GENRE: Features

With the delay in onset of Monsoon in the city, you have got more time to fill up your wardrobe with monsoon gear. So what’s on the list? Umbrellas, raincoats, jackets, caps and the list is on. So let’s begin. Fancy umbrella. Pic: Padmalatha Ravi Those plain, monotonous, black coloured umbrellas are a passe. The bright reds, purple, blue and pink umbrellas with prints are the in thing. A plethora of designs and colours are available in the market to choose from. Polka dotted umbrellas have become a huge hit after the movie ‘3 idiots’. Who says umbrellas are used…

Try this – Close your eyes and describe the image that comes to mind on hearing the word 'garden'. I tried this with my family while writing this piece and was surprised to hear the different responses that emerged. For my 6-year-old it was all about brightly coloured flowers and toys, her father spoke of cobbled pathways, birds chirping and greenery all around. For me, the word 'garden' always brings to mind an image of butterflies flitting around lots of plants in bright sunshine! Caterpillar basking in the sun. Pic: Vinita Squirrel scrambles up the nearest tree. Pic: Vinita ant…

Try this – Close your eyes and describe the image that comes to mind on hearing the word 'garden'. I tried this with my family while writing this piece and was surprised to hear the different responses that emerged. For my 6-year-old it was all about brightly coloured flowers and toys, her father spoke of cobbled pathways, birds chirping and greenery all around. For me, the word 'garden' always brings to mind an image of butterflies flitting around lots of plants in bright sunshine! Caterpillar basking in the sun. Pic: Vinita Squirrel scrambles up the nearest tree. Pic: Vinita ant…

When was the last time you bought a pen? How much did it cost? Was it made of plastic or coated with gold? Yes some pens are made of gold and can cost up to a couple of lakhs. Cross pens. Pic: Anisha Nair Brand name, as in any other retail product is a key factor with the pricing of pens too. From Parker, Pierre Cardin, Cross, Sheaffer, Baoer, Waterman, Mont Blanc, Caran d’Ache, Q, the list is long. You have a plethora of designs, trends and styles to choose from. It also depends on the material from which pens…

When was the last time you bought a pen? How much did it cost? Was it made of plastic or coated with gold? Yes some pens are made of gold and can cost up to a couple of lakhs. Cross pens. Pic: Anisha Nair Brand name, as in any other retail product is a key factor with the pricing of pens too. From Parker, Pierre Cardin, Cross, Sheaffer, Baoer, Waterman, Mont Blanc, Caran d’Ache, Q, the list is long. You have a plethora of designs, trends and styles to choose from. It also depends on the material from which pens…

In the previous article we discussed about handling pests in general. Here are a few examples shared to show how pests can perhaps be dealt with, without the use of chemicals and dangerous pesticides. Powdery Mildew Caused by fungi, the leaves in this case develop cloudy whitish spots are a common problem faced by several terrace gardeners. Starting out as a few spores on the leaves, powdery mildew quickly spreads, ultimately yellowing the leaves and causing leaf drop. It stunts plant growth, distorts the flowers and fruits and weakens the plant in general. Spores never stop producing more spores, so…

In the previous article we discussed about handling pests in general. Here are a few examples shared to show how pests can perhaps be dealt with, without the use of chemicals and dangerous pesticides. Powdery Mildew Caused by fungi, the leaves in this case develop cloudy whitish spots are a common problem faced by several terrace gardeners. Starting out as a few spores on the leaves, powdery mildew quickly spreads, ultimately yellowing the leaves and causing leaf drop. It stunts plant growth, distorts the flowers and fruits and weakens the plant in general. Spores never stop producing more spores, so…

The aroma of the coconut oil being heated on a pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God's Own Country's food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Koramangala and HSR layout.When you set foot into Kumarakom in HSR layout, it feels like you have stepped into open courtyard house in Kerala with all the woodwork and high ceiling. It has with some typical kerala features like the chuttu vilakku and some fine cane and wood furniture. Meen. Pic courtesy: Oyster Bay The pearl…

The aroma of the coconut oil being heated on a pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God's Own Country's food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Koramangala and HSR layout.When you set foot into Kumarakom in HSR layout, it feels like you have stepped into open courtyard house in Kerala with all the woodwork and high ceiling. It has with some typical kerala features like the chuttu vilakku and some fine cane and wood furniture. Meen. Pic courtesy: Oyster Bay The pearl…

Dr B N Vishwanath of Garden City Farmers Trust, in his talks gently but firmly reminds you that we humans are just one of the species on this planet. There are several hundreds of insect species, we have no right to try and exterminate insect-life in the garden or even indiscriminately refer to them as 'pests'. At the National Seminar on Organic Urban Gardening in 2010, Dipak Suchde (www.prayogpariwar.net) made a pointed observation that when insects affect a particular plant in the garden, they are a sign that the given plant is not fit for our (human) consumption. This was…