Life & Style

It all began with a Mustang dream.

Years before he could get his hands on the vehicle, Zubin Songadwala, a senior operations manager in hospitality, says that his mentors fuelled his desire to own a vintage car. One that was effortlessly classy.

“Who doesn’t want a lady like this,” says Zubin, standing next to his slick yellow 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that he purchased in 2015.

At a first time collaborative meet up between the Roaring Riders Club and the Madras Watch Collectors Group on March 1, the Mustang effortlessly steals the show. The participants at the meeting line up to take pictures with the car and peer into the windows to take in everything they can see. “Beauty,” they whisper softly to themselves.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

Here, enthusiasts of bikes, cars, and watches, the finer things in life, have gathered to indulge each other’s passion and discuss the specs of their collection. What began as a spontaneous, quick discussion between Srinivasan Kasyap, a founding member of Roaring Riders Club, and Guru Prasad, part of the Madras Watch Collectors Group, has quickly turned into a meeting with over a 100 folks geeking out over their favourite form of machine, nay ‘children’, they say.

There are over 300 vintage watches, the earliest being 95 years old; over 20 Jawa or Yezdi motorcycles; and just as many vintage cars, on display at the lawn of Greenpark hotel in Vadapalani. The event becomes the perfect space to touch, feel, and experience timepieces that have held on.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

Now, roaring to life, despite the strange juxtaposition in a world full of oddities like construction, concrete, and dust, these machines serve as reminders of needing to remember that everything, including inanimate objects, sometimes come with heartbeats. Some collectors who have held onto their pieces for years tell us the secret to ensuring that their cars, bikes, and watches see the light of day.

The year of the horse

Zubin says that there are two ways to look at a vintage car. “One could either be a purist and look to maintain the vehicle just as it had come out of the coach factory. But if you want it to run just like it does on the road, modifications become essential,” he says.

Speaking alongside Sudhir Natarajan who owns an orange Mustang, the duo says that rebuilding classics require changes to the battery, wiring, fuel pumps, wheels, and the engine. “This car does not have a coolant and in a city like Chennai, a coolant is of essence. We also changed the size of the wheels which were originally 14 inches to become 15 inches so that they could ride effortlessly,” says Zubin.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

It is of essence to romanticise this relationship because Zubin does it casually. He says that vintage cars must be treated as ‘mature’, not ‘old’ ladies. “You cannot drive these pieces recklessly on the road. Inside it, there is no air conditioner, no bluetooth speaker, no music. It is, in essence, old,” he says. What then brings him back to the Mustang. “On weekdays full of meetings and things, I come back tired. On Sundays, when I take my Mustang out, I am one with the car. Suddenly, the rest of the world disappears,” he says.

Sudhir, who has been in the automotive space for years now, says that at the moment, there are 35 vintage and classic cars at his shed owned by various people, waiting for repairs. They all seem to echo the same emotion. “Customers treat these pieces like family so when the restoration happens, it becomes an emotional experience,” he says.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

Guru from the Madras Watch Collectors Group seems to echo a similar sentiment. Some months ago, an acquaintance on Instagram had posted about a Seiko 5 watch from the 1980s that stopped running. “I offered to reach out to my network, provided a ‘donor’ watch from which parts could be used. My friends helped fix it. When the person got the watch, he had tears in his eyes. His mother cried too. Turns out that the watch belonged to his father who had recently passed. I couldn’t control myself too and shed a little tear of joy with them. That is the kind of impact watches have. They may not be as expensive as the rest of the machines here today but they are important markers in a person’s life,” he says.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

Horologist Dinesh Sachdev whose family has been in horology for four generations now, and three from a post-Partition India, runs Time World in Chennai. He says that literally any watch in the world can be fixed with time and money. “One needs ample patience to ensure that there is enough time to work on broken pieces, and all the money to ensure that we fashion the parts to customise it. A recent Rolex Bubble Back took seven to eight months to fix,” he says. He shows off his own watch, a 95-year-old silver pocket watch with customised straps that once belonged to his grandfather.

