&lt;p&gt;In order to persevere when the going gets tough, the catalyst to continue relentlessly can come in myriad forms. In this case, it comes from the persistent spirit of these inspirational&amp;nbsp;women who carved a place for themselves in history and beyond.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Princess Indira Devi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t140438301200922020459.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;600&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;One of the first women to&amp;nbsp;host radio broadcasts.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;With the onset of World War II, Princess Indira Devi drove motor ambulances during air raids in Britain, where she had moved in her early 20s to become an actor. Originally from the royal family of Kapurthala, Devi had different jobs that included working as a postal censor for a brief period. In 1942, she joined BBC and came to be known as the &lsquo;Radio Princess&rsquo;. She hosted a half-hour programme for South Asian forces who were fighting in locations around the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Devi also broadcast &lt;em&gt;The Debate Continues&lt;/em&gt;, a weekly report for South Asian audiences on the proceedings in the House of Commons. She was the only woman in the Press Gallery and she continued to work for the BBC until 1968.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Noor Inayat Khan&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t140657136200922020707.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;The spy who sacrificed her&amp;nbsp;life in the resistance&amp;nbsp;against Hitler.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Khan didn&rsquo;t join the war &lt;em&gt;for &lt;/em&gt;Britain; she did it because she valued freedom above all. Raised in Paris by an Indian father and an American mother, she escaped to Britain when the city was occupied by the Germans in 1940. On joining the Women&rsquo;s Auxiliary Air Force, she was soon recruited to be the first female radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France. She evaded capture many times, changing her looks, outfits, and routine, and making sure she&amp;nbsp;did not stay in the same place for too long. When Khan&rsquo;s crew was captured, she stayed on and did the work of six men all by herself. Eventually, she was betrayed and captured, and over the next 10 months, she was kept in chains in solitary confinement. Despite repeated torture, she refused to reveal any information. In 1944, Khan was transferred to a concentration camp and executed by gunshot. She was only 30. Her last word was &ldquo;libert&eacute;!&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Jayaben Desai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t140903092200922020916.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Championed the cause of immigrant workers in the UK.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Jayaben Desai worked in a factory in north-west London where the workforce was made up mostly of South Asian women. They were overworked, exploited, and paid little. On Friday, August 20, 1976, Desai reached her breaking point when she was asked to work overtime. She walked out in protest, yelling at one of the managers, &ldquo;What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But, in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips,&amp;nbsp;others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager! I want my freedom!&rdquo; These powerful words marked the start of the historical Grunwick strike, which lasted two years, and was joined by thousands. Even though they were ultimately defeated, the protesters forever changed the way Britain saw immigrant workers and demolished the stereotype of South Asian women as being submissive and passive.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Minnette De Silva&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t141124218200922021133.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;One of the world&rsquo;s most famous female architects.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As a student at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, Minnette de Silva was often spotted wearing one of her colourful saris, followed by a line of young male students carrying her bags and instruments. Now considered one of Sri Lanka&rsquo;s first modernist architects, the Kandy-born de Silva launched herself into London society and was friends with the likes of Pablo Picasso and Jo Davidson. Eventually she became the first South Asian woman to be elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 1948, she moved back&amp;nbsp;to Sri Lanka and was one of only two women in the world at the time to establish an architectural practice in her own name. The Pieris House and the Asoka Amarasinghe House are two of her works that can still be seen in Colombo.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Arati Saha&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t141321292200922021343.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Conquered the English channel against all odds at only 19&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In 1959, Arati Saha became the first Asian woman to successfully swim across the English Channel in 16 hours and 20 minutes. It was not&amp;nbsp;easy to get there. First, she and her team had to raise funds that eventually included a request to the Chief Minister of West Bengal and to then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. In her first attempt, Saha&amp;nbsp;went up against 58 swimmers from 23 different countries (men and women). She had a rough start, which included arriving late to the contest, bad weather, and strong currents. But Saha didn&rsquo;t let that defeat her. She tried again a few months later and was successful. All India Radio announced her achievement to the country.&lt;/p&gt;

Culture

untitled-design-2022-09-20t143659494200922023717

&lt;p&gt;In order to persevere when the going gets tough, the catalyst to continue relentlessly can come in myriad forms. In this case, it comes from the persistent spirit of these inspirational&amp;nbsp;women who carved a place for themselves in history and beyond.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Princess Indira Devi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t140438301200922020459.jpeg' width='600' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;One of the first women to&amp;nbsp;host radio broadcasts.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;With the onset of World War II, Princess Indira Devi drove motor ambulances during air raids in Britain, where she had moved in her early 20s to become an actor. Originally from the royal family of Kapurthala, Devi had different jobs that included working as a postal censor for a brief period. In 1942, she joined BBC and came to be known as the &amp;lsquo;Radio Princess&amp;rsquo;. She hosted a half-hour programme for South Asian forces who were fighting in locations around the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Devi also broadcast &lt;em&gt;The Debate Continues&lt;/em&gt;, a weekly report for South Asian audiences on the proceedings in the House of Commons. She was the only woman in the Press Gallery and she continued to work for the BBC until 1968.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Noor Inayat Khan&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t140657136200922020707.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;The spy who sacrificed her&amp;nbsp;life in the resistance&amp;nbsp;against Hitler.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;Khan didn&amp;rsquo;t join the war &lt;em&gt;for &lt;/em&gt;Britain; she did it because she valued freedom above all. Raised in Paris by an Indian father and an American mother, she escaped to Britain when the city was occupied by the Germans in 1940. On joining the Women&amp;rsquo;s Auxiliary Air Force, she was soon recruited to be the first female radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France. She evaded capture many times, changing her looks, outfits, and routine, and making sure she&amp;nbsp;did not stay in the same place for too long. When Khan&amp;rsquo;s crew was captured, she stayed on and did the work of six men all by herself. Eventually, she was betrayed and captured, and over the next 10 months, she was kept in chains in solitary confinement. Despite repeated torture, she refused to reveal any information. In 1944, Khan was transferred to a concentration camp and executed by gunshot. She was only 30. Her last word was &amp;ldquo;libert&amp;eacute;!&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Jayaben Desai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t140903092200922020916.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Championed the cause of immigrant workers in the UK.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;Jayaben Desai worked in a factory in north-west London where the workforce was made up mostly of South Asian women. They were overworked, exploited, and paid little. On Friday, August 20, 1976, Desai reached her breaking point when she was asked to work overtime. She walked out in protest, yelling at one of the managers, &amp;ldquo;What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But, in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips,&amp;nbsp;others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager! I want my freedom!&amp;rdquo; These powerful words marked the start of the historical Grunwick strike, which lasted two years, and was joined by thousands. Even though they were ultimately defeated, the protesters forever changed the way Britain saw immigrant workers and demolished the stereotype of South Asian women as being submissive and passive.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Minnette De Silva&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t141124218200922021133.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;One of the world&amp;rsquo;s most famous female architects.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;As a student at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, Minnette de Silva was often spotted wearing one of her colourful saris, followed by a line of young male students carrying her bags and instruments. Now considered one of Sri Lanka&amp;rsquo;s first modernist architects, the Kandy-born de Silva launched herself into London society and was friends with the likes of Pablo Picasso and Jo Davidson. Eventually she became the first South Asian woman to be elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 1948, she moved back&amp;nbsp;to Sri Lanka and was one of only two women in the world at the time to establish an architectural practice in her own name. The Pieris House and the Asoka Amarasinghe House are two of her works that can still be seen in Colombo.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Arati Saha&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t141321292200922021343.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Conquered the English channel against all odds at only 19&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p style='margin-bottom:13px'&gt;In 1959, Arati Saha became the first Asian woman to successfully swim across the English Channel in 16 hours and 20 minutes. It was not&amp;nbsp;easy to get there. First, she and her team had to raise funds that eventually included a request to the Chief Minister of West Bengal and to then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. In her first attempt, Saha&amp;nbsp;went up against 58 swimmers from 23 different countries (men and women). She had a rough start, which included arriving late to the contest, bad weather, and strong currents. But Saha didn&amp;rsquo;t let that defeat her. She tried again a few months later and was successful. All India Radio announced her achievement to the country.&lt;/p&gt;

5 firebrand women who've etched their names into our history books

The creator behind the popular Instagram account @brownhistory recounts the achievements of these pathbreaking women. 

untitled-design-2022-09-20t143746230200922023750

&lt;p&gt;There is nothing like an evening of coffee and conversations, and when it is centered around books, does one need anything more? Stir up some invigorating notes with these coffee table books that transcend genres and are likely to spark the most interesting chats.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The World of Ornament&lt;/em&gt; by David Batterham&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153132146190922033143.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The World of Ornament&lt;/em&gt; brings together the greatest design encyclopedias of the 19th century: Auguste Racinet&rsquo;s L&rsquo;Ornement polychrome Volumes I and II (1875&ndash;1888) and Auguste Dupont-Auberville&rsquo;s L&rsquo;Ornement des tissus (1877), into one ultimate sourcebook. Expertly tracing ornament designs in history from classical, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Asian and Middle Eastern, as well as European designs from medieval times through the 19th century, it is filled with rich illustrations and thorough descriptions. Spanning patterns in jewellery, tile, stained glass, illuminated manuscript, textile, and ceramic ornament, this one is a delightful source of inspiration, knowledge and discovery.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Living In Morocco&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;by Barbara &amp;amp; Ren&eacute; Stoeltie&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153407911190922033415.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Living in Morocco&lt;/em&gt; is a beautifully curated collection of eclectic homes across the exotic country. A mystical place that is best known for its alluring souks, these homes are a blissful retreat from the bustling life that surround them. Featuring 500 pages of distinctly Moroccan wonders, one cannot help but fall in love with the lavish gardens, wooden furniture, jade-coloured marble fountains, and tiled, turquoise swimming pools. A fascinating read, it offers a look into the other side of Morocco we never imagined.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Jacques Grange: Recent Work by Pierre Passebon, Photographs&lt;/em&gt; by Fran&ccedil;ois Halard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153530062190922033620.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Jacques Grange: Recent Work&lt;/em&gt; is a homage to the latest works of the legendary Parisian interior designer whose award-winning career spans over 50 years. A true visionary, he has designed the homes of celebrities, collectors, and fashion experts. This volume covers Jacques&rsquo; newest projects; and each of the awe-inspiring design wonders explore his signature style that seamlessly mixes old-world charm with contemporary aesthetics. From a mid-century modern house to a private mansion in Paris, this striking collection truly captivates the imagination.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Louis Vuitton Manufactures&lt;/em&gt; by Nicholas Foulke&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153721903190922033732.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Louis Vuitton Manufactures&lt;/em&gt; is a stately compendium of the luxury fashion house&rsquo;s ateliers across the world. The historic locations are handpicked by the design house not just for their beautiful and inspiring surroundings, but also their regional expertise and artisanal excellence. Comprising 350 pages of a beautiful archival and all-new original photographs, it depicts how these global artisans meticulously handcraft each of their wares, from classic trunks, to fine watches. Dedicated to the craftsmen and ateliers, this chic addition to the coffee table will not ever go out of style.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Built To Inspire: Contemporary Homes by The World&rsquo;s Great Architects&lt;/em&gt; by Philip Jodidio&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153814866190922033821.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Built to Inspire&lt;/em&gt; by renowned architectural writer Philip Jodidio showcases the top 26 most innovative residential homes across the world. Designed by the greatest, from Zaha Hadid to Selldorf Architects, these stunning contemporary homes have been mindfully built to incorporate sustainability, landscape, and the environment. Philip delves deep into the relationship between the architecture and the intentions of the design for those who live there.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Images courtesy of respective publishers&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Note: This article first appeared in&amp;nbsp;Harper&rsquo;s Bazaar Interiors Summer 2022 issue.&lt;/p&gt;

