The brain behind The Arts Trust and ICIA, Mr Vickram Sethi, is known to be a committed and articulate art aficionado. He has been actively engaged in promoting contemporary Indian art, and has been striving to raise awareness and interest in Indian art.

The Institute of Contemporary Indian Art (ICIA) serves as a logical extension of The Arts Trust vision of becoming the best source for quality work by both the distinguished and emerging artists. The Arts Trust was set up in 1990 with a long-term vision of promoting Indian contemporary art, which was just gaining in prominence at that time.

Towards this end, The Arts trust organizes art exhibitions, showcasing a wide range of talent and creativity, providing the viewers a glimpse of promising artists who work in various genres, styles, subjects and mediums.

In 1996, The Arts Trust was handed over the responsibility of managing the Harmony Show launched by the Reliance Group. It has also hosted several art camps and art events such as the annual RPG art exhibitions. The Arts Trust boasts of several prestigious clients such as RPG Group, Kotak Bank, ABN AMRO bank, Indian Hotels, Oberoi Group and Hyatt Hotel among others.

Of course, the journey has been full of several challenges, as Mr Vickram Sethi reminisces: “When I started, the art scene was quite different from what it is now. It was difficult to find space (for hosting the shows). I did my first show more than 15 years ago at the Oberoi, titled ‘Masters of India’. I was amazed at the response, and then began to do art shows at the Y B Chavan studio more often.”

He is extremely optimistic and positive about the emerging crop of artists. He quips: “There’s immense talent here!” In keeping with his vision, the previous edition of Art Expo India brought to the fore highly talented and dynamic artists from across the country and abroad in a grand event in Mumbai.

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With stock market in a tailspin, people are looking to build a more diversified portfolio of investments that will cushion them against such random and rapid falls in equities. Indeed, stock markets world over have turned topsy-turvy in recent times as the indices have become hyper-sensitive to inflation, recession and any negative macro or micro-economic clues. Experts are advising investors to stay away from the stock markets, and rightly so!

On the other hand, Indian art and artists have truly gone global with a string of shows – solo as well as group – involving both established and emerging artists. Global art auction houses and event directors are giving a place of pride to practitioners from the country, leaving an indelible mark on the international art scene. Indeed, contemporary Indian art and artists have gone global with a string of shows. We take a quick look at some of the internationally acclaimed artists who will continue to find favor with collectors and/ or investors…

Atul Dodiya: His diverse and dynamic art practice, socially and politically responsible in nature, has evolved to become increasingly complex, with the subjects of his address, and his references more specific. His striking imagery has invariably been packed with a stirring swirl of motifs: Bollywood, film stars, political icons, Hindu mythology characters, and so on.

Subodh Gupta: Though he often dwells on domestic themes, he has become an internationally renowned artist. A sculptor, installation-maker, video artist and painter -all rolled in one, this multi-faceted practitioner incorporates in his works everyday objects like bicycles, thali pans, and milk pails, as well as the mass-produced steel boxes used to carry lunch.

Bose Krishnamachari: As a creator, curator and practitioner of art in various forms and domains, he likes to challenge and defy conventional concepts of visual art practices to set his own norms. He has further broadened and deepened his curatorial vision with the Mumbai-based Gallery BMB.

Jitish Kallat: Counted among the most exciting and talented contemporary artists not just in India, but also internationally, he has received recognition for his dynamic work that reflects an involvement with Mumbai.

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Safety, cost efficiency and durability are the three aspects that any business would primarily look for while buying office equipment. Brilliant International is one name that comes to mind, when you want to buy electrical accessories and other workplace-related appliances.

They manufacture and export a wide range of electrical accessories and appliances such as doorbells, ceiling fans, switches, etc. The company formed in 1981, has established a reputation for itself as a reliable supplier and producer over the last two decades in this field – in India and internationally. It has adhered to the highest quality control standards over time.