Srinivasan, who runs Roaring Riders, is interested in the world of watches too. During the event, you could see him flitting from one booth to the next, striking up a conversation about everyone’s passion. Srini, as he is called, says that he is intent on having more such meetings where people ardently speak about all that they love with joy.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

His active group of riders drive Yezdi motorcycles exclusively and enjoy going on long trips once in two weeks besides meeting on the first Sunday of each month at Ashoka hotel in Egmore. Maintenance of bikes come with customisations too. Zubin and Srini speak about needing the right amount of space, and the right parts. During some rides, Srini says that he carries spares and tools in case the bike stops.

Unique heritage showcase celebrating classic automobiles, legendary motorcycles, and collectible timepieces organised by The Roaring Riders Club Chennai in association with the Madras Watch Collectors Group.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

What then is this nostalgia that hooks him?

“Look at my bike. How cool is it. Rajini has said in an interview that he loves the Yezdi and has one too. I’m sure it’s lying around somewhere,” he says, adding that his father owned one of these bikes too.

Two heroes. What better reason to indulge in a passion?

What better reason to claim nostalgia.

Players in action during a practice session
| Photo Credit: special arrangement

As dusk settles over the hills in The Nilgiris, the century-old tea bushes at Pembroke tea estate glow in a golden light. After a 30-minute drive from Coonoor along scenic winding roads past Manjacombai, I am at Pembroke Villa enjoying tea, crunchy vegetable pakoras, and stunning views. Amidst the exotic blooms at the garden, a pair of Japanese cherry blossom trees stand tall showing off abundant pale pink flowers.

“My father, VE Ramesh, founder of Pembroke Group is a passionate gardener,” says Rahul Vairavan, managing partner of the group, as we tour the tea garden. “He believes that any place is lively when there is greenery, laughter and conversations. That’s how the family estate evolved into offering an immersive Nilgiris experience complete with a visit to our tea factory.” A guided tour takes visitors through every stage of tea production, from plucking to processing and witnessing the process from leaf to cup.

Dip teas including Kashmiri kahwa with saffron extract, paan, turmeric-cinnamon blends, signature rose cardamom, mint, berry blush and detox green teas
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

The tea plantation, spread across several acres, dates back to 1924, making them third-generation planters. “Our ancestors had plantations in Malaysia, Coonoor, Coorg, and rubber estates in Kailash. This was originally a 1000-acre property split among families. My husband Ramesh retained the estate and plantation,” recalls Muthu Ramesh, master tea blender at the group. The family took over the property in 1986, renovated and opened it as a homestay in 2016. The century-old bungalow, a three-bedroom residence is now a five-room property with three rooms inside the main house, and two independent cottages outside. The bungalow can accommodate up to 20 guests. Named Pembroke, inspired by Pembrokeshire in Wales, it still retains its colonial charm of concrete roofing, layered with tin sheets beneath old tiles, and sturdy walls built with locally sourced materials that keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter. Classic, full-length French windows open to the lawns and bonfires light up the lawn at night. Rooms are named after Pembroke Welsh corgi, a preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who owned more than 30 during her reign, Port Pembroke, HMS Pembroke to name a few. “We didn’t want to disturb the original architecture,” says Rahul, adding that they enhanced it with modern amenities.

The bungalow retains its colonial charm of concrete roofing layered with tin sheets beneath old tiles, and sturdy walls built with locally sourced materials that keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

At first, there was no internet. “We wanted people to truly unwind,” says V Shivashree, who heads hospitality. Over time, changes were made organically. Post-pandemic, guests began working remotely from the hills, prompting the addition of Wi-Fi. A television followed, largely because visitors wanted to watch IPL matches together in the evenings.

Nearly 10,000 kilos of freshly plucked green leaves gets transformed as 2500 kilos of tea every day at the factory
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

Adventure activities such as rappelling, rock climbing and high-rope walk are organised on request in collaboration with NALS that operates adventure-based learning at the property.