untitled-design-2022-09-19t154450862190922034501

&lt;p&gt;There is nothing like an evening of coffee and conversations, and when it is centered around books, does one need anything more? Stir up some invigorating notes with these coffee table books that transcend genres and are likely to spark the most interesting chats.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The World of Ornament&lt;/em&gt; by David Batterham&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153132146190922033143.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The World of Ornament&lt;/em&gt; brings together the greatest design encyclopedias of the 19th century: Auguste Racinet&amp;rsquo;s L&amp;rsquo;Ornement polychrome Volumes I and II (1875&amp;ndash;1888) and Auguste Dupont-Auberville&amp;rsquo;s L&amp;rsquo;Ornement des tissus (1877), into one ultimate sourcebook. Expertly tracing ornament designs in history from classical, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Asian and Middle Eastern, as well as European designs from medieval times through the 19th century, it is filled with rich illustrations and thorough descriptions. Spanning patterns in jewellery, tile, stained glass, illuminated manuscript, textile, and ceramic ornament, this one is a delightful source of inspiration, knowledge and discovery.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Living In Morocco&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;by Barbara &amp;amp; Ren&amp;eacute; Stoeltie&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153407911190922033415.jpeg' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Living in Morocco&lt;/em&gt; is a beautifully curated collection of eclectic homes across the exotic country. A mystical place that is best known for its alluring souks, these homes are a blissful retreat from the bustling life that surround them. Featuring 500 pages of distinctly Moroccan wonders, one cannot help but fall in love with the lavish gardens, wooden furniture, jade-coloured marble fountains, and tiled, turquoise swimming pools. A fascinating read, it offers a look into the other side of Morocco we never imagined.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Jacques Grange: Recent Work by Pierre Passebon, Photographs&lt;/em&gt; by Fran&amp;ccedil;ois Halard&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153530062190922033620.jpeg' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Jacques Grange: Recent Work&lt;/em&gt; is a homage to the latest works of the legendary Parisian interior designer whose award-winning career spans over 50 years. A true visionary, he has designed the homes of celebrities, collectors, and fashion experts. This volume covers Jacques&amp;rsquo; newest projects; and each of the awe-inspiring design wonders explore his signature style that seamlessly mixes old-world charm with contemporary aesthetics. From a mid-century modern house to a private mansion in Paris, this striking collection truly captivates the imagination.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Louis Vuitton Manufactures&lt;/em&gt; by Nicholas Foulke&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153721903190922033732.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Louis Vuitton Manufactures&lt;/em&gt; is a stately compendium of the luxury fashion house&amp;rsquo;s ateliers across the world. The historic locations are handpicked by the design house not just for their beautiful and inspiring surroundings, but also their regional expertise and artisanal excellence. Comprising 350 pages of a beautiful archival and all-new original photographs, it depicts how these global artisans meticulously handcraft each of their wares, from classic trunks, to fine watches. Dedicated to the craftsmen and ateliers, this chic addition to the coffee table will not ever go out of style.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Built To Inspire: Contemporary Homes by The World&amp;rsquo;s Great Architects&lt;/em&gt; by Philip Jodidio&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-19t153814866190922033821.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Built to Inspire&lt;/em&gt; by renowned architectural writer Philip Jodidio showcases the top 26 most innovative residential homes across the world. Designed by the greatest, from Zaha Hadid to Selldorf Architects, these stunning contemporary homes have been mindfully built to incorporate sustainability, landscape, and the environment. Philip delves deep into the relationship between the architecture and the intentions of the design for those who live there.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Images courtesy of respective publishers&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Note: This article first appeared in&amp;nbsp;Harper&amp;rsquo;s Bazaar Interiors Summer 2022 issue.&lt;/p&gt;

In pursuit of tomes: 5 books that need to be on your coffee table

Flip through these five aesthetically pleasing books for ever growing design inspiration.

untitled-design-2022-09-19t154551087190922034558

&lt;p&gt;Three artists embrace the delight of nature, turning it into works of art... In doing so, they share the poignant message that life is a beautiful garden that blooms in all circumstances, at all times.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shibani Mitra - visual artist, Puducherry&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t124352087200922124359.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;When I was a child, I hated flowers, and especially disliked the colour pink. In fact, I hated being a girl! But as I outgrew my tomboy phase and widened my understanding of femininity and feminism,&amp;nbsp;I realised that liking things that women are associated with doesn&rsquo;t make me weak.... In fact, it was internalised misogyny. So, I opened up to flowers and included them in my art. I was surprised to see what an agent of communication they were. Flowers gave me the ability&amp;nbsp;to say something strong with such gentleness. The first time I created art with flowers was for my mother.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;She came from a village called Sorag in Uttarakhand where menstruating women were not allowed to enter the house. They stayed in the cow shed and weren&rsquo;t allowed to touch anyone during that time. So I used flowers on my body to speak about the ignorance around menstruation in our country. For this image, I wanted to convey a sense of joy... it is something&amp;nbsp;I tend to feel once the moment has passed. I&rsquo;ve observed that the more&amp;nbsp;I scrutinise the emotion at&amp;nbsp;the moment, the more it becomes a performance. But when happiness enters through the tiny moments of life, when I don&rsquo;t even know I&rsquo;m experiencing it&mdash;like when I&rsquo;m drinking tea with my mother or making the bed in the morning with my lover&mdash;it embraces me like a breeze and leaves me spellbound.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Caroline Joseph - photographer and stylist, Kochi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t124459638200922124509.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;Flowers remind me of my childhood, of my grandmother collecting fresh flowers and arranging them around the house. To me, they signify the blooming of life, a celebration of sorts because they blossom in all circumstances. I began creating self-portraits with flowers during the lockdowns... Mama Earth had shut us out for a good couple of months, and I heard her wake-up call. I try to make sure that she knows I care. Over time, my experiments grew into a personal project with the beautiful flora I found at my grandmother&rsquo;s home and wild shrubs growing on the side-path outside my house. I think the most beautiful things in life are the ones we don&rsquo;t see; the ones we don&rsquo;t take the time out for. This project changed exactly that. I started to notice art in the everyday... I find joy in the little things and embrace them with my being.&rdquo;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Poonam Bisht&amp;nbsp;- illustrator and animator, Delhi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t124542053200922124548.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;For me, flowers represent the circle of life, strength, and resilience... They leave a trail of fragrance and beauty even after being plucked, and they try to survive in the most unfavorable of environments. The first time I created art with flowers was during the first lockdown when the situation was so helpless... The resilience of flowers inspired me to keep myself going through the difficult and uncertain times. Spring came and went, but as much as I wanted to, I could not go out in nature like I used to before the lockdown. So, I used the flowers growing in my own garden to feel closer to nature. I strongly believe in self-love and the wonders it can do for you. When I use flowers on my face and in my hair, it makes me feel one with nature. Like the flowers, I feel like I&rsquo;m blooming too. Flowers have changed the way I see myself and my own beauty. They give me hope.&rdquo;&lt;br&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

flower-story-insta120422015339

&lt;p&gt;Three artists embrace the delight of nature, turning it into works of art... In doing so, they share the poignant message that life is a beautiful garden that blooms in all circumstances, at all times.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shibani Mitra - visual artist, Puducherry&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t124352087200922124359.jpeg' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;When I was a child, I hated flowers, and especially disliked the colour pink. In fact, I hated being a girl! But as I outgrew my tomboy phase and widened my understanding of femininity and feminism,&amp;nbsp;I realised that liking things that women are associated with doesn&amp;rsquo;t make me weak.... In fact, it was internalised misogyny. So, I opened up to flowers and included them in my art. I was surprised to see what an agent of communication they were. Flowers gave me the ability&amp;nbsp;to say something strong with such gentleness. The first time I created art with flowers was for my mother.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;She came from a village called Sorag in Uttarakhand where menstruating women were not allowed to enter the house. They stayed in the cow shed and weren&amp;rsquo;t allowed to touch anyone during that time. So I used flowers on my body to speak about the ignorance around menstruation in our country. For this image, I wanted to convey a sense of joy... it is something&amp;nbsp;I tend to feel once the moment has passed. I&amp;rsquo;ve observed that the more&amp;nbsp;I scrutinise the emotion at&amp;nbsp;the moment, the more it becomes a performance. But when happiness enters through the tiny moments of life, when I don&amp;rsquo;t even know I&amp;rsquo;m experiencing it&amp;mdash;like when I&amp;rsquo;m drinking tea with my mother or making the bed in the morning with my lover&amp;mdash;it embraces me like a breeze and leaves me spellbound.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Caroline Joseph - photographer and stylist, Kochi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t124459638200922124509.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Flowers remind me of my childhood, of my grandmother collecting fresh flowers and arranging them around the house. To me, they signify the blooming of life, a celebration of sorts because they blossom in all circumstances. I began creating self-portraits with flowers during the lockdowns... Mama Earth had shut us out for a good couple of months, and I heard her wake-up call. I try to make sure that she knows I care. Over time, my experiments grew into a personal project with the beautiful flora I found at my grandmother&amp;rsquo;s home and wild shrubs growing on the side-path outside my house. I think the most beautiful things in life are the ones we don&amp;rsquo;t see; the ones we don&amp;rsquo;t take the time out for. This project changed exactly that. I started to notice art in the everyday... I find joy in the little things and embrace them with my being.&amp;rdquo;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Poonam Bisht&amp;nbsp;- illustrator and animator, Delhi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-20t124542053200922124548.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;For me, flowers represent the circle of life, strength, and resilience... They leave a trail of fragrance and beauty even after being plucked, and they try to survive in the most unfavorable of environments. The first time I created art with flowers was during the first lockdown when the situation was so helpless... The resilience of flowers inspired me to keep myself going through the difficult and uncertain times. Spring came and went, but as much as I wanted to, I could not go out in nature like I used to before the lockdown. So, I used the flowers growing in my own garden to feel closer to nature. I strongly believe in self-love and the wonders it can do for you. When I use flowers on my face and in my hair, it makes me feel one with nature. Like the flowers, I feel like I&amp;rsquo;m blooming too. Flowers have changed the way I see myself and my own beauty. They give me hope.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Embracing nature through art and blossoming from it

