The Hindu Business Line : In party mode, always

People in Mumbai have never needed an excuse to party. And the week during Christmas and New Year's Eve is when every place in town is crowded and every bash costs a bomb.

Parmeshwar Godrej and Tina Ambani at a Mumbai boutique.

Varanasi is a place you do not forget. The oldest city in the world haunts you long after you have visited it — the quiet moments on the Ganges in a pre-dawn boat ride, then the rude shock of seeing a limb or two floating by; the sadhu on the steps seemingly oblivious to the world; the old man whom you once saw half-naked, abandoned near the water by his sons, being washed into the waves and back again to the shore, a nun from Mother Teresa's charity gently placing a cloth over his body, in a last attempt to give him dignity before death... Everyone who has visited Varanasi has a story about this city, with its rich culture and quiet tragedies, its music, its soulfulness and its mystery.

This week, Ahmedabad-based photographer Chaitanya Patel brings Varanasi alive in the city; his exhibition of black-and-white and colour photographs is being held at the NCPA in Mumbai. He had visited Varanasi in December 1993, staying in an ashram next to the ghats, along with sadhus who were its inmates.

Patel, who is an industrialist by profession and a photographer by passion, says, "Music has helped me while I was recovering from cancer and photography has motivated me to cope with my rehabilitation." In Varanasi, he found the perfect subject: "It is a place that teaches the photographer many unknown things; only he should be open to receive it," Patel explains.

The exhibition is on till December 24 and should be worth a visit.

Time to party

Party season has begun and people are gearing up in various ways, launching new clothes and jewellery collections. The high-profile duo, Leetu Shivdasani (no relation) and Haseena Jethmalani, has launched a collection of traditional ensembles with heritage embroidery. It was a high-profile launch; Tina Ambani, Queenie and Raja Dhodhy, Parmeshwar and Tanya Godrej, and Shobhaa and Dilip De were among those who made it to the preview at the boutique, S' - The Fashion Salon.

For those who really have money to burn, there's D'damas' latest jewellery collection from Mehul Choksi's Gitanjali (Digico) group. It's called Origin, and is designed by Japanese designer Kazio Ogawa. The collection is inspired by nature and boosted by some pretty impressive connections. Their global brand ambassadress is no less than Miss Universe... Jennifer Hawkins, who breezed into Mumbai wearing a slinky blue outfit and, of course, a D'damas necklace, waving prettily and posing for the photographers, completely unembarrassed about the fact that she was more than an hour-and-a-half late.

What was interesting about this jewellery collection was not just the fact that it was gorgeous, but also that the company had tied up with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) for the research into extinct animals and birds.

Pheroza Godrej, vice-president of BNHS, made some reference to how this 120-year-old organisation had recognised the need to interact with a new global world, and a D'damas representative said the company will be working with BNHS on various other activities, so that should be something to look forward to. They also say that a part of the sales proceeds of this collection will go towards nature conservation.

Meanwhile, BNHS does conduct several nature walks and other programmes; you could find it a great way to spend a Sunday with your kids.

Festive fervour

Of course, in the run up to the new year, the social calendar is picking up pace. Grand Hyatt ushered in the festive spirit with the ceremonial lighting of what they say is Mumbai's tallest Christmas tree at 35 ft, to the accompaniment of live carol singing by kids.

Actually, the kids seem to be having a pretty good time these days; Cartoon Network and its little brother Pogo also held their anniversary bash the other day and Olive Oyl and Popeye were among those who joined in the festivities. Even parents took part in some weird games like an obstacle race that had grown men running across a half-plank bench. One sassy kid, between bites of an ice cream that he was clearly enjoying, however, told the compere that he wasn't having a good time at all!

People in this city have never needed an excuse to party, but the week during Christmas and New Year's Eve is when it reaches fever pitch — every place in town is crowded and every bash costs a bomb. As for the traffic jams, the less said the better. This New Year's Eve, you might even be better off staying home and watching television!

Response can be sent to life@thehindu.co.in

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