Between the World Cup and Eid festivities, there’s been a celebratory vibe in the air. And while the heat may have otherwise taken our appetites with it, we managed to make space for all of the yummy biriyani doing the rounds.
For me, this week has also seen a solid dose of badminton with the launch of TNBSL — the Tamil Nadu Badminton Super League. Eighty players from across the state, battle it out in a week-long tournament. Kickstarting it all, was brand ambassador actor Bharath, a known badminton aficionado and all-round fitness freak. He shared with the young audience how he had always wanted to be a sportsperson but life had other plans for him. It was also heartening to see solid participation in the women’s categories, across all ages.
The festive trail continued at Hilton Chennai, to celebrate 100 years of Hilton, with an exclusive chef’s table. Instead of a large scale production, it was a more intimate setting, showcasing some of the brand’s iconic food and beverage favourites from over the years. General Manager Ruban Das raised a toast on the occasion which was followed by a family-style dinner. While the piña coladas started things off on just the right note, the tiramisu was the show stopper.
Meanwhile, across town, the launch of Stosa Cucine, was underway. The new store which offers interior modular solutions saw quite a crowd in attendance, most of whom gravitated towards the interactive area.
Another big celebration this week included Maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s birthday marked by a mega concert. As with any of his concerts, the crowd was mixed, with fans of all ages looking forward to hearing their favourites. The maestro was accompanied by fellow industry stalwarts and long time collaborators SP Balasubrahmanyam and KJ Yesudas, along with other popular singers. With the playlist including some of Ilaiyaraaja’s biggest hits, hardcore fans certainly had an evening to remember.