Vinod Advani, observer of the bold, the beautiful and the irrational, discovers to his amusement that many of the 'goddesses' who command Page Three space, are in fact clones of their Greek counterparts. And this is no myth!

Nike, Greek goddess of victory. The daughter of Titan, she had three sisters - Zelos, (rivalry), Kratos (strength) and Bia(force).

Our modern day Nike, by virtue of what/who she is, multitasks well. She realised early on in life that the combo of rivalry, strength and force will always lead to victory. Assists industrialist spouse in business strategies, devises advertising campaigns, nods imperiously at lesser employees. Is the world's only hostess to have guest rooms where both Hollywood and Bollywood have had sweet dreams, not necessarily together. Organises contests where beefed up village hunks compete for the title of Adonis and get a year's free supply of furnishings. Is fond of horse racing, only for husband's sake. Spirituality is fine, as long as it is at arm's length and does not get close enough to bite her. Sartorial style is combo Euro-Yankee, hopping from Ralph Lauren to Christian Dior. Gets hair coiffed to '60s perfection. Essentially kind-hearted, she is surprised mere mortals can't see it. Never carries handbag or handkerchief.

Hera, Greek goddess of marriage. She is the most beautiful of all goddesses, even beating Aphrodite.Like her symbol, the peacock, our desi Hera really loves herself. The original Hera spent 300 years on honeymoon with Zeus (WOW!), so our modern day Hera has wisely deferred marriage. Can you imagine singing 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' for 300 years? Also, demigod one was a bit too expressive with his hands and demigod two wears new crutches every six months. Both not good marriage material for our Hera, we say. (In one Greek tale, Zeus sought refuge in the form of a cuckoo bird in Hera's lap during a storm.) Widely considered to be the world's most beautiful woman (according to a Hollywood icon), our Hera inhabits that rare stratum of success in which life is full of small nuisances. Like paparazzi following her to the toilet. Like tabloid writers criticising what she wears at international film festivals. Like small-town fans kissing the dusty road her Scorpio has just driven on. Nasties who don't understand her call her Ice Maiden but, her fave song really is, I Can't Love Your Body If Your Heart's Not In It. So there!

Hekate, Greek goddess of magic. To whom Zeus, ruler of Olympus, gave dazzling gifts.

Our Hekate is a garrulous vivacious soul, who loves to laugh and whose laugh is infectious. She wants a life of excitement, it's in her genes. She used to do late night carousing and uninhibited imbibing at parties but now, having given up shooters, our cat-eyed, dimpled magician has moved on. She can walk the red carpet, she can jive the club scene but it's on her own terms. Is good friends with an Indian god-like creature with magic on his mind. She does love French goodies and we're not talking cheese. The original Hekate was rumoured to have associations with the Underworld. When our Hekate was accused of the same, she won our admiration by showing she would neither be frightened off nor blackmailed. Thereby proving to tinsel gods that she, a mere goddess, was the only one with cojones! A hatkey Hekate!

Tyche, Greek goddess of fortune. Works of great art were created to celebrate her power, influence and importance.

The power and prestige that our Tyche commands is truly awesome. Reverential even. The consummate corporate spouse who thinks laterally and acts upon ideas with generosity. On her canvas, every brushstroke is bold and colourful. Patroness of the arts. Instigator of education. Caregiver to the needy. Benefactor to the worthy. Flip side? Celebrates the material. Fetes the corporeal. Indulges whims that only unimaginable wealth can afford. Without guilt. Why not! Even gods have been known to indulge in self-gratification after a hard day's work. Devoted to bringing up her children with the best values. Is religious and prays daily, knowing all gods are listening. Takes flight often on global jaunts in personal learjets.

Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty.

Aapro Aphrodite, still gorgeous after all these years, is a shimmering screen siren. A shame about those unsuitable suitors. But then, who needs a man to have and bring up a baby? Lives life on her own terms, is painfully honest with herself and about herself. Which makes her either an anachronism or a trend setter - you choose. Probably read The Da Vinci Code, Many Lives, Many Masters and... the Atkins Diet, simultaneously. Yes, she's that multi-dimensional. Lists Elton John, Beatles, REM, Celine Dion amongst her faves and is more into Colin Farrell than Brad Pitt. Looks gorgeous in D&G, Moschino, DKNY but in saris, she is sensational. If movie career splutters or drags, there's an option - to become ambassadress for India's largest sari brand.

Iris, Greek goddess of the rainbow. Good friend of Hera.

Girls who do boys who do girls who do boys. That's our Iris. Colours pink and blue, she likes them both. And every hue in between. As a child, she grew up on a regular diet of French fashion magazines, thanks to fierce fashionista mamma. Graduated top of the class in (surprise, surprise) Fashion Institute, has loads of talent but essentially lazy. So, still reads those foreign, glossy, fashion mags slavishly. Just to see what the competition is doing, y'know! Hardly ever eats, sometimes nibbles, leading to rumours (all false) of bulimia, anaemia, anorexia! Party animal is middle name. In her spare time, conceptualises restaurants, designs jewellery, colour codes Bollywood dances and is now planning to direct a film. Firmly believes a smile does serious damage to one's gums. Already planned next year's rainbow collection. In all black.