Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

Celebrity couturier Masaba Gupta recently unveiled her luxury bridal label, which pays homage to the maharanis of Patiala, begums of Hyderabad, and the many princesses who have influenced India on the global map, featuring a collection of ensembles for the free-spirited bride. We chatted with the multi-hyphenate designer about the launch campaign, Patiala Portraits, her take on what brides are increasingly looking for when curating their trousseau, and making Kareena Kapoor Khan her muse for the collection. EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW: Tell us about The Masaba Bride. What was the inspiration behind this collection? We wanted to break through the clutter of how a bride has been viewed in the country for so many decades, and the idea was to liberate the Indian bride. At the same time, we didn’t…

What motivated you to join the Indian Air Force? My maternal grandfather used to serve in the Army. Whenever I visited him, he would take me to the Indian Air Force Museum in Palam, New Delhi and show me vintage jets. Since I was a child, I have dreamt of flying. Whenever I looked up and saw an aircraft, I would imagine sitting in it and controlling [the jets]. That motivated me. I also had a desire to serve the country. What was training like? The training tests us physically and mentally. The more we train, the more prepared we are. The training itself is gender neutral. We need to be mentally fit to prepare for our missions and be physically fit to endure the timelines given. The environment [during…

You’ve been open about your struggles with postpartum depression and the challenges you faced regarding body shaming. How has this journey influenced your perspective on body positivity? I was too scared to speak up about it when I was an actor. I was afraid of showing my stretch marks and true age. But after gaining 30 kilos during childbirth, my facade shattered, and I lost my identity completely. From that journey, my voice emerged—I never want anyone else to go through that struggle. We often conform to societal expectations until we reach a breaking point. I did. And that was my turning point. You have moved from traditional acting to digital content creation. How do you perceive the role of digital platforms in promoting self-acceptance? When I joined social media…

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF KOLKATA, on Park Street, AMPM opened its doors to the public last year. The cafe and cocktail bar cater to the city’s growing cosmopolitan audience driven by art, culture, creativity, and curiosity. The 142-seater restaurant pays homage to the grandeur of the Victorian era and the charm of Calcutta clubs while bringing together Kolkata’s history and a sense of nostalgia. The outpost not only boasts postcolonial era-inspired furniture reimagined with a modern twist but also a carefully curated colour palette with warm neutrals and opulent tones. Think creamy white foundation, soft gold and polished bronze accents, and eye-catching rich reds. As for the decor elements, there are vintage maps, framed prints, antique mirrors, polo memorabilia, as well as handpicked antiques. The outpost has a thoughtfully…

TIPS + TRICKS TO HELP YOU TRAVEL SMARTER WHAT WOMEN WANT is the freedom to explore the world, at their own pace, with utmost safety and comfort. These women-centric travel companies encourage and empower women to travel the world by offering an array of itineraries and experiences. These companies blend the joy of being alone with the comfort of being in a group of like-minded women who share their enthusiasm for travel. WOVOYAGE Instead of offering pre-made itineraries, Wovoyage customises every trip according to your preference, choice of destination, dates of travel, as well as group size. You can trust Wovoyage to plan a customised itinerary and provide women-friendly accommodations, comfortable transportation, and safe private tours. Founded by travel enthusiast Rashmi Chadha, the company aims to broaden the horizons…

You played both hockey and cricket while you were young. What inspired you to pursue a cricket career? I played both [the sports] and I still love both. I was playing both very well at the time, but there were more tournaments in cricket to participate in, so I was giving it a bit more time than hockey. Eventually, I had to pick one as a profession. Given a chance, I’d go play a game of hockey anytime. Is there increasing awareness, recognition, and support for female cricket players? It has been amazing to see the kind of love and support we are receiving from everyone. The Women’s Premier League has been pivotal in this change. People follow us more now, they engage with us on social media, and it’s…

You’re known for incorporating contemporary themes in your performances. What drives your desire to innovate and experiment in the traditional art form? Bharatanatyam is a sophisticated art form. Some art forms lend themselves to nuance and modernisation. For me, Bharatanatyam is a powerful medium. What each of us does with an art form is up to us. There is great strength in Bharatanatyam, especially the Pandanallur style that was further developed by Amma [Mrinalini Sarabhai]. It is both dynamic and delicate at the same time. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in challenging traditional norms? I was brought up with Amma’s work, using Bharatanatyam to speak about saving the Silent Valley forest and addressing dowry violence. I thought that was the way all artists used the language.…

TRAVELLERS’ TALES, FROM NEAR + FAR I AM NAPPING ON my foam surfboard somewhere in the Arabian Sea, feeling its vastness and the briny sea breeze, when my instructor Ajith calls out, “Shikha, get ready, a wave is coming for you!” I quickly paddle towards him and assume the partial upward-facing dog position or Urdhva Mukha Svanasana with my feet at the tail of the surfboard. Waiting for further instruction gives me time to get ready for what comes next. Reading the water current, Ajith pushes the surfboard gently and exclaims, “Pop up!” to which I respond with a balanced stance on the plank. Trying to keep my lower body compact and my knees bent, I manage to drift along the wave for a few seconds. In that moment it’s…

