The Deccan Herald Theatre Festival 2017 which will be held from December 3 to 10, is sure to be a feast for the eyes with many spellbinding acts.

This years festival has been curated and organised by Shiva Pathak from the Bengaluru-based Sandbox Collective. The collective comprises of artists and curators who have worked in theatre for nearly two decades.

Looking back on the history of the festival, Shiva says, "The Deccan Herald Theatre Festival harks back to a time when amateur theatre ruled the scene in Bengaluru. Each play saw a maximum of five shows and there were only two to three venues in the city. It was also the time when the Bangalore of the 90s had given way to a more robust and vibrant theatre landscape with more than 100 theatre groups vying for performances space."

About the unique elements of the festival, he says, "This years festival has been a re-imagination of sorts, a festival to reflect the reality of our times. It is a mixed offering and has big, spectacular works as well as works that are small and intimate."

"One of the major add-ons this year is the intercollegiate leg of the festival. With more and more youngsters entering the world of theatre, it is imperative that we include them to the ever-growing theatre fraternity of the city."

With the DH Inter-Collegiate Theatre Fete, the students will get an opportunity to showcase their performance as well as interact and engage with professional theatre companies and practitioners.

"There are hundreds of people who join the theatre fraternity every year, ones who have chosen to do full-time theatre. With numerous venues, big and small opening their doors to performers, there are more shows than ever in the city. Ten years ago, we possibly had two to three shows on any given day, even a weekend. Today, we have over 20 shows in different parts of the city. Bengaluru possibly has the most vibrant theater escape in the country today," he adds.

The theatre festival has big names like Prakash Belawadi, Arundhati Nag and Pawan Kumar associated with it.

Shiva says, "Arundhati Nag needs no introduction. A veteran both on the stage as well as in cinema, she will be seen on stage after a long hiatus, in one of the most celebrated plays in the history of theatre, Mother Courage and Her Children. This play is written by the legendary Bertolt Brecht. The play is as relevant today as when it was written and has been performed by some of the biggest names in the world."

"Prakash is best known for his snappy style in the theatre. His foray into the world of cinema has only added to his popularity," he says.

"Pawan Kumar, best known as an award-winning film director, started off in the world of theatre and never quit theatre. He continues to stage his one man show at regular intervals and has a lasting interest in theatre," adds Shiva.

"Apart from Mother Courage and her Children, there are two other plays at the festival which are interesting," he adds.

"A Little Calm Before the Storm directed by Vandana Prabhu is an absurdly funny play about actors who portray Hitler. Prashanth Nair puts together a whacky set of comic sketches in A Funny Thing Called Life that reflects the funny side of life," he sums up.

My husband and I have now retired (well almost) and decided to visit our son and daughter-in-law in London for a three-month stay. But when my son and daughter-in-law decided to plan a trip to Canada, the itinerary included visiting family and also visiting Banff and Calgary.

We flew from Gatwick, London to Edmonton, Alberta and met our relatives. We took two cars for eight people and a kid. Our first halt was at Hinton, in west-central Alberta, Canada. We stayed at the White Wolf Inn. This is a small town and is named for William P Hinton, Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.

On our way, we picked up some ready-to-make Indian food (five of us are vegetarians). We cooked the food in the microwave provided in the rooms and slept. The next morning, we drove to Icefields Parkway to see the Rockies. The glaciers were an experience by itself. We rode in a bus with super special tyres to the glaciers. The Canadian Rocky Mountain is named as Icefields Parkway and is one of Canadas national treasures. It stretches across the Canadian Rocky Mountains Park World Heritage site. The scenario includes lakes, ancient glaciers and valleys. To travel the Icefields Parkway is to experience one of Canadas national treasures and most rewarding destinations.

The Peyto Lake is magnificent and as many a photographer claim, it is one of the best places for inspiration. It is located in the Banff National Park, northwest of Lake Louise. Apparently, the colour in the lake is derived from the glacier rock flour which ideally flows in during summer.

Most interestingly the colour varies depending on the season and also the time of the day. We just could not get enough of it, the lake, the mountain and the entire scenario left us mesmerised and wanting for more.

An experience to remember in a lifetime is visiting the Athabasca glacier. It is magnificent, huge and very intriguing. We were booked for a 4.30 pm slot and were taken in a bus to a spot. What we saw when we got off the small bus was surprising- there was a huge bus with much huger wheels. Apparently, the size of the wheels was to counter the glacier. We reached a spot and were given around 15 minutes to bask in the glory of the glacier.

The snow was spread over miles and miles, slippery in some places and quite safe at other spots. Little rivulets were also flowing, the water was cold and pure. We managed to taste it and definitely felt rejuvenated.

Visiting the Niagara Falls was truly an emotional experience for me. I had certainly not imagined what I was to encounter. We left from home Toronto around 5 pm, it was a two-hour drive (peak traffic).
When we arrived, the first thing I heard was the gushing of water and then saw these huge falls -- majestic, pure, dominating and most important
spectacular.

Apparently, the view from the Canadian side is far more beautiful than from the American side. We could see the visitors from the American side viewing the falls as they would have perhaps watching us too.

Johnston Canyon is embalmed with limestone bedrocks over several years of water erosion. It is a visual treat with waterfalls, narrow ridges, bridges, lush forest and of course canyons. It has the lower and upper trials. The hike is easy and not too tiring.

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in Banff National Park, and for good reason; it is a place of dramatic natural beauty accessible to most. It is particularly popular during the summer and at certain times of the winter. If you seek a more peaceful experience, try visiting Johnston Canyon during the spring and fall, or make the most of the long summer days by going in the early morning or mid-evening.

The walk is made even more meaningful because of several scenic spots which are lush and green.

Dr Annapoorna Ravichander

(The author can be contacted on annapoornaravichander@gmail.com)

If in Telugu original, its hero Nagarjuna, was films saving grace, in its Kannada avatar besides Real Star, his bonding with Prema, returning to give him company, ensures audiences have their fill of entertainment. More so, with Uppi dada in a dual role, makes it double dhamaka with Uppi gloriously going about his role in inimitable and trademark style, regaling his loyal fans.

Further, where Upendra Matte Baa also scores is choicest dialogues Uppi gets to deliver sending his audiences in a delirium. The films songs also add a bit of colour and drama to the fun-filled film. Sadly, Shruthi Hariharan though, who is a fine actress, is getting into inconsequential roles that do her no merit. However, what makes one cringe is the directors needless emphasis more on the heroines navels than turn it into a neat family drama. Also what turns an eyesore is the action sequences with the spirit of Uppi seeking retribution against his enemies responsible for his death.