Rahul, after returning from the UK in 2019, determined to create an identity of his own, launched Varake tea, named after a local deity worshipped by hill communities, in Premium and Assam tea variants. He says, “I realised that tea from here was reaching Buckingham Palace. But our own name wasn’t visible.”

A section of the plantation has 100-year-old tea bushes
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

After a hearty lunch of flavourful biryani, Muthu, Rahul’s mother, lines up her exotic dip teas for tasting. There is Kashmiri kahwa with saffron extract, paan made with betel leaves from her own farm, turmeric-cinnamon blends, signature rose cardamom, mint, berry blush and detox green teas. When Varake began as a blending unit in Coimbatore, initially selling black and green teas, Muthu drawing from her 17-year background in the fitness industry, experimented with blends inspired by Indian spices. She sources cardamom from Cumbum, and also uses dried ginger, lemongrass, and blue pea flowers known for antioxidant properties. Lakshmi Priya R, head of communications, says a strong online presence turned the spotlight on premium dip teas. “As there are no preservatives, we make in small batches with a shelf life of six months. We keep adding seasonal flavours. In summer, chilly mango was a big hit.”

Food is largely home-style preparation
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

Unexpectedly, rose cardamom reached Pod Nosem in Krakow, Poland, a Michelin-recognised hotel through a friend. Says Muthu, “Chef Nicholas invited me to showcase our flavoured teas. Our masala chai, served with milk, evoked nostalgia among Polish guests familiar with Russian-style milk tea traditions.”

A short drive from the villa takes us to the family’s tea factory, a 60-year-old facility that runs like clockwork. Once inside, an intense, raw smell of freshly crushed tea leaves floods the senses while the humming of the machines fills the air. Every day, nearly 10,000 kilos of freshly plucked green leaves arrive from estates and small growers. The leaves plucked in the morning are processed within 24 hours and transformed into tea. Freshly harvested tea leaves go through a withering process, reducing their moisture content to below 70 percent. “The withered leaves are passed through rollers that break them down and rupture the cell walls. This enhances oxidation and intensifies the tea’s flavor, an essential step for achieving bold taste,” explains Rahul adding that the crushed leaves go through even fermentation before shaped into pellets. About 2,500 kilos of tea emerges daily from 10,000 kilos of leaves at the factory.

“Production has to restart within 30 minutes if there’s a snag,” he cautions adding that Varake is blend with teas from all over India to retain consistency in taste, flavour and texture. “It is available online and we have distributors across the South,” he adds. As I sip the fresh, aromatic brew, mist shrouds the hills at sunset, a cue for yet another cup of the refreshing tea.

To know more on tea trails and stays, call 7200914494 or visit @pembroke_villa on Instagram

Published – March 03, 2026 04:17 pm IST

The lipstick mousse formula includes as many as 10 shades for a variety of skin types ranging from dusky and tan to medium and light
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A day in Bangkok

There is something in Bangkok for everybody. If I didn’t believe this before, I certainly found new faith in the promise when I found myself in a quiet time-capsuled corner of Thonburi district, beyond the glamour of the city’s luxuries and the Wat Aun-esque grandeur, offering soy chunks on a stick to hungry turtles. Featuring a small pond, a manmade mountain (meant to symbolise Mount Meru of Buddhist and Hindu mythology), a sprinkling of stupas and a collection of exotic plants, the Khao Mor (The Turtle Garden) has served as a serene retreat for nearly 200 years, a stone’s throw away from Wat Prayun.

Wat Prayun
| Photo Credit:
The Peninsula Bangkok

The unassuming temple complex features a Lankan-style chedi (stupa) that has stood the test of time, braving Second World War bombings, a break-in, and the threat of collapse. Engineers went to work to reinforce the building’s bones after a 2006 survey found that the tower was leaning by nearly a metre towards the Chao Phraya River. By the time the work was done, the chedi had revealed two hidden crypts filled with long-forgotten relics, narrates Mu, our guide and historian. Today, a museum alongside the shrine tells the fascinating tales of its survival and houses the treasures it has gathered along the way.

