Conversation

It’s Raining Rouka

According to the ‘Weather Forecast’ Kochi is heating up, but we don’t mind a change in the weather with Rouka.

Published

11 years ago

March 14, 2014

A design graduate from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and the Ecole Nationale Superieure Des Arts Decoratifs, Sreejith Jeevan created a brand of contemporary harbor, Rouka. Having worked with textiles in India and abroad, Sreejith now works from his studio in Kochi, creating a style that embodies the essence of people.

There’s an intriguing factor in the name of your brand, what’s in the name?
I was extremely particular that the brand name should be a malayalam term; should be quirky and with many different. Rouka in malayalam means a bodice and it apparently also means a ‘corridor’ in japanese. Both these meanings convey exactly what I wish to do through my brand. We promote a very simple aesthetic which is handcrafted by the many people for whom we are a corridor.

How did the rainy season inspire you?
Having lived in Kerala, one takes the rains for granted. It’s when you leave the boundaries of that you realize people celebrate rain so much. So I asked a lot of people what they do when it rains. The answers were fun. Some of them said they play with their grand-dads old umbrella. Some others go out on a drive. A few kids told me they play paper boat races. So as a brand that celebrates the concept of a beautiful every day, we believe in embracing these little luxuries.

I am a textile designer, and that vocabulary is my language. So a stripe represents rain. A check represents a field. So when you overlap a stripe with a check, I say it’s raining on the field.

What does your designs communicate?
Rouka believes in clothes that are simple. I feel that it is a design sensibility we’ve lost over time. From the extreme minimalism of a ‘puliyila kara’ we’ve gone ahead to machine embellished polyesters! At Rouka, we want to go back to simplicity but at the same time with a deep understand of the way people live. I look at people around me when I design. We make simple clothes that we feel would make a difference in their today’s life.

Keeping the weather eye open, what are the textiles that you have used for the collection?
Weather forecast, as a collection uses cottons, cotton silks and pure silks, most of them handloom. We work with different weaving clusters that make beautiful fabric which are simple and elegant. Handlooms have to be nurtured and to find it a sustainable future, it needs to be developed into a luxury product because there are a lot of hands involved in the making and they need to be valued and respected.

What are the elements in your design that reflect your passion?
By principle, I only do what I feel is passion driven. As a brand, it’s a conscious decision to only create products that reflect the spirit of Rouka. Rouka stands for three things- the beautiful every day, textile hand skills and an element of quirkiness. I’m passionate about all the three and they’re evident in the clothes I make.

What was the stream of your thoughts while coming up with your designs?
Simplicity is not an attribute of just this collection. It’s a part of Rouka’s sensibility to embrace minimalism. Like I mentioned earlier, I look at the women around me. They have a hundred things to do. So we decided to simplify dressing for them.

The color palette of your collection sets a certain mood, is it evoked by what you see around?
This collection predominantly uses an achromatic palette. It’s mainly blacks, whites, greys and accents of purples and blues. Rouka began a few days before the stormy month of Karkidakam, and these are mainly the colours that one sees at that point of time.

You have beautiful sketches on your clothes; do motifs create a cultural connection?
Yes. These are things people told me they do during rains. And at some point of time, as a Keralite, I might have done it too. The connection was easy!

What’s the most distinct and indelible moment you enjoyed during the glorious monsoons?
Before I started working on this collection, I took a train to visit a few weaving clusters. To just sit inside a train and see visuals of rain outside through the moist thick glass was wonderful. In fact it’s that trip which triggered the whole collection!

The trends are constantly changing in Kerala; do you see Kerala embracing a fashion evolution?
Definitely. People are widely travelled and they’re no longer just inspired by what they see around them. The whole world is their canvas. They understand global trends, they live a modern lifestyle, and more importantly understand clothes. I definitely see this bringing about the change. I personally believe in fashion that is inspired by the world but created out of one’s own roots.
Quickies

Who’s the most stylish Mollywood celebrity?

Shobana. From those pearl chokers in the 90s to the handloom sarees in 2013, she rocks them all.

Your next favorite season that may inspire a new collection?
I think I’ll move from Karkidakam to Chingam. The Onam season! I’d love to do a collection with just the pookalams!

Any rain theme song that got you into the groove?
Oh yes, Mazhaneer thullikal from Beautiful! Varmukile from Mazha…so many!

An Indian designer who has a similar taste like you?
Designers like A&T and Rajesh Pratap Singh have an aesthetic that embraces minimalism.

If you had to describe your collection in one word it would be?
Effortless!

What material would you select if you had to launch a footwear collection?
Leather, only leather!

Conversation

Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

1 year ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

Conversation

Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

Art

8 Best Podcasts of 2020

Published

4 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.