Cover Story
Mamta Mohandas’ Journey of Freedom
What’s the true feeling of being empowered? Mamta Mohandas takes us along a journey of introspection.
What’s the true feeling of being empowered? Mamta Mohandas takes us along a journey of introspection.
The first thought that comes upon laying eyes on Mamta Mohandas is “an independent woman.” I walked in as she was engaged in a shooting session. Dressed in a pastel mint peplum dress lined with a punch of yellow, Mamta’s anime eyes were focused on the camera. As she tilted her head towards the photographer, her coral-shaded lips were pronounced. She didn’t break into a seraphic smile, right at that moment I thought ‘this was it’. That was the cover shot – a photograph that embodied confidence. But more importantly, it was a photograph that made a silent statement, which said, “I can look back to what’s left behind.” Shuttling between countries – India, Bahrain and the US – Mamta was the perfect choice for our March cover, as this month celebrates the International Women’s Day. What can I say, it’s decadent with the bold spiritedness that’s channeled into attire, art, and certainly a new way of living. Yet I still feel it’s very riddled. An engraving on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC says “Freedom is not free.” Meeting Mamta, this phrase instigated in me a question – does empowerment come with the feeling of being free in what you do, or who you are?
Many a times, we judge a celebrity by their characterization in films or how they’re depicted through the media, and when met in person suddenly they seem so illusory. During a break in the shoot, Mamta retreated to her dressing room where I finally met her. Out of the flamboyant costumes, she settled on the couch in a relaxed pair of jeans, looking athletic and lissome. Our icebreaker was her marled, multicoloured espadrilles. We joked about how it looked like the parachute on Coldplay’s new album cover. It was her comfortable go–to shoes that she wore during the shot breaks. I thought she made a bold statement pairing them with the plush gowns. Only until the shoot commenced, she slipped into her towering Louboutins.
Though the media has endlessly talked about her battle with cancer, she’s been candid with her tackle. During the interview she had a steadfast tone. She occasionally cleared her throat, her voice modulations were good but even better was her reasoning, it was sound. Undeterred by the whirlwind of emotions, she surprised me with her sense of correctness. She was profound in her outlook to life and her insights didn’t come across as superficial or worse, pseudo intellectual. In fact, Mamta took over the wheel and steered her way through to a brave new world. And when she hit the road, it was certainly a zigzagged one.
Chasing Liberty
Synonymous to her movie Two Countries, Mamta shared her diaspora perspective on social conventions. Growing up in Bahrain, she explained that she was influenced by Western pop culture from music to movies. She grew up in an environment that believed both men and women are meant to coexist in the world. Deeply rooted in the field of arts, she feels women should always pursue their inner skills and, more importantly, believe it never ‘only belongs to man’. However, she claims not being a feminist, rather she feels that a lot of women in India have been, until
now, maintaining a stoic silence. “In our country, men are proud to be men, but women are not always proud to be women.”
With prevalent gender injustice, her brazen confdence was no exeption to the treatment she received. Mamta candidly shared her experience when she arrived in India.“It’s like they had me all figured out,” Mamta remembers. As she breezed in casually with her sleeveless tops and trousers with cropped waists, her mannerisms were easily misconstrued – whether it was a smile or when she reached out to shake hands. But the truth is Mamta has an air of coolness, a quality that could easily be misread as arrogance. “I was judged for simple things like answering in English when the questions were asked in Malayalam.” Hiccups, in the larger scheme of things. Today, she is a revered actresses in both the Malayalam and Telugu film industries; with awards and accolades for not just acting, but also playback singing.
The Whole View
In a profession that has gargantuan expectations of being picture perfect, her outlook at some point became myopic. “Having worked here for 10 years, you tend to start believing that mores, religious issues and the environment influence the decisions in your everyday life. Inadvertently, you conform to things laid out there and believe that’s the only way to do it.” For an actress, looks are always placed on a pedestal. She said that her self-esteem plummeted during the chemotherapy session, especially with her hair loss. But it was not about vanity. “I like to take care and present myself well. I have always concentrated on my work-outs and have also led a very disciplined life. I was never into drinking or abusing my body. When this happened, I got severely frustrated and kept thinking I did not deserve this.”