A short walk away is the Guan Yu Shrine, one of Bangkok’s oldest Chinese shrines, an 18th Century creation by the Hokkien immigrants from China. Here, locals leave behind contract papers to seek good luck for their business ventures. This sits adjacent to the Princess Mother Memorial Park, created in honour of former King Bhumibol’s mother; today, it is a place for people to practice tai chi, host workshops, and play tag. This is just a few steps away from Goowatin Islam Mosque, a warehouse-like structure with a minaret in the Indian-Islamic style of architecture, built by a group of Indian traders (the Nanas) whose descendants still hold sway in the community today. All testament to the quiet ways in which Thailand continues to be a potpourri of cultures and communities — an enduring legacy of its Siam days.

Contract documents presented to Guan Yu at the shrine in Thonburi, Bangkok.
| Photo Credit:
Kannalmozhi Kabilan

This insight into Thonburi’s cultural landscape was courtesy of the two-hour walking tour put together by The Peninsula Bangkok. Perched on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, The Peninsula offers not just the luxuries of a global hospitality giant, but several thoughtfully curated guest experiences that allow for the exploration of the local milieu.

And that is how, early in the morning, I got to line up at the small shrine by the hotel’s driveway along with a couple of its staff and partake in the Tak Bat Alms Giving ceremony, a 14th Century tradition that still holds significance in the lives of Thais. Food — often sticky rice and fruits — is prepared afresh and offered in quiet reverence to Buddhist monks making their way back to the monasteries.

That is also how, in a sunlit, riverfront patio, I got to brew my own kombucha (flavoured with peach tea) with the guidance of The Peninsula’s own mixologist (my batch, unfortunately, didn’t survive the flight home).

As for the luxuries, The Peninsula lives up to its reputation for Thai elegance amid global modernity. Its room and suites, right from the deluxe room to The Peninsula Suite, come with breathtaking views of the Chao Phraya River and the city beyond. Silk furnishings, teak floors, and marble bathrooms tastefully round-out the serene ambience of this riverside retreat. Through a carefully curated line-up of bespoke experiences — from custom tea blending and artisanal floral design to chocolate making and exclusive dining concepts — the hotel has steadily evolved into one of the region’s most sought-after wedding destinations as well.

And when you can complete your opulent Bangkok experience with a true-blue Thai 7-Eleven right outside the gate of The Peninsula, what more could you ask for!

Escape to Krabi

Walking down a pathway surrounded by trees and flowering bushes, within the oasis of a White Lotus-esque seaside resort, nestled against craggy cliffs, I was stopped short by the sight of a native resident. Unlike the comically ravenous turtles of the Bangkok garden, here it was a rather intimidating monitor lizard, ominously flicking its forked tongue in and out as it too stopped to take note of this intruder.

A bird’s eye view of Rayavadee
| Photo Credit:
Rayavadee Krabi

While turtles are considered sacred in Buddhism and are hence seen as symbols of endurance and strength, monitors have a rather negative reputation. It was when conservation efforts took centrestage that the tide turned for these animals. Today, they are an ubiquitous presence in Thailand — lounging in city canals and parks, and claiming wild spaces in island towns. In Krabi, they are a testament to how much conservation is a central tenet of tourism, with luxury resorts quietly mushrooming amid the natural landscape without compromising it.

Rayavadee Krabi, which hosted my encounter with the monitor (which had decided I wasn’t much of a threat and walked away), is no exception. The resort is a garland of duplex pavilions, villas, restaurants and entertainment spaces spread across 26 acres of a coconut plantation. The mushroom-topped pavilions’ circular structure, the earthy colours employed across the board, the wood-bamboo-thatched roof style of Nature-inspired decor, all seem to be designed with one thing in mind — blend in with the natural surroundings, offering a truly immersive island experience.