Brilliant International also designs products as per specific customer specifications and design. This is made possible by a skilled technical staff, and a meticulous quality testing by them for each product. Let us take a look at their vast product range:

•    New Beautiful Bells

•    PVC Accessories / Trunking / Adaptable Boxes

•    Ceiling Fans & Regulators

•    D.P Switches / Switches / Sockets

•    ChangeOver and Onload Changeover

•    Tinned Copper Lugs / Glands

•    G.I.Boxes / Steel

•    Boxes American Type

•     Top Plugs and AST Parts

•     Bulk Head Fittings & Holders

•     Earthing Rod & Accessories

•     Extension Sockets

•    Wire Clips

•    GI Conduit Accessories

•    Din Rail Channel

•    Screws / Fasteners

They also manufacture a range of household appliances. You can get complete details of their vast product range, here:

For business inquiries, contact:
Brilliant Complex, Unit A & B,
Western Express Highway, Miragaon,
Mira Road (East) 401 104
Mumbai, India

Phone: (00 91 22) 2945 2101 - 05
Fax: (00 91 22) 2945 2106
Email: brilliantintl@vsnl.com

You can also check out their stall at the Giftex 2012 slated to be held in the second week of February.  It’s a company that truly sticks to its brand name: Brilliant. There can be no better way than this of branding and positioning for a company.

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Giftex is here again! The 2012 edition is set to underline why the event is without doubt among the most keenly awaited and highly valued shows in its domain. It’s truly one of its kind event not only in Mumbai but across India.

Indeed no other exhibit revolving around the theme of gifting manages to generate so much buzz and excitement as this annual show. What are its features that make Giftex so special and unique?

•    Giftex acts as a one stop shopping event for bulk purchases by corporate entities and Traders, giving buyers access to India’s top sourcing hub. It will have on offer among the most dynamic and contemporary gifting themes ever seen. All the innovative gifts can be sourced under one roof.

•    Despite the looming recession world over, India continues to do well as a nation. The country’s industry and corporate houses are doing reasonably well. Giftex 2012, to be hosted at Nehru Centre, worli, Mumbai will sure reflect the vibrancy of India’s resilient corporate scene! It is going to be the Season’s biggest ever buying opportunity professionals and marketers cannot afford to miss…

•    There are going to be several new gifting ideas on offer at Giftex 2012 for those looking for creative options. With hundreds of stalls and thousands of gifting items, you can get a catchy corporate gift portfolio – in retail and in bulk.

•    Considered India’s biggest and the most ambitious corporate gifting exhibition, the event is sure to live up to the hype, which it has generated over the years, providing the perfect opportunity to build an exclusive gift folio.

The truly overwhelming response to the previous Giftex edition was because of extremely enthusiastic participation. This is another exciting aspect of the event. Top business professionals cutting across a diverse spectrum of business industries, domains, brands and domains is a testimony to the rising popularity of this hugely successful event.

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Shining and sizzling silver has an uncanny knack of adapting to every fashion trend - traditional to bold and dramatic; classic to contemporary. Silver signifies faith and purity as a color, and is as glamorous as gold. The metal is not looked upon as a mere luxury symbol world over. The Chinese, for instance, believe a silver locket around a child’s neck would drive away any evil spirits, whereas the Incas of Peru have called it ‘the tears of the moon’.

You can make your choice from a wide array of designs, and even personalize your jewelry and accessories in silver. While going for a gorgeous gift for your loved one, you can buy cufflinks, buckles, hip flasks, collar stays or key rings that make a perfect fashion statement.

Gifting of silverware is an idea that jells perfectly with Indian tradition. Silver thalis are now a must-have at ceremonies. Cute silver boxes are there for holding mouth fresheners and silver coins are now commonly presented in embroidered bags. While silver watches, belts and jewelry are more suitable as generic presents, utensils in silver are ideal for traditional or festive occasions.

The mellifluous metal signifies status and wealth. It is perceived to fetch good luck. Importantly, it can indeed get cool and fashionable. An elegant pendant, opulent choker, or handsome hair ornament of traditional white or pastel colored pearls set in sterling white metal will make a fashionable gift to suit one’s tastes, style quotient and sentiments. Attractively colored pearls set in sterling silver will make an exquisite, glittering gift! Even the men’s jewelry is now getting popular. New-generation uber-cool men now flaunt to love accessories! For men, you may also consider stick to watches, silver coins or a silver household object.

One indeed is spoiled for choice here!

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Has the slowdown interfered with the eclectic buyer’s appetite for high luxury? A recent article by Avantika Bhuyan & Priyanka Sharma (The Business Standard), gives an insight on the ground situation. The broad inference it draws is that there is no significant impact on the upper end of the market as far as sales are concerned.

