As the holiday season returns with its sparkle, colour, and irresistible culinary charm, Pure Flour from Europe invites both home bakers and food‑service professionals to elevate their festive baking with the unmatched quality of European wheat flour. Whether for family celebrations or commercial holiday menus, this flour delivers purity, consistency and craftsmanship in every bake.

Across India, the festive season is where tradition meets creativity. Kitchens come alive with cakes, breads, pastries, and festive treats, many inspired by Europe’s timeless baking heritage. From light sponge cakes and crisp cookies to delicate pastries and enriched breads, European soft wheat flour adds refinement and reliability, making every bake a celebration in itself.

Elevate your festive baking with the unmatched quality of Pure Flour from Europe

“Using European flour has transformed my baking,” shares Anita Verma, a Delhi‑based baker. “My biscuits are lighter, my cakes stay moist longer, and my breads rise beautifully. It feels like I am bringing authentic European finesse into my Indian kitchen.”

This season, Indian bakers and chefs are delighting in the fusion of European classics with Indian flavours. Italian Panettone infused with rose or elaichi, German Stollen using local dried fruits, and rum‑soaked Plum Cakes made lighter with Type 00 flour have become festive favourites in homes, hotels, cafés, and boutique bakeries.

For food‑service businesses, European soft wheat flour’s consistency is a major advantage supporting high‑volume production, precise textures, and dependable results. Whether used for holiday dessert menus, bakery displays, buffet spreads, or festive hampers, European flour adapts easily across different uses from pastries and breads to waffles, crepes, and artisanal cakes.

High quality, clean milling, and adherence to strict European standards ensure that every batch performs flawlessly. For chefs, pastry artists, and baking professionals, this reliability is essential during peak festive operations where excellence must be maintained at scale.

Whether for families baking together at home or professional kitchens designing seasonal menus, Pure Flour from Europe celebrates the art of baking—bridging continents through flavour, tradition, and craftsmanship.

Feature Dish: Oven-Baked Zeppole di San Giuseppe

A timeless Italian classic, Zeppole di San Giuseppe are celebrated for their light texture, refined flavour, and artisanal appeal. This oven-baked version stays true to tradition while offering a lighter finish, making it ideal for Indian home kitchens as well as professional bakeries and cafés.

Prepared using Italian Type 00 soft wheat flour, the choux pastry develops a smooth, elastic consistency that pipes cleanly and bakes into a golden, airy shell. The dough is gently cooked, enriched with eggs, and shaped into generous rings before being baked until crisp on the outside and light within.

Feature Dish: Oven-Baked Zeppole di San Giuseppe

Once cooled, the pastries are filled with a silky vanilla pastry cream made from milk, cream, egg yolks, and real vanilla, then finished with a swirl of cream, a sour Amarena cherry, and a dusting of icing sugar.

Elegant yet comforting, Oven-Baked Zeppole di San Giuseppe make a striking addition to festive dessert tables, café menus, and premium bakery displays—showcasing how European soft wheat flour brings consistency, finesse, and authenticity to classic European baking, even in Indian kitchens.

For the complete step-by-step recipe, visit pureflourfromeurope.com/oven-baked-zeppole-di-san-giuseppe/

About Pure Flour from Europe

Launched in 2021 and now set for renewed outreach in 2025, the campaign is actively educating Indian chefs, bakers, importers, and media on the excellence of EU soft wheat flour. From product demonstrations to recipe development and awareness initiatives, it has played a crucial role in building recognition for Italian flour among Indian professionals and consumers alike. The steady rise in imports and the shift from generic or re-branded options to certified Italian products—highlights a broader transformation: India’s food sector is evolving toward premium, health-focused, and origin-assured ingredients. Italian flour, with its combination of tradition, safety, and versatility, is well-positioned to meet that demand.

As part of its relaunch in India, the “Pure Flour from Europe” campaign will be participating in AAHAR- The International Food & Hospitality Fair, taking place in March 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event will provide a platform to reconnect with the food trade, showcase the superior quality and versatility of European flour, and engage directly with chefs, bakers, importers, and food professionals across India.

For more information about Pure Flour From Europe, or on the planned activities and events visit our website, email us or follow us on our social profiles as follows:

• Website: www.pureflourfromeurope.com

• Instagram: pureflourfromeurope

• Facebook: pureflourfromeurope

• Email: contact@pureflourfromeurope.com

The VELS Group of Institutions and Companies marked a major milestone with the grand inauguration of the VELS Trade & Convention Centre at Chembarambakkam, Chennai.

Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh felicitating Dr. Kamal Haasan, MP (Rajya Sabha), in the presence of Thiru.Thangam Thennarasu, Hon’ble Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu

The VELS Trade & Convention Centre was formally inaugurated by Thiru Thangam Thennarasu and Dr. Kamal Haasan, and the event was presided over by Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder-Chancellor of VELS University and Chairman of VELS Group of Institutions and Companies.

The dais also featured Dr. A. C. Shanmugam, Founder-Chancellor, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, alongside the chief dignitaries.

A World-Class Convention Destination in Chennai

The VELS Trade & Convention Centre, Chennai, is a world-class convention and event venue featuring four expansive convention halls with a total built-up area of 3.5 lakh square feet. Designed to host large-scale trade fairs, exhibitions, international conferences, corporate events, political meetings, award ceremonies, weddings, summits, and major cultural programmes, the facility stands among the largest convention centres in Tamil Nadu.

Built with contemporary architecture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the fully air-conditioned convention centre can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time and provides parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles, ensuring seamless access and convenience for large gatherings.

The centre also offers a dedicated open-air event space with a capacity of 20,000 attendees, making it ideal for music concerts, live performances, festivals, and mega public events. Supporting facilities include luxury guest houses, multi-cuisine restaurants, 20 fully equipped indoor shooting studios, a 15,000 sq. ft. open dining space, 15 designated exhibition stall spaces, and advanced CCTV surveillance with a centralised monitoring system, ensuring safety, comfort, and operational efficiency.

VELS Film City: Strengthening Chennai’s Entertainment Ecosystem

Complementing this landmark facility is the VELS Film City, the only integrated film city in Tamil Nadu. Spread across a vast campus, it includes outdoor shooting locations, end-to-end production facilities, guest accommodations, and VELS Theatres, a six-screen multiplex with a dedicated food court. Together, these facilities reinforce the VELS Group’s growing presence in the entertainment, arts and creative industries.

Strategically located in Chennai’s growing business corridor, the VELS Trade & Convention Centre is poised to become a preferred destination for exhibitions, conferences, entertainment events, and film productions, contributing significantly to the city’s event, tourism, and creative economy.

In his address, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh conveyed that the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman and Hon’ble Minister of State Shri L. Murugan were unable to attend due to prior commitments and had extended their warm wishes for the success of the event. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, for deputing Thiru Thangam Thennarasu to grace the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Thiru Thangam Thennarasu highlighted Tamil Nadu’s strong economic momentum, noting that the state has achieved double-digit economic growth, driven by sustained infrastructure investment and active participation from private institutions such as the VELS Group. He emphasised that such initiatives play a vital role in job creation and long-term development.

In his special address, Padma Bhushan Dr. Kamal Haasan observed that Chennai has emerged as a pan-India hub for film production. Encouraging the younger generation to take Tamil cinema to greater heights, he expressed confidence in the future of the industry. Referring to Ms. Kushmitha Ganesh, Vice President, Vels Group of Companies, he said that while there were earlier concerns about the fading glow of Tamil cinema, the leadership and creativity of the younger generation reassure him that the industry is poised for national and global recognition.

Distinguished Guests

The ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including former Minister Veeramani; Shri L. K. Sudheesh, Deputy General Secretary, DMDK; Shri Jaynthilal Chalani, President, Gold and Diamond Jewellery Association; actors R. Parthiban, Senthil and Sripriya; VGP Santhosham; leading academicians; and representatives from business, trade bodies and cultural organisations.

Social Responsibility of VELS Reaffirming its commitment to social responsibility and inclusive growth, the VELS Group distributed welfare kits to 1,000 students from orphanages, along with lunch, during the inauguration. A special screening of an actor Rajinikanth film was also organised at VELS Theatres for these students, reflecting the institution’s continued focus on community development and humanitarian service.

Website  velsgroup.in

The Alliance for Corporate Counsel and  Company Secretaries’ (ACoS) successfully hosted its 9th Annual Meeting and International Summit on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi, convening senior members of the judiciary, general counsel, senior advocates, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the country.

