Compiled by Aradhna Wal & Naina Manjrekar
Nandini V Muthiah On Art
Photographer Vivek Vilasini’s The Temple is full of dark humour; it is a film noir look at society and public figures. Annu Palakunnathu Matthew’s photographic work deals with identity. That is something I can relate to, as it is also part of my work. I quite enjoy Raja Deen Dayal’s studio portraits. They are outstanding and will stand the test of time. My absolute favourite, however, is Gregory Crewdson. He inspires my work. His art is a huge production. It is like a movie set-up for one image or a series of images, like a story being told. These are some of the artists whom I’ve enjoyed and thought about recently.
Muthiah Is A Chennai-Based Photographer
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Vijayendra Mohanty On Books
I read The Complete Professor Challenger Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle starring his lesser-known creation, Professor George Edward Challenger, an over-the-top mad scientist who undertakes extraordinary adventures. His companions detest his arrogance but respect the man. The engaging stories transport one to other worlds.
‘Doyle’s creation is an arrogant, mad scientist who goes on extraordinary adventures’
Mohanty Is The Delhi-Based Writer Of Ravanayan
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Arijit Dutta On Music
I really enjoy Sandeep Chowta’s music. I was completely bowled over by the beauty of his album Matters of the Heart. It has an all-star line-up of some of the greatest jazz masters — John Scofield, Dave Grusin, Scott Kinsey, Lee Ritenour and my favourite Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. It has some fascinating songwriting and amazing production with no discernible musical divide. It’s one unified sound that goes way beyond terms like fusion.
Dutta Is The Vocalist Of The Delhi Based-Band Airport
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Avinash Roy On Film
A film that I recently saw and found fascinating was The Story of the Weeping Camel, directed by Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni. It combines elements of documentary and drama to create a stunningly beautiful montage of life in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. A newborn camel is rejected by her mother and the herdsmen try to bring them closer. The resilience of the people, their stoic attitude towards life and the vast undulating desert all come together to create a magical and almost spiritual filmviewing experience.
Roy Is A Mumbai-Based Filmmaker
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Seemant Kumar On Food
There are two places I’d like to recommend: Pickwick and Sevilla, both in The Claridges, New Delhi. Pickwick is an allday multi-cuisine diner and coffee shop. It’s a nice little place. Anytime you go there, you can sit and munch on something. It has some great continental breakfast that hotel guests generally go in for. Sevilla is a fine-dining restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine and a good selection of wines. It is built to resemble a nature park with machaans for seating. It reminds me of the Jim Corbett National Park. Because of the decor, set-up and good service, the atmosphere is very relaxed.
Kumar Is The General Manager Of Rara Avis, New Delhi
