Mellow as Mulled Wine
As the year winds down, I often ponder about a metaphor from my favourite bard, William Shakespeare where he likened the world to a stage, from his play As You Like It. The world is a stage, meaning life is like a theatrical performance where people are actors playing various roles throughout their lives, with entrances (birth) and exits (death), highlighting lifes fleeting and often comical nature. Even as a young person, I loved the way the Bard of Avon was rich in wordplay, creative use of puns, vivid imagery, and a flexible approach to grammar. In fact he could be a modern day guru. Most times succinct, often very punny and sometimes philosophical. Well, what I wanted to convey was the stage is now set in namma ooru for mega parties and launches which scare me to death. I feel its so impersonal and one feels almost marginalised by the vapid faces and even more vapid (mini) conversations one strains to have over deafening music or voices. One nods at vaguely familiar faces mouthing how are you, and not even waiting for a reply. Then one clutches onto familiar faces for comfort where most times no eye contact is made as they are so busy searching for other faces to say hello to! Often I would be in a conversation with someone important and some wannabe will come screeching up to me and then push past me to make a beeline to the important one! Ah well! Im too old and jaded to play this game. I ache for authenticity. Luckily for me the week gone by was filled with intimate gettogethers and catch-ups. I was back at The Ritz-Carlton dining at their Indian restaurant, Zarqash, at the invitation of GM Reuben Kataria. We enjoyed an evening of ghazals by talented Shailly Kapoor. We were a table of eight people who were not social friends and it was wonderful! Different stokes for different folks as we made genuine conversations and connections, laughter, bon-homie, a mutual love for exquisite-food, fabulous wines and of course, ghazals! Everyone understood the poignant verses; we sung familiar lines together and were regaled by Reubens humour and hospitality. Just my type of evening. Judith Bidapa and Shobhaa De We checked out a SE Asian-place called Yazu in my neck of the woods. The old, beautiful and massive structure on St. Marks Road has given way to a huge commercial structure. We sat on the alfresco seating area and we overlooked a stretch of massive green trees that lined the road. The restaurant has an easy vibe, with delicious food and fab Asian inspired cocktails. The young CEO Ranbir Nagpal was excited to open in namma ooru after Mumbai, where Yazu is a popular hot spot. We bumped into a bevy of old friends and had some really meaningful catch ups. The OGs of Bangalore, Prasad and Judith Bidapa have ishstyle. At a recent book reading of Shobhaa Des new book, The Sensual Self Judith read a few excerpts in her impeccable style and I immediately bought the book! The air at The Mall of Asia was festive and cool on the patio and the fashion show that followed was lovely, showcasing some pieces from jewellery designer Pallavi Foleys eclectic collection. We ended up having an early dinner after eye-balling all the uber-luxury outlets in the mall. I loved my mellow-as-mulled-wine week. (The writers views are personal)
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