This talented young trio are making waves through their creativity by turning nature into their muse

flower-story-insta-2120422015354

flower-story-insta-1120422015318

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Everything Everywhere All At Once&lt;/em&gt; lives up to its name. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and co-produced by the famous Russo Brothers, this absurdist science fiction comedy-drama is a multiverse of madness that will leave you asking for more. Originally written keeping Jackie Chan in mind, the lead role was later reworked and offered to Michelle Yeoh. With the world abuzz about this visual extravaganza, here&rsquo;s why this film is hands down one of the best to have come out this year.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside500x500190922073040.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A stellar cast&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The film revolves around the Chinese-American immigrant Wang family where Evelyn Quan Wang (Yeoh) struggles to run a laundromat that is being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax fraud. On the other hand, her mild-mannered husband, Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), is trying to serve her with divorce papers. Evelyn's queer daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) is trying hard to make her mother accept her white girlfriend Becky in front of her strict traditionalist maternal grandfather Gong Gong (James Hong), who has just arrived from Hong Kong&mdash;yes, it&rsquo;s a fractured family just waiting to combust.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Yeoh, known for heavyweight films like &lt;em&gt;Tomorrow Never Dies&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon&lt;/em&gt;, gives the performance of her career with &lt;em&gt;Everything Everywhere All At Once&lt;/em&gt;. At 60, her pitch perfect action sequences make your jaw drop. Ably supporting her is the brilliant &lt;em&gt;Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom&lt;/em&gt; star Quan, who makes a smooth comeback to Hollywood after almost two decades. From the meek husband, to Alphaverse&rsquo;s Alpha Waymond (athletic and agile), to the successful and suave businessman, he plays all three versions in three universes with equal elan. Jamie Lee Curtis comes all guns blazing and is part scary and part lovable in her different portrayals of the no-nonsense audit inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre in one universe and Evelyn's lover in another. But the surprise package is Hsu, who makes you laugh, cry and be petrified, all at once.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside-3190922073112.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It makes room for quiet introspection&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While &lsquo;verse jumping&rsquo; (moving from one alternate universe to another), Evelyn comes across various versions of herself in different universes&mdash;from being a successful kung fu master turned movie star in Hong Kong who looks straight out of a neon-lit Wong-kar Wai film, to a universe where humans have hot dogs for fingers, to where she works as a chef in a Japanese restaurant, to another where she is a successful singer, she packs in a punch. The film compels you to think of many possible scenarios and deeply introspect about your own life&mdash;what would your life be had you not married your husband? If you would have taken that other job instead of this one? Had you moved to a different country post college? Are you glad you made the decisions that led you to where you are today?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside-4190922073139.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nihilism vs existentialism&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
From the meaninglessness of life, to the existential crisis which we all suffer from, the film touches upon it all. It explores the concept of nihilism, where a person rejects all religion and&amp;nbsp;moral principles and believes that life itself is meaningless. The main antagonist of the film, Jobu Tupaki, creates a black hole-like &lsquo;everything bagel&rsquo; that puts the existence of the multiverse at risk. However, she later reveals that&amp;nbsp;the all encompassing bagel was created to destroy herself, and not the multiverse, since she believes that nothing truly matters and simply no longer wishes to exist.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The &lsquo;googly eyes&rsquo; throughout the film serves the direct opposite purpose of the &lsquo;everything bagel&rsquo;. Instead of a circle with nothing to fill, it&rsquo;s a circle with a black dot that jiggles around, thereby touching upon the concept of existentialism. To put it simply, the black circle has nothing that &lsquo;fills them&rsquo; which is a metaphor for nihilism, whereas the googly eyes have something that &lsquo;fills themselves&rsquo;, a metaphor for existentialism.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside-2190922073226.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Family comes first&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you keep all the absurdity and the action sequences aside, at the core of it, this is a family saga that touches upon important relationships like those between a mother-daughter, a husband-wife and a father-daughter. Special mention to the existential conversation between two rocks (Yeoh and Hsu) at a cliff where their thoughts appear as written texts. &ldquo;Nothing really matters. We&rsquo;re all crap anyway,&rdquo; says Joy to her mother Evelyn as they sit on the cliff as two big rocks.&amp;nbsp;It&rsquo;s funny yet emotional. Also, ironical, because hey, rocks don&rsquo;t have emotions. The film has many such sub-plots that evoke a range of emotions out of you&mdash;from sheer shock, to hysterical laughter. And mind you, none of these sub-plots are there just for the heck of it.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The relationship between Evelyn and her daughter Joy has been portrayed with utmost honesty&mdash;the struggles of accepting a lesbian daughter as an Asian mother, to the difficulties of accepting that your daughter has dropped out of college&mdash;it&rsquo;s all too real. The scene where Evelyn tries to convince Joy to stay and not walk inside the bagel can be perceived as a person trying to stop a suicidal person to not commit the act and live instead. It also delves into mending fractured relationships of Evelyn with her husband as well as her father. Do they succeed? Watch the film.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside190922073258.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Breathtaking special effects&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Everything Everywhere All At Once&lt;/em&gt; is an excellent example for film school students on the lengths the marvels of filmmaking can reach if you free your minds from the shackles of classic storytelling. With bizarre and mind-boggling visuals that will make you feel like you&rsquo;re literally on a rollercoaster ride with super fast editing, jumping from one wondrous universe to the other with wide-eyed childlike wonderment, nothing seems impossible in this multiverse of madness. The fact that there&rsquo;s heart and soul in this bizarreness is what sets this film apart. Fun fact: Only a five-person team worked on the visual-effects for this film and they learned&amp;nbsp;it from free tutorials on YouTube. Crazy, right?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There are also multiple references to other famous films like &lt;em&gt;The Matrix&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Ratatouille&lt;/em&gt;,&lt;em&gt; 2001: A Space Odyssey&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;In The Mood For Love&lt;/em&gt;. We are certain you will fall in love with this film which must be experienced in all its entirety. From outlandish costumes and make-up, to a universe where a teppanyaki chef is puppeteered by a raccoon, to men sticking objects up their butt to jump universes&mdash;everything is possible here!&lt;/p&gt;

feature-1200x675190922052634

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Everything Everywhere All At Once&lt;/em&gt; lives up to its name. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and co-produced by the famous Russo Brothers, this absurdist science fiction comedy-drama is a multiverse of madness that will leave you asking for more. Originally written keeping Jackie Chan in mind, the lead role was later reworked and offered to Michelle Yeoh. With the world abuzz about this visual extravaganza, here&amp;rsquo;s why this film is hands down one of the best to have come out this year.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside500x500190922073040.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A stellar cast&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The film revolves around the Chinese-American immigrant Wang family where Evelyn Quan Wang (Yeoh) struggles to run a laundromat that is being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax fraud. On the other hand, her mild-mannered husband, Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), is trying to serve her with divorce papers. Evelyn&amp;#39;s queer daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) is trying hard to make her mother accept her white girlfriend Becky in front of her strict traditionalist maternal grandfather Gong Gong (James Hong), who has just arrived from Hong Kong&amp;mdash;yes, it&amp;rsquo;s a fractured family just waiting to combust.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Yeoh, known for heavyweight films like &lt;em&gt;Tomorrow Never Dies&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon&lt;/em&gt;, gives the performance of her career with &lt;em&gt;Everything Everywhere All At Once&lt;/em&gt;. At 60, her pitch perfect action sequences make your jaw drop. Ably supporting her is the brilliant &lt;em&gt;Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom&lt;/em&gt; star Quan, who makes a smooth comeback to Hollywood after almost two decades. From the meek husband, to Alphaverse&amp;rsquo;s Alpha Waymond (athletic and agile), to the successful and suave businessman, he plays all three versions in three universes with equal elan. Jamie Lee Curtis comes all guns blazing and is part scary and part lovable in her different portrayals of the no-nonsense audit inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre in one universe and Evelyn&amp;#39;s lover in another. But the surprise package is Hsu, who makes you laugh, cry and be petrified, all at once.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside-3190922073112.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It makes room for quiet introspection&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While &amp;lsquo;verse jumping&amp;rsquo; (moving from one alternate universe to another), Evelyn comes across various versions of herself in different universes&amp;mdash;from being a successful kung fu master turned movie star in Hong Kong who looks straight out of a neon-lit Wong-kar Wai film, to a universe where humans have hot dogs for fingers, to where she works as a chef in a Japanese restaurant, to another where she is a successful singer, she packs in a punch. The film compels you to think of many possible scenarios and deeply introspect about your own life&amp;mdash;what would your life be had you not married your husband? If you would have taken that other job instead of this one? Had you moved to a different country post college? Are you glad you made the decisions that led you to where you are today?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside-4190922073139.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nihilism vs existentialism&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
From the meaninglessness of life, to the existential crisis which we all suffer from, the film touches upon it all. It explores the concept of nihilism, where a person rejects all religion and&amp;nbsp;moral principles and believes that life itself is meaningless. The main antagonist of the film, Jobu Tupaki, creates a black hole-like &amp;lsquo;everything bagel&amp;rsquo; that puts the existence of the multiverse at risk. However, she later reveals that&amp;nbsp;the all encompassing bagel was created to destroy herself, and not the multiverse, since she believes that nothing truly matters and simply no longer wishes to exist.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The &amp;lsquo;googly eyes&amp;rsquo; throughout the film serves the direct opposite purpose of the &amp;lsquo;everything bagel&amp;rsquo;. Instead of a circle with nothing to fill, it&amp;rsquo;s a circle with a black dot that jiggles around, thereby touching upon the concept of existentialism. To put it simply, the black circle has nothing that &amp;lsquo;fills them&amp;rsquo; which is a metaphor for nihilism, whereas the googly eyes have something that &amp;lsquo;fills themselves&amp;rsquo;, a metaphor for existentialism.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside-2190922073226.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Family comes first&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you keep all the absurdity and the action sequences aside, at the core of it, this is a family saga that touches upon important relationships like those between a mother-daughter, a husband-wife and a father-daughter. Special mention to the existential conversation between two rocks (Yeoh and Hsu) at a cliff where their thoughts appear as written texts. &amp;ldquo;Nothing really matters. We&amp;rsquo;re all crap anyway,&amp;rdquo; says Joy to her mother Evelyn as they sit on the cliff as two big rocks.&amp;nbsp;It&amp;rsquo;s funny yet emotional. Also, ironical, because hey, rocks don&amp;rsquo;t have emotions. The film has many such sub-plots that evoke a range of emotions out of you&amp;mdash;from sheer shock, to hysterical laughter. And mind you, none of these sub-plots are there just for the heck of it.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The relationship between Evelyn and her daughter Joy has been portrayed with utmost honesty&amp;mdash;the struggles of accepting a lesbian daughter as an Asian mother, to the difficulties of accepting that your daughter has dropped out of college&amp;mdash;it&amp;rsquo;s all too real. The scene where Evelyn tries to convince Joy to stay and not walk inside the bagel can be perceived as a person trying to stop a suicidal person to not commit the act and live instead. It also delves into mending fractured relationships of Evelyn with her husband as well as her father. Do they succeed? Watch the film.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/inside190922073258.jpeg' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Breathtaking special effects&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Everything Everywhere All At Once&lt;/em&gt; is an excellent example for film school students on the lengths the marvels of filmmaking can reach if you free your minds from the shackles of classic storytelling. With bizarre and mind-boggling visuals that will make you feel like you&amp;rsquo;re literally on a rollercoaster ride with super fast editing, jumping from one wondrous universe to the other with wide-eyed childlike wonderment, nothing seems impossible in this multiverse of madness. The fact that there&amp;rsquo;s heart and soul in this bizarreness is what sets this film apart. Fun fact: Only a five-person team worked on the visual-effects for this film and they learned&amp;nbsp;it from free tutorials on YouTube. Crazy, right?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There are also multiple references to other famous films like &lt;em&gt;The Matrix&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Ratatouille&lt;/em&gt;,&lt;em&gt; 2001: A Space Odyssey&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;In The Mood For Love&lt;/em&gt;. We are certain you will fall in love with this film which must be experienced in all its entirety. From outlandish costumes and make-up, to a universe where a teppanyaki chef is puppeteered by a raccoon, to men sticking objects up their butt to jump universes&amp;mdash;everything is possible here!&lt;/p&gt;

Spoiler Alert: 5 Reasons why 'Everything Everywhere All At Once’ may be the best film of 2022, so far