THE CHOPPY SEAS tossed our boat high up in the air as the roaring waves whipped up a frenzy of foam right across our faces. But in a moment, it was all over. The anger melted as the calm waves gently rocked the boat, and we saw the shore in the distant horizon. We were a motley bunch of travellers in a lone boat surrounded by the azure waters of the Gulf of Bothnia, cruising from the coastal town of Kalajoki to the uninhabited Maakalla Island in Finland. It was our first day exploring the Pohjola or the Northern Route, a microcosm of authentic Finland, also dubbed as the birthplace of the Nordic country. Surrounded by 900 kilometres of fells and forests, there are over ten pristine destinations along the…

WE WERE FLYING in a jeep past sand dunes lining the cerulean waters of Mexico’s Pacific coast. The breeze, balmy and salt-tinged, flowed through my hair. At the wheel, Ricardo Santa Cruz smiled as he turned onto a dirt road lined with palm trees. “The ultimate luxury is to have space, and a real communion with nature,” he said. Santa Cruz is a cofounder of Xala, a multimillion-dollar development slated to open in late 2026 in Costalegre, or “the happy coast”—a part of the western state of Jalisco, south of Puerto Vallarta, that’s full of unspoiled beaches, capes, and bays. Comparisons to the once off-the-beaten-path Riviera Maya come to mind, as do reservations about that region’s ultimate fate. Its once-vibrant spirit quickly turned into something more sterile under the economic…

A GLOBETROTTER’S GUIDE TO THE LATEST IN TRAVEL INDIAN 1 KERALA VAGAMON With dreamy waterfalls, sprawling tea estates, thick pine forests, and rolling hills, Vagamon is a paradisical escape for couples. This sleepy town has perfect weather all year round and can be your pick for a romantic honeymoon. Think snuggling up on a boat that glides on the tranquil waters of Vagamon Lake, enjoying a peaceful picnic by a waterfall, and taking long strolls through natural canopies formed by tall pine groves. There’s no dearth of adventures either. Embark on a thrilling trek up to Thangalpara, drive up to the Mundakayam Ghat for a surreal sunset, go in search of the big cats in Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary, or walk on India’s longest cantilever glass bridge that is 3,500 feet above…

Rolex DATEJUST 36 The Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36mm timepiece is crafted in Oystersteel and white gold. There is also a refreshing mint green dial along with a Jubilee bracelet. The timepiece also boasts high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers and a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. `7,82,000 Chopard ALPHINE EAGLE 33 With its 33mm diameter, this automatic watch showcases a harmonious fusion of style and functionality. The case of the Alpine Eagle 33 is crafted from durable stainless steel and there is a see-through sapphire crystal case-back. As for the dial, the Aletsch blue colour is obtained through a galvanic treatment. Price on request Omega SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA 150M This timepiece has an ocean-inspired design. Sporting a symmetrical 34mm stainless steel case and bracelet, this watch boasts a captivating waved…

You’ve been a vocal advocate for accessibility in travel. Could you share a travel experience that highlighted the need for better accessibility? I was raised in the USA, so when I first came to India in 2008 after my disability, the inaccessibility astounded me in the worst way possible. An experience that shaped my belief in the need for accessibility was when I was molested and manhandled while trying to access a train. When I landed in Mumbai in 2008, I had to travel to Delhi, via train, the very next day for medical reasons. As soon as we reached the compartment of the train, my mother called two porters over and instructed them to carry me to my seat. She instructed one person to lift me from my upper…

You played a crucial role in ensuring Chandrayaan-3’s triumphant touchdown. How did you feel at that significant moment? Even after the lander made the soft landing on the moon, we were ascertaining if all the parameters were fine and if the lander was intact. Only after doubly ensuring that all was well, we collectively felt immense satisfaction—not only had we accomplished our goal, but we had achieved a perfect landing! While working on the mission, we had to work on many failure-handling capabilities to ensure a successful landing this time. And what we achieved that day was a ‘textbook landing’ and we could not take our eyes off it. There was also a sense of pride as the entire country celebrated. We built everything indigenously, every technology for the mission…

I USUALLY DISAPPROVE OF footwear at the beach. But even I agreed to wear wellies as I walked through the tide pools at Sombrio Beach, where a thick bed of midnight-blue mussels and pointy goose barnacles was slicked with glossy green surfgrass. It was a sunny day in early May on a wild stretch of sand in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia. The sky was so clear I could see the outline of Washington’s Mount Olympus some 97 kilometres away. The water was full of surfers in wet suits; colossal Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and cedar trees lined the shore. Everything about this epic landscape tugged my attention upward, but my guide, Annalee Kanwisher of Coastal Bliss Adventures, encouraged me…

I CAPTURED THIS PHOTOGRAPH one evening in Gorakhpur, a small village in Uttar Pradesh. It has lush gardens, blue ponds and rivers, and many birds. This parrot was trying to nibble on mustard seeds in the fields. I wanted to click a sharp image with a good frame. It took many attempts, but I’m happy with the results. That day, I learned that knowing the subject you choose to click makes photography easier and better. —ABHISHEK GAUR ON HIS PHOTOGRAPH, TAKEN WITH A SONY α7 M3 ON FEBRUARY 10, 2024. Abhishek Gaur was an entrant in our ongoing ‘Your Best Shot’ contest. Submit your best shots at tplusl@burdaluxury.com, or use the hashtag #telltnlindia and tag @travelandleisureindia on Instagram, to stand a chance to get featured on this page.…