Circular pavilions at Rayavadee.
| Photo Credit:
Rayavadee Krabi

An impressive manifestation of this conscientious architecture is perhaps Rayavadee’s crown jewel — The Grotto. The signature restaurant serving up dreamy cocktails and an exquisite Mediterranean-inspired fare is set in a deep, naturally formed cave on a cliff face. Featuring solid wood tables and bamboo-lined chairs anchored into the beach sand floor, the restaurant — enveloped by the mountain itself and the trees in the midst — offers an unforgettable view of Phranang beach, making it the perfect spot for memorable sunsets.

Such exercises in conservation are a collective effort of the community, says the resort’s manager. “Tourism is the main income for us. There are many hotels on Railay beach (one of the three beaches flanking Rayavadee), and we all agreed on the same thing. To protect this land for our next generation,” he says. Towards this end, all the beaches remain accessible to the general public, and the community comes together to keep them clean. Since the pandemic, some restrictions on long boats have been put in place to protect the waters, and the life in them, he says.

It is the fruits of this labour that I got to benefit from when island hopping off Railay beach. From the Ko Poda Island to the peculiarly shaped Chicken Island, white sand beaches and aqua blue waters awaited. The crystal clear water around Ko Poda made it the best place for some light snorkelling and swimming with the fishes. I was, however, a couple of days too early for Thale Waek — a phenomenon where a white sand dune emerges during low tide and connects three little islands (Ko Kai, Ko Thap, and Ko Mo), a window of whimsy in the great blue beyond.

Chicken Island (Koh Gai)
| Photo Credit:
Kannalmozhi Kabilan

For those not faint of heart, Krabi has more adventurous delights — like rock climbing along Railay beach’s limestone cliffs, or kayaking amid a community forest in the Khlong Nam Sai freshwater canal.

Krabi has its own wats, but you might want to visit the shrine for Phranan, an Indian princess. Legend has it that this princess worshipped Shiva in a cave off Phranang beach, the very dark and moldy cave that now houses a doll-like figurine and the many phallic offerings people leave for her.

Off Nammao beach is a quintessential little market, with all kinds of seafood fare and many a marijuana bar.

Mango sticky rice
| Photo Credit:
Kannalmozhi Kabilan

Within the cosy confines of Rayavadee, amid monitor encounters, there is the magnificent infinity pool and an all-inclusive spa that will let you make the best of your island escape. While there is plenty of global cuisine on offer, there is something about having mango sticky rice, served in style, right in Thailand. The taste will linger long after you’ve left the country behind.

The writer was in Thailand at the invitation of the Thailand Tourism Authority

Models showcasing handwoven, naturally-dyed textiles at an earlier IHMC exhibition
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

As traffic roars on Thadagam Road, a low compound wall makes us slow down for a closer look. The wall, that is part of the Central Academy for State Forest Service (CASFOS) inside the Forest Campus, bears hand-painted images of birds, animals, sea creatures, flowers and more, done to impeccable detail. Each species is labelled with its botanical name, common name, and Tamil name. On wall that stretches from the Government College of Technology corner to Lawley Road junction, there are 217 paintings in all, with another 285 on the wall opposite Bharathi Park. Started in 2024, the project, funded by the Government of India, is the brainchild of V Thirunavukarasu IFS, Principal, CASFOS.

“The idea came up in 2024 when we renovated the compound wall of the institute,” says Thirunavukarasu. Once the damaged structures were fixed and they were left with sparkling white walls, he looked for sponsors to get them painted with India’s flora and fauna. When nothing worked, he finally got the Indian Government to sanction funds for the small but necessary project.

V Thirunavukarasu IFS, Principal, CASFOS, who initiated the project in Coimbatore.
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M

Thirunavukarasu roped in K Muniasamy, Games and PT Instructor at the Academy to take his idea forward. “A group of officers decided on the species,” he explains. “We chose to include flora, fauna, mammals, insects and reptiles to represent the complete bio-diversity of our forests. This will also educate people.” Work began in 2024 and a team of artists from the Kerala-based Madhu Arts worked on the walls. While murals are common across our cities, what sets apart this series is the way the subject is treated.