Get ready for a cinematic collision of metaphors and multiverse in this must-watch masterpiece

square-1200x1200-1190922053137

&lt;p&gt;Currently one of the top-ranked social networking apps on the app store, BeReal is the antidote to when social media can get just a bit too excessive. &ldquo;Your friends for real,&rdquo; the slogan makes it a unique way to uncover who your friends are in their daily life.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Founded in 2020 by Alexis Barreyat, BeReal soared with a whopping 315% increase in users by January 2022. But what&rsquo;s all the hype about? Bazaar&amp;nbsp;breaks it down for you&hellip;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is BeReal and how do you use it?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The latest buzz to capture the internet&rsquo;s attention is a photo-sharing app that was developed with the hope of bringing authenticity back into social media selfies.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;BeReal prompts users to take raw, unfiltered pictures of themselves and their surroundings to give friends a glimpse into the happenings of their life at a specific moment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This candid, very anytime, anywhere app will give you a notification at any unpredictable time of the day, and you have to follow up with an almost instantaneous post. The air of surprise is the hidden motive behind BeReal&rsquo;s purpose of originality. If you don&rsquo;t complete this daily challenge, you will be penalised in a way where you won&rsquo;t have access to what your friends are doing.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/bereal-inside190922123352.png&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; width=&quot;650&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot; heights=&quot;(min-width:500px) 200px, 80%&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Photo: App store&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One of the major gripes of other social media platforms is that they allow users to maniacally edit their pictures before posting; this one is like a needle in a haystack where you have exactly two minutes to give your hair a quick fix, and smile wide for the camera, devoid of any manipulation. You can however take plenty of retakes, although&amp;nbsp;fellow BeRealer&rsquo;s&amp;nbsp;will be notified.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;A breath of fresh air; you can showcase your life for exactly how it is sans the sugar-coat. React on posts with Realmojis that capture your facial expression instead of traditional emojis used on every other social media platform. Explore what people from all over the world are doing with the discovery tab. The profile page holds a calendar with memories, a fond way of reminiscing moments from the past.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;So&hellip;how do you download BeReal?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
BeReal is available on both the iOS and Android app store. In this technological world helmed by social media giants like Snapchat and Instagram, new start-ups like BeReal try to tap into this otherwise monopolized market. Still, the question stands do they really have the prowess to capture the audience&rsquo;s attention over time?&lt;br&gt;
Only time will tell.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Note: This article originally appeared on Harper's Bazaar Arabia.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Lead image: Leonie Hanne/Instagram&lt;/p&gt;

bereal-feature190922123237

&lt;p&gt;Currently one of the top-ranked social networking apps on the app store, BeReal is the antidote to when social media can get just a bit too excessive. &amp;ldquo;Your friends for real,&amp;rdquo; the slogan makes it a unique way to uncover who your friends are in their daily life.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Founded in 2020 by Alexis Barreyat, BeReal soared with a whopping 315% increase in users by January 2022. But what&amp;rsquo;s all the hype about? Bazaar&amp;nbsp;breaks it down for you&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is BeReal and how do you use it?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The latest buzz to capture the internet&amp;rsquo;s attention is a photo-sharing app that was developed with the hope of bringing authenticity back into social media selfies.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;BeReal prompts users to take raw, unfiltered pictures of themselves and their surroundings to give friends a glimpse into the happenings of their life at a specific moment.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This candid, very anytime, anywhere app will give you a notification at any unpredictable time of the day, and you have to follow up with an almost instantaneous post. The air of surprise is the hidden motive behind BeReal&amp;rsquo;s purpose of originality. If you don&amp;rsquo;t complete this daily challenge, you will be penalised in a way where you won&amp;rsquo;t have access to what your friends are doing.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/bereal-inside190922123352.png' width='331' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;Photo: App store&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One of the major gripes of other social media platforms is that they allow users to maniacally edit their pictures before posting; this one is like a needle in a haystack where you have exactly two minutes to give your hair a quick fix, and smile wide for the camera, devoid of any manipulation. You can however take plenty of retakes, although&amp;nbsp;fellow BeRealer&amp;rsquo;s&amp;nbsp;will be notified.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;A breath of fresh air; you can showcase your life for exactly how it is sans the sugar-coat. React on posts with Realmojis that capture your facial expression instead of traditional emojis used on every other social media platform. Explore what people from all over the world are doing with the discovery tab. The profile page holds a calendar with memories, a fond way of reminiscing moments from the past.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;So&amp;hellip;how do you download BeReal?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
BeReal is available on both the iOS and Android app store. In this technological world helmed by social media giants like Snapchat and Instagram, new start-ups like BeReal try to tap into this otherwise monopolized market. Still, the question stands do they really have the prowess to capture the audience&amp;rsquo;s attention over time?&lt;br /&gt;
Only time will tell.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Note: This article originally appeared on Harper&amp;#39;s Bazaar Arabia.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Lead image: Leonie Hanne/Instagram&lt;/p&gt;

A Gen Z’s guide to 'BeReal': What is it and how do you use it?

Despite living in Zuckerberg's world, BeReal is a social media application that skyrocketed from the ashes, and is here to stay.

bereal-sq190922123237

&lt;p&gt;When we say yoga, &lsquo;destructive plastics&rsquo; is probably the last thing that comes to mind. But the truth is, your mindful practice may be harming your body as well as the planet. Regular yoga mats are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contains dangerous chemical additives that can pose health risks in the long run, especially for children. In addition, PVC production is infamous for polluting the air and water with harmful chemicals. All in all, it is one of the most environmentally-damaging plastics.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Luckily, ethical homegrown brands are introducing a more conscientious way of practising your asanas with eco-friendly alternatives. From natural rubber to jute substitutes, Bazaar India presents a selection of the best sustainable yoga mats to choose from.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sahasrara hemp yoga mat by Shakti Warrior&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t165108327120922045110.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: shakti__warrior/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Started by a Delhi-based mother-daughter duo in 2017, this eco-conscious brand offers a range of biodegradable activewear and yoga accessories. Among them is a 100% eco-friendly Sahasrara hemp yoga mat that&rsquo;s made with plant-based and vegan products. Its hemp padding offers you the optimal grip needed to perform advanced poses and cushions your joints through floor-based movements.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 4,900&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Divine Lotus mat by Yoga Essentials&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t165446267120922045513.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: yogaessentialsindia/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This biodegradable mat is designed to be gentle on your skin. It features an inspiring design, an all-natural tree rubber base, and a complimentary strap. This odourless, toxin-free yoga mat is also washable, making it far more hygienic than PVC mats.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 3,749&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bengal mat by Proyog&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t165956906120922050000.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: proyog/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Started by four Bengaluru-based yoga practitioners, this award-winning homegrown brand is on a mission to save yoga from plastic. Their non-slip Bengal mat is made from unadulterated natural rubber and jute, which gives it a great grip&amp;nbsp;and makes it more durable than regular yoga mats. It is chemical-free, toxin-free, and recyclable to the boot.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 4,499&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dharini Water Hyacinth yoga mat by Okhai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t170451069120922050530.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: okhai_org / Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Handcrafted by artisans from remote corners of the country, this sustainable yoga mat is made from water hyacinth, which is an aquatic plant often used to make textiles and basket weaves. It is designed with side borders and a soft weave which&amp;nbsp;ensures you have a non-slip grip, even while performing the most dynamic movements.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 2,150&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Digvijaya mat by Dvaar&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t170844183120922050842.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: dvaar.orgg/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Handwoven by local craftsmen, the Digvijaya mat is a unique blend of banana fibre, cotton, and natural rubber. Banana stems are usually discarded after they have borne fruit. At Dvaar, this waste residue is turned into a sustainable yoga mat by weaving banana fibre with cotton. The hand-washable mat also features a rubberised back for a powerful grip.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 3,050&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Masu Tattva mat by Masu Sustainable Living&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t171213642120922051216.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: masusustainableliving/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Made from natural jute and lined with cotton borders and a base, this earthy yoga mat offers superior cushioning and a firm grip. Unlike PVC mats, this jute mat has antibacterial properties&amp;nbsp;which prevent sweat and germ build-up over time.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 1,699&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cork yoga mat by Kaashi Wellness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t171828990120922051838.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;350&quot; height=&quot;350&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: kaashiwellness/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Kaashi Wellness, founded by Neha Ahuja, works with yogis and artisans from the National Association for the Blind to design natural and sustainable yoga products. Their cork yoga mat is made from natural cork which comes from the outer bark of oak trees, and rubber. The antimicrobial surface is sweat-absorbing, anti-skid, and easy on the joints.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 4,299&lt;br&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

untitled-design-2022-09-19t112359136190922112634

&lt;p&gt;When we say yoga, &amp;lsquo;destructive plastics&amp;rsquo; is probably the last thing that comes to mind. But the truth is, your mindful practice may be harming your body as well as the planet. Regular yoga mats are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contains dangerous chemical additives that can pose health risks in the long run, especially for children. In addition, PVC production is infamous for polluting the air and water with harmful chemicals. All in all, it is one of the most environmentally-damaging plastics.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Luckily, ethical homegrown brands are introducing a more conscientious way of practising your asanas with eco-friendly alternatives. From natural rubber to jute substitutes, Bazaar India presents a selection of the best sustainable yoga mats to choose from.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sahasrara hemp yoga mat by Shakti Warrior&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t165108327120922045110.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: shakti__warrior/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Started by a Delhi-based mother-daughter duo in 2017, this eco-conscious brand offers a range of biodegradable activewear and yoga accessories. Among them is a 100% eco-friendly Sahasrara hemp yoga mat that&amp;rsquo;s made with plant-based and vegan products. Its hemp padding offers you the optimal grip needed to perform advanced poses and cushions your joints through floor-based movements.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 4,900&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Divine Lotus mat by Yoga Essentials&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t165446267120922045513.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: yogaessentialsindia/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This biodegradable mat is designed to be gentle on your skin. It features an inspiring design, an all-natural tree rubber base, and a complimentary strap. This odourless, toxin-free yoga mat is also washable, making it far more hygienic than PVC mats.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 3,749&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bengal mat by Proyog&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t165956906120922050000.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: proyog/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Started by four Bengaluru-based yoga practitioners, this award-winning homegrown brand is on a mission to save yoga from plastic. Their non-slip Bengal mat is made from unadulterated natural rubber and jute, which gives it a great grip&amp;nbsp;and makes it more durable than regular yoga mats. It is chemical-free, toxin-free, and recyclable to the boot.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 4,499&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dharini Water Hyacinth yoga mat by Okhai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t170451069120922050530.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: okhai_org / Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Handcrafted by artisans from remote corners of the country, this sustainable yoga mat is made from water hyacinth, which is an aquatic plant often used to make textiles and basket weaves. It is designed with side borders and a soft weave which&amp;nbsp;ensures you have a non-slip grip, even while performing the most dynamic movements.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 2,150&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Digvijaya mat by Dvaar&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t170844183120922050842.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: dvaar.orgg/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Handwoven by local craftsmen, the Digvijaya mat is a unique blend of banana fibre, cotton, and natural rubber. Banana stems are usually discarded after they have borne fruit. At Dvaar, this waste residue is turned into a sustainable yoga mat by weaving banana fibre with cotton. The hand-washable mat also features a rubberised back for a powerful grip.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 3,050&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Masu Tattva mat by Masu Sustainable Living&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t171213642120922051216.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: masusustainableliving/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Made from natural jute and lined with cotton borders and a base, this earthy yoga mat offers superior cushioning and a firm grip. Unlike PVC mats, this jute mat has antibacterial properties&amp;nbsp;which prevent sweat and germ build-up over time.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 1,699&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cork yoga mat by Kaashi Wellness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-12t171828990120922051838.jpeg' width='350' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;image: kaashiwellness/Instagram&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Kaashi Wellness, founded by Neha Ahuja, works with yogis and artisans from the National Association for the Blind to design natural and sustainable yoga products. Their cork yoga mat is made from natural cork which comes from the outer bark of oak trees, and rubber. The antimicrobial surface is sweat-absorbing, anti-skid, and easy on the joints.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;INR 4,299&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