A flirtatious Upendra, a zamindar Raju, with a roving eye, meets his death suddenly, even as his wife is pregnant with their child. The son, now a grown-up Ramu and wife Sitas marriage is on the rocks. A distraught mother fervently prays to her husband for a miracle and help her in the crisis.

And lo and behold! you have Lord Yarma granting her dead husband returning sufficient time back on earth to resolve his family crisis. How the sprite dad tries to bring back his timorous sons marital life back on rails forms the rest beside the revenge he takes on those that saw him dead.

As we age, degeneration of cells hastens. Many of us experience the ill effects of degenerating bone cells. Bones can weaken over a period of time, because of age, inadequate nourishment, or absence of activity and movement.

Degenerative joint disorders like osteoarthritis can bring about the decay of the ligament tissue. The most commonly damaged joints are those of the knee, hip, ankle and shoulder. Treatment of such ailments are, unfortunately, often done with physiotherapy or surgical techniques.

However, now there is a revolutionary new approach, which aims at reversing the disease by regeneration of damaged cells. Magnetic resonance therapy works in the same way as the MRI technology. It stimulates hydrogen protons through the use of radio waves, by putting them into a state of high energy. As the therapy introduces energy into specific cells or groups to stimulate their regeneration; it can often lead to increased functioning of the joint and significant pain reduction.

Patients who experience low back pain, neck pain, tendinitis, fractures, knee and hip joint problems, cartilage tears, and ligament and tendon damage can also be treated with this therapy.

This will give people the option to avoid invasive methods of surgery and long-term physiotherapy.

(The author is a consultant orthopaedic at iRevive)

Steroidal medicines are life-saving, and are prescribed by doctors for conditions like chronic inflammatory illnesses, allergies such as asthma, eczema and various skin diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid and other arthritis, neurological and eye diseases, etc. Prolonged steroid intake, even in the form of inhalers, skin creams, nasal or eye drops, could result in cataract and glaucoma.

Cataracts, which are primarily the age-related condition of the eye, can occur in relatively younger people due to various health and environmental factors. If you are diagnosed to have early cataract or glaucoma, you could discuss with your doctor before the use of steroids. People suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions often resort to selfâ€"treating, and consume steroids for prolonged duration.

When people take steroids for prolonged chronic conditions, there is a significant risk for the development of cataract and glaucoma. There is no denying that there are other risk factors like age, history of eye surgery, eye injury, family history etc, that can augment the formation of cataract.

Today, precision eye micro-surgery is one of the most often performed surgery on human body today. It needs sophisticated equipment and well-trained surgeons. The post-operative care does not involve any bandage, injections, and the patient can soon return to his or her normal life.

One of the ways in which cataract can be managed is by generating awareness about it. Even today, many patients live with mature and hyper-mature cataracts, which are not desirable stages for modern techniques. Regular eye screenings are the key to prevent and manage cataracts.

(The author is chief surgeon and medical director at Karthik Netralaya)

A sedentary lifestyle can make you age faster, causing multiple aches and pains in your body. Some of you might be experiencing spondylosis, the result of constant wear and tear on the vertebrae and cartilage of the spine. If you wake up with a stiff neck or back or experience pain that is worse in the morning and at night, this is definitely a sign of spondylosis or degeneration of the inter-vertebral disc that protects our spine and facet joint.

Incidentally, by the time we enter our 40s, our vertebra begins to degenerate and wear away. To compensate for this, a new bone is formed. Unfortunately, the new bone forms in an irregular manner and compresses the underlying nerves, causing pain.

While most commonly seen in the neck region, spondylosis can affect other parts of the spine and cause back pain. Thoracic spondylosis affects the mid-back and lumbar spondylosis affects the lower.

Lets look at the effects of spondylosis:

Restricted neck movement and pain

Lower back pain

Vertigo or sudden blackouts and headaches

Tingling sensation in the hands and legs because of spinal cord compression

Pain going down the arm or leg while gripping objects

Pain while performing simple coordinated activities such as walking, tying shoelaces or maintaining balance, and, in extreme cases, progressive paralysis.

Spondylosis cannot be cured, but it can be treated with hot and cold packs. Physiotherapy is considered as the first line of treatment for a range of cervical spine conditions. Surgery is a last resort for patients who lose mobility.

(The author is director, Orthopaedics Spine Surgery, BLK Super Speciality Hospital)

If your latest medical reports indicated that your cholesterol levels are off the charts, then you are in need of a medical intervention. Besides popping pills, its time you followed a strict health regimen to up your good cholesterol levels.

Good cholesterol is also called as high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Increasing concentrations of HDL particles are strongly associated with decreasing accumulation of atherosclerosis within the walls of arteries. HDL cholesterol absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver, which flushes it from the body. Focusing on diet and healthy lifestyle helps in improving healthy or good cholesterol.

Here are six ways in which you can up your good cholesterol:

A healthy diet: Choosing healthy fats in diet will automatically boost the HDL levels. Consume flaxseeds, nuts like almonds, walnuts, salmon, and tuna, which are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fibre plays an important role in you meals. Include whole grains like quinoa, oats, brans etc, for fibre-rich food. Avoid foods that contain transfats and saturated fats.

Exercise: Physical activity and regular exercise helps in building and improving good cholesterol level. Routine exercise like walking, using stairs, upper and lower body weight training are useful. Research has shows that regular exercise, before meals produces an elevation on HDL levels. Moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise will raise HDL. At least 30 to 40 minutes of physical activity is recommended.

Moderate alcohol intake: Some studies show that mild to moderate consumption of alcohol lowers the risk of heart disease. Red wine, in particular, contains reveratrol, which has antioxidant properties and might protect artery wall. Limited alcohol consumption raises HDL levels by increasing the transport rate of apolipo proteins A-I and A-II.

Ideal body weight: Maintaining an ideal body weight keeps good cholesterol levels in check. A few simple food changes will help in weight management. Cut down on sweets, biscuits, sugary drinks, jams and cakes. Use healthy ways of cooking like grilling and oven baking. Trim the fat off meat and take the skin off chicken. Includes and choose low fat dairy products. Eat more of fruits and vegetables.