Each bird, such as the purple sunbird, Eurasian hoopoe, orange-headed thrush, black drongo, painted stork, among a range of others, is rendered lifelike and scientifically accurate. Animals on the wall include Indian gaur, Nilgiri tahr, Indian giant squirrel, spotted deer, impala and leopard. But it is the Bharathi Park stretch that is most interesting: the wall here has reptiles, insects and moths.

True-to-life paintings of Indian flora and fauna, complete with botanical and Tamil names.
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M

There is the Oriental garden lizard in all its golden glory, next to which is the ornate narrow-mouthed toad with a black pattern on its golden-orange body. The Indian chameleon is shown perching on a twig, while the five-fingered frog gleams green on the wall. Snakes include the Brahminy blind snake, Beddome’s cat snake, banded kukri and the Asian bockadam; followed by ornate moths such as the hummingbird hawk moth, the rosy maple moth in stunning pink and yellow, the dragonfly with its wings spread wide, and the gypsy moth.

A panel describes the different kinds of ants namely black carpenter, Dracula, green-head, black garden, banded sugar, electric, and fire ant, with clear distinction in shape and colour. There is a panel dedicated to mites and crocodiles. The shapes of gharial, crocodiles, alligators and Caiman have been rendered with labels. In between, are thematic forest related drawings, dos and don’ts of snake bites, and important days related to the forest and environment.

The project was initiated in 2024
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M

Muniasamy mentions how the public have been supportive by not sticking posters on the walls. “We are thankful to the public for their feedback and support,” says Thirunavukarasu, adding that they have made provisions for posters and hoardings by placing huge boards at the Lawley Road junction. Even as the artists were at work, Munisamy recalls how passers-by would stop to observe and interact with them, offering them tender coconut water.

The walls have regular admirers. Muniasamy recalls a father-toddler duo who stop by often. “School students who walk past it make it a point to slow down to see the animals and birds,” he adds. The second phase of the project will unfold on the walls of the campus on Cowley Brown Road, and Thirunavukarasu adds that they plan to have paintings done on all four boundary walls.

A colonial building next to the Academy is also set to get a new lease of life soon. Once necessary permissions and clearances are obtained, it will be turned into a centre of excellence for human-animal conflict, Thirunavukarasu says. “The building used to be a living quarters during the British period,” he explains.

The Central Academy for State Forest Service’s compound walls in Coimbatore
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M

Thirunavukarasu has always believed that our Government buildings or any public property for that matter, should be well taken care of. “Sadly, due to what we call the tragedy of the commons, no one cares about them,” he says. Such buildings, he says, should be considered an asset to every city and should be watched over like one’s own home.

Published – March 03, 2026 11:49 am IST

A farm leased by Rent a Tree
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Western Classical music, though still a niche art form for many in India, has been slowly finding its place among discerning listeners. In Coimbatore, that revival has been led steadily and passionately by a group of dedicated musicians who believe deeply in the genre’s beauty and relevance.

The Coimbatore Chamber Chorale (CCC), a 50-member ensemble, founded in 2011 by Faith Ragland, its artistic director and conductor, take this ambition forward by regularly bringing Western Classical music to a wider audience, especially the younger generation.

Members of the English Brass Collective, a professional five-member ensemble from the UK.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

This season, it is an exciting collaboration with Brass Rhapsody, a concert that aims to introduce audiences to the power and versatility of brass music. The event features the English Brass Collective, a professional five-member ensemble from the UK.

The performers, Stuart Bower, James Stretton, Ken Brown, Hugh Pascal and George Hardwick, bring with them years of experience and a dynamic approach to brass performance. “It is not a regular form of music,” Faith says, describing the unique sound of a brass collective. When different brass instruments come together, the genre becomes incredibly flexible. “You can play classical, you can play jazz, you can play blues,” he explains, highlighting the wide expressive range the concert promises.