7 sustainable yoga mats made for the eco-warrior in you

Try these biodegradable and non-toxic yoga mats for a fitter, cleaner conscience.

untitled-design-2022-09-12t180031144120922060043

&lt;p&gt;At a time when we see the sights through our phone cameras and we constantly run out of space on our phones thanks to our galleries, picking one photograph may be tough. But then&amp;nbsp;there are those that catch our eyes and hearts, and become repositories of the best stories.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Victoria Krundysheva, Mumbai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;The idea of achieving goals as a collective is what brings me joy. For me, happiness is intrinsically linked to two aspects&mdash;connection with oneself and the environment around you. I think this picture, which I had photographed in Goa, is a fitting representation of these pillars&mdash;it expresses the space and freedom to be yourself and embrace who you are. When you arrive at that feeling, you blossom like a flower. And as you get to know yourself better, you connect with others. Thankfully, the work I do acts as a medium to connect with myself and those around me. This photograph was captured with an incredible team that shared an aligned vision and the excitement to depict the idea of joy. We decided on Goa as the location because the energy of the place resonated so effortlessly with our theme. However, the weather gods were not on our side that day: rather than sunshine, there were unexpected rain showers throughout. But while we were shooting, things began to work out even more in our&amp;nbsp;favour... The final images manifested what we had intended to do, so beautifully. And this image was taken at the peak of our joy on that special day.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hanifa Haris-Taucher, New York&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174414851150922054424.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;This image evokes in me the joy of Muslim sisterhood. These are two of my friends, who are among the strongest women I know, and I photographed this image in a state park in New York. The women you see here are content, excited, and enjoying their lives. Growing up in post 9/11 New York, many Muslim women in the west were exoticised and sexualised...but in the same breath, othered and deemed oppressed. Coming of age and experiencing this paradox, I needed to create a safe space for myself and the women around me. I found this through my creative process, where my art wasn&rsquo;t touched by a foreign gaze, where we simply are who we are, existing majestically in our own light. Happiness, to me, is a myriad of emotions... It can be feeling content, excited, nostalgic, joyous, or ecstatic. When I think about it, I am reminded of the lyrics of a Punjabi song which translates to, &lsquo;Through life, I carry the burden of my hardships, but that doesn&rsquo;t stop me from finding joy.&rsquo; I often think about how happiness hasn&rsquo;t always been a primary concern for me, but I realise that it really is essential to living a fulfilled life. Today, happiness, for me, has become a practice of gratitude... It is rooted in service to those I love&mdash;my friends and family, but most importantly, humanity.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Jacky Nayak, New Delhi&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174507354150922054518.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;I captured this photograph last February, in Joranda, Odisha. I had attended an annual ritual festival of the Mahima Dharma community, who believe in one, formless God. On my way back, I saw a child monk seeking the blessings of the Sun. I was eager to capture this special moment, which was draped in the last rays of the day. To me, this symbolised the powerful relationship between the young boy and the celestial body; a serene yet joyful moment that embodies happiness for me. Which, ultimately, explains the very concept of happiness itself... It is the state of being free and finding joy in every moment of life. Happiness lies in the moments where I can just let go and enjoy the present for what it is&mdash;nothing more, nothing less. It is the greatest expression of freedom.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dhruvin, Mumbai&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174552730150922054603.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;Happiness is all about the little things I get to do... It&rsquo;s unwinding with my friends on a lazy afternoon, free from any tension about what I have to do tomorrow. It&rsquo;s how the winter recedes and when the sun is out, its soft rays fall on my skin. Happiness, to me, is when I no longer seek it. As a society, we have been obsessed with finding happiness, yet our quest never questions what happiness truly is. I think, happiness is not something you experience or obtain, it is something you do.''&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aditya Sinha, Mumbai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174637955150922054642.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;Living indoors through subsequent lockdowns during the pandemic, my balcony offered a safe interaction with the outside world... I felt a series of emotions sitting by the window, but no matter how badly I may have wanted time to rush or pause, the birds still chirped, the leaves on the trees still rustled, and the sun still set. I found it humbling how the days kept moving at the same pace; it made me more comfortable with my own time. When I took this photograph, there was an unnerving, unmoving stagnancy that I felt desperate to change. However, it wasn&rsquo;t until after I captured this image that I noticed the patience and anticipation that it captured. I decided to imbibe those feelings in my life and let go of the overwhelming urge to keep moving. Lately, my greatest source of happiness is the ability to be more patient with myself, which has made more room for experiences. This image speaks of joy to me as it represents a sense of serenity, but it also feels charged with anticipation. Photographing this emotion made that feeling more tangible and shared. To me, happiness means contentment&mdash;to be able to experience life with more anticipation and less fear. It&rsquo;s being comfortable with the peaks and the valleys, knowing that joy, much like any other emotion, can be fleeting, but never truly gone. As the American poet Ocean Vuong puts it, &ldquo;Too much joy, I swear, is lost in our desperation to keep it&rdquo;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tirtha Lawati, United Kingdom&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174715855150922054723.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;This photograph captures my niece, Ayesha Gharti Magar, at our family abode, Rugby (a market town in eastern Warwickshire, England). My sister and I visited Ayesha and her elder sister Syana for a month, in February 2020, and I wanted to document their youthful years, when their minds are most filled with curiosity. The colours of the image set the tone and the atmosphere, but it was her playful characteristic that describes what happiness means to me. Happiness is about doing things that bring me joy, such as photography... It&rsquo;s about sharing my work with my loved ones and being with them. Seeking happiness means finding the little things that bring you joy and fill your mind with wonder, even if it is for a little while...&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormis Antony Tharakan, New Delhi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174759787150922054809.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;This photograph brings back a lot of memories&mdash;of meeting a man whose words stayed with me at a time when I was doubting whether photography was the right path for me. This was my first trip to north India in 2008. I stayed in Benaras for a while, where I met a kind, spiritual man who had come from France. I managed to visit him early one morning by the ghats, where the glorious streaks of sunlight fell on his beautiful home. The man was reciting the Vedas and I distinctly remember what a visually cinematic moment it was. I asked what he did for a living, and he shared that he had come all the way to Benaras to settle there and translate the religious texts to French. The man shared, &ldquo;Whatever you do, you should do it fully and with love.&rdquo; As I share this story, time seems to slow down in my mind, because this memory takes me back to the beginning of my career in photography. I didn&rsquo;t know him nor do I remember his name... I didn&rsquo;t keep in touch because the meeting only lasted 10 minutes. But his words stayed with me and I keep coming back to them, in work and in life. Later on, in February 2020, I decided to do a story on him for my personal work and called it &lsquo;The Hindu&rsquo;. I recreated that moment on the banks with my fellow friend and model Teejay Gill. The intention behind this staged photograph was to bring to life the exalted mental space of the ascetic... In fact, Teejay looks so spiritual and at peace in this picture. Through this image, I wanted to convey the story of a man who was grateful to God for his life. And for me, being grateful to life is the first step to being happy. During the lockdown, every morning, I&rsquo;d thank God for giving me a chance to see another day. I truly believe that is how I survived during that time. Once you put yourself in a state of gratitude, happiness seeks you .&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shivamm Paathak, New Delhi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174922375150922054931.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;The surreal experience of being able to capture people in their element, as they light up against the canvas of nature, speaks happiness to me. The moment I captured this photograph, a sense of deep peace poured from it and settled upon me. It almost felt like a revelation; after all, our connection with the environment is primary. I wasn&rsquo;t seeking this experience, but it happened... In a way, it was profound. It is the unanticipated emotion of noticing the world that brings me happiness. That is why, I am always looking to capture that split second and keep it safe with me.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