Lakshika Joshi, Sampadaa Narang, Harsh Goyal, Goviind Vijay, Parvesh Kheterpal, HMJ J K Maheshwari, Judge Supreme Court, HMJ Sachin Datta, Judge High Court, Ranju Goyal, Sameet Gambhir, Sachin Kalra

Held under the theme “India Rising: Legal Minds, Global Businesses – Role of the Legal Profession in Shaping India’s Global Competitiveness,” the Summit provided a robust platform for deliberations on the evolving role of the legal profession in strengthening governance, driving investor confidence, and supporting India’s global economic ambitions.

The Valedictory Session featured the Keynote Address by Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. K. Maheshwari, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and opening remarks by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sachin Datta, Judge, High Court of Delhi, highlighting the importance of institutional strength, regulatory clarity, and ethical leadership in India’s growth story.

A key highlight of the evening was the Felicitation Ceremony, during which Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. K. Maheshwari felicitated eminent Corporate Counsel as “Most Influential Corporate Counsel,” in recognition of their exceptional leadership, strategic influence, and contribution to the corporate legal and governance ecosystem.

Notably, a thought-provoking discussion on the statutory recognition of the Corporate Counsel profession was initiated by Mr. Parvesh Kheterpal, Founder, ACoS, during the Summit. During his welcome remark, Mr. Kheterpal underscored the expanding role of in-house counsel as strategic business partners, custodians of compliance, and key contributors to corporate integrity and economic development. The discussion found resonance among participants, who emphasised the need for a structured legal framework to formally recognise corporate counsel as a distinct and integral segment of the legal profession.

The Summit also featured multiple technical sessions on contemporary and high-impact topics, including international arbitration and India’s positioning as a preferred seat, data protection, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, white collar crime and corporate integrity, and India’s emergence as a global hub for inbound and outbound acquisitions. The summit brought together 200+ legal professionals for a day of insightful discussions.

The inaugural session, featuring members of the ACoS Governing Council, set the tone for the Summit by highlighting India’s regulatory reforms and the strategic role played by corporate lawyers in the country’s journey towards a $10 trillion economy.

The 9th Annual Meet concluded with a renewed commitment by ACoS to foster policy dialogue, thought leadership, and collaboration among the judiciary, industry, and the legal fraternity to strengthen India’s corporate legal ecosystem and global competitiveness.

Funds advised by Convergent Finance LLP (‘Convergent’) and leading private equity firm Samara Capital (‘Samara’) through their jointly owned and controlled company, CAG-Tech Mauritius Limited (‘CAG-Tech’), have signed definitive documents for the acquisition of an additional 4.99% stake in Sundrop Brands Limited (‘Sundrop’) from DMPL India Ltd (‘DMPL’), an Indian subsidiary of US-based food company, Del Monte. Pursuant to the deal, CAG-Tech, the promoter of Sundrop, will increase its holding to 38.91%.

Funds Advised by Convergent Finance and Samara Capital to Acquire an Additional 4.99% Stake in Sundrop Brands

In addition, CAG-Tech also has an option to buy another 4.99% stake from DMPL, exercisable after April 1, 2026.

In August 2024, Convergent and Samara jointly acquired a controlling stake in Sundrop by acquiring CAG-Tech. Following this acquisition, Sundrop’s food portfolio was expanded through the purchase of 100.00% of Del Monte Foods Pvt Ltd (‘Del Monte’), a joint venture between Bharti Group and Del Monte, in an all-stock deal of USD 154 million.

Sundrop continues to strengthen its position in India’s fast-growing packaged foods market through a widening product portfolio and expanding national footprint. The company benefits from strong brand equity, a robust pan-India distribution network, and a disciplined strategy focused on quality, innovation, and consumer trust. By increasing their shareholding, Convergent and Samara are further deepening their commitment to Sundrop’s long-term growth.

These attributes position Sundrop to capture the structural shift toward branded, packaged food products as household consumption patterns evolve. With a clear roadmap for operational excellence and category expansion, the company is, in our view, well set up for sustained success and value creation.

Harsha Raghavan, Managing Partner at Convergent Finance, said, “Sundrop is uniquely positioned to benefit from India’s accelerating demand for trusted, high-quality food and beverage brands. By increasing our stake, we are reinforcing our conviction in the leadership, its strategy, and its potential to deliver attractive long-term compounding for all stakeholders.”

