Model Sanjukta sports a sari. Picture by Pabitra Das

Devdas created ripples with this (but not Chokher Bali). And ‘Chhoti bahu’ Raveena could soon add fuel to Ash’s fire.

If the topic is trend-setting sari drapes, nothing could beat the Paro effect. The “Devdas sari” became a national craze, and suddenly, the good ’ol Bangali way of wearing six metres of cloth made it big, featuring on the ramp, in the home and for special occasions, too.

But how does one get it on? Answering this question and other sari essentials is a new VCD, titled Sensual Sari Wearing. A dummy’s guide to 18 sari-draping styles — traditional to chic — the CD has been created by Calcutta-based production house Fourth Dimension.

“We are primarily targeting a foreign clientele. A lot of foreigners come to India each year and pick up saris but do not know how to drape them correctly,” explains Subhash Tulsiyan, CEO, Fourth Dimension. “This, as far as we know, is the first self-educative VCD on saris of its kind,” he adds.

At home, the main target is women between the ages of 18 and 35 years, who may not regularly wear a sari.

Encouraged by the increasing number of orders placed on the Internet, Tulsiyan feels this venture may also “boost sari sales across the world”.

A research and development team has studied the style and patterns of sari-wearing over time and matched them with modern trends, picking those most appropriate for the collection.

The VCD covers everything from bridal styles to what could look good on the ramp. Models Sougata Mukhopadhyay and Sheena Chauhan appear with Kavita Tulsiyan doing the draping.

Here a tuck, there a wrap, detailed visuals form the complete do-it-yourself tool, with background information provided on each. From the conventional reverse style (pallu in front) to the airhostess look, Gujarati, Rajasthani and Devdas styles (differentiated from the ‘real’ Bengali way), as well as more contemporary trends like “graceful”, “elegant” and “chic”, little is left out. There are suggested wraps with dupatta and chunni variations. Preferred materials for each style and the correct way of tucking the sari, the number of pleats and suggested blouses are also included.

Priced at Rs 199, the CD is available at leading retail stores. It will also be able online through www.myrightangle.com.

Dhruv Mookerji and Roshni Bose in The Marriage Proposal at Trincas on Saturday. Picture by Rashbehari Das

Lunch laugh

Popping the question might have been easier a few decades ago, over a candlelit dinner at Trincas, aided by the soulful music of Usha Uthup or Gary Lawyer. The Marriage Proposal — a one-act play by Anton Chekhov, reproduced by Theatrecian — may have been lapped up by the crowd over a sumptuous luncheon at Trincas on Saturday, but the protagonist still had a tough time winning the hand of his neighbour’s daughter.

The suitor, played by Deborshi Barat, is a hypochondriac trying to summon the courage to propose to his neighbour’s daughter, enacted by Roshni Bose. But instead, he and her father, actor-director Dhruv Mookerji, end up arguing about the ownership of a piece of land, whose dog is better and anything else they could think of. The end result — a laugh riot that kept the lunch crowd in splits.

“Luncheon theatre has to be light and short,” stresses Dhruv, a student of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. “These kinds of one-act, over-the-top bedroom farces do not require intense audience concentration and can be enjoyed very well over a meal. Most importantly, your cellphones can keep ringing!” smiles Dhruv.

Trincas and the adjoining Ming Room proved a good setting for the informal gathering. “Trincas provides for a natural ambience for a luncheon theatre,” feels Shashi Puri of Trincas. The small dance floor that bands use to play their music in the evening doubles as a stage for such events, while the Ming Room area is transformed into a greenroom. The audience — seated at the heart of all the action — seemed to enjoy the afternoon fare, both on their plates and on the platform.

B’day banquet

Flavours of India has just turned a year old. The anniversary celebrations have lured in foodies to the AJC Bose Road restaurant with a brand new festival menu. Daawat-e-tandoor has delectable tandoori specialities lined up this week.

You can choose from a wide variety of succulent kebabs including Limbu Kebab (chicken boti marinated with lots of lemon), Lasuni Kebab (chicken marinated in garlic), Pasinda Kebab (boneless mutton pieces, flattened, marinated and cooked) and Gosht Malai Kebab (mutton boti marinated in a white sauce), each priced at Rs 95.

Fish lovers can take their pick from Patiwala Machhi (small fillets of fish prepared in the chef’s special spices) and Tawa Machhi (fish stuffed and shallow-fried).

Vegetarians haven’t been left out either, with Veg Hara Bhara Kebab, Paneer Shikampuri Kebab and Hara Masala Bhoona Paneer, each priced at Rs 70 per plate, as the main attractions. The anniversary offer also includes a 15 per cent discount on food and beverages.

Offers are on at the banquets as well. From kitty parties to business conferences, — the three banquets, with their flexible partitions and makeshift seating arrangements — can take in anything between 15 to 200 people.

The space comes free, with meal options starting at Rs 225 and going up to Rs 325, plus taxes per plate. The spread includes starters, salads, dal, paneer, raita, rice, assorted breads, fish and chicken dishes.

A buffet, going for Rs 175, includes two soups, two non-vegetarian items, five vegetarian dishes, dal, salad, assorted bread, pulao and two desserts.

“Over the year, we have made a note of the dishes that are popular a-la-carte choices and have introduced them on the buffet,” explains Sandip Sehgal, director, Flavours of India. Notable among these are Cornflakes Kebab, Garlic Naan, Raan Nawabi and Pudina Paratha.

The Daawat-e-tandoor festival is on till the first week of April.