feature-images-2120722070232

&lt;p&gt;At a time when we see the sights through our phone cameras and we constantly run out of space on our phones thanks to our galleries, picking one photograph may be tough. But then&amp;nbsp;there are those that catch our eyes and hearts, and become repositories of the best stories.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Victoria Krundysheva, Mumbai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The idea of achieving goals as a collective is what brings me joy. For me, happiness is intrinsically linked to two aspects&amp;mdash;connection with oneself and the environment around you. I think this picture, which I had photographed in Goa, is a fitting representation of these pillars&amp;mdash;it expresses the space and freedom to be yourself and embrace who you are. When you arrive at that feeling, you blossom like a flower. And as you get to know yourself better, you connect with others. Thankfully, the work I do acts as a medium to connect with myself and those around me. This photograph was captured with an incredible team that shared an aligned vision and the excitement to depict the idea of joy. We decided on Goa as the location because the energy of the place resonated so effortlessly with our theme. However, the weather gods were not on our side that day: rather than sunshine, there were unexpected rain showers throughout. But while we were shooting, things began to work out even more in our&amp;nbsp;favour... The final images manifested what we had intended to do, so beautifully. And this image was taken at the peak of our joy on that special day.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hanifa Haris-Taucher, New York&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174414851150922054424.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;This image evokes in me the joy of Muslim sisterhood. These are two of my friends, who are among the strongest women I know, and I photographed this image in a state park in New York. The women you see here are content, excited, and enjoying their lives. Growing up in post 9/11 New York, many Muslim women in the west were exoticised and sexualised...but in the same breath, othered and deemed oppressed. Coming of age and experiencing this paradox, I needed to create a safe space for myself and the women around me. I found this through my creative process, where my art wasn&amp;rsquo;t touched by a foreign gaze, where we simply are who we are, existing majestically in our own light. Happiness, to me, is a myriad of emotions... It can be feeling content, excited, nostalgic, joyous, or ecstatic. When I think about it, I am reminded of the lyrics of a Punjabi song which translates to, &amp;lsquo;Through life, I carry the burden of my hardships, but that doesn&amp;rsquo;t stop me from finding joy.&amp;rsquo; I often think about how happiness hasn&amp;rsquo;t always been a primary concern for me, but I realise that it really is essential to living a fulfilled life. Today, happiness, for me, has become a practice of gratitude... It is rooted in service to those I love&amp;mdash;my friends and family, but most importantly, humanity.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Jacky Nayak, New Delhi&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174507354150922054518.jpeg' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;I captured this photograph last February, in Joranda, Odisha. I had attended an annual ritual festival of the Mahima Dharma community, who believe in one, formless God. On my way back, I saw a child monk seeking the blessings of the Sun. I was eager to capture this special moment, which was draped in the last rays of the day. To me, this symbolised the powerful relationship between the young boy and the celestial body; a serene yet joyful moment that embodies happiness for me. Which, ultimately, explains the very concept of happiness itself... It is the state of being free and finding joy in every moment of life. Happiness lies in the moments where I can just let go and enjoy the present for what it is&amp;mdash;nothing more, nothing less. It is the greatest expression of freedom.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dhruvin, Mumbai&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174552730150922054603.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Happiness is all about the little things I get to do... It&amp;rsquo;s unwinding with my friends on a lazy afternoon, free from any tension about what I have to do tomorrow. It&amp;rsquo;s how the winter recedes and when the sun is out, its soft rays fall on my skin. Happiness, to me, is when I no longer seek it. As a society, we have been obsessed with finding happiness, yet our quest never questions what happiness truly is. I think, happiness is not something you experience or obtain, it is something you do.&amp;#39;&amp;#39;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aditya Sinha, Mumbai&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174637955150922054642.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Living indoors through subsequent lockdowns during the pandemic, my balcony offered a safe interaction with the outside world... I felt a series of emotions sitting by the window, but no matter how badly I may have wanted time to rush or pause, the birds still chirped, the leaves on the trees still rustled, and the sun still set. I found it humbling how the days kept moving at the same pace; it made me more comfortable with my own time. When I took this photograph, there was an unnerving, unmoving stagnancy that I felt desperate to change. However, it wasn&amp;rsquo;t until after I captured this image that I noticed the patience and anticipation that it captured. I decided to imbibe those feelings in my life and let go of the overwhelming urge to keep moving. Lately, my greatest source of happiness is the ability to be more patient with myself, which has made more room for experiences. This image speaks of joy to me as it represents a sense of serenity, but it also feels charged with anticipation. Photographing this emotion made that feeling more tangible and shared. To me, happiness means contentment&amp;mdash;to be able to experience life with more anticipation and less fear. It&amp;rsquo;s being comfortable with the peaks and the valleys, knowing that joy, much like any other emotion, can be fleeting, but never truly gone. As the American poet Ocean Vuong puts it, &amp;ldquo;Too much joy, I swear, is lost in our desperation to keep it&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tirtha Lawati, United Kingdom&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174715855150922054723.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;This photograph captures my niece, Ayesha Gharti Magar, at our family abode, Rugby (a market town in eastern Warwickshire, England). My sister and I visited Ayesha and her elder sister Syana for a month, in February 2020, and I wanted to document their youthful years, when their minds are most filled with curiosity. The colours of the image set the tone and the atmosphere, but it was her playful characteristic that describes what happiness means to me. Happiness is about doing things that bring me joy, such as photography... It&amp;rsquo;s about sharing my work with my loved ones and being with them. Seeking happiness means finding the little things that bring you joy and fill your mind with wonder, even if it is for a little while...&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hormis Antony Tharakan, New Delhi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174759787150922054809.jpeg' width='500' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;This photograph brings back a lot of memories&amp;mdash;of meeting a man whose words stayed with me at a time when I was doubting whether photography was the right path for me. This was my first trip to north India in 2008. I stayed in Benaras for a while, where I met a kind, spiritual man who had come from France. I managed to visit him early one morning by the ghats, where the glorious streaks of sunlight fell on his beautiful home. The man was reciting the Vedas and I distinctly remember what a visually cinematic moment it was. I asked what he did for a living, and he shared that he had come all the way to Benaras to settle there and translate the religious texts to French. The man shared, &amp;ldquo;Whatever you do, you should do it fully and with love.&amp;rdquo; As I share this story, time seems to slow down in my mind, because this memory takes me back to the beginning of my career in photography. I didn&amp;rsquo;t know him nor do I remember his name... I didn&amp;rsquo;t keep in touch because the meeting only lasted 10 minutes. But his words stayed with me and I keep coming back to them, in work and in life. Later on, in February 2020, I decided to do a story on him for my personal work and called it &amp;lsquo;The Hindu&amp;rsquo;. I recreated that moment on the banks with my fellow friend and model Teejay Gill. The intention behind this staged photograph was to bring to life the exalted mental space of the ascetic... In fact, Teejay looks so spiritual and at peace in this picture. Through this image, I wanted to convey the story of a man who was grateful to God for his life. And for me, being grateful to life is the first step to being happy. During the lockdown, every morning, I&amp;rsquo;d thank God for giving me a chance to see another day. I truly believe that is how I survived during that time. Once you put yourself in a state of gratitude, happiness seeks you .&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shivamm Paathak, New Delhi&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/untitled-design-2022-09-15t174922375150922054931.jpeg' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The surreal experience of being able to capture people in their element, as they light up against the canvas of nature, speaks happiness to me. The moment I captured this photograph, a sense of deep peace poured from it and settled upon me. It almost felt like a revelation; after all, our connection with the environment is primary. I wasn&amp;rsquo;t seeking this experience, but it happened... In a way, it was profound. It is the unanticipated emotion of noticing the world that brings me happiness. That is why, I am always looking to capture that split second and keep it safe with me.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

#ShutterBug: Picture perfect moments that will make you stop and stare

Eight Bazaar India contributors share photographs that spark joy and share stories that speak of gratitude, lessons, and the meaning of life.

square-images-2120722070258

&lt;p&gt;A stitch in time, they say, can save not only a fabric from fraying but also protect an entire legacy of traditional craftsmanship. In its six decades of designing home products and garments for women, men, and children, Fabindia has&mdash;perhaps inadvertently&mdash;not only preserved the many crafts from across the country, but helped build an aura of &lsquo;cool&rsquo; around Indian aesthetic. Much before terms like homegrown, handmade, and natural became the staples of fashion, the brand had already begun to foster the many, nuanced artforms from across the country. And to its credit, it married two disparate worlds, of luxury and rootedness, into a singular identity. Bazaar had&amp;nbsp;an exclusive conversation with its director, Charu Sharma, to discover how it grew into a household name.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img611230121030402.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;584&quot; height=&quot;323&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;A photograph from 1985, celebrating 25 years of the brand.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Harper&rsquo;s Bazaar: &lt;/strong&gt;Do tell us about how Fabindia came into existence.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Charu Sharma&lt;/strong&gt;: In 1960, John Bissell (an American textile businessman) set up Fabindia out of two small rooms in Golf Links, Delhi, as an export company for home furnishing, floor coverings, and linen. He had a particular love for Indian textiles... John had previously worked as an advisor to the Handloom and Handicrafts Board, to assist the Government with its design and marketing skills. During his tenure, he was taken in by the outstanding artisan skills, and decided that he wanted to help create a market for the same. With time, the domestic Indian market also began to take an active interest in the brand, because it made products,&amp;nbsp;rooted in local heritage, accessible.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img61230121030611.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;682&quot; height=&quot;958&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;John Bissell at Fabindia&rsquo;s first store in Greater Kailash, Delhi.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB: &lt;/strong&gt;What has been the brand&rsquo;s resounding philosophy?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; More than just a product, Fabindia is about a lifestyle. It&rsquo;s important to commit to conscious consumption that benefits everyone. We believe in a holistic approach, that can give buyers the opportunity to make beautiful, functional, artisanal products a part of their daily lives.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us about some of the major landmarks over the years...&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; By the late &rsquo;70s, the brand had begun experimenting with kaftans and designs created by the late artist-designer, Riten Mozumdar, but it was the &rsquo;80s that heralded a major turning point in the brand&rsquo;s destiny. We launched our first line of garments around then, and soon, young Indians of that era began to respond to and signal pride in their identity with these designs. This was truly revolutionary, not just for Fabindia, but also for &lsquo;off-the-shelf&rsquo; ethnic dressing in the country. While men&rsquo;s kurtas and Nehru jackets were an instant hit, the breakthrough came with the short jackets and kurtas for women.Then, in 2000, the brand introduced hand-crafted home d&eacute;cor and furniture items, and in 2006, the personal care category was added with authentic products rooted in traditional knowledge. Today, Fabindia has 312 stores across the country, and 14 stores around the world. But,&amp;nbsp;most of all, Fabindia has become a &lsquo;must visit&rsquo; for many&mdash;from Usher to Julia Roberts, Nobel prize winners Abhijeet Bannerji and Esther Duflo, and many a visiting dignitary. This truly makes us proud.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img59230121030519.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;455&quot; height=&quot;638&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;A look from the Rajwada collection, 2018.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB:&lt;/strong&gt; What crafts have been the mainstay of Fabindia?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; There is a significant emphasis on the continued use of traditional materials and techniques while creating a contemporary idiom. We started out sourcing from around Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, we&rsquo;ve included the ikat of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, ajrakh of Gujarat, bagru block prints of Rajasthan, and chanderi, Maheshwari, and Benarasi weaves in our designs. Many of the clusters that Fabindia has developed over the years have evolved into very active hubs of craft, with the third and fourth generation involved in them. And given how it is practised, this sector allows women to be actively-involved in the creation of a craft-based livelihood. As we encourage women to work from their homes, their engagement has become a central part of the craft process. This is especially true for finishing and surface ornamenting, craft-based skills like chikanari, appliqu&eacute;, banjara, and a variety of embroideries, where women are the primary artisans. One of our associate companies, Rangasutra, works with over 2,000 women who are also shareholders in the producer company, itself.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div&gt;
&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;amp-img alt src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img63230121030645.jpeg&quot; width=&quot;599&quot; height=&quot;529&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;The Malhar collection, 2020.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB:&lt;/strong&gt; What is the biggest need of the artisan, today?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; Currently, the largest concern for the artisan is continuity and regular work, timely payments, and access to markets. The need is to keep the cycle of production and demand going. The sudden halt brought about by the lockdown has had a particularly detrimental effect on their livelihoods, and we have witnessed a significant erosion in the use of indigenous materials and locally-available resources. However, there is still hope, as we are gradually seeing a resurgence, and Fabindia&rsquo;s commitment to the cause remains strong.&lt;/p&gt;