Include functional food: Consume foods containing ingredients that aid specific bodily functions apart from being nutritious. Oats products contain B-glucan, which lowers cholesterol. Soy products also increase good cholesterol. Presence of linolenic acid in flaxseed make it beneficial for raising HDL in blood. Tomatoes, garlic, broccoli, citrus fruits, cranberry, green tea and grapes are some of the other functional foods.

Quit smoking: People, who successfully quit smoking, stand a better chance of improving their cholesterol profile.

(The author is head of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Aakash Healthcare)

Work is so stressful these days, I am looking forward to my vacation, just kick back and do nothing. The stress is so bad that sometimes I grind my teeth at night. Last month, I had a terrible back pain and the doctor told me that its mainly because of stress. But its so common, I dont think I should be complaining," says Rita. She knows she is stressed, and wants to do something about it, but theres always another deadline to meet, something to do.

"Yeah man, if you cant handle the heat, get out of the fire, know what I am saying? Dont do this job if you cant deal with stress. We work hard, we party hard." Harish loves his work, and has a hectic social life but of late, he feels exhausted during the day and sleepless at night. He has gained a few kilos and has started to drink a bit too much. He had a recent
medical checkup and was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Stress is a word commonly used to describe the feeling of being keyed up, tense, on edge, overworked and overwhelmed. Stress occurs for several reasons, but ultimately it is felt when you feel a sense of threat.

Primitive response

Thousands of years of evolution have ensured that your brain is designed for survival: parts of the brain are exquisitely sensitive to threat, responding immediately to threat by sending signals to the rest of the body, releasing stress hormones and creating what is commonly called the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. The muscles tense up, the eyes widen, heart beats faster, blood pressure goes up, the blood increases its propensity to clot, the sweat glands increase their output, and the mind becomes vigilant and irritable. We are ready to fight the threat, or run away from it, or if these are not possible, then we freeze in the face of danger.

This response occurs without conscious thought and so rapidly that the conscious brain cannot stop the process. This response helped our ancestors, the cavemen, survive physical threat in forests, but its now causing us untold pain.

In todays world, we are relatively safer from a physical perspective; most of us are fortunate not to face physical attack on a daily basis, and yet statistics tell us that we are more stressed and anxious than ever before.

The brain cannot differentiate between threats to the emotional self and the physical self - the same brain circuits that respond to physical threats are activated when we feel the subtle emotional threat of day-to-day life: A boss criticises you, a partner ignores you, someone cuts you off in traffic, you are behind on your EMI payments, you have an impending appraisal - the brain perceives these just like physical threats and generates the fight, flight or freeze response.

As more people migrate to urban areas to work, as communities fragment, India is facing an unprecedented epidemic of loneliness and loneliness is stressful.

Sleep

We are sleeping less and exercising less than we should. Sleep deprivation has become an epidemic, with some studies estimating that more than 80% of people in urban areas are sleep deprived. The less you sleep, the more you are at risk of suffering from stress, depression and physical disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Diet

Our food habits have also changed, and more people now eat food loaded with preservatives and artificial flavouring, and not enough fruits and vegetables. Research suggests that our intestines are like a second brain. Many of the chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) are synthesised in the gut, and unhealthy foods alter the bacterial colonies in the intestine, decreasing the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. In short, eating bad food can make us depressed and stressed.

Urbanisation

Urban life has also taken us far away from nature. We dont get enough exposure to sunlight, we dont get enough fresh clean air to breathe, and we are not usually able to see a green vista in the distance, or a verdant scenery of trees and plants. This affects our brain too - studies show that nature is relaxing for the brain, while seeing an urban environment suburban environment actually stresses out the brain.

With so many factors pushing us over the edge, it is not surprising that studies show that over 40% of people in India may be suffering from significant stress. The rising incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, anxiety and even suicide are all a result of this increasing amount of stress.

Fortunately, a few simple strategies are helpful in significantly reducing stress.

A balanced diet: Maintaining good gut health improves brain function and reduces stress. Eliminate refined sugar, and processed food, increase fruits and vegetables and reduce animal protein. Fermented food like curds also helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system and brain.

Adequate sleep: Research proves that seven to nine hours of sleep a night, helps prevent stress and improves mood.

Regular exercise: About 30 minutes of physical activity a day, three to five times a week reduces stress and improves mood. Almost any kind of exercise is useful including walking. Yoga and pranayama helps reduce stress.

Meditate: Many studies now prove the remarkable power of meditation in reducing stress and improving mood. Research proves that even 10 to 15 minutes of a mindfulness meditation practice, that involves bringing the mind to the present moment, decreases stress hormones, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, and improves brain health.

We can learn through patient practice that we can be productive, we can work hard, and enjoy the many opportunities we have while letting go of all that we cannot control.

(The author is mental wellness expert, Cure.fit)

Last week, I was on a Saturday assignment (yes, work ruins our social life) at a lovely restaurant awaiting the people I was to interview. There was beautiful music floating in the air and it suddenly occurred to me that it was a very date-worthy place. There were about five couples seated and a couple of more walked in - dressed to impress, arm-in-arm, and looking very much in love. But before I could smile beatifically and hum Love is all around me, I started noticing things. One couple in the far left was making duck faces and trying to perfect their selfie, their 57th attempt with the same ghoulish face. Once done, they quickly went back to their phones and seemed to upload these pictures and were immediately showing off their handiwork to each other. The case was almost the same two tables away. To their credit, this couple wasnt letting a mere selfie take the centrestage; it was foodgasm that they were obsessing over! Ditto couple three, four and five. None of them were talking to each other. And then of course, there was me, not with my spouse at this fancy place, but carrying work to it. Talk about irony.

A vicious circle

Think about people around you. Think about their relationships. Heck, just look at yourself. Doesnt it remind you of one of those awful advertisements from the TV shopping networks that go, "Earlier, I used to be happy. I was young and in love, and my wife/husband was enamoured by me. Now I am depressed because my wife/husband is not interested in me any longer. My life is a chore. Even my cat doesnt talk to me…." Yes, you get the picture, its the pits. The weird thing is most relationships go down this route; from this fun, exciting, hot phase tempered to yea-we-are-still-happy, watered down to the delusional he/she-is-still-into-me to the downright frigid doesnt-care-for-me zone.

The question is: How to avoid this?

The answer is: You cant.

