Madhu Neotia, Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal and Subhashini Ali with dancers at Simpli South! at Swabhumi and (below) attendants at a food stall at the same festiva

With winter on its way out in Calcutta, this time it was South India and Southern delights that had people scurrying to Swabhumi, the heritage plaza on the EM Bypass. Simpli South!, as their ongoing festival is aptly termed, was inaugurated by freedom fighter Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal and social activist Subhashini Ali and is on till January 27.

From art and culture to Ayurvedic medicinal solutions, clothes and handicrafts of the four southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the festival is showcasing it all. While the aim is to promote the art and creativity of the artisans of South India including craftsmen, artists, performers and culinary experts, for the enthusiastic Calcuttan, it all translates into an opportunity for hectic buying. With the wedding season in full swing, here’s your chance to stock up on South silks and cottons as well as fabrics even as South Indian traders and karigars explain the various nuances of Narayanpets, Mangalgiris, Ikkats, Gadwals or Kanjeevarams. Also on display at the stalls are silk stoles priced between Rs 450 and Rs 650 and dupattas at Rs 900 onwards. And if you’re the type who likes to do up your home in style, there’s an extensive variety of products including Tanjore paintings, silver filigree-work, lacquerware, leather puppets and coir items to take your pick from.

Food, the biggest turn-on for Calcuttans, hasn’t been forgotten either. With its wide variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine, the food court beckons all and sundry. While Kerala is represented by its special filter coffee and such snacks as Masala Vada, Banana Roast, Puttu Kadal, Idiyappam, Palappam and Elayada, Hyderabadi and Chettinad cuisines are also well taken care of. The range of South Indian chutneys made of tamarind, coconut, peanuts, dal, fenugreek seeds and cilantro with tapioca and banana chips also come highly recommended.

e you take in the flavours and fragrances of South India, a plethora of cultural performances will keep you hooked to the place. The performances to watch out for include classical dances such as Kathakali and Mohiniattam, and theatre performances called Therukuthu.

Chefs Ashfaque and Irfan Qureshi with tandoori specialities from the festival at Saffron

Tandoori nights

The tandoor churns out some of the greatest delicacies of the world and over the years, it has been an integral part of India’s culinary heritage. To celebrate the specialities of tandoori cuisine in this part of the country, Saffron at The Park is hosting a unique gourmet event — ‘2000 years of the tandoor’ till February 8.

Kebabs and naans are the essence of tandoori cuisine and to give Calcuttans an opportunity to sample the best of both, master chefs Ashfaque and Irfan Qureshi have sculpted a special menu for Saffron. Cleverly crafted bearing in mind the preferences of both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, the a la carte menu includes kebabs and naans from every corner of the country, which is why, apart from popular Kashmiri kebabs, the menu includes kebabs from Rajasthan, Lucknow and Hyderabad. From Phandari Seekh (kebabs made of raw bananas and assorted fresh vegetables, skewered on a wooden seekh and deep-fried) to the Kakori Kebab (a delicate blend of finely-minced mutton, cloves and cinnamon, drizzled with saffron), there’s something here to suit every palate.

e such delectable specialities as Nali Barrah Kebab (shanks of lamb marinated and braised with whole spices and cooked in tandoor) and Shikampur Kebab (mutton patties spiced with cinnamon and peppercorns) are sure to bring back that craving for red meat, there’s good news for vegetarians also. Chef Qureshi’s Malai Seekh Kebab and Peshawari Paneer Tikka bring out the subtle taste of corn spiced with fresh herbs and cottage cheese cooked on char-grill.

Not just that, for all those who prefer chicken, there are such unusual delights as Murgh Kastoori Kebab (melt-in-the-mouth morsels of chicken with cream, grilled in tandoor) and Murgh Potlee Kebab (tender rolls of succulent chicken mince). The vegetarian kebabs are priced at Rs 265 while at Rs 825, Red Snapper Mussalam is the highest-priced item on the menu. To complement the succulent kebabs, there is a selection of rotis from Afghani Naan to Naan Changezi and Parathdar Ajwain Paratha to choose from.

Bindu at the launch of the new promotional offer at Tanishq

When nature calls

Ibiza, the swish country club on Diamond Harbour Road has pulled out yet another winner from its hat. Aangan — a brand new extension of guesthouses on the premises was recently unveiled with the main aim of helping one reconnect with nature.

Located amidst lush greens and circled by swaying palms, the cluster of nine cottages is indeed a sight to behold. Modelled after a true-blue Bengali village, the rural touch is more than evident by way of thatched roofs, wooden frameworks, mud-look walls and folk art. Bamboos, clay pots and terracotta knick-knacks only add to the appeal. And if rural charm reigns on the outside, the interiors are all about modern comforts and conveniences what with televisions, ACs, tiled toilets and more lined up to take care of your every need. Floor-to-ceiling window-panes allow a gorgeous view of the greenery outside while bamboo blinds offer privacy when needed. While the swimming pool just outside the cottages beckons temptingly for a dip, there’s an attached health club as well to stay fit and fine.

Perhaps no one sums it up better than Suchandra Bardhan, the young architect behind the project — “Aangan is a meeting ground of complete coherence between rural architecture, comfortable interiors and a luxuriant landscape — a non-aggressive, down-to-earth weekend retreat in the lap of nature, away from the hustle-bustle of the city.”

The newly-launched wing is strictly for members, though. And membership means coughing up little over a lakh of rupees. For further details, contact the club office at 2470 9928/9.

A view of Aangan, the cluster of plush new guest-houses at Ibiza

Dangling the carat

For years it’s been right there at the top of the jewellery business, launching a series of innovative schemes that have kept customers coming back for more. And now, with its newest promotion that was announced at its Camac Street outlet recently, Tanishq, India’s largest branded jeweller, is all set to add new meaning to that old adage ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’. For shelling out anything above Rs 5,000 at any of the chain’s 66 exclusive boutiques across the country will now entitle clients to take home at least one 22K gold coin absolutely free.

“With an escalation in the gold price, diamonds seem to have caught the fancy of the customer,” says Saroja Y.L., head, marketing, category management and design. “The promotional offer has been designed to provide our customer with significantly-enhanced value at a time when she needs it the most. The scheme ‘Get Gold Free with Diamonds’ caters to the aspirations of the Indian woman by providing an opportunity to own diamond jewellery and at the same time win gold, which today, is a huge investment opportunity.”

The promotional offer is valid on all of Tanishq’s existing lines of diamond jewellery as well as the dazzling collections it has introduced for the wedding season including the spectacular Enamel and Diamonds range, the delicately-fashioned Paisley and Dew Drops line, the pretty-as-a-picture Dancing Diamonds collection and of course, the Coloured Stones collection, emblazoned with gorgeous gems. This apart, there’s Aria, a line of diamond jewellery inspired by the traditional seven-stone floral motif, Hoopla, a range of diamond hoops, Diva, an exquisite medley of pearls and sparkling diamonds, Solo, a collection of stunning solitaires, 9 to 5 for the working woman on the go and Lightweights, a striking line of jewellery for the contemporary woman.