But in this complex rut of thoughts, her hardest issue was being equivocal about her condition. She unapologetically said, “When you are a film actor, it is so hard to be upfront about your fears and insecurities because you are being judged all the time.” She felt that she lost herself somewhere in between. Battling the medical issue, she was always in the vicinity of her dears ones; everyone was in the mood to be corrective, considerate and motivational but not always understanding her state of mind. “I was faced with a few circumstances in life where I felt that I was let down by a few people on whom I was really counting on – especially to stay by me or support me in the right manner during the hardest times. “When things did not work out quite the way I wanted it. I just said, ‘You know what, I just don’t care anymore. They can take a hike.’” At that moment I butted in saying that she strapped on her shoes and she took the hike instead. She laughed out loud, in retort, “Oh yes, I ended up taking a hike all the way to Los Angeles.”
Into the Wild
With our ‘take a hike’ joke, we drew reference from Cheryl-Strayed’s widely acclaimed biography, Wild. The book was recently adapted into a movie starring Academy award winner, Reese Witherspoon – one Mamta thoroughly enjoyed. Cheryl Strayed hiked 1,100 miles of the 2,663 milelong Pacific Crest Trail. On asking her what common thread she shared with the author, Mamta said that it was a journey that taught her to unlearn. “I detached myself from everything and I found the inner strength within myself. When I moved to LA, I felt that I connected with my childhood again and I felt I was the old Mamta again. I can definitely say this is the strongest I have ever been.” Meeting new people brought out her vivacity and elevated her energy levels. Her new home has become a safe haven. The ambiance and culture are different in L.A. “I can greet people with a ‘What’s up’ and get a smile in response. I am a people person but I need the right people around me.”
Starting Over
Engaging in new experiences, she recently gave a shot at skiing , which she exclaimed she was horrible at but happy that she gave it a try nonetheless. Loving the sunny side of LA, she said she’ll soon look into body surfing too.
Having trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music, Mamta has a deep connection with music. She recently sang a rendition of ‘Jar of Hearts’ by Christina Perri for one of the leading Malayalam television channels. One line that struck a chord was “I’ve learned to live half alive.” I then asked her if there’s one fully lived moment during her journey. She looked at me with a content smile.
“ Driving, “she said complacently. She embarked on a road trip inspired by the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin – a book that was recommended to her by director Anjali Menon. When I asked what was the reason to go on a solo journey, she answered, “I am not sure if it’s a reason but I wanted to embark on a journey that had a lot of freedom and at the same time something that would truly allow me to find the ultimate strength within me.”
In one of her road trips that was seven hours long from California to Phoenix, she felt liberated and completely alive driving through the many hues and moods of America’s colorful landscapes. Especially, the red skies set in Phoenix that’s structured with auburn mountains. While she was driving, she loved listening to the mellow compositions by the Italian pianist Ludovico. “The music brings tears to my eyes for it correlates so beautifully with nature of life and one’s mind.”
Amidst the setting sun, the chameleon skies, she shared the one moment that she felt was infinite, “It was my last trip from California to Phoenix. I found this mountain that was strikingly white. It had a few green shrubs, some brown rocks and light brown sand. In the distance, I could see more snowcapped mountains and the sun rays fell on them in an angular way. The music was haunting; there was no one else on the road. For 10 years of my life, much of my energy was constantly getting drained; I used to always feel unwell. Staring up into the mountains, at that moment and time, I realized that it was time to live life to the fullest.” In Mamta, I saw someone who took the courageous step of detaching herself and finally hushing the paradox, freedom is not free. That feeling when you ride till where the road meets the sun.
That’s a different type empowerment. An empowerment where you dive in with blazing glory to meet your deeprooted fears and insecurities. Did she entrench herself in fears? No, she surfaced.
Vindicated. And there a new chapter begins.