The English Brass Collective is performing in Chennai earlier in the week before arriving in Coimbatore. Because they will reach the city just a day before the concert, rehearsal time is expected to be tight.

“We have only a limited window to put everything together,” Faith says. Despite the challenge, he remains confident that CCC will ensure a seamless musical experience.

For Brass Rhapsody, the five-member brass ensemble will lead the performance, while the CCC and a supporting string orchestra will join them for select pieces. Faith shares that the concert blends multiple styles, making it interesting even for listeners new to Western Classical music. “It brings different kinds of music into one space,” he says. The event marks another step to expand the city’s musical horizon.

Faith attributes much of the group’s growth to discipline, a core value of the choir. He has spent years working closely with choristers to refine vowel placement, diction and tonal balance.

From the earlier performances
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The result is a sound that is both pure and unified, drawing from the strengths of young, competent musicians and seasoned singers. Their commitment has earned them the distinction of being the first choir from Coimbatore to clear the Silver Choral Assessment by Trinity College, London a milestone that showcases their technical finesse.

Over the last decade, CCC has explored a vast repertoire drawn from the Baroque and Classical eras, while also embracing sacred works through their regular church singing. From a cappella polyphony to evening vespers, their performances reflect rigorous training and an ear for musical detail.

CCC conducts three major concerts every year, each designed to introduce audiences to different shades of Western Classical tradition.

However, building and sustaining such initiatives comes with challenges. Artist-friendly venues with good acoustics are still limited in Coimbatore, making it difficult to stage performances that require specific sound requirements.

Sponsorship is another hurdle. Since Western Classical music is still an emerging genre for many, financial support remains low. “But talent is never a problem,” Faith stresses. “We have plenty of gifted young musicians and singers. What we need is more support from the community.”

In a city where Western Classical music is still evolving, concerts like Brass Rhapsody by Faith and his ensemble continue to draw audiences into a world of harmony, tradition and musical excellence at a time.

On January 30 at COINDIA Auditorium, Krishnarayapuram, Illango Nagar, from 7pm onwards. Tickets are available on BookMyShow. For details, call 8879867824

Published – March 02, 2026 05:27 pm IST

The undulating Aravalis, the crisp winter breeze, and conversations around conservation and culture. This was the backdrop to the first Durbar experience of 2026 at the Abheygarh Palace in Khetri, Rajasthan, that opened its doors to guests for the first time. The Durbar, a confluence of culture, shines a spotlight on the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (whose numbers have steadily risen from 100 to 173 in 2025) brought together by Godawan Estuary Premium Water.

Praveen Someshwar, CEO and MD, Diageo India, explains the ethos of Durbar: “It resonates because it attracts an audience that comes to engage with culture and craft in a meaningful way. It also reflects a growing appetite for experiences that are more considered and culturally immersive.”   

In its first 2026 edition (January 9 – 10), Boito, a slow-fashion brand from Odisha celebrating craftsmanship and storytelling from the State’s most celebrated and remote corners, presented a trinity of cultural storytelling. Richa Maheshwari, founder, Boito, came to this mission rather serendipitously. Hailing from Odisha, this software engineer calls Bengaluru home. With a job in SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products) for 16 years, COVID-19 offered a much-needed pause and reset. “I took a sabbatical and travelled to Bhubaneshwar, my hometown and felt a tug to do something rooted in the State and with its crafts. I then found our designer, Anshu Arora and went with her to meet tribes across the State,” Richa explains.

Boito worked with myriad craft clusters across Odisha to create three intricate installations at Durbar, celebrating the State, and its indigenous skills honed over centuries.

The Godawan bird
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Godawan

The Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan’s State bird, was reimagined by Botio in wood carving traditions from Nayagarh and lac work rooted in Balasore. Paladhua wood (Indian coral tree) is used to create lightweight wood masks for theatre ( jathre), an ebbing tradition, so “using the same woodcraft skills to craft the Godawan became a story of craft revival for us,” says Richa. The five foot tall, bird was carved in parts, then transported to Balasore, known for its jau kandhei’– lacquer work usually done on terracotta dolls. Over 50 women transferred resin-based rich natural pigments to various parts of the bird, which then stood on its spindly legs supported by an iron base.