Manish Mehta, Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Samara Capital, said, “We are pleased to further back Sundrop in its journey of building enduring household brands. The company’s consumer-centric strategy, deep retail reach, and growing portfolio of scalable categories give us strong confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth over the coming years.”

About Convergent Finance LLP

Convergent Finance LLP is an investment management and advisory partnership at the forefront of bringing together Ideas, Capital, and passionate Entrepreneurs. The Convergent investment process involves identifying proprietary platform and bolt-on opportunities, speed of execution, and a relentless focus on performance improvement. The Convergent value investing approach believes in paying fair and reasonable valuations through bilaterally negotiated transactions.

About Samara Capital

Founded in 2007, Samara Capital is one of India’s leading mid-market private equity firms that invests in emerging partners with entrepreneurs and management teams to help businesses achieve their true potential, thereby creating long term value for all stakeholders. Samara’s investment strategy believes that focusing on input metrics and culture-building leads to sustainable and scalable business performance. Consumer and Retail is one of the largest focus areas for the firm. Samara has done multiple platform buildouts to create market leaders in sectors such as Consumer and retail, business services and healthcare.

About Sundrop Brands

Sundrop Brands Limited is a public limited company engaged in the business of creating, marketing and distributing innovative, delicious and convenient food solutions. Sundrop is listed both on National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. Widely recognized for its popular brands like ACT II popcorn, Del Monte, and Sundrop edible oils, the company has a vision to deliver joyful food experiences to the modern consumer.

Actor, Entrepreneur, and style icon Shilpa Shetty announces her much awaited signature Mangalsutra Bracelet collection, this time crafted in purest Type IIa (Type 2A) diamonds through a creative collaboration with Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds. 

Shilpa Shetty unveils Mangalsutra Bracelet with Limelight Diamonds

Speaking about the launch, Shilpa shares, “The mangalsutra has always held deep emotional meaning for me, but I’ve also believed that tradition should evolve with the woman who wears it. The Mangalsutra Bracelet was born from that very thought: a piece that carries sentiment yet fits seamlessly into a modern woman’s everyday style.”

Explaining her decision to re-envision the design, she adds, “I wanted to reinterpret this bracelet in a way that reflects today’s values of conscious luxury, meaningful craftsmanship, and individuality. When I discovered the brilliance and purity of Type IIa (Type 2A) lab-grown diamonds, I knew they were the perfect way to elevate this design. They are of exceptional quality, sustainable, and absolutely stunning.” 

The collection features a series of handcrafted bracelets that reinterpret the timeless mangalsutra through a contemporary lens. Minimal in form, rich in symbolism, and designed for all-day wear. Shilpa further shares, “Every piece in this capsule has been personally curated and designed by me. It’s something I would wear to work, at a celebration, or even while travelling. It’s a reminder that tradition can be intimate, expressive, and beautifully individual.” 

Adding to Shilpa’s sentiment, Pooja Madhavan, Founder of Limelight, says, “This collection is a celebration of how traditions evolve. The Mangalsutra Bracelet that once symbolized rarity now represents choice, individuality and modernity, values that align deeply with Limelight. Co-designing this with Shilpa has allowed us to bring a contemporary icon to today’s woman.” 

The Mangalsutra Bracelet Collection is now available online and across all stores.

Chitkara University successfully concluded the second edition of Never Ending Story, a two-day storytelling festival organised by the Chitkara Design School recently. The festival brought together leading industry practitioners, design academicians, filmmakers, musicians, and professional storytellers from across the country, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, learning, and creative exchange.

Students learn about framing the future of cinema at “Never Ending Story” at Chitkara University

The festival opened with evocative musical performances by renowned artists Bindhu Malini and Lalon, whose compositions drew from Sufi, Bhakti, and experimental traditions, setting an immersive tone for the event. A keynote Design Dialogue, featured an eminent panel comprising Azmina Poddar, Dr. Sherline Pimenta, Pushpendra Nath Misra, Nina Sabnani, and Ramneek Majithia. The discussion explored the future of design education, the impact of technology on creative practices, and the evolving responsibilities of design institutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University said, “Storytelling lies at the heart of design, culture, and human connection. Platforms such as Never Ending Story empower students to think critically, create fearlessly, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. At Chitkara University, we remain committed to nurturing creative ecosystems that combine academic rigor with real-world relevance.”