Words By Atheena Wilson
Model: Mamta Mohandas
Photographs by Toonus
Design & Styling: Ela by Jisha
Associate Stylist: Lakshmi Babu
Makeup: Renju Renjimar
Hair Styling: Sudhi
Image Manipulation: Jemini Ghosh
Location: Beaumonde The Fern, Kochi
Production: FWD Media
Cover Story
Starlit Wedding – Diya Krishna
Actor Krishna Kumar’s daughter, Diya Krishna, a popular social media influencer, recently married Ashwin Ganesan, a software engineer, after a long-term relationship. The couple celebrated their special day with a beautiful ceremony at a luxurious hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. Diya’s family, including her siblings Ahaana, Ishani, and Hansika, along with her parents Sindhu Krishna and Krishna Kumar, looked radiant in coordinated light pink ensembles. The wedding was an intimate gathering, attended by close family and friends. Here are all the details of their magical day.
Haldi
For the Haldi ceremony, Diya and Ashwin were spotted in coordinated white outfits by Santini. The look was beautifully elevated with a pop of color from Diya’s pink dupatta and stunning floral jewellery by Florita Florals, adding a fresh, vibrant touch to the celebration.
Diya’s Outfit : Santinni
Aswin’s Outfit : Santinni
MakeUp : Amala Brahmanandan
Jewellery : Florita Floral
Event Planner : Grand Oyster
Photography : Abhijith SK
Location : Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa
Mehendi
Diya looked effortlessly chic in a vibrant multi-colored skirt set by Mahek Designs for the Mehendi celebration. Ashwin complemented her perfectly with a multi-hued jacket by Santini, completing their joyful and lively Mehendi look.
Diya’s Outfit : MAHEK DESIGNS
Aswin’s Outfit : Santinni
Mehandi : MISHMA KAMAL
Event Planner : Grand Oyster
Photography : Abhijith SK
Sangeeth
Diya and Ashwin absolutely rocked their Sangeet in stunning black outfits by Santini, exuding elegance and style as they celebrated the night in perfect sync!
Diya’s Outfit : Santinni
Aswin’s Outfit : Santinni
Jewellery : Atelier by Regal Jewellers
MakeUp : Laxmi Venugopal
Event Planner : Grand Oyster, Decor Lab Events
DJ : TONIQ SQUAD
Photography : Abhijith SK
Wedding
For the wedding, Diya truly dazzled in a polished pastel-themed saree designed by the talented M Loft by Joel. Styled in a manner reminiscent of Bollywood star Alia Bhatt’s iconic fashion sense, the saree was a vision of beauty, adorned with elegant detailing, intricate embroidery, and flowing glamour, imparting a regal charm to her bridal look.
Diya’s Outfit : M LOFT
Aswin’s Outfit : M LOFT
Jewellery : Atelier by Regal Jewellers, Regal Jewellers
MakeUp : Laxmi Venugopal
Draping : Aamee Hafsa Nazar
Event Planner : Grand Oyster, Decor Lab Events
Garlands : Black Gold Flowers
Photography : Abhijith SK
Wedding Second Look
For her second wedding look, Diya embraced a simple yet elegant white Kerala traditional set mundu, perfectly complemented by traditional jewelry from Bhima. Ashwin matched the aesthetic, dressed in a silk shirt and mundu by M Loft, creating a timeless and graceful duo.
Aswin’s Outfit : M LOFT
Jewellery : Bhima
MakeUp : Laxmi Venugopal
Draping : Aamee Hafsa Nazar
Event Planner : Grand Oyster, Decor Lab Events
Photography : Abhijith SK
Reception
At the Delhi reception, Diya stunned in a maroon saree, perfectly capturing the elegance of a newlywed. The North Indian-style chooda added a beautiful touch to her look. Ashwin complemented her effortlessly, looking sharp in a sleek black suit by Santinni.
Diya’s Outfit : Shazara Design Studio
Aswin’s Outfit : Santinni
Cover Story
Onam Elegance: Decoding the Traditional and Modern Looks of M-Town Celebs
Onam, the grand harvest festival of Kerala, is a celebration of tradition, culture, and elegance. Each year, Malayalam movie celebrities embrace the essence of the festival by donning a mix of timeless traditional outfits and contemporary styles that reflect their unique flair. From graceful sarees to classic set mundus, the stars bring out the best of Kerala’s sartorial heritage. In this lookbook, we decode the standout fashion moments from your favorite M-Town celebs, showcasing how they beautifully combine tradition with modern elegance to make a statement this Onam season.
