Latest news with #Kahani
Los Angeles Times
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Chit, Chaat, Chai: an afternoon tea reimagined for Holi
While afternoon tea is a ritual often associated with British tradition, aromatic masala chai also sits at the center of Indian hospitality and culture. In honor of Holi — the Hindu festival of colors — the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is hosting an afternoon tea service reimagined for the holiday. Chit, Chaat, Chai is served at the resort's restaurant Kahani, helmed by New Delhi native chef Sanjay Rawat. 'The flavors are Indian but the presentation is more Westernized,' Rawat said. Celebrated across South Asia on the last full moon day of the Hindu calendar, the holiday fell on March 14 this year and on March 15, Kahani launched the special tea service, which is available each Saturday through April 19. Holi's origins come from Hindu mythology that recognizes the eternal love between deities Krishna and Radha. It is celebrated with music, dancing and throwing colorful powder at each other in good fun, a gesture that references the vivid colors of spring. 'Holi is a holiday that happens in the beginning of spring and since spring is colorful, you see colors everywhere,' said Rawat. 'It is a new beginning for a brighter future.' In a nod to the colorful tradition, the Chit, Chaat, Chai plates are rimmed with splashes of hot pink, purple, yellow, green and blue; and guests can choose from an assortment of three masala chais. Cardamon ginger is the most traditional of the trio, flavored with peppery ginger, along with the warm spices of cardamom, nutmeg and bay leaf. Honey and clove is a milder tea with a touch of sweetness, while the basil and mint tea is the lightest. The afternoon tea service also includes an array of sweet and savory tea sandwiches and bites. In place of crustless cucumber sandwiches and petit fours, Rawat incorporates South East Asian ingredients on the menu. 'This is all inspired by street food that is very popular in Mumbai, the Western part of India,' Rawat said. A lobster roll is curried and topped with Kaluga caviar. Bread Pakoda is made with arugula, fig jam and paneer, a popular cheese in India. Chutney tea sandwiches are layered with mint cream, amul cheese, chili aioli and onion bhaji. Fritters comprised of spicy vegetables and onion pack a little heat that can be cooled by dunking them into the yogurt ranch dressing served on the side. For sweets, scones inspired by gajar ka halwa, a traditional North Indian corn pudding, are served with pistachio-studded rabdi cream. A pleasing take on the traditional clotted cream usually served with scones, rabdi cream is made the same way — by heating full fat milk and then cooling it until clots rise — but flavored with cardamoms, saffron, rose water or nuts. Kahani, which translate to 'story' in Hindi, opened in 2023 and has become a place where Rawat can share his own story through his dishes influenced by being born in Uttarakhand, India, growing up in New Delhi and earning his culinary degree in Malaysia. With Chit, Chaat, Chai, Rawat adds a new chapter. 'I hope people come and enjoy,' he said. Reserve a seat at Chit, Chaat, Chai by visiting
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Playing at Coachella 2025, EDM duo Indo Warehouse spotlight South Asian culture
At a live DJ event one Friday night in January, roughly 600 people at Soho House Hong Kong in Sheung Wan grooved to electronic dance music (EDM) interwoven with a distinctly South Asian sound. Advertisement Periodically, Bollywood anthems such as Patakha Guddi and Chaiyaa Chaiyaa, and Maghron La from season 15 of TV music show Coke Studio Pakistan, emerged over the house beats. The crowd's approval shone as they enthusiastically sang along to the recognisable hits. This fresh sound was courtesy of Armaan Gupta, aka Kahani, and Kunal Merchant, who co-founded the dance music collective Indo Warehouse in 2022 in New York, where they live. Indo Warehouse perform at Soho House Hong Kong on January 17, 2025. Photo: Soho House It was the first time they had played in Hong Kong, coming fresh from a sold-out tour in the United States. Given the city's sizeable South Asian community and the duo's exposure on social media, the enthusiastic response on January 17 was not surprising. Advertisement 'A lot of people from Hong Kong sent us video messages of them pre-partying to our Brooklyn Mirage sets before they went out,' Merchant says. 'They were at home, but watching our shows on YouTube.'
South China Morning Post
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Playing at Coachella, EDM duo Indo Warehouse spotlight South Asian culture
At a live DJ event one Friday night in January, roughly 600 people at Soho House Hong Kong in Sheung Wan grooved to electronic dance music (EDM) interwoven with a distinctly South Asian sound. Periodically, Bollywood anthems such as Patakha Guddi and Chaiyaa Chaiyaa , and Maghron La from season 15 of TV music show Coke Studio Pakistan, emerged over the house beats. The crowd's approval shone as they enthusiastically sang along to the recognisable hits. This fresh sound was courtesy of Armaan Gupta, aka Kahani, and Kunal Merchant, who co-founded the dance music collective Indo Warehouse in 2022 in New York, where they live. Indo Warehouse perform at Soho House Hong Kong on January 17, 2025. Photo: Soho House It was the first time they had played in Hong Kong, coming fresh from a sold-out tour in the United States. Given the city's sizeable South Asian community and the duo's exposure on social media, the enthusiastic response on January 17 was not surprising. 'A lot of people from Hong Kong sent us video messages of them pre-partying to our Brooklyn Mirage sets before they went out,' Merchant says. 'They were at home, but watching our shows on YouTube.'
Khaleej Times
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Rekha, Dharmendra's heartwarming reunion steals the spotlight at 'Loveyapa' screening
Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor's Loveyapa will be out in UAE cinemas on February 7. Ahead of its official release, a special screening was held in Mumbai on February 4 that saw a number of stars in attendance. Among the notable personalities present were Bollywood legends Rekha and Dharmendra, whose reunion captured the attention of attendees and fans alike. Rekha, who exuded grace in a stunning gold and white silk saree, made a striking appearance with her signature red sindoor. As the paparazzi captured her, she posed gracefully for the cameras and engaged in light-hearted conversation with Dharmendra and Aamir Khan outside the venue. Rekha and Dharmendra's bond, forged over decades of collaboration on screen, was on full display as they shared a joyful moment together. The two have shared screen space on projects such as Ram Balram, Kartavya, Kahani, and Kasam Suhag Ki. One of their most memorable collaborations remains the song Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri Ladi Hai, from the the movie Kahani Qismat Ki. Other major personalities at the event included cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who attended with his wife, Anjali Tendulkar, as well as political leader Raj Thackeray. The evening also saw Bollywood's beloved couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, making a stylish entrance hand-in-hand at the venue. Speaking of Loveyapa, the leads recently shared their views on the film. "I have one complaint from Khushi Ji. Like, I am a professional actor too. I used to come on time, but she always reaches half an hour before the assigned time. It's very annoying. If there is a call time of 6:00 AM, she reaches the set at 5:30 AM. She always arrives early while I always come on time," said Khan. In response, Khushi said: "I get tense even if I am only five seconds late. My hairstylist and makeup team always message me to not come before them. It's a habit I developed from my childhood. I always come early. Sometimes, the generators start after I reach the set."