Across both days, students engaged in specialised workshops on AI and design, storytelling methodologies, sound design, humour in communication, improvisational music, narrative gaming, bookbinding, illustration, and play-based storytelling. The festival also showcased a student short film program featuring entries from design institutions across India, culminating in a screening of Jai Mata Ji – Let’s Rock by National Award-winning filmmaker Manish Saini, followed by an insightful panel discussion with leading filmmakers and sound designers. The second edition of Never Ending Story ensured Chitkara University’s commitment to experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained engagement with industry experts, offering students a vibrant space to experiment, reflect, and develop their creative voices in dialogue with accomplished practitioners.

About Chitkara University
Chitkara University is a distinguished private institution known for its commitment to fostering academic excellence, research, and innovation across various disciplines. With a focus on creating leaders of tomorrow, the university offers a wide array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to succeed in an ever-evolving global landscape.

For more information visit : www.chitkara.edu.in.

If there is one cultural destination in South India that deserves a place on every traveller’s calendar this season, it is the 13th Sargaalaya International Arts & Crafts Festival (SIACF). From December 23, 2025, to January 11, 2026, Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village transforms into a living, breathing celebration of art, heritage, flavour, and community—an experience that is as inspiring as it is unforgettable.

13th Sargaalaya International Arts & Crafts Festival (SIACF) begins from December 23, 2025, to January 11, 2026

Recognised as South India’s premier crafts festival, SIACF 2025 is expected to welcome over two lakh visitors, making it not just an exhibition, but a cultural phenomenon. Organised by Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village and managed by the legendary Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS Ltd.), the festival continues to set benchmarks in responsible tourism and cultural excellence.

Where the World’s Crafts Come Together

What makes SIACF truly extraordinary is its global soul rooted in Indian tradition. The 2025 edition brings together nearly 200 master artisans from 18+ Indian states, alongside celebrated craft practitioners from Belarus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Taiwan.

Walking through SIACF feels like travelling across continents—each stall revealing a story, a heritage, and a human touch that no machine can replicate. For anyone who values authenticity, craftsmanship, and cultural depth, this is an experience that simply cannot be missed.

An Immersive Festival, Not Just an Exhibition

SIACF 2025 is thoughtfully curated to offer far more than shopping. Visitors are invited to explore beautifully designed Handloom and Craft Theme Arenas, with special emphasis on Geographical Indication (GI)–tagged products, making it a rare opportunity to witness India’s protected craft legacies under one roof.

With over 100 exhibition and trade stalls, including works by National and State Award–winning artisans, the festival offers an unparalleled chance to engage directly with creators and take home pieces of living heritage.

Adding depth to the experience are the Tourism Expo and Tourism Talk Shows, where ideas, innovation, and the future of creative tourism come together—making SIACF equally compelling for professionals, students, and cultural thinkers.

Fashion, Flowers, Food & Festivity

From elegance on the ramp to colour in full bloom, SIACF 2025 celebrates lifestyle in its most artistic form. Handloom Fashion Shows and Children’s Fashion Shows bring textiles to life, while the Flower Show adds a visual spectacle that delights all ages.

No visit to SIACF is complete without indulging in the much-loved Kerala Food Festival—a culinary journey through authentic local delicacies, enriched with regional flavours from states like Rajasthan. Daily live cultural performances by renowned artists ensure that every evening at Sargaalaya feels festive, soulful, and memorable.

For those who enjoy leisure amidst nature, pedal and motor boating along the serene Moorad River offers a refreshing pause—making the festival a perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and adventure.

A Festival That Makes a Difference

Beyond its beauty and scale, SIACF stands out for its purpose. As a flagship rural tourism initiative, the festival plays a crucial role in empowering artisans, sustaining endangered crafts, and contributing meaningfully to the local economy.

This vision is strengthened by the support of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, NABARD, the Ministry of Textiles (through the Development Commissioners of Handicrafts and Handlooms), and the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Kannur—ensuring that every visit directly supports livelihoods and cultural continuity.

The Perfect Family & Travel Recommendation

Whether you are a culture enthusiast, a conscious shopper, a family looking for a meaningful holiday outing, or a traveller seeking authentic Kerala experiences, SIACF 2025 is an unmissable recommendation. It is rare to find a destination that seamlessly brings together craft, cuisine, learning, entertainment, and nature—yet Sargaalaya does so effortlessly.