Anushree
Anushree looked stunning in a double-colored set mundu from Naithu by Sruthi Prasanth, beautifully accessorized with exquisite jewels from Malabar Gold and Diamonds. Her look was perfectly complemented by flawless makeup by Sajith & Sujith.
Mahima Nambiar
Mahima Nambiar looks stunning in T & M Signature’s Onam collection, “Thumbayum Thulasiyum.” Her festive look is perfectly complemented by exquisite jewelry from MOD Signature. Styled by Jobina Vincent, the ensemble is further enhanced with flawless makeup and hair by Pinky Visal, creating a captivating Onam look.
Ahaana Krishna
Ahaana Krishna exudes her signature charm with a simple yet effortlessly stylish look for this Onam in Black Set Mundu. Staying true to her unique “Ahaana style,” her minimalistic makeup and elegant hair were beautifully crafted by Amala Brahmanandan, perfectly complementing her festive vibe.
The Sukumaran Family
The Sukumaran family radiates elegance in their traditional Onam attire. Indrajith and Prithviraj opted for timeless simplicity, donning classic white shirts paired with mundus, while Mallika Sukumaran exudes a proud motherly grace in a beautiful, classic Kerala saree, perfectly capturing the spirit of the festival.
Shilpa Bala
Shilpa Bala looks stunning and stylish in a white and orange traditional salwar by Kalaakari, exuding festive charm. The look, styled by Rashmi Muraleedharan, is perfectly complemented by elegant jewelry from Pure Allure. Her radiant makeup and hair, done by Sanaah, complete this beautiful Onam ensemble.
Anikha Surenderan
Draped in the stunning ‘Nila’ saree by Anusha Reji, Anikha Surendran mesmerizes with her grace and style. Styled to perfection by Mehaka Kalarikkal, her look is elevated by exquisite jewelry from Goldencup Bridal Rental Jewellery. With flawless makeup and hair by Ashif Marakkar. Anikha’s Onam look is truly captivating.
Nikhila Vimal
Like a muse straight from Raja Ravi Varma’s timeless canvas, Nikhila Vimal exudes ethereal charm in a stunning Pen Kalamkari Kanchipuram saree by The Saffron House. Styled by Smiji, her look is further elevated by flawless makeup and hair by Femy Antony
Dulquer Salman
Dulquer Salmaan looks ravishing in a classic white kurta set, effortlessly blending tradition with chic style. His Onam look radiates simplicity and elegance, making a timeless fashion statement for the festive season.
Pearly Maany
Pearly Maany looks stunning in a saree from T & M Signature’s Onam collection, “Thumbayum Thulasiyum.” Her elegant look is perfectly complemented by exquisite jewelry from MOD Signature Jewellery, with flawless makeup and hair by Touch by SiRe. The saree draping, beautifully done by Krishnapriya P V, completes Pearly’s enchanting festive ensemble.
Arya Babu
Arya graces this Onam in a pure Kerala handloom set saree by Kanchivaram.in, embodying the true essence of tradition and festivity. Styled by Sabari Nath, her look is beautifully complemented by elegant jewelry from Gemforher, with flawless makeup and hair crafted by Manju Michael’s Salon. Arya’s ensemble is a perfect reflection of timeless Onam elegance.
Navya Nair
Navya stuns in her Onam look, wearing a beautiful outfit by Jugalbandhi. Her flawless makeup and hair, crafted by Sijan Joseph, enhance the festive charm. Adorned with exquisite jewelry from R. Giri Pai Jewellery, the look is captured to perfection by Black Lenzio, making Navya a vision of elegance this Onam.
Priya Prakash Varrier
Priya Prakash Varrier looks gorgeous and modern in a stunning saree by Mloft. Styled by Asaniya Nazrin, her look is flawlessly complemented by makeup and hair crafted by Unni, making her stand out with a perfect blend of traditional elegance and contemporary chic.
Aparna Balamurali
Aparna Balamurali looks traditionally beautiful in a Kerala saree by R O U K A by Sreejith Jeevan. Styled by Rashmi Muraleedharan, her look is complemented with flawless makeup and hair by Sruthi Sai. The ensemble is completed with exquisite jewelry from Nakshathra Gold and Diamonds, making Aparna’s Onam look timeless and elegant.