Great. Now that its officially put on print, you can all put your anxiety in a box and drown it in the Pacific or maybe the Arabian, since thats closer. You can exhale. Its okay. Relationships are difficult to manage and maintain. You are not going to be hoppity bunnies all your lives (pun intended) and thats fine too. So maybe we are putting a lot of therapists out of work here but, people, this is the truth. But, you ask, what about the spark? What about keeping it alive? What about rekindling it? Balderdash, all of it.

But are you really interested in building your relationship and watching it grow? It is a lot of hard work - youve got to watch out for these Cs.

Cut the crap

But before you fling whatever you have at hand on this writer or decide to have a fling outside your relationship, how about reading through? When relationships are not seen as a cumbersome rock that needs to be lugged around everywhere or shown off as a prized possession, suddenly the weight of maintaining them just goes off. And theres the key!

So heres the deal. If you thought falling in love/finding the right partner was the most difficult part of a relationship, brace up! Its in the keeping that the real work begins. You need to realise that its not a quick-fix formula. Relationships arent like a cola where you shake the bottle a bit once in a while and the fizz appears. You got to think them through, yet not make it seem like a task.

Be comrades

If you venture into the relationship thinking that your partner is your best buddy, you will waltz through this one. Strange though it may seem, and whatever the statistics say about being buddies and the effect on sex life, take this as the absolute truth. Your friend wont let you down, right? You arent a burden, right? And you can talk about anything between friends, right? Now substitute the word life partner there, and it should still fit wonderfully. Part of this thought stems from equality, part from comfortable company. Friends measure up well against each other and give you a lovely sense of comfort and thats what your relationship goals should be too.

Cool your heels

Among other things, that is! Most people think that sex drives relationships. Well, maybe it does drive them when relationships are plural! For a single, long-term, committed relationship, sex is not top-of-the-ladder priority. The statistics prefer to paint a different picture. But if youre counting and doing it, just to keep up with the statistics, youve lost the plot. Remember those statistics are for average people, and you wouldnt want to classify your relationship or your partner or yourself as average, would you?

All the compulsory sex makes it sound like a corporate report with graphs portraying how many times you dipped and the peaks you achieved. Sounds nonsensical, doesnt it? One or two or five or six or 20. It doesnt matter how often you do it, not as much as bonding does. In fact, whoever said that sex keeps a relationship strong either never had children or never heard of "I am too tired/unkempt/lazy to have sex but I love you". Have you experienced how sometimes, a touch or a gaze in the eyes can be more intimate than going in for the 69?

Communicate

This is the foundation of every relationship. If communication between any two people halts, you can be sure the relationship, of whatever kind, will not last long. So, if anything, keep on working at rekindling that communication, stoking that fire, because that is what will keep the relationship strong. This is a difficult thing to do. The days when you have arguments and dont even want to look at each other are the worst. How do you rebuild the relationship, how do you begin to talk. Gulp your anger or throw it out of the window and just start talking. Throw things at each other if you must (just make sure they are not hard or pointed), but just speak to each other again!

Stay committed

So how do stay committed to your partner? There are, after all, many more fish in the pond (ahem)? Most people talk about commitment being in the mind and god knows how many times you gone astray that way! Staying committed is also a conscious effort. Maybe it helps to remember that your partner is also human and could have similar thoughts? Dont kill yourself if youve trespassed that invisible line in your head; its alright. But acting out your fantasy will definitely lead to hurt that cannot be dealt with and youve got to check yourself over there. Constantly remind yourself that this is the person who has shared lifes ups and downs with you while the new person is seeing only the good side to your personality and situation in life. Think long-term.

No comparison at all

Basic human instinct, you think? Jump to what you like, or at least eye it unabashedly? Not done, please. You cannot generalise that it is a basic human instinct and then get away with all of it. Comparison to other people and their partners could well qualify to be the number one reason that brings down a good relationship. Yet, we are all guilty of it. Social media makes our differences even more pointed and in your face. Bright, happy, shiny people are all we see and begin to compare. Stop to think if thats their real life or if thats their real happiness minus the filters that have so happily taken over more than just our pictures.

Conditioned to love

Love is an affirmation and if you say to the universe that you love someone it really does conspire to help love blossom. Have you tried saying out loud that you love your partner and he/she reciprocates that love? Try it. Every day. Its better than all the sex you must compulsorily have!

During the transition from the rainy season to autumn and winter, the weather shifts from humid or warm to cool, there is sudden drop in temperature. This tends to make our skin drier, causing it to crack. This can lead to eczema or dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the skin. Even the smallest amount of dust can irritate the skin, since it is already in a dry and cracked state. The weather also takes a toll on the hair, making it brittle and lifeless. Dandruff (the flaking of skin on the scalp) is a common problem during this season.

Here are a few ways in which you can infuse life into your hair and skin:

Listen to your skin

Chose your clothing wisely, as the material of the clothing largely affects the skin. Very often the wool used in winter wear can also affect the skin. The moisturising element in the skin gets hampered, triggering dermatitis.

The ideal way to manage ones skin is to use best quality moisturiser. However, avoid heavy cream-based products if you have an oily skin, as these can cause acne or breakouts. Instead go in for water-based ones that are light on your skin.

Similarly, given a temperature drop, many of us stop using sunscreens. This is not a smart move, as even the slightest amount of sun rays can cause skin damage. So apply sunscreen irrespective of the season.

Another way to regulate the condition of your skin is to exfoliate. However, make sure you use gentle scrubs. It is also important to use soaps that maintain the PH balance of your skin. In terms of cosmetic treatment, there are certain meso-facials that help improve the hydration levels of the skin. Elements like hyluronic acid provide water content to the skin.

Tress talk

When it comes to hair, dry weather increases the chances of dandruff on the scalp. There is also a change in the cycle of hair growth as well as an increased hair fall.

Specific ozone therapies can help reduce the dryness of the scalp and dandruff. Basic therapies and laser-based treatments like laser light or laser combs can also counter hair fall.

If you think oiling your hair excessively can help counter dryness and facilitate hair growth, think again. Too many oil massages can lead to dandruff and make your hair greasy. It is necessary to hold back the use of oil based on the kind of hair you have.

Healthy diet

As your body tries to adapt to the changing weather conditions, your immunity drops often causing digestive ailments. Taking care of ones diet is the first step to healthy hair and skin.

