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The Hindu : y>Young designer Anaka Narayanan talks about why textile crafts matter to her

Photo: R. RavindranYOUNG CRUSADER Of hand-woven textiles

Who said eco-friendly fashion is boring? Chennai-based Anaka Narayanan of Brass Tacks believes in rearticulating traditional Indian textiles and giving them an effortless chic that appeals to today’s upwardly-mobile, environment-sensitive women.

“I’d like my textiles to do the talking,” says the young designer, who works with weavers on issues relating to quality and sustainability. “It’s been a two-year journey with Brass Tacks, and now, I’m looking at innovations in hand-woven fabrics and natural dyes.”

“Weightlessness”, her new line, is an experiment in practical fashion with little fuss for summer. Seemingly simple skirts, shirts, tops and dresses actually come with a lot of detailing. For instance, an extended inner lining for a plain pink skirt makes it flap in the breeze.

Pleats radiating from the neck add an interesting touch to a top. And another one sports a dash of whimsy with airy, pastry layers.

The designer, who was invited by Daram (The Dastkar Andhra store in Hyderabad) to launch her line there, speaks with rare passion about textile crafts. “India has a rich repertoire of textiles. Through Brass Tacks, I hope to re-invent the way hand-woven fabrics are presented and possibly change the way people perceive our textile crafts. The thing about traditional cotton textiles is the comfort quotient. And who said they are not stylish? There is a misconception that cotton and khadi are frumpy and dowdy. If the material is well-cut and styled, I see no better alternative. By adding tactile interest with colour and construction, I’m sure tradition can be given a modern edge,” adds the designer, displaying a wispy “Tissue Dress” made of hand woven kota!

After making a foray into Hyderabad last week, Anaka is looking at other metros. “The more we create a demand for these clothes, the better we can serve the…More

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There will be a four-weekend session in art therapy, which involves using a wide variety of material like paint, clay and batik. It is open to those aged 15 years and above. Venue: Mother Tree, Indiranagar

Date: August 8, 15, 22, and 29

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fee: Rs. 600 per session

Contact: 41649044

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Bob Dylan

Blowin’ in the wind

How many roads must a man walk down/Before you call him a manThe answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,/The answer is blowin’ in the wind. Originally written as a two-versed version, it was first publicly performed at Gerdes Folk City in 1962. An example of Dylan’s incorporation of Biblical rhetoric in his song-writing style, this anthem is regarded as one of the greatest protest songs of all times.

Pink Floyd

On The Turning Away

Written by Gilmour and Moore, this song was elevated to an anthem with its lyrical poetry and guitar riffs. Like their other hits, “Sorrow” and “Learning to Fly” from the same album, this song too has a mesmerising electric solo and fades at the end with a soulful note. The stream of consciousness adds to its hard hitting and timeless quality.John Lennon

Imagine

“Imagine” is linked inextricably with Lennon. Listed third on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all times, it is also one of the most influential songs. Lennon sings of a world without religion, hunger or poverty and calls upon everyone to share his dream. Like other anthems, this too captures the listener with its lyrics.

Dire Straits

Brothers in Arms

Written by Mark Knopfler, it’s one of the most melodically sublime anti-war songs of all time. During the 1980s, he came to appreciate the tone of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. This song is played on one with his trademark fingerpicking style. The deep melancholic vocals accentuate the irony of the lyrics. A song that questions the very essence of war and conflict.

Gun N’ Roses

Civil War

Written by Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, this song comprises powerful vocals, massive sound, characterised by highly-amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, and overall loudness. What sets it apart is the lyrics.

Those that almost made it

Woody Guthrie: Jesus Christ

Scorpions:Winds…More

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Celebration at Jamavar – a limited edition Sunday Brunch with kebab and curry, kebab and biryani, kebab and tawa etc. The food experience is presented by Chef Farman Ali.

Venue: Jamavar at The Leela Palace Kempinski, Old Airport Road

Contact: 30571344/ 30571348

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The Hindu : y>An increasing number of couples are considering adoption, even after having a child of their own

PHOTO: M. KarunakaranA HOME AND A HEART The idea of adoption should be acceptable to the couple and their own children

When three-year-old Roma asked her father, Narayan, where she came from, he replied: “Sweetheart, your sister came from your mother’swomb. You have come from my heart.”Welcome to the world of adoption. Though much has been written about the subject, adoption still receives a mixedresponse in our society.