untitled-design-2021-02-20t132634106200221012653

&lt;p&gt;A stitch in time, they say, can save not only a fabric from fraying but also protect an entire legacy of traditional craftsmanship. In its six decades of designing home products and garments for women, men, and children, Fabindia has&amp;mdash;perhaps inadvertently&amp;mdash;not only preserved the many crafts from across the country, but helped build an aura of &amp;lsquo;cool&amp;rsquo; around Indian aesthetic. Much before terms like homegrown, handmade, and natural became the staples of fashion, the brand had already begun to foster the many, nuanced artforms from across the country. And to its credit, it married two disparate worlds, of luxury and rootedness, into a singular identity. Bazaar had&amp;nbsp;an exclusive conversation with its director, Charu Sharma, to discover how it grew into a household name.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img611230121030402.jpeg' width='584' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;A photograph from 1985, celebrating 25 years of the brand.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Harper&amp;rsquo;s Bazaar: &lt;/strong&gt;Do tell us about how Fabindia came into existence.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Charu Sharma&lt;/strong&gt;: In 1960, John Bissell (an American textile businessman) set up Fabindia out of two small rooms in Golf Links, Delhi, as an export company for home furnishing, floor coverings, and linen. He had a particular love for Indian textiles... John had previously worked as an advisor to the Handloom and Handicrafts Board, to assist the Government with its design and marketing skills. During his tenure, he was taken in by the outstanding artisan skills, and decided that he wanted to help create a market for the same. With time, the domestic Indian market also began to take an active interest in the brand, because it made products,&amp;nbsp;rooted in local heritage, accessible.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img61230121030611.jpeg' width='230' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;John Bissell at Fabindia&amp;rsquo;s first store in Greater Kailash, Delhi.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB: &lt;/strong&gt;What has been the brand&amp;rsquo;s resounding philosophy?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; More than just a product, Fabindia is about a lifestyle. It&amp;rsquo;s important to commit to conscious consumption that benefits everyone. We believe in a holistic approach, that can give buyers the opportunity to make beautiful, functional, artisanal products a part of their daily lives.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB&lt;/strong&gt;: Tell us about some of the major landmarks over the years...&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; By the late &amp;rsquo;70s, the brand had begun experimenting with kaftans and designs created by the late artist-designer, Riten Mozumdar, but it was the &amp;rsquo;80s that heralded a major turning point in the brand&amp;rsquo;s destiny. We launched our first line of garments around then, and soon, young Indians of that era began to respond to and signal pride in their identity with these designs. This was truly revolutionary, not just for Fabindia, but also for &amp;lsquo;off-the-shelf&amp;rsquo; ethnic dressing in the country. While men&amp;rsquo;s kurtas and Nehru jackets were an instant hit, the breakthrough came with the short jackets and kurtas for women.Then, in 2000, the brand introduced hand-crafted home d&amp;eacute;cor and furniture items, and in 2006, the personal care category was added with authentic products rooted in traditional knowledge. Today, Fabindia has 312 stores across the country, and 14 stores around the world. But,&amp;nbsp;most of all, Fabindia has become a &amp;lsquo;must visit&amp;rsquo; for many&amp;mdash;from Usher to Julia Roberts, Nobel prize winners Abhijeet Bannerji and Esther Duflo, and many a visiting dignitary. This truly makes us proud.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img59230121030519.jpeg' width='253' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;A look from the Rajwada collection, 2018.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB:&lt;/strong&gt; What crafts have been the mainstay of Fabindia?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; There is a significant emphasis on the continued use of traditional materials and techniques while creating a contemporary idiom. We started out sourcing from around Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, we&amp;rsquo;ve included the ikat of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, ajrakh of Gujarat, bagru block prints of Rajasthan, and chanderi, Maheshwari, and Benarasi weaves in our designs. Many of the clusters that Fabindia has developed over the years have evolved into very active hubs of craft, with the third and fourth generation involved in them. And given how it is practised, this sector allows women to be actively-involved in the creation of a craft-based livelihood. As we encourage women to work from their homes, their engagement has become a central part of the craft process. This is especially true for finishing and surface ornamenting, craft-based skills like chikanari, appliqu&amp;eacute;, banjara, and a variety of embroideries, where women are the primary artisans. One of our associate companies, Rangasutra, works with over 2,000 women who are also shareholders in the producer company, itself.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;div style='text-align:center'&gt;
&lt;figure class='image' style='display:inline-block'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202101/img63230121030645.jpeg' width='340' /&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;The Malhar collection, 2020.&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HB:&lt;/strong&gt; What is the biggest need of the artisan, today?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CS:&lt;/strong&gt; Currently, the largest concern for the artisan is continuity and regular work, timely payments, and access to markets. The need is to keep the cycle of production and demand going. The sudden halt brought about by the lockdown has had a particularly detrimental effect on their livelihoods, and we have witnessed a significant erosion in the use of indigenous materials and locally-available resources. However, there is still hope, as we are gradually seeing a resurgence, and Fabindia&amp;rsquo;s commitment to the cause remains strong.&lt;/p&gt;

How Fabindia put Indian craftsmanship on the global fashion map

Bazaar discovers how the brand, which has been in the business for over 60 years, evolved into a global icon.

untitled-design-78040722015459

&lt;p&gt;There&rsquo;s probably more books out there on work-life-mother balancing acts than one can read in a lifetime. In fact, between social media and the internet as a whole, there is an information overload on pretty much anything and everything you can fathom&mdash;the perfect guide to sleep train your baby, the magic mantra&rsquo;s to run a successful business, the 101 on a successful marriage, and the list goes on.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I&rsquo;ve fallen prey to buying and reading a lot of these hoping to find some answers of how I can perfectly balance my life, but instead, they have found a lovely place on my bookshelves, and as life has passed on, I have come to realize that planned parenting, marriage advice, or how to run a successful business are oxymorons&mdash;every child, every relationship, every business and its values, and therefore eventually every home is different, and the key is to find your own way around making it happily yours. I could ramble on about how my day starts at 6:30 am when the alarm goes&amp;nbsp;off, which on most days actually feels as if an atom bomb exploded in my head because of everything I have to achieve in what seems like such little hours. But hey, we are all pretty much on that same crazy ride of trying to juggle a million hats, aren&rsquo;t we?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Nriti Shah, full-time mother and part time influencer (@balsamicfinegear), says, &ldquo;Superheroes. Yes, that&rsquo;s right. I think being a working mother takes an entirely different sort of super power. To be able to transition between the roles of a daughter, wife, mother, friend, and daughter-in-law not only requires us working mothers to be alert and aware but also empathic and loving. To be able to put our thoughts and worries on the back burner or alongside those of our families and friends is something I have learnt over time. To be there and present for everyone and yet balance our work is nothing short of amazing. Working moms are the true superheroes.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;So, I&rsquo;m not here to give you the perfect solution on how to structure this crazy ride called life, but I asked her and other women who are what we could call go-getters, donning these multiple hats, on what it takes to juggle efficiently and put together this cheat sheet of sorts that&rsquo;s likely to help you prioritize what matters.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be selective&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As I&rsquo;ve gotten older, I&rsquo;ve naturally become a lot more discerning about my decisions in general. Whether that is about the quality and purpose of family holidays, the training&amp;nbsp;I&rsquo;d like my work outs to be centred on, the new dishes on the menu at my caf&eacute;s, even the quality of flour in my kids morning pancakes. I&rsquo;ve felt, when you think through the selections of your life consciously, you naturally get better returns. You feel better and so does your family, your work place. Simple things like eating dinner early and getting up early is a good start. Putting your phone away once you are home from work so your family can get your full attention or not reaching out for it as soon as you open your eyes in the morning has worked wonders for me in just being more present.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rock your cheat days&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Throw away your guilt like an old shoe. It&rsquo;s no good for you. You need to reward yourself and often. Find your guilty pleasure&mdash;be it a spa day, mash potatoes, or mindless TV. Ensure your spouse and kids also find their guilty pleasures so they find balance and escapes from their routines too. This adds a &lsquo;collective selfishness&rsquo; and creates bonding, humour, and a way to recharge yourself for the next green light.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Listen and talk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Listen to what&rsquo;s being said, understand what&rsquo;s hiding behind the childish tantrums (and it&rsquo;s often not your child), the meltdowns, and the prolonged silences. Listen to it all and find time to analyse it. Never respond emotionally or at least try not to. Awareness creates choices and people always try to be the best version of themselves. Believe this. Everyone is allowed a bad day. You too. Give each other at home and work some time-out. And talk when the water simmers down. Children of all ages love attention. But be careful to know the line between giving attention and being indulgent. I often see moms and wives caving in just to make peace. That&rsquo;s a zero sum game. You&rsquo;re making yourself into a well manufactured doormat. We all respond to risk and reward&mdash;set some rules so instead of a power play there&rsquo;s an environment of conversation and positive shifts. Assumption is the worst thing you can practice. Compassion is the mother of your juggling act.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Me time, you time, we all need this time&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Find that one thing, for one hour that is for you. For me, I found my love in fitness. From the drive on my own with my favourite music on the speakers and singing on top of my lungs, to starting my class and the high you get when you finish&mdash;it really fuels my mind and soul for the rest of the day. It makes me feel strong and it gives me happiness. So find your thing and stick to it. You will find routine is priceless.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Grudges are for grannies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Don&rsquo;t live in your own history book of anecdotes and egos. They will only give you a false sense of righteousness and probably early wrinkles. Stay focused on what you can control, the present and use your past experience to declutter what&rsquo;s to come. What are you good at? What are you passionate about? How can you leverage that more as you move ahead? These are far better questions to ask yourself. One thing that always works for me and I recommend you try is this&mdash;any questions you ask that starts with why takes the person into a place of blame and excuse that reside in the past and are counterproductive. It makes you and others hold grudges. Why didn&rsquo;t you finish your homework? Start your questions instead with how. How do we ensure you finish your homework on time? This opens new windows to the future and doesn&rsquo;t push your child into a corner.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Ayesha Chenoy &ldquo;Founder of RepIndia &amp;amp; Author of &lt;i&gt;To, The Bravest Person I Know&lt;/i&gt; said, &ldquo;What we need to remember is that something always gets a little bit more attention on some days, that nothing is perfect and that is okay. We are doing our best, and frankly, everyone deserves a standing ovation for being so brave.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;But, the juggling cheat sheet for mother&rsquo;s done, I have to ask&mdash;isn&rsquo;t it funny that there is always so much talk about &ldquo;working mothers&rdquo;. What happened to the fathers? And is it not high time that co-parenting, co-housing, and co-operation to chip in 50-50 really comes into play. Can we drop the assumption that the mother will pack the suitcases, the wife will order the dinner, and the working women will sacrifice that meeting to make it to the school PTC. Can the real D-A-D-D-Y please stand up?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Ambika Seth is the co-founder of CAARA and a mother of two.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

