A confluence of dance, music and art at Swabhumi; (below) a terracotta pot on sale

HERITAGE

If you are sold on culture and the arts, then Swabhumi, a sprawling “Heritage Plaza” in Kolkata, should be a must-visit in your India itinerary. Located on the main arterial road, the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (opposite Salt Lake Stadium), of the culturally charged city, the neo-ethnic plaza is spread over an area of 13.5 acres. The basic theme of the plaza revolves around, and showcases, Indian heritage, arts and crafts, along with contemporary arts of India. The heritage village has three basic elements: Shilpagram, the village of artisans (traditional zone), Sambhar (the urban zone) and Santushti (the food court). While the crafts village sets the tone for the “Heritage theming”, with clusters of hutments and models of a typical rural environment, the focus of the crafts village is undoubtedly Bengal. So the Kolkata trappings are unmistakable. The urban zone, Sambhar, on the other hand, is a completely modern two-storey shopping mall, structurally designed to reflect the various external influences on Bengal architecture. Santushti is the key element of the Heritage Theme Plaza, and comprises four speciality restaurants representing north, east, west and southern cuisine. Food for thought and eye candy for the soul.


SHELF LIFE

Lifestyle: Looking for wooden furniture? Take a peek at Raro, a store from interior decorators Mahika and Rajita Gupta. Flip for fine woods furnished with Italian fabrics or Scottish leather in a range of neo classical, art deco designs. Lots of imported wood too, in tune with the times. At 211, Cariappa Marg, Sainik Farms, Delhi. Call: (011) 651-9818.

Salon and Store: Affinity is a new unisex beauty salon that also has a designer store and accessories shop. The first Affinity salon, located in Green Park, has clientele that includes models like Rahul Dev and Mini Mathur. So watch who you bump into. At M64, Greater Kailash II, Delhi. Call (011) 576-0144.

The Home Store (THS) opened its most recent outlet in Delhi’s New Friends Colony. This concept store has a range of home products. The dining line is exhaustive: crockery, cutlery, table linen and storage jars. At G4, Surya Plaza, Delhi.

TREND SPEAK

"An air of romantic hippie attitude has blown over the summer register. Sexy
comfort will be in the form of dresses that are fluid and feminine, even short, pleated skirts with shirts that you hardly button."
Ritu Beri, Fashion Designer

BAZAAR NEWS
Tinsel Touch: Her mom Dimple Kapadia made waves for her Faraway Tree candles. Now it’s actress Twinkle Khanna’s turn to impress with her lifestyle and fashion store, The White Window, which includes artefacts, furniture, crockery and of course, candles. At Ashoka Shopping Centre, Mumbai.

Ever heard of steel vases? The Manna Studio Line, available at Delhi’s House of Ishatvam and I.K. Silver, includes glass vases made with a special technique. The pieces are all hand made. Designer Mandira’s design philosophy is to bring out inherent qualities of materials like terrazo. Neat.

—Compiled by Methil Renuka