Easily digestible foods, which are packed with probiotic properties will help improve the health of ones digestive system. Around one to two servings of curd would be a good idea. The consumption of whole beans, chicken, fried and processed stuff must be curbed, as these put more pressure on the digestive system. To reduce the level of stress, consume at least five servings of colourful vegetables and two servings of fruits. Seasonal fruits and vegetables such as gourds, pumpkin, apples, melons, lime and oranges are the best sources of essential nutrients.

To boost your immunity and reduce the chances of acne formation, antioxidants and proteins are important. Vitamin D is also crucial, as helps in maintaining good hair and
skin health, so get as much of this.

(The author is the founder and managing director, Hairline International Hair & Skin Clinic)

Its time to upgrade your wardrobe and get set for winter! The autumn or winter clothing this year is defined by performance sportswear detailing, outerwear and updated basics in clean-cut silhouettes for winter layering.

Of late, both menswear and womens wear has seen strong urban sportswear influence along with fast fashion that has been building up from the last few seasons. With the 1980s and 1990s style making a comeback, traditional winter wear is redefined through plaids, punk details and outerwear made of heavy fabrics.

So instead of bundling up to keep yourself warm, do it in style this season and step out in jackets, boots and warm sweaters. This is your chance to experiment with silhouettes and materials like denim and leather.

We have analysed the hottest trends ahead of the season so you know what to look out for. Heres a list of a few absolute wardrobe essentials with tips on how to style them:

Statement jackets

Winters are pretty much an excuse to wear stylish jackets. There are so many options to pick from! Street wear continues to lead the way with urban sportswear and skate references that influenced the urban 90s. Bright colours and sporty outerwear drive the trend. Leather jackets will never go out of style. You can put on a plain T-shirt and pair it with a bomber jacket or a leather jacket. Quilted and down jackets look sophisticated and are good insulators, keeping you snug. Inspired by the great outdoors, jackets featuring performance detailing such as drawstrings and toggles are trending.

Sweaters and pullovers

Updated basics such as chunky knits and military pieces are redesigned in refined fabrics and a warm neutral palette. This makes for a great semi-casual look. Layer a v-neck pullover over a plaid shirt and keep it casual with a pair of jeans and sneakers. For women, its all about long coats with exaggerated shoulders, statement waist details and pleats. Shawl-collar sweaters are fashionable this season and look uber cool when styled right!

Ruffle tops & dresses

Ruffles and frills are one of the key trends this season. This flirty, feminine detail can placed on necklines, sleeves, at the hem or across the body. Ruffles help accentuate and add volume to where youre wearing them. Balance it out by keeping the rest of your outfit simple and straight with basic accessories.

Lounge pants

Reflecting the need for comfort, wide-legged bottoms like kick flare jeans and boyfriend jeans are a popular choice. Paper bag waist pant is a new update on stylish lounge wear while joggers are the ultimate sporty casual wear for the season. Denims in dark colours like blue, black, indigo and brick are the ones you should go for.

Boots

Boots keep your feet protected and warm and can also be a major style statement, as it adds an edge to your look. As a versatile footwear option, you can dress it down with jeans and a flannel shirt or glam it up with a short dress for a night out. You can get waterproof and insulated boots for extra comfort. Women can opt for ankle-length zipper boots or thigh-high boots. If you are picking tall boots, wear skinny jeans so its easy to fit in. Suede is the go-to material during winters.

Scarves

You can contrast the dull, muted winter tones with scarves. Bright scarves in different patterns can add some colour and charm to your overall look without being too bulky. Not only are they functional but you can also try out different knots and drapes to make basic outfits like jeans and a T-shirt look stylish. Even if you casually throw it over your shoulders or wrap it around, you will look effortless and chic.

Neutral handbag

With this season being all about warm, neutral tones, you should have a go-to bag that can go with just about everything and hold all your essentials. This can be your staple, everyday bag. Get a structured hobo or tote bag in colours like black, grey, tan or nude. The sleek and structured bucket bag with drawstrings will give you a sophisticated winter explorer look.

(The author is creative director, Amazon Fashion, India)

Trends to look out for

For this years autumn/winter trends, designers have broken down the boundaries of what can be considered of-the-moment. Keep reading to know about the essentials every girl will want to have in her wardrobe this season:

* Revamp your denim style by adding pockets and trying different washes. This season, wear denims in the form of A-line dresses, blocked shirts or faded jeans. Long-sleeve baby doll top or volume sleeves give you a chic look. These tops look great with skinny trousers, shorts skirts and denims, so you can try out a range of styles as per the occasion. Go for light-weight soft fabrics like viscose. Soft-touch structures in dobby weaves and micro jacquards, add an element of wonder.

* The asymmetric ruffles look fantastic for a day look. The perfect ruffle look flows from shoulder to under the arms and on waist to hem to give a fuller look. Snuggy fabrics like jersey and knits are ideal. Fresh terry looks are created with nep, slub or bouclette yarns in cotton and linen, sometimes with printed elements.

* A plunged-neckline maxi dress gives a sleek elegant silhouette and is a wardrobe staple for most of us during the spring and summer, but they can also be worn during winter too. Dresses in fabrics like crème satin are smooth, feel soft and give a premium look. If you havent bough one yet, you can always create one. Add open-back details, leg slits, lovely straps and a fitted-waist detail for a sleek shape.

* For formal wear, watch out for fabrics like worsted twill, gabardine and herringbone wovens to create a grittier urban look. Tuxedo dresses give a feminine yet formal touch, as they show just the right amount of skin, making you look subtly sexy. Its tough to find a pair of retro trousers that are classy enough for the daywear, casual enough for a night out, comfortable enough to keep on, and sleek enough to want to wear. Slim-post retro trousers hit on all four of those aspects at the same time. You can pair these with a polo, tank top or cape shirt to attain maximum appeal. A boxy pencil skirt with front slit should be sported when you want to look modern and a little bit edgy, patched pockets and seam stitch details being the key.

(The author is head of design Birla Cellulose)

Kosambari vada

Ingredients: Two cups of leftover dal kosambari; one finely chopped onion; 2 to 3 tsps of besan; 2 green chillies and oil for frying.

Method: Grind the kosambari coarsely using little water. To this, add onion, besan and any other vegetable of your choice. Add salt to taste. Shape the mixture into vadas and deep fry to a golden brown. Serve hot with chutney and sambhar.

Chapati kurkure

Ingredients: Around 3 to 4 leftover chapatis or phulkas; 1 tsp of red chilli powder; 1 tsp of garam masala or any other sabji masala; salt to taste and oil for frying.

