Out & About

At Podar House, A Road, Churchgate. Till Oct 16.Time: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Craft society

Design and style freaks, rejoice! The Society Collection, Society’s eagerly awaited annual exhibition of art and craft, begins today. The annual exhibition, which has been highlighting current trends in design and style since its inception in 1993, is distinguished by a rigorous selection process and a premium on innovation. This year’s collection focuses on the unusual by showcasing exclusive items of jewellery, terracotta, pottery, hand-embroidered sarees, hand-carved furniture, crystal, stained glass, designer clothes, gift wraps, Tanjore paintings, carpets, linen and furniture. Tempted? Well, a little indulgence never harmed anyone!

At the World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade. Till Oct 17. Time: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Craft collective

Over 150 craftspeople from 16 Indian states come together to display and sell the handicrafts from their region. Aimed at creating new marketing channels between the artisan and the market place, theexhibition also hopes to increase the awareness and value of handicrafts in urban areas. Textiles, terracotta goods, wood ware, carpets and dhurries, shawls and imitation jewellery will all be on offer.

Crafts Bazar ’99 at Bandra Reclamation grounds, Bandra (W). From Oct 14 to Oct 23. Time: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm.

Rajasthani special

There is still more from the handicrafts sector. This time for those with a yen for Rajasthani artefacts. Rajasthali, the Rajasthan Government’s Handicraft Emporium is holding an exhibition-cum-sale. Sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, the fair displays a wide variety of exotic handicrafts from the state.

At Coomaraswamy Hall, Prince of Wales Museum, Kala Ghoda. From Oct 16 to 25. Time: 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

AIDS aid

The launch of Positive Voices: Face to Face With HIV/AIDS is a valuable addition to literature on India-specific AIDS issues. Edited by Dr Subhash Hira, Dr Manisha Sen and Rajendar Menon, it is the first in a series of books byAIDS Research & Control (ARCON) Centre, Collaborative Program of Government of Maharashtra & the University of Texas-Houston, USA. Written in an accessible, reader friendly style, this slim paperback reflects the psychological trauma and social alienation of HIV-positive persons. How? By documenting real-life case studies of AIDS patients, and focusing on the ground realities of managing AIDS in India. Says J V R Prasada Rao, additional secretary & project director, National AIDS Control Organisation, "With an increasing number of people testing HIV-positive, the service providers and social workers will have to deal with these issues in a sensitive and positive manner. This book will be a useful tool for all those concerned with the problem."

Available free of cost at the ARCON Centre, J J Hospital. For further details call 374 2193.

Candy joy

Love ice candy but fear germs? Well, fret not. Hindustan Lever comes to the rescue with Kwality Wall’s Max Uno — the hygienic one rupee icecandy. Available in two flavours, orange and cola, Max Uno is the latest range of affordable ice creams introduced by Kwality Walls. The launch was prompted by the huge existing demand for safe ice candy revealed by market research. Says Vivek Rampal, general manager, HLL, "Max Uno addresses the need for safe and affordable ice candy." Available at all Kwality Walls Outlets.

Happy baby

The news just gets better for kids. Johnson and Johnson, the leading baby care company, has recently introduced Johnson’s Kids Detangling Shampoo specially designed for kids between the ages of four and 10. Made from safe and mild ingredients, the shampoo contains a special "No More Tears" formulation, making it very gentle on the eyes of children. The product also promises healthy, tangle-free hair and can be used everyday. What’s more, its innovative exclamation shaped packaging and fruity fragrances, chosen by children themselves through a series of "Buddy Panels", are sure to make shampooing more fun.

Price:Rs 45 for 100 ml/Rs 75 for 200ml.

Mega mag

The quarterly glossy Verve hit the stands this week. This lifestyle magazine for women, has profiled some of the most-sought after names in the city from Simi Garewal (who is their cover girl) to Bipasha Basu. But the real attraction of this magazine are the beautiful photo-spreads, particularly those taken by Vinod Nair. This not so well-known lensman has shot some really eye-catching pictures at Indigo. They are so good that they should be framed. So buy your copy now — before it turns into a collector’s item.

Top of the Line

And look what the breeze blew in this week from Bangalore! The Indus League dream team of shirtmakers, led by Sriram Srinivasan, V Uday Kumar and Fazle Naqvi, with five other bright bods. They’re all set to storm Mumbai retail bigtime with two scrumptious menswear brands, Scullers and Indigo Nation. Tees, overshirts to wear over tees, regular shirts, chinos, trousers, ties. The colours are madly flattering to apalette of Indian complexions, the checks, stripes and solids are in witty, classy combos and the look, overall, is very cool and hip, very Ivy League and preppy, with detailing to die for. It’s like move over Tommy Hilfiger, we’ve got news for you. Best of all, the prices won’t make you suicidal, though the top end of their range isn’t exactly a snip. So how come Indus League offers international class for desi prices, and made in India yet? "We know how to do this, for Chrissake," growls Indus League MD Sriram Srinivasan, who in an earlier avatar as president, Madura Garments, built and ran India’s most successful branded garment operations, with brands like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England, antics which were covered with boring regularity in all the pink papers. Putting their money on the Indus League button are Dalmia Cement and the hot Frisco fund of venture capitalists, Draper International, best known as backers of whiz IT firms like Cybermedia, Geometric Software Servicesand PowerTel Boca. So if you’re bingeing for Pooja or Diwali, check out Scullers and Indigo Nation, they’re rowing straight at you and an international market.