As boarders, one of our favourite pastimes in school was crossing out dates in our notebooks and counting the days to our vacations. Sensing the ardent need for calendars, some of us even began making these as gifts for our friends.
It was a simple process that involved tearing off a stiff notebook cover and covering it with a bright chart paper. On this, we made 12 different boxes with sketch-pens and wrote — rather untidily — months, days and dates. We would then put stickers — Archies characters were all-time favourites — to enhance the look and, yes, the smiles on the faces of friends who received these calendars made the effort worth it.
2009 calendar art
Much has changed since then, and calendars today are regarded not just as a style statement but also as an emerging art form. Don’t believe us? We suggest you take a look at the 2009 calendar that Himanshu Verma’s curated, to be showcased by Apparao Gallery. Along with an exhibition of artworks by contemporary artists on the theme of calendar art, the project also features the launch of a special art calendar for 2009, featuring those very same artworks.
In Verma’s own words, “The calendar is also designed to become a pointer to the kaleidoscope of festivals, seasons and celebrations in India throughout the year.” The artwork includes works by Alexis Kersey, Bibhu Patnaik, Biplab Muzibar Rahman, the Singh Twins and Rajendra Kapse, to name just a few. The best part: at Rs 300, it’s so affordable.
King of good days
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It wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that Kingfisher made calendars a fashion statement in India. Photographer Dabboo Ratnani’s calendars are eagerly awaited too, especially as he goes about shooting the top Bollywood stars year after year. Kingfisher’s 2009 calendar was shot in the super-luxury resorts of Koh Samui and Yao Noi, and featured six models from across the globe, including places like Holland, Uganda, Russia, Thailand and India.
Mallya, however, should come up with a newer concept, especially as shooting models in sport swimwear year after year is getting very stale. This year’s calendar shows models wearing swimwear from brands like Alberta Ferretti, Jean Paul Gaultier and Fendi. You have to be Mallya’s close friend to receive this calendar.
Stylish dates
Anand’z Creations, a leading name in handmade paper products, has a delightful range of limited-edition calendars. Owning one for 2009, I’m proud to display it in the living room. The colours are unique, especially the dark brown tones offset with hues of white that do ample justice to the entire look of the calendar. What’s more, Anand, the promoter, who designs every product that comes out of his store, only uses recycled products.
Etched brass, metallic paper procured from Italy, motifs made from recycled fibre, jute, cotton rags, coconut shells... Anand’z does ample justice to your refined tastes. A must for your desk this year, the calendars, available between Rs 695-1,500, come in matching gift boxes with pretty tags. Also look at Auroville’s new Matrimandir calendar, priced at Rs 160. The theme features the 12 meditation rooms, or temple Petals, that were finished in the summer of 2008. Each page of the calendar depicts one meditation room with its name, the significance of its colour and its location. It’ll be a beauty resting on your desk.