This could be attributed to our obsessionwith bloodlines and caste, which makes us oppose the idea of bringing an unknown gene into the family. However, the good news is that these days more couples are considering adoption, even though they have or can have children of their own. The Shivshankars decided to adopt even as they tied the knot.The decision

Says Radha Shivshankar: “It was my husband’s idea to adopt a girl child, irrespective of our first-born being a boy or girl.” Today, they are the proud parents of Shruti. Our son is very protective and takes good care of her. He was with us during the entire adoption process,” recounts Radha.

It is imperative that both the partners and the children (if any) agree to the decision to adopt. Anita, a social worker in an adoption agency, says: “It is important to include biological children too in the process. There have been quite a few instances where the couple wanted to adopt a child but their biological child could not accept it. To avoid disappointments later, it is vital to be honest to the child and let him or her know the decision.”

Sheela and Harshad Shah have two grown-up children, aged 25 and 16, respectively. Their younger child, a daughter, is adopted. Sheela reminisces how her child was upset when she was told at the age of eight about the…More

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An exhibition of clothing called The Diffusion Range, by various designers.

Venue: Collage, Wood Street

Date: On till August 8

Time: 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Contact: 25566818

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Literally black beans in Spanish, this is a very popular dish in Latin America,especially Central America.

This thick and nutritious stew is made with black beans, onions, green peppers, and other vegetables; added flavouring is provided by garlic and or cumin powder. Bacon, salt pork or ham can also be added to enrich the taste of the dish.

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VRC Academy of Music & Dance presents a flute recital by Tejeswi Raghunath and a Bharatanatya recital – Dwandwa – by Sucharita Rumesh amd Krishnaprame Prabhakar.

Venue: Seva Sadan, Malleswaram

Date: August 9

Time: 6 p.m.

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Authentic tastes In a variety of flavours

Taj West End is organising aTurkish Food Festival from August 7 to 14 at The Mynt, its 24-hour coffee shop with Chef Mehmet Koyuncu. You can choose from a combination of starters such as hummus — pureed chickpea with tahini and lemon juice, assorted variety of dolmas —stuffed wine leaves and stuffed eggplant zucchini, cerkez tavuðu — shredded chicken with bread milk and walnuts, tarama salata —blended bread with yoghurt & mayonnaise and red caviar flavoured with lemon juice olive oil and garlic. The main course has an extensive selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes such as prasa —sauteed leeks with carrot, rice, onion, and flavoured with olive oil and chicken tagine (chicken cooked in morrocan spices).It is open for dinner between 7.30pm – 11.30pm. The buffet is priced at Rs. 1,200 plus taxes. For reservations, call:6660 5660.

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Kriyative Theatre presents the 70th and 71st shows of Laxmi Chandrashekar’s solo play in English “Singarevva and the Palace”.

The play, directed by Soumya Varma, is an adaptation of Chandrashekara Kambara’s well-known Kannada novel.

It will be staged at Ranga Shankara on August 9, 3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Tickets, priced at Rs. 100, are available at the venue in advance. To buy tickets online, log on towww.indianstage.in or SMS ‘TICKET’ to 9986016207.

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An exhibition of photo argumentation called “Destructive Creation — portraits of people who are giving way for a new Bangalore” by Esha and is presented by Action Aid. The show is on till August 11 at Venkatappa Gallery, Kasturba Road.

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The book “Dashavtar” by Soumya S. Ayer will be launched on August 8 at Crossword, Garuda Mall at 5 p.m. The book is a collection of 10 spell-binding stories for children.

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Royal Orchid Hotels presents pianist Utsav Lal who will present “Ragas Dance Off Piano Keys” on August 8 at 8 p.m. The venue is the Royal Orchid, Old Airport Road.

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Lakshya’s Launch Pad is organising a Nursery Rhymes Contest for children aged between three and five years. The prelims and semi-finals will be held on August 8. Children have to recite rhymes with action. The venue is Malleshpalya, near New Thippasandra. The finals will be held on August 15.

For registration contact 9886463073.

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The theatre group Mashaal will stage a Hindi play “Maut Ke Saaye Mein” on August 8 at Alliance Francaise at 3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. The play, by Jean Paul Sartre, is translated by J.N. Kaushal, and directed by Smit Kant Raturi and Abhinav Kimothi.

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A rock concert by Shor Bazaar at Kyra Theatre, Indiranagar on Ausgut 8. Tickets are priced at Rs. 249.

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The Rock Festival at Reliance Timeout continues with a performance by rock band 1 Fret Away, at Reliance Timeout, Cunningham Road on August 8…More