Method: Cut the chapatis into strips, which are 2 inches in length. Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry the strips to a golden brown. Once cool, sprinkle all the masalas on top of these and toss them well. This crispy, spicy chapati kurkure goes well with tea and coffee.

Malida laddoos

Ingredients: Around 4 to 5 leftover chapatis or phulkas; 2 tsps of fried groundnuts; 2 tsp of puffed dal; 3 tsp of grated khopra; 1 tbsp of ghee; 1 tsp of cardamom powder and 2 tbsps of grated jaggery.

Method: Heat the chapatis over the tawa till they turn crispy. Let them cool and grind these into a coarse powder. Add all the ingredients to this powder and mix well. Shape the laddoos carefully and serve. You can even add a tbsp or two of milk or replace groundnuts with almonds while making these laddoos.

Rice patties

Ingredients: Around 3 cups of cooked rice; 1/2 cup of gram flour; 1/4 cup of sour curd; 2 onions chopped; 4 or 5 green chillies chopped; a piece of ginger; 1 cup of coriander leaves; 1/2 tsp of garam masala and salt to taste.

Method: Roast the gram flour till the raw smell goes. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and knead into a dough. Apply a little ghee or oil to the palm and shape the patties. Shallow fry these to a golden brown using oil or ghee. Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.

Idli upma

Ingredients: Five to 6 idlis; 1 or 2 chopped onions; 2 green chillies; a sprig of curry leaves and a handful of coriander leaves; 1/4 cup of grated coconut; 2 tsps of oil or ghee; 2 tsps of groundnuts and a pinch of hing.

Method: Crumble the idlis completely. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and groundnuts. Fry these for some time and add all the other ingredients, except coconut. Once the ingredients are fried, add the idli mixture followed by salt. Lastly, add the grated coconut. Serve hot with pickle.

Maybe my mother and grandmother should have been the ones to teach me their repertory of satisfying vegetarian dishes from Gujarat. But they never measure or write anything down.

So instead, I learned to make my everyday comfort foods - dals seasoned with fried garlic and spices, lively single-subject vegetable dishes - from Meera Sodha.

Meera, 35, has written two cookbooks with cult followings, and recently started writing a column for The Guardian about vegan cooking. Though her recipes take inspiration from all over, they express what Meera describes in her latest
book, Fresh India as her own Gujarati sensibility: "creative, fresh and always vegetable first."

On a trip to London, looking for a cooking lesson, I met Meera at her home in Walthamstow, where we rolled chapatis side by side as her Airedale terrier trotted around the kitchen. My chapatis were slow to come together, imperfectly shaped, but Meera was a patient instructor.

Made easy

While researching vegetarian dishes for the book, in India, she had run into cooks who wouldnt share what they knew, who had said she couldnt possibly replicate their food at home. But one of Meeras gifts is that she can not only recreate and improve on the familiar - she can also streamline techniques and edit flavours, then clearly instruct others how to do the same. Meera showed me how to make bharela ringan, the baby eggplant cooked until thoroughly tender, with a mixture of blitzed coconut, peanuts and chillies inside. It wasnt as time-consuming or as complex as my grandmother had led me to believe.

By the time I got back to Brooklyn, I wanted to make Meeras vegetarian recipes part of my weekly routine. I started with her basic moong dal, and graduated to her quick-cooking dal made from red lentils and finished with coconut milk, served with a pile of tender kale on top.

To make her summery recipe for a Gujarati corn-on-the-cob curry, a simple sauce of yogurt thickened with chickpea flour, I hunted down the sugary corn that made its way to Brooklyn markets in mid-September.

Stranded with two small heads of broccoli and no inspiration, I turned to her recipe for malai broccoli. Her adaptation of the cream sauce was a lean, bright and intensely delicious update: a mix of ground almonds with cream cheese and Greek yogurt, spiked with nutmeg and squished into every last crevice of the broccoli florets. Roasted on high heat for about 20 minutes, the mixture became golden brown in places, and the broccoli charred, expanding its flavour.

Meera got the idea after trying a similar dish in Goa. "You know when you realise what youre eating is just so magnificent, and theres a sort of rip in the atmosphere?" she said. "My brain started racing and I thought, how do I make this?"

Back in her London kitchen, she tinkered until she figured it out. "To develop a recipe, I have to trust my tongue," she said.

In Fresh India, Meera traces a line from the variety and sophistication of seasonal Gujarati cooking back to the 3rd century B.C., when the emperor Ashoka banned the slaughter of animals. The regions vegetarian cuisine has flourished over many centuries, and as families have left the region with their foods, they have adapted their dishes in new homes all over the world.

Meeras grandfather and great-grandfather left India for Uganda. When her parents were exiled from that country in 1972, along with many thousands of Ugandan-Asians, they settled in England.

Meera was born and raised there, in a farming village in Lincolnshire, down the road from fields of potatoes and rainbow chard. She watched as her mother took to these new local ingredients and rearranged them like a musician. Meera came to understand how spontaneity, resourcefulness and the ability to adapt define good home cooking.

Andaz is a Hindi word meaning "style," and to say a cook has andaz is a great compliment, Meera said. Some people may use the term to mean a gift for making a dish ones own, or the ability to make food with a special harmony. Meera describes andaz as a kind of knowledge, particular to a cuisine that is rooted in oral tradition, that can only be learned through observation and apprenticeship, mistakes and repetition.

"Its a sense of judgment thats built up through doing," she said.

Indiranagar is blooming with new eateries and pubs every other week. Tata Cha, located in Indiranagar is one of the latest addition to the list. Despite being just a few weeks old, it looks like this tea cafe has become the new favourite among foodies in the city.

Apart from the spacious interior, the bright ambience is what instantly attract ones attention. The idea to give the feel of a traditional tapri (tea stall), has been thoroughly kept in mind and this can be seen in every corner of the cafe. From a vintage-looking wall painting, depicting the outside of a roadside tea stall to decking up the place with quirky milk kettles, photo frames and table lamps, this place gives enough room to be comfortable and make the best out of a casual hang out.

If you are walking into the cafe thinking that this place serves only the regular tea snacks and cafe food, you might be surprised by what you will see on the menu. Keeping in mind the concept of healthy eating, you will notice that most of the food are prepared with less oil and are more tasty.