The third craft at the installation is the towering ‘chatti’ (parasol) that is a celebration of Pipli, a town carved out by a king to create intricate shades for the Jagannath Rath Yatra. Its form is inspired by Odisha’s temple architecture, with appliqué work popular in the region. The nine foot by five foot towering shade protecting the Godawan is symbolic of “both culture and Nature that need protecting,” elucidates Richa.   

An homage to the wall made of stones by the Ringa tribal women.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Spirit of matriarchy 

The Bonda tribe is matriarchal and celebrates its women — the risk takers, the go-getters and the keepers of memory. Just 6,675 members remain today of a community that migrated from Africa over 60,000 years ago to the Malkangiri region in Odisha. “Across Koraput and Malkangiri, you see laterite walls of rough boulders built by the matriarchs, not as boundaries but as a way to encompass the community’s identity and rituals with quiet strength,” states Richa.

For the Durbar, this wall was recreated as a paean to the matriarch, as memory keeper. The twelve feet wide and 4.5 feet high wall was fashioned from 30 boulders — six dhokra and the rest from sabai grass. Foot-tall figurines in dhokra were delicately placed in between, depicting the keepers of the tribe, enjoying a book or indulging in leisure. At the far end of the wall is a traditional double-boiler bearing testimony to ritual — creating sagur, a ceremonial spirit of the tribe. 

Bonda woman figurine
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A Bonda woman figurine stands resplendent in colourful beaded headgear and necklaces, with a trademark ringa (a rectangular piece of cloth worn as a skirt, that was earlier crafted from yarn sourced from the kerang bark). “Now, Bonda women use handspun cotton around their waist, while their torso is covered with long, thick strings of beads. They cover their backs with a blue cape when in company,” says Richa, explaining the tribal attire.

The Hansa Boita ( swan boat) is a 21-foot vessel made from cane and wrapped in muslin, adorned with various Odia art forms.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Hansa Boito

Boito, draws inspiration from Odisha’s storied maritime past. The term is an homage to the Boita Bandana festival, where every Kartik Purnima, people set tiny boats in memory of ancient voyages by the Sadhabas — a community of affluent mariners, who embody prosperity. Their vessels were said to glide like swans, and the Hansa Boita (swan boat) draws its structure from stories of the sea. “This 21-foot boat made from cane and wrapped in muslin is adorned with various Odia artforms,” explains Richa. The boat was previously showcased at Bikaner House, New Delhi in 2024.  

Navagunjara in Burning Man in 2025

Odisha craft at Burning Man

The Durbar is not Richa’s first outing with fashioning sculptures born of story and indigenous skillsets. The ‘Navagunjara’ — a chimeric creature with nine parts from various fauna (presented by roboticist and installation artist, Jnaneshwar Das and Richa Maheshwari as artists) went to Burning Man Nevada Festival in 2025. Sculptures are usually burned at the end of the festival, but the 17 foot Navagunjara made it back to India intact. It will find its resting place at exhibitions and maybe a museum in India,” says Richa.

The creature was first described by poet Sarala Das in the 15th-Century retelling of the Mahabharata in Odisha with a rooster head, peacock neck, elephant arm, legs of a tiger and a deer, a lion torso, the hump of a bull, the tail of a serpent and a lotus-wielding human forearm. These were expressed through Odia artforms — sabai grass weaving, pattachitra painted cane, Pipli appliqué work, handloom kapdaganda shawl patterns, Ringa textiles and dhokra — all coalesced to make this fierce and fantastic being.

“At Boito, we want to work on a transparency charter, so ultimately we can pinpoint each cluster and contribution. The intent is clear — we create opportunities for commerce, only to allow a pipeline of steady work to sustain these crafts, thereby allowing the artforms to live on,” concludes Richa.   

Published – March 02, 2026 04:59 pm IST