If love is in the air, can partying be far behind? Valentine’s Day may have come and gone on February 14, but the City of Nizams was still moony-eyed with a host of love-themed dos. First up was the 24th wedding anniversary celebrations of high-profile entrepreneurs Uttam and Aakanksha Tolasaria at Taj Krishna. The party, a prelude to their 25th next year, was a lavish one. Imagine the next year, considering this year they had flown in belly dancers from Russia and Thailand for the party? The couple and the 300-plus guests grooved to Bollywood chartbusters as guests enjoyed a lavish multi-cuisine spread and quirky cocktails. Aakansha looked splendid in her red and white Indo-western attire, as Uttam looked dapper in black blazer teamed with a red tie and a pair of black trousers.
If music be the food of love, play on, said the Bard. The city took the line seriously to host an evening of love ballads by Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu, known for chartbusters in the 90s. Organised by Telangana Tourism, Hyderabadis swayed to his popular numbers from Kuch Na Kaho, Bas Ek Sanam Chahiye, among others. Meanwhile, on Friday, entrepreneur Kamini Saraf’s designer expo, Fashion Yatra, held at Taj Krishna, was all about showing love to underprivileged children. Students from Teach For Change (NGO) and few fashion designers inaugurated the one-day do. About 70 designer labels including Shriya Som, international labels like Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo and Marc Jacobs presented their collections.
Stylist Anam Mirza, along with partner and entrepreneur Akbar Rasheed, went head over heels for fashion at The Label Bazaar Season 6 as they celebrated their 10th successful show with a bang at the Park Hyatt on Saturday. Neeru’s, known for their treasure house of fashion in Indian ethnic wear, was the presenting sponsor of The Label Bazaar. Beating Monday blues, I headed to Raasta Café for socialite, Manju Agarwal’s birthday party. I bonded with the guests over the lavish spread including pasta and cheese balls. Groovy music churned out by DJ Kim added to the vibe. That evening saw the grand curtain raiser of Sutra –Fashion Exhibition, organised by young creative directors – Monika and Umesh Madhyan. Actress Shraddha Das unveiled the curtain raiser at Marigold Hotel. A fashion show to promote their upcoming exhibition on February 22 at Taj Krishna added the glam factor. A love-lorn week with a dash of fashion, one must say.
(The writer is an animal lover, solo traveller and the founder of Touch a Life Foundation.)