hb-feature-text-image150922041325

&lt;p&gt;There&amp;rsquo;s probably more books out there on work-life-mother balancing acts than one can read in a lifetime. In fact, between social media and the internet as a whole, there is an information overload on pretty much anything and everything you can fathom&amp;mdash;the perfect guide to sleep train your baby, the magic mantra&amp;rsquo;s to run a successful business, the 101 on a successful marriage, and the list goes on.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I&amp;rsquo;ve fallen prey to buying and reading a lot of these hoping to find some answers of how I can perfectly balance my life, but instead, they have found a lovely place on my bookshelves, and as life has passed on, I have come to realize that planned parenting, marriage advice, or how to run a successful business are oxymorons&amp;mdash;every child, every relationship, every business and its values, and therefore eventually every home is different, and the key is to find your own way around making it happily yours. I could ramble on about how my day starts at 6:30 am when the alarm goes&amp;nbsp;off, which on most days actually feels as if an atom bomb exploded in my head because of everything I have to achieve in what seems like such little hours. But hey, we are all pretty much on that same crazy ride of trying to juggle a million hats, aren&amp;rsquo;t we?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Nriti Shah, full-time mother and part time influencer (@balsamicfinegear), says, &amp;ldquo;Superheroes. Yes, that&amp;rsquo;s right. I think being a working mother takes an entirely different sort of super power. To be able to transition between the roles of a daughter, wife, mother, friend, and daughter-in-law not only requires us working mothers to be alert and aware but also empathic and loving. To be able to put our thoughts and worries on the back burner or alongside those of our families and friends is something I have learnt over time. To be there and present for everyone and yet balance our work is nothing short of amazing. Working moms are the true superheroes.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;So, I&amp;rsquo;m not here to give you the perfect solution on how to structure this crazy ride called life, but I asked her and other women who are what we could call go-getters, donning these multiple hats, on what it takes to juggle efficiently and put together this cheat sheet of sorts that&amp;rsquo;s likely to help you prioritize what matters.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be selective&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As I&amp;rsquo;ve gotten older, I&amp;rsquo;ve naturally become a lot more discerning about my decisions in general. Whether that is about the quality and purpose of family holidays, the training&amp;nbsp;I&amp;rsquo;d like my work outs to be centred on, the new dishes on the menu at my caf&amp;eacute;s, even the quality of flour in my kids morning pancakes. I&amp;rsquo;ve felt, when you think through the selections of your life consciously, you naturally get better returns. You feel better and so does your family, your work place. Simple things like eating dinner early and getting up early is a good start. Putting your phone away once you are home from work so your family can get your full attention or not reaching out for it as soon as you open your eyes in the morning has worked wonders for me in just being more present.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rock your cheat days&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Throw away your guilt like an old shoe. It&amp;rsquo;s no good for you. You need to reward yourself and often. Find your guilty pleasure&amp;mdash;be it a spa day, mash potatoes, or mindless TV. Ensure your spouse and kids also find their guilty pleasures so they find balance and escapes from their routines too. This adds a &amp;lsquo;collective selfishness&amp;rsquo; and creates bonding, humour, and a way to recharge yourself for the next green light.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Listen and talk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Listen to what&amp;rsquo;s being said, understand what&amp;rsquo;s hiding behind the childish tantrums (and it&amp;rsquo;s often not your child), the meltdowns, and the prolonged silences. Listen to it all and find time to analyse it. Never respond emotionally or at least try not to. Awareness creates choices and people always try to be the best version of themselves. Believe this. Everyone is allowed a bad day. You too. Give each other at home and work some time-out. And talk when the water simmers down. Children of all ages love attention. But be careful to know the line between giving attention and being indulgent. I often see moms and wives caving in just to make peace. That&amp;rsquo;s a zero sum game. You&amp;rsquo;re making yourself into a well manufactured doormat. We all respond to risk and reward&amp;mdash;set some rules so instead of a power play there&amp;rsquo;s an environment of conversation and positive shifts. Assumption is the worst thing you can practice. Compassion is the mother of your juggling act.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Me time, you time, we all need this time&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Find that one thing, for one hour that is for you. For me, I found my love in fitness. From the drive on my own with my favourite music on the speakers and singing on top of my lungs, to starting my class and the high you get when you finish&amp;mdash;it really fuels my mind and soul for the rest of the day. It makes me feel strong and it gives me happiness. So find your thing and stick to it. You will find routine is priceless.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Grudges are for grannies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Don&amp;rsquo;t live in your own history book of anecdotes and egos. They will only give you a false sense of righteousness and probably early wrinkles. Stay focused on what you can control, the present and use your past experience to declutter what&amp;rsquo;s to come. What are you good at? What are you passionate about? How can you leverage that more as you move ahead? These are far better questions to ask yourself. One thing that always works for me and I recommend you try is this&amp;mdash;any questions you ask that starts with why takes the person into a place of blame and excuse that reside in the past and are counterproductive. It makes you and others hold grudges. Why didn&amp;rsquo;t you finish your homework? Start your questions instead with how. How do we ensure you finish your homework on time? This opens new windows to the future and doesn&amp;rsquo;t push your child into a corner.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Ayesha Chenoy &amp;ldquo;Founder of RepIndia &amp;amp; Author of &lt;i&gt;To, The Bravest Person I Know&lt;/i&gt; said, &amp;ldquo;What we need to remember is that something always gets a little bit more attention on some days, that nothing is perfect and that is okay. We are doing our best, and frankly, everyone deserves a standing ovation for being so brave.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;But, the juggling cheat sheet for mother&amp;rsquo;s done, I have to ask&amp;mdash;isn&amp;rsquo;t it funny that there is always so much talk about &amp;ldquo;working mothers&amp;rdquo;. What happened to the fathers? And is it not high time that co-parenting, co-housing, and co-operation to chip in 50-50 really comes into play. Can we drop the assumption that the mother will pack the suitcases, the wife will order the dinner, and the working women will sacrifice that meeting to make it to the school PTC. Can the real D-A-D-D-Y please stand up?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Ambika Seth is the co-founder of CAARA and a mother of two.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

A mother’s guide: Acing the juggling act

There can’t be an A-to-Z list of how to ace the ensemble role that life has handed to us, but one can always try to ease the load. In a four-part series, I explore the many roles that women play and find ways to make them just a little bit easier.

hb-feature-square150922041341

&lt;p&gt;You can see the making of a long day of work as Haider Ali settles down, cross legged on the floor of his rooftop studio, his paints and brushes scattered all around him, his latest canvas right in front. We&rsquo;ve all had deadlines to meet, and Ali&rsquo;s is based on a client who wants a 1500$ artwork&mdash;her limited-edition pair of sneakers&amp;nbsp;to be painted in Ali&rsquo;s signature truck art&mdash;completed and ready for travel before she flies out.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There is nothing like art that transcends culture and tradition to become part of one&rsquo;s identity, and this could not be better documented than through the journey of Ali, a third-generation truck artist who has in the last few years taken his work from the trucks to the art galleries, walls,&amp;nbsp;bodies&mdash;even airplanes&mdash;and his latest, shoes.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/2130922122029.png&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; width=&quot;650&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot; heights=&quot;(min-width:500px) 200px, 80%&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;It started when a lady reached out to me to paint her shoes. I thought it was crazy, and just to get her to say no I quoted $500,&rdquo; laughs Ali. Turns out, the lady was not discouraged, and that one pair led to Ali being commissioned for many more pairs.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;And for Ali, this journey started right at home, at his father&rsquo;s workshop, where he, as a seven-year-old, first held a brush.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;In a strange way, the paints and brushes became my toys and also my friends,&rdquo; says the 42-year-old artist.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As a child born to a family of truck artists&mdash;from his grandfather, to his father, and uncles&mdash;the training to become one started early and was compulsory. But he is the only one who continues to paint in his family, the call of the consistent income of daily jobs being more lucrative for the others.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In Pakistan, where the love for truck art is imminent in the colourful lorries that dot the highways, the history of it dates back to the 1940s when hauliers crafted vibrant logos to market their brands to a largely illiterate public. Or, as the other story goes, it began with bus drivers working to lure in passengers before it spilled to trucks. Whatever the story, today truck art is an integral part of Pakistan&rsquo;s trade. And Ali, with his tinted glasses and jaunty gait is somewhat of a celebrity in the art.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/1130922122105.png&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; width=&quot;650&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot; heights=&quot;(min-width:500px) 200px, 80%&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&ldquo;I have to keep painting or else the ideas will dry out,&rdquo; says Ali. And Ali&rsquo;s creations range from traditional floral designs, birds (a lot of peacocks), to kohl-rimmed eyes, and motifs&mdash;all painted in iridescent hues that can be spotted from a mile away.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For Ali, he first found the spotlight outside of Pakistan as an international ambassador of truck art when his work was exhibited at the US Smithsonian Museum in 2002. Since, he has used his craft to paint a plane (a VW Beetle), an exhibit for the Museum of Peace in Amritsar and the walls of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and even a woman&rsquo;s body at the Burning Man festival in the United States. Recently, he made headlines after he honoured George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement with a mural in June 2020. &ldquo;&lt;i&gt;Hum kaaley hain tou kia hua, dil waley hain &lt;/i&gt;(So what if we&rsquo;re dark-skinned, we&rsquo;ve got big hearts)&rdquo;&mdash;read the mural&mdash;along with another phrase that read &ldquo;&lt;i&gt;Goron ki na kaalon ki, dunya dil walon ki&lt;/i&gt;&rdquo; (This world belongs neither to whites nor blacks, only for those with big hearts).&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Since he started painted shoes in January 2022, he has completed eight pairs for celebrities from around the world. &ldquo;I now charge from $500-1500 for a pair, depending on the intricacy of the art.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;amp-img src=&quot;https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/3130922122123.png&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; height=&quot;425&quot; width=&quot;650&quot; layout=&quot;responsive&quot; heights=&quot;(min-width:500px) 200px, 80%&quot;&gt;&lt;/amp-img&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The recent custom rules have slowed down orders, but not dampened Ali&rsquo;s spirit towards the art. So passionate is he that he has started a school to make sure he trains the next generation to take over, including his own children. &ldquo;Of course, along with regular school. But it is important that I pass down our culture and heritage to the younger generation.&rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;That his art on the trucks and the shoes will wear off, crack, and fade in the next three or four years, ready to be painted fresh again, is only more motivation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Lead Image: Haider Ali&lt;/p&gt;

feature-text-image-2130922121921

&lt;p&gt;You can see the making of a long day of work as Haider Ali settles down, cross legged on the floor of his rooftop studio, his paints and brushes scattered all around him, his latest canvas right in front. We&amp;rsquo;ve all had deadlines to meet, and Ali&amp;rsquo;s is based on a client who wants a 1500$ artwork&amp;mdash;her limited-edition pair of sneakers&amp;nbsp;to be painted in Ali&amp;rsquo;s signature truck art&amp;mdash;completed and ready for travel before she flies out.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There is nothing like art that transcends culture and tradition to become part of one&amp;rsquo;s identity, and this could not be better documented than through the journey of Ali, a third-generation truck artist who has in the last few years taken his work from the trucks to the art galleries, walls,&amp;nbsp;bodies&amp;mdash;even airplanes&amp;mdash;and his latest, shoes.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt='' src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/2130922122029.png' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;It started when a lady reached out to me to paint her shoes. I thought it was crazy, and just to get her to say no I quoted $500,&amp;rdquo; laughs Ali. Turns out, the lady was not discouraged, and that one pair led to Ali being commissioned for many more pairs.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;And for Ali, this journey started right at home, at his father&amp;rsquo;s workshop, where he, as a seven-year-old, first held a brush.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;In a strange way, the paints and brushes became my toys and also my friends,&amp;rdquo; says the 42-year-old artist.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As a child born to a family of truck artists&amp;mdash;from his grandfather, to his father, and uncles&amp;mdash;the training to become one started early and was compulsory. But he is the only one who continues to paint in his family, the call of the consistent income of daily jobs being more lucrative for the others.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In Pakistan, where the love for truck art is imminent in the colourful lorries that dot the highways, the history of it dates back to the 1940s when hauliers crafted vibrant logos to market their brands to a largely illiterate public. Or, as the other story goes, it began with bus drivers working to lure in passengers before it spilled to trucks. Whatever the story, today truck art is an integral part of Pakistan&amp;rsquo;s trade. And Ali, with his tinted glasses and jaunty gait is somewhat of a celebrity in the art.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/1130922122105.png' width='600' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;I have to keep painting or else the ideas will dry out,&amp;rdquo; says Ali. And Ali&amp;rsquo;s creations range from traditional floral designs, birds (a lot of peacocks), to kohl-rimmed eyes, and motifs&amp;mdash;all painted in iridescent hues that can be spotted from a mile away.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For Ali, he first found the spotlight outside of Pakistan as an international ambassador of truck art when his work was exhibited at the US Smithsonian Museum in 2002. Since, he has used his craft to paint a plane (a VW Beetle), an exhibit for the Museum of Peace in Amritsar and the walls of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and even a woman&amp;rsquo;s body at the Burning Man festival in the United States. Recently, he made headlines after he honoured George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement with a mural in June 2020. &amp;ldquo;&lt;i&gt;Hum kaaley hain tou kia hua, dil waley hain &lt;/i&gt;(So what if we&amp;rsquo;re dark-skinned, we&amp;rsquo;ve got big hearts)&amp;rdquo;&amp;mdash;read the mural&amp;mdash;along with another phrase that read &amp;ldquo;&lt;i&gt;Goron ki na kaalon ki, dunya dil walon ki&lt;/i&gt;&amp;rdquo; (This world belongs neither to whites nor blacks, only for those with big hearts).&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Since he started painted shoes in January 2022, he has completed eight pairs for celebrities from around the world. &amp;ldquo;I now charge from $500-1500 for a pair, depending on the intricacy of the art.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style='text-align:center'&gt;&lt;img alt=''  src='https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/gloss99/resources/202209/3130922122123.png' width='600' /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The recent custom rules have slowed down orders, but not dampened Ali&amp;rsquo;s spirit towards the art. So passionate is he that he has started a school to make sure he trains the next generation to take over, including his own children. &amp;ldquo;Of course, along with regular school. But it is important that I pass down our culture and heritage to the younger generation.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;That his art on the trucks and the shoes will wear off, crack, and fade in the next three or four years, ready to be painted fresh again, is only more motivation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Lead Image: Haider Ali&lt;/p&gt;

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