“Sargaalaya is not just a craft village; it is a celebration of human creativity and shared heritage,” says Team Sargaalaya. “Every visit helps preserve living traditions while empowering rural communities through responsible tourism.”

About Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village

Set across 20 acres in Iringal, Kozhikode, Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village is a flagship initiative of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, established in 2011. Developed on a Responsible Tourism model, it provides a permanent creative home for over 100 master artisans and features 27+ eco-friendly cottages, live craft demonstrations, and cultural spaces.

Recipient of the National Tourism Award for Best Rural Tourism Project, Sargaalaya is widely regarded as one of Kerala’s most enriching cultural destinations.

Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village: Towards a Global Cultural and Experiential Destination

Sargaalaya Kerala Arts and Crafts Village at Iringal, near Vatakara in Kozhikode district, is envisioned to be developed as a globally benchmarked cultural, experiential, and interpretative destination for Malabar. The proposed development reimagines Sargaalaya not merely as a craft village, but as an integrated cultural institution that interprets regional heritage, nurtures creativity, produces knowledge, and anchors a wider tourism ecosystem across North Kerala. The focus is on creating a living cultural landscape where heritage, contemporary practice, tourism, and community livelihoods intersect.

The development places strong emphasis on immersive visitor engagement through interactive craft zones, daily demonstrations, curated workshops, and guided interpretation. Craft spaces will be reconfigured to allow larger visitor participation, supported by a central craft emporium and dedicated workshops that enable skill development, innovation, residencies, and fair market access for artisans. These interventions ensure that crafts remain dynamic, living practices rather than static displays.

At the heart of the project is the Cultural Experience and Interpretation Centre, conceived as the primary narrative anchor for Malabar. Through curated exhibitions, multimedia installations, immersive digital environments, and interactive archives, the centre will present Malabar’s maritime history, social reform movements, resistance traditions, ecological knowledge, and cultural pluralism, offering visitors a coherent entry point into the region’s layered cultural landscapes.

A series of thematic developments will structure the expanded Sargaalaya ecosystem. The Literature City will position Malabar as a living literary landscape through writers’ retreats, multilingual libraries, translation and publishing labs, literary residencies, and immersive experiences linking literature with place, memory, and social history. The Kalari Village, rooted in the martial traditions of Kadathanad, will integrate training, performance, research, wellness, and interpretation through traditional arenas, therapy centres, and an interactive martial arts museum.

The project places strong emphasis on the documentation and preservation of performing arts, supported by digital archives, performance-capture studios, and immersive experience centres for art forms such as Theyyam, Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, and Mappila songs. A Living Heritage Programme will support artists through apprenticeships, fellowships, residencies, and contemporary collaborations, ensuring continuity alongside creative evolution.

Sargaalaya is envisioned as a year-round cultural destination with robust performance infrastructure, including open-air amphitheatres, indoor auditoriums, flexible venues, and artist residency facilities. Regular performances, curated weekend programmes, and four large-scale annual cultural productions will ensure sustained activation. A flagship attraction, Malabar Symphony, is proposed as a large-scale light-and-sound hybrid immersive storytelling experience narrating Malabar’s maritime history, resistance movements, ecological consciousness, and cultural evolution. Conceived as a thirty-five-minute production staged twice daily, Malabar Symphony is proposed to be developed in collaboration with leading national and international artists, with concept and direction by Revathy, screenplay and narrative by Shankar Ramakrishnan, music composition by A.R. Rahman, sound design by Resul Pookkutty, technical direction by Alphons, theatre direction by Royston Abel, animation and visual effects by Aravind, and voice performances by distinguished artists including Mammootty, Manju Warrier, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Anoop Menon, Sayonara Philip, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

A dedicated Children’s Cultural and Experiential Zone will offer play-based learning rooted in Malabar’s cultural narratives and ecological contexts, integrating creative activity spaces, nature-linked exploration, and water-based learning experiences. Complementing this are structured workshops and creative learning programmes across crafts, music, theatre, movement, painting, and visual arts, catering to students, artists, tourists, and cultural professionals.

The development adopts a hub-and-spoke tourism model, positioning Sargaalaya as the central orientation and interpretation hub for integrated cultural, riverine, coastal, literary, martial, and culinary circuits across Malabar. River-based journeys and water experiences will function as experiential corridors, foregrounding ecology, heritage, and local livelihoods.

