Culture

Jaaved's recent move to Bandra is inspired by sentimental reverence, not just for the coastal suburb but also for his two elder children, Meezaan and Alaviaa. He says, “Earlier my problem with Bandra was that, with the amount of construction everywhere, buildings are situated amusingly close together where you can open the door and ask for a cup of sugar. But when I saw this place I just fell in love’’. After hours of discussion and brainstorming, his succinct brief to Kush Bhayani of KULx Studio was to create a space with minimal sophistication. “Warm, natural, eclectic.’’ And so, Kush designed a home that hangs heavy with history…a mature, expansive twin of his family home with Mediterranean design ethos. Directed by: Piya Pahwa Produced by: Talib Chitalwala and Nidhi Panicker Videography: Rohit Mendiratta (@thematterstudio_) Words: Harleen Kalsi

The AD Design Show 2023 opened with a bang as patrons of the art and design community gathered at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Komal Sharma, the head of editorial content at AD, regaled everyone with a welcome speech, and inaugurated the AD Design Show 2023 with the unveiling of Shankha. This brass installation by artist Shilo Shiv Suleman was a feminine take on the otherwise masculine architectural structures, and showcased a cowrie shell in all its glory. Followed by a garment presentation ‘AGAMA’ by Sanjay Garg, founder of Raw Mango. Paying an ode to India’s textile heritage, especially kantha, the collection showcased sarees, jackets, skirts and more in mashru. The periphery of the AD Lounge became a makeshift ramp as models strutted away wearing these regal apparels. A key highlight of the event was the reimagined Lal Dera, or red tent, designed with a contemporary perspective by Sameep Padora of the architectural firm sP+a. Here’s a recap of those three fabulous days.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's new Netflix series Heeramandi's spectacular set interprets a magnificent world where dance, poetry, fine arts, weaving, and jewellery-making are nurtured and a time when great artists moved freely, without any barriers. Bhansali’s earlier films Devdas (2002), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018) were all grand, but Heeramandi is grander. It’s a brilliant spectacle, which beats them all in not just scale but also art and architecture. For seven months straight, 700 craftsmen worked at Mumbai’s Film City to erect the set on about 60,000 wooden planks and metal frames. DOP: Mahesh Limaye Visuals editor: Harshita Nayyar Edited by: Shiv Khandelwal

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja gives AD India a tour of her London home and studio.

Virat was looking for a space with a soul, with a sense of belonging and community—a home that is a testament to his own taste—so Avās in Alibag delivered. Built over a one-acre plot by globally acclaimed architects at SAOTA, led by Phillippe Fouché, the Californian Konkon-style four-bedroom villa celebrates “raw luxury’’. The nonchalance of California and the romantic minimalism of the Konkan coast are brought to life by the home’s high ceilings—featuring natural hardwood that creates harmony throughout the first floor—and an elaborate open layout. Another unmissable characteristic is the use of natural materials such as pristine stones, exotic Italian marbles, raw travertines, and Turkish limestones.

Virat Kohli unwinds at his wellness-chic and tech-savvy holiday home in Alibag, brought to life by globally acclaimed architects at SAOTA, led by Phillippe Fouché. Although this conscious preacher of wellness and slow living didn’t just choose any property to call home in the coastal town, he handpicked Avās Living, a community centered around a holistic luxury lifestyle, started by founder and CEO Aditya Kilachand. While being outdoors and within the vicinity of nature soothes Virat, it’s the Avās app integrated with wellness technology features such as circadian lighting, gas leak detectors, and advanced air and water filtration, among others, that truly makes him happy. “One thing that makes spending time here easy is the Avās app, which more or less organises everything for me. It gives me a customised dashboard of all the things I need while I’m here. My favourite feature is home automation.’’ That’s understandable.

As the iconic school celebrates its 125th anniversary, we look at its glorious past, illustrious present, and the newly refurbished campus that holds it all together. Located atop 300-foot high Gwalior Fort Complex, home to many significant monuments, including a series of rock-cut reliefs of Jain monks, a 30-metre-high 9th century temple, a palace and museums, The Scindia School is spread over 160 acres. Founded by His Highness Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia (I) in 1897, it was known as the Sardars' School then and catered exclusively to nobility. It was only in 1933 that the school opened its gates to boys from all sections of the society and was renamed The Scindia School.

Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, the head of the Jaipur royal family, leads us through unseen parts of the royal City Palace complex—stepwells, terraces, havelis rich with the patina of age and time— and lays before us his ambitious project of revival.