For Kids' Sake

Auctioneer, Lord Dalmeny of Sotheby’s hammer electrified the crowd at a unique charity auction at The Music Rooms, London. Celine-Poulbot handbags embellished with original artwork by celebrities and their kids, pushed the bids higher and higher. UK’s leading charity for child protection and prevention of cruelty to children, NSPCC, did bag a well-deserved kitty.

Overheard: “Oh no, that bag just slipped out of my grasp!”

A Stroke of Fashion

Overheard: "Just see how his line is growing"

Sole Curry

His penchant for going barefoot is legendary. So, it surprised all and sundry when M. F. Husain associated himself with designer stuff for the feet. Joy Shoes, Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, reinvented their line with a touch of the master. While the well-turned out gathering turned up well shod, the painter showed up without his chappals on…as always!

Overheard: “I have once seen him with his shoes on, I swear!”

Peace Pleas

Medieval music, poetry and painting merged in the cool interiors of the Coomaraswamy Hall, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. Through Haman Hai Ishq, a paean to peace, the Jindal Art Foundation and Breakthrough, CMAC, created mellifluous harmony in the present-day world. The gestures of goodwill spilled over to a party at Nosh, with celebrity guests raising a salutary toast.

Overheard: “The only thing missing are the doves!”

Building Bonds...

It was the return of the big Indian wedding at its flamboyant best with sangeet, seherabandi and saat pheras. Rahul, belonging to the well-known Raheja family, got married with a great deal of fanfare.

Overheard: “What a fine foundation for their new life!"

An Eve-ning To Remember...

The evening raised a deserving toast to the dynamism and courage of the ‘weaker’ sex. After a soul (and body) stirring performance of The Vagina Monologues at the NCPA, Mumbai, the attendees moved on to an electric night out at the happening eaterie, Indigo. Hollywood stars, Jane Fonda and Marisa Tomei, who encountered Bollywood beauty, Aishwarya Rai, were the cynosure of all eyes.

Overheard: “Plain Jane she is most certainly not!”

Indo-French Bhai Bhai!

The big daddies of the Paris Tourism Board and the French Riviera as well as the rest of the très chic crowd of visiting French delegates were felicitated with an evening of food and fun at Verve’s exclusive bash at Athena in upmarket Mumbai. Notes were exchanged on Mediterranean splendour and exotic India as the vivacious Brigette Roesch, international promotions manager of the famed Galeries Lafayette, and Catherine Oden, south-east manager of Maison de la France, were seen deep in conversation with the likes of Rahul Bose (heading for Cannes, next?) and artist duo, Jitish and Reena Kallat. Verve editor, Anuradha Mahindra was heard checking out the haute ski destinations with the dapper René Montgrandi, chief of the Courchevel Board. Post champagne and a sumptuous dinner of Athena’s innovative cuisine, the French delightedly took to the dance floor where deputy mayor, Jean-Bernard Bros and Paris Tourism head honcho, Paul Roll, burned up the floor, aided no less by the beauteous Ria Kolembusova, of Nice Tourism and our very own Milind Soman, Verve’s last guest to go home!

Overheard: “Can we take Milind home?”

All In The Family…

The ‘Sahara Parivar’ weddings had a colourful beginning. The invitations accompanied by a potpourri of marriage garnishings (sindoor, churis, supari et al) set the tone for the lavish celebrations that followed. The nuptial knots were tied at Sahara Shahar, Lucknow (where else?) as celebrity guests airdashed it to the venue from all corners of the country…and the globe.

Overheard: “All airways led to Sahara Shahar…were the other pax grounded?”