Coming to the variety of beverages served here, one can start their meal with a glass of refreshing tea-based cold beverage like the Masala shikanji. The sweet and tangy taste will instantly make you feel fresh and the twist of green tea will add to a healthy start. This light fizzy drink is a good option for a tiring day at work.

You can also try the Tangy tamarind. It is quite a thirst-quencher. The tangy taste with a slight fizz can become a quick favourite.

If you are looking for milk-based drinks, get ready to get amazed. The Meetha paan milkshake is something one must try. The offbeat taste of this unique combination will surely take you by surprise. Even if you are not a meetha paan fan, taking a sip is no harm.

The Rasmalai milkshake is another quirky drink that will make your day. All the sweet lover out there! Its your time to shine.

This place has not limited itself to only tea-time snacks. It has also focussed on full-fledged meals. The Butter chicken khichdi is an innovation in itself. If you are a chicken lover, this can be a good option to try. The well-cooked khichdi and the tender pieces of chicken make it a mouth-watering start to a meal.

Vegetarians can look forward to Muttar kulcha. The muttar gravy accompanied with soft kulchas is a great combination. This place aims at plating some regional and nostalgic dishes of India. A few such items on the menu are the Sindhi delight Dal pakwan, Dabeli of Kutch and popular Chakri samosa. The authentic tastes of these dishes will surely leave you wanting for more.

Complete your meal with the yogurt-based milkshake Mix berry. Though it can be a refreshing end to your gastronomic rendezvous, the shake could be less thicker for easy sips.

However, if you are here for a quick tea, you can accompany it with dunkers like Cream roll and Kulfi sticks.

Tata cha is located at 2985, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar. For details, call 1800-345-1720.

Surupasree Sarmmah

It is a name that will be familiar to Chinese food lovers who are situated a bit far away from the eating joints in the citys heart. Shanghai Court already boasts of a sizeable customer base in its two branches located at Vijaya Bank Layout and DLF Newtown, Yelenahalli Road. The oriental cuisine restaurant has now opened a third branch in JP Nagar and boasts of a menu that aptly conveys the authentic taste of the eastern kitchen to your tastebuds. With a menu comprising more than 250 varieties of dishes, ranging from soups and starters to main course and desserts, one is sure to be spoilt for choice.

Start your meal with their soups. The Chicken munchow soup and the Tom yum soup are quite delicious, though the soup does stray a bit from the classic Tom yum definition. The Crispy rice soup is a clear soup with bits of tofu and a strong taste of garlic, with deep fried rice bits to garnish.

Next is an extensive selection of appetizers, which come in vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood options. Vegetarians can opt for the spicy Chilli garlic potato or the succulent Paneer Manchurian or the textured Paneer Dragon. Non-vegetarians can indulge in the Burnt pepper chicken, Chicken lolly pop or Drums of heaven, which are some of the most popular items in this section, says Raviraj Shetty, one of the partners. The Fried chicken wontons may not exactly be what you are looking for though, so dont worry about giving this a miss.

For the main course, Raviraj recommends choosing from Chicken dragon Chopsuey, Chicken chilli garlic noodles, Chicken lee foo rice and Chicken red Thai curry and basil rice, which are the favourites among the regulars. Apart from these, the Chicken Hongkong noodles is a good option for those who dont like spice while the Mix Chilli Chowmein and Mix Chilli Garlic Chowmein, with a proper mix of chicken and prawns, are a good option who like their spices. The Chilli basil chicken, a Thai dish, deserves a special shoutout for the fresh and tender chicken. Stewed rice, steamed rice, Fuyong and Thai soup are also available in a variety of variants.

Wash your meal down with a mocktail or a sweet dish. The Date pancake with honey ice-cream is a good choice.

The food is good value for money with generous portions. This restaurant is somewhat small but there is the added attraction of good parking space. Their home delivery services are fast and a good option for those days when you dont feel like leaving your house.

Shanghai Court is located on 724, Rini Pearl, RBI Layout, 7th Phase, JP Nagar.

It is a Saturday. A group of clowns, dressed in jumbo shoes and red noses, sings, dances and giggles through hospital wards. The children lying in beds, most of them with IVs in their arms or hands, are initially taken aback. After a while they begin to smile, some burst out laughing while others are still sceptical. But in no time, they are all together in it, enjoying the fun and games. Their suffering is gone, albeit for a while.

The clown doctors are volunteers who find time in their daily schedules to visit sick children in hospitals and perhaps heal them in some way or other. They expect and receive nothing in return, except the smiles of the kids. The desire for money is clearly absent.

While there is a hygiene protocol that the clown doctors follow, they also use less makeup, lest they scare the kids A couple of years ago, Sanjay Balsaver, a member of Dr Clown India, left his job as a graphic designer to entertain these kids. He is now a professional clown.
"Compared to a couple of years ago, things have improved in the field of medical clowning. Earlier, the children and the parents were sceptical about us, they didnt know who we were and why we were there. But now there is more freedom and their confidence has increased five-fold, he says.

"Whenever I have time, I visit children at the St Philomenas Hospital. The kids just love the animals we make out of balloons. At the end of the day, every one is happy. The parents are thankful too," he says.

"I remember meeting an eight-year-old boy, he had been in the ICU for a month," recalls Sanjay. "The doctor suggested that we go inside and with special permission we did. The boy was connected with machines from head to toe. But when he saw us, he began to smile. A few days later, we met him in the general ward and his mother informed us that his condition improved soon after we visited him and he was out of the ICU. He had preserved the balloon we had given him 28 days back, which is a rarity."

Harish Bhuvan, the founder of Compassionate Clowns, recollects how clowning became a part of his life. "I was depressed and thats when I got in to this. My friend and I were watching street clowning acts and then the idea germinated, he says.

He soon quit his research-based job at IIT-B and started travelling across the country. He and his team "visit kids in hospitals making merry, being silly, singing goofy songs, dancing around, shaping animals with balloons and so on". There is a kind of kinship that is built between the children and the clown doctors.

"Sometimes, the child is unwilling to walk and we give him or her the push. Once they start, they recover faster," says Harish. "The volunteers at Compassionate Clowns are a mixed group. Anybody who wants to volunteer can get in touch with us." "We begin with a moment of silence to show our gratitude. Then we have a series of activities to lighten the atmosphere. After this, each one of us goes around the ward doing our own special acts. So far, there has only been word- of-mouth publicity and there is no funding," he says.