Amala Paul & Family
Amala Paul’s family Onam picture is an absolute dream, with the family dressed in stunning red and white outfits. Amala shines in an elegant ensemble by Made by Milan, while Jagat looks dapper in his outfit from House of Messcal. Styled by Sapna Fathima Kajha, the look is further enhanced by flawless makeup and hair by Sajith & Sujith, and exquisite jewelry from Cressida Signature Jewels. Together, they capture the perfect festive spirit in this beautiful Onam portrait.
Rajisha Vijayan
Rajisha looks stunning in a leaf-printed saree by ALDA Designer, effortlessly blending tradition with a modern twist. Styled by Amritha Lakshmi, her look is perfectly complemented by makeup and hair by Laxmi Venugopal. The ensemble is enhanced with elegant jewelry from TT Devassy Jewellery, and the draping, beautifully done by Exotic Makeover’s Elizabeth Shinitha, completes this mesmerizing Onam look.
Miya
Miya embraces the spirit of Onam in a pure Kerala handloom Kasavu saree by Kanchivaram.in, radiating traditional elegance. Styled by Sabari Nath, her look is beautifully complemented by makeup and hair by Sijan Joseph. The ensemble is further enhanced with exquisite jewelry from Mayoora Jewelry Designs, and the saree draping, skillfully done by Krishnapriya P V, completes this timeless Onam look.
Cover Story
Sarees of India : Punjab’s Phulkari
The traditional Punjabi art form ‘Phulkari,’ derived from the terms ‘phul’ and ‘kari,’ meaning flower and effort, is thought to have begun in Punjab in the 15th century by Punjabi women. Bright and bright textile art uses needlework and the most basic designs to create a fascinating, appealing, and ornamented result. Phulkari work is reported to be mentioned in Heer Ranjha’s Waris Shah love romance. References to this needlework tradition can also be found in the Vedic period. Women’s phulkari chadar, dupattas, sarees and other veil garments were traditionally exchanged as bridal gifts or heirlooms.
The inspiration for the Phulkari motifs would originate from their imaginations based on their surroundings, nature, animals, birds, gardens, or even a mother-daughter conversation. Marigolds, jasmine, peacock, and mustard flowers were frequently used as a means of expressing their feelings, inventiveness, and expressiveness.
Because Phulkari is made out of symmetrical designs, the craftsmen and women must count the amount of stitches on each side before proceeding, making Phulkari a time-consuming method. However, as time passed, people moved on to new techniques, and in addition to coarse khaddar fabrics, silk, georgette, chiffon, and normal cotton began to be used. Darning stitch- the most significant stitch- was used to border the khaddar in the past. Other stitches like herringbone, buttonhole, and running stitch were also utilized. These stitches were employed to make a unique motif or as a border.
The use of colors is extremely important in Phulkari art. Traditionally, just four hues were utilized, each with its unique meaning. For example, white is appropriate for elderly women and widows, red is appropriate for young girls and brides-to-be, and blue, black, and dark tones are appropriate for everyday use. Red was the most commonly used color to express enthusiasm, followed by orange for vitality and green for fertility.
In India, there is not just one sort of Phulkari, but numerous. What distinguishes one Phulkari from another is the darn stitching process, which is done on the reverse or wrong side of the fabric, which makes this handcraft unique. Here are some of the most popular Phulkari designs.
Bagh– A design in which horizontal, vertical, or diagonal stitching cover the entire fabric surface.
Chhamas – Chhamas fabric has mirrors stitched or woven onto it with yellow, grey, or blue threads.
Neelak– Neelak patterns have a black or red backdrop with bright yellow or red embroidery on top. For a distinct shining texture, the design is combined with metal or copper threads.
Chope– Chope is traditionally done in yellow and red threads and involves embroidering on both sides of the fabric. This embroidery is made out of a series of triangles or a step-ladder pattern.
There used to be 52 different types of Phulkaris, but that number has since been reduced to only a few. The states that use the Phulkari traditional art and needlework the most are Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
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