The ecosystem further includes curated food tourism and culinary experiences, including festivals and a floating restaurant rooted in Malabar cuisine; a handloom, design, and retail zone supporting innovation and contemporary applications of traditional textiles; a vibrant flea market strengthening the informal cultural economy; and facilities for social, cultural, and community events, conferences, exhibitions, destination weddings, and themed cultural ceremonies.

To enable deeper immersion, the project proposes on-site accommodation and stay facilities designed in harmony with the landscape and local architectural traditions, supporting multi-day cultural tourism, artist residencies, research stays, and family travel. Through this integrated approach, the upcoming phase of Sargaalaya positions culture as core infrastructure for development, envisioning a globally relevant model for experiential, responsible, and knowledge-driven cultural tourism that interprets Malabar for contemporary and international audiences.

Website: www.sargaalaya.in
Instagram: Sargaalaya – Kerala Arts & Crafts Village Iringal

About ULCCS Ltd.

Founded in 1925 by social reformer Vagbhatananda Guru, the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd. (ULCCS) is among India’s most respected worker cooperatives. With 18,000+ employees, 7,500+ completed projects, and global recognition—including a World No. 2 ranking in the Industry & Utilities sector by the World Cooperative Monitor for 3 years—ULCCS stands as a UN-recognised model for ethical, inclusive, and quality-driven development.

If you are looking for one unforgettable cultural recommendation this season, SIACF 2025 at Sargaalaya is it.

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (SMI) successfully concluded three vibrant exhibitions from 18 December through 21st, which brought together emerging artists and designers to reimagine the future through creative practice. The exhibition unfolded across two venues from December 18-21, 2025, drawing visitors into immersive experiences that bridged disciplines, challenged conventions, and charted new territories in art, design, and technology.

SMI’s transdisciplinary exhibition showcases immersive visions reimagining art of future

Practices of Attunement: A Transdisciplinary Chorus
The exhibition opened at the Bangalore International Centre on December 18-19 with “Practices of Attunement,” a compelling showcase of postgraduate works that explored transdisciplinary as a mode of research and making. The opening highlighted three distinct clusters that emerged as a chorus of voices engaging with themes of community, climate action, histories, urban systems, and contemporary narratives.

Approximately 70-80 postgraduate students from the MDes and MA programs presented works that layered design, art, and technology in ways that speak to our contemporary moment.

Dr. Priya Joseph, Professor, SMI on the success of the event, said, “The exhibition of Post graduate work is called ‘Practices of Attunement’. The opening of the exhibition by the curators, our faculty at SMI, Jatin Gulati and Karthika Sakthivel highlighted the three clusters that emerged as chorus of voices. At SMI it is unique that MDes and MA courses bring design, art, technology and as layers that the students explore through these exhibits, making relevant arguments for a contemporary world with commune, climate action, histories, cities and more.”

Prologue: Make New Worlds – A Celebration of Possibility
The exhibition continued at the historic Venkatappa Art Gallery on December 20-21 with “Prologue: Make New Worlds,” a public showcase of visions from final-year undergraduate students across all 11 courses at SMI’s Undergraduate Professional Program (UGPP). The gallery came alive with short films, animations, products, publications, digital platforms, and systems that plant seeds for newer worlds across healthcare, education, sustainability, urban development, and diverse creative contexts.

Over 300 students of 7th semester represented a pivotal moment in the four-year UGPP journey. After three years of studios, workshops, and short-term ateliers, learners immerse themselves for a full semester in the context of their choice, pushing and pulling between tools, methods, media, and applications before their final semester.

“Creativity has grown beyond beautification and aesthetics, it is found in systems, processes and services present in all aspects of our everyday life, neighbourhoods, cities and economies,” says Dr. Arindam Das, Director SMI. “Art and Design is no longer peripheral, but they are at the centre of the new worlds that we are making.”

“For us, education is not just about preparing for a career, it is about nurturing the ability to shape the future,” says Ramesh Kalkur, Associate director (Academics), SMI. “The future, therefore, is not something to arrive at. It is something we create a future that builds new opportunities, strengthens communities, and fosters deeper connections with the world.”

Throughout all four days of the exhibition, visitors engaged directly with student artists and designers, experiencing firsthand the depth of inquiry and experimentation that defines SMI’s educational philosophy. The works presented were testaments to diversity, authenticity, and an inquiry that begins within and moves outward.