwell incorporatedWhen done turn of the burner and mix in the sweetwhipping creamIf using dream whip, whip it as per the instructionson packPlace one tablespoon each of the remaining choppedmangoes in a serving glass and top with the shake mixwhen warmLet it cool down completely before refrigeration

Serve cold with a little whipping cream on top

Creamy MangoChunks Shake

INGREDIENTS

Alphonsa Mango ................................................................................................ pcCustard powder ................................................................................................... tbspMilk ............................................................................................................................... cupWhipping cream ............................................................................................... cupSugar, as per taste ............................................................................................. tbsp

CELE

BRATE

THEFE

STIVALOFHARVESTWITH

ASCRUMPTIOUSMEAL

SUCCULENT TREATSRecipes byJumanah Kadri


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Onam

METHOD

Sift flour, cocoa powder and baking powder two to threetimesBeat eggs with sugar until fluffyAdd a pinch of baking powder and vanilla essence andbeat once moreMix in the melted butterGently fold in the flour mixture until combined wellPrepare a baking pan, and pour the mixture immediatelyand bake until done

For chocolate ganacheDouble boil the ingredients in slow flame until softganache consistency

For sugar syrupMelt sugar and water until a flowing yet thick sugarsyrup is formed

To assembleRemove cake from tray and prick with a fork for thesugar syrup to soak properly.Brush sugar syrup on the cake using a pastry brush tosoften and make it juicyIn a long glass, pour s ome hot chocolate ganache and aspoon of crushed hazelnutThen place a square piece of chocolate cake coatedwith syrupTop it with ice cream and nutsFinally, top with hot ganache and nuts, cherry or

strawberry as per your taste. Serve immediately.

Death by Chocolate

INGREDIENTS

For chocolate cakeButter and some for greasing ..................................... tbspAll-purpose flour .............................................................................. tbsp

Eggs .................................................................................................................... pcCocoa powder ...................................................................................... tbspSugar ................................................................................................................. tbspVanilla ess

Onam Supplement 2014 Part II

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Transcript of Onam Supplement 2014 Part II