Josef Bogenfuerst from Germany is yet another volunteer. A member of Dr Clown India, he says, "I was working in Kuala Lumpur with a company when we used to visit the general hospital to cheer the kids, play tricks and make funny faces. When I came here, I decided to become a part of Dr Clown India", says Josef who works with an NGO.

"We cheer up children. We like to make them surprised and happy. Sometimes it takes a while for children to get used to us but eventually they do," he says.

"The last time I went to a hospital was when a father requested me to do so. His daughter had met with an accident and she had taken it to heart. So he wanted me to cheer her up. Some of her classmates too had come. It took a while for her to come out of her sadness. Then she was just laughing away. That is the effect, he says.

For the red noses with big shoes and big hearts, there lies the reward!

Football fever has gripped the city. With the first match of this edition of the Hero Indian Super League between Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) and Mumbai Football Club, slated to be held at Kanteerava Stadium on November 19, football fans are making a beeline for the tickets, both at the stadium counter and online. The excitement has almost doubled because this is the first time that BFC has been added into the League. The fan base for both the teams is strong in the city. Avinash Reddy, the CEO of Pavithra Enterprises, says that he cant wait to catch the match over the weekend.

"I am a hard-core fan of BFC and it is double excitement because this is the first time that BFC is in the League. It is also going to be a pretty intense match because BFC has emerged strong over the last couple of years and they have been on a winning spree," says Avinash.

The student community in the city form a large chunk of the BFC fan base. Adithya Sanketh,
who has just completed his engineering, says "Every player in BFC has strong points that have helped them win almost all the matches so far. There were several hair-raising moments during the earlier matches, and I am hoping to see a replay of those moments once again" says Adithya.

Those who play football on a regular basis connect with the sport at a different level. Bhargavram Paluri, a student and an amateur football player, says that he always buys tickets to the West Block Stand in Kanteerava Stadium. "This is by far the loudest and most liveliest stand in the stadium. There is never a dull moment there when we are watching the match because it has the true blue BFC fans," says Bhargavram.

He is also looking forward to two of the strongest teams in the League battle it out. "Both teams have excellent strategies and have stronger players. It will be a good display of strength," he adds.

Football, as a sport is slowly picking up in the city, says Vaibhav Kale, an IT professional. "There are so many play arenas in the city that have football as one of the options. My friends and I play football on the streets and in play arenas. Such is our craze for the sport," says Vaibhav. He adds that he and his friends are all set to watch the match live over the weekend.

National Award-winning actor Sanchari Vijay is playing the role of a film director in his latest release, Nan Magale Heroine. He says that this movie has, in a lot of ways, given wings to his dream of directing a movie in real life. "I have always wanted to direct a film someday and this role came at the right time because it has given me a chance to understand and learn the basics of what goes on behind the camera," says Vijay.

All of Vijays earlier films such as Naanu Avanalla...Avalu, Oggarane, Killing Veerappan and Cinema My Darling are proof of his love for working in experimental roles. Talking about his character in Nan Magale Heroine, Vijay says that he was a little apprehensive about taking up the project at first, but he realised that the director had written the script so well that none of the scenes seemed out of place. "Every single actor in this project has been handpicked and has a prominent role to play. I play a director who is assisted by eight to ten people. I realised that a directors job is not an easy one because he spends most of his time managing people and their emotions," adds Vijay.

He says that his role has also given him the opportunity to experience the emotions that a director goes through. "A director has to make the film, handle success and flops and put up with the tantrums of the producers. He has to strike the right balance without compromising on anything," adds Vijay. In addition to loads of comedy, the film has romance and sentiment as well. "The romance starts when the producer wants his daughter to be cast in the film made by me. I am supposed to help her emote her role the way I envision it. But as a director, I am unhappy with her performance. But I am forced to cast her just because she is the producers daughter," says Vijay. He adds that the film throws light on the aspirations of everybody who wants to be a part of the film industry.

"Everybody who wishes to be a part of the film industry will be able to relate to the emotions shown in the film. The message that it isnt easy to survive and make a mark in the world of cinema is conveyed well through the film," informs Vijay.

The actor will also be seen in the Kannada-Tamil bilingual film titled Phira ­ngipura where he portrays three different shades. In another project titled Krishna Tulasi, he plays the role of a visually-impaired person.

How often can you find a place in the city where you can sink in and relax as well as treat your taste buds?
Sunny Side Bistro in Indiranagar is a cafe which pulls you away from the humdrum of the city with its greenery and simple yet serene ambience.

One could dig into a variety of Continental delights here, be it the starters, main course or the desserts.
If you are one of those who would like to skip the conventional starters and try innovative ones, try the Potato croquettes.

If you are someone who would like to start a meal the traditional way, the Carrot bisque which is a soup, will surely please you. Made out of pureed carrots and prepared in chicken broth, the soup is served with garlic bread and will be a good start to a great lunch or evening.

For those who would like to start with the main course right away, there are many options to choose from.

"Continental food is not just about American or popular culture food, its about including items that have other influences yet are under the same type of flavours," says Nikhil David, owner of the cafe.
One of the must-try items is the Prawn lime stew. Prawns prepared in coconut milk and lime, this creamy dish is a culinary delight and is a wholesome dish by itself.

Chicken chimichurri is an item with its roots in Argentina. The chicken, which has been marinated in the chimichurri sauce, is served with a nice salad that works well for more palates.
The Beef roast which tastes like a brisket has been prepared with Indian influences to make it suit individual tastes and is served with mushroom sauce.

Wash down your meal with the classic Banana strawberry smoothie.
"Another top choice among customers is our cold coffee which is prepared with an espresso and icecream," he says.

A specialty drink is the Sunny side shake that is made with coffee, brownie and icecream. "It is one of the best drinks we have -- its an explosion of sweetness in the mouth," he adds.

And for those with a sweet tooth, the Homemade fudge brownie with icecream and chocolate sauce is a top choice from the desserts section.

The earthy and rustic interiors of the cafe is bound to be a great place to just sit back and enjoy. Spread across one floor, the cafe can seat up to 50 people.

"Our customer base includes expatriates, a mix of corporate professionals and youngsters from the age of 25 to 35," says Nikhil.

Sunny Side Bistro is located at 666, first stage, diagonally opposite to KFC, 100 feet road, Indiranagar. The cafe is open from 9 am to 3 pm and from 5.30 pm to 11 pm. For details, call 69597111.