It quotes a successful entrepreneur eager to flaunt her wealth, as saying: “I would rather buy an expensive handbag that I can carry with me through the year than a gold set for the same amount of money that I would only wear during a wedding. It is all about how you choose to spend on luxury.”

One reason for this trend could also be the fact that prices in India are now more or less the same as abroad. Three years ago, buyers would arm themselves with lists of Chanel lipstick shade numbers or Dior bag descriptions before going abroad. Today they prefer to purchase in India. The difference between Indian and global prices is kept at a bare minimum and is usually the value-added tax.

Listen to what another entrepreneur who markets luxury brands has to say on this particular issue: “The difference between Indian and international price range is rather quite small. A Louis Vuitton bag may be a bit cheaper in London, but the prices in Delhi and Bangkok are almost identical.” Same is the case with Dior handbags.

What’s holding this particular segment of the market together is the new dynamic, jet-setting generation of luxury products buyers in the age group of 21-35. As a retailer points out, this indeed is a very exciting segment, with the kind of consumer base with a fresh outlook, who is keen to show success, flaunts wealth. The young professionals are ambitious and self-driven.

As the news report mentions: “There’s the other kind of consumer segment - 37-plus, more mature and equally well established. They belong to the connoisseur category. It’s these two distinct demographics, which make Indian market an interesting one.” This is where the gifting industry needs to channelize its efforts, as well…

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In the west a food hamper is the most preferred gift and corporates choose their hampers with great care, it is usually a  and other accompaniments. Unfortunately this trend has not yet caught up in India given the fact that most stores such as Godrej – nature’s basket or RIL’s Fresh, shoppers stop and spencers do not cater to the corporate gifting market. There is an opportunity here for someone with an artistic ability to pack and put together a beautiful hamper that the receiver will cherish. What is important is the packing to give it the kind of panache it requires.

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There are those timeless scents - spicy and warm for winter, and Fruity or minty for summer. Here’s looking at some new smells spreading around for breathing a new life in your relationship. You can choose from a whole range of perfumes, which are ideal to spread romance in the air.

Smell of lilies: Body Shop has launched a new fragrance range ‘Aqua Lily’. It’s a fresh, delicate and water floral-based fragrance. This does not merely reflect a product that smells like lilies. Body Shop has moved a step ahead, to dig up some history, to mix it up with the smell. To the Chinese, lilies symbolize ‘forever in love’; the Greeks termed it the ‘flower of flowers’, whereas the Romans often blended fresh lilies with roses and scattered on their beds.
There is a whole range including Aqua Lily perfume oil, eau de toilette, body spray, etc. The fragrance is a blend of watermelon, dewy bamboo, green apple, pink pepper and tangerine in harmony with floral notes of rose, violet, muguet and, of course, lily.

Burberry The Beat: Nothing to beat flower power in a hot, humid weather for women who wish to smell their best; Burberry The Beat is a cool option, which instantly energizes with a youthfulness thanks to its sparkling, woody and floral fragrance.
Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste: This is a young fragrance typically Bvlgari in its subtle sophistication. The perfume is inspired by the amethyst gemstone’s aura. The floral scents exuded by it are refreshing. They remind one of rose gardens and morning dew.
Burberry The Beat is sexy, feminine and vibrant, with its smoky, sensual musk and wooden tones, blended with the aroma of traditional Ceylon tea and bluebells! This gift is an ode to nature and flowers.

Chrome Legend: Azzaro’s new fragrance for men is packed with scents duly extracted from nature- flowers and forests. It is a fresh, intense smell with notes of citrus that reminds one of sea spray and green frosted leaves. There are also under-notes of woody, musky amber essences.

Tags: promotional gifts, Business Gifting
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Archies perfumes: Archies has on offer a range of perfumes that are classy, yet affordable,, including Black Magic, Stupid Cupid Parfum, Voce Men, Stupid Cupid Deo, Lovely Chastity, Happy Days.
NafNaf (for women): A recently launched version of fragrance NafNaf brings a feeling of happiness highly accentuated with fruity accords. It heralds awakening of enthusiasm, and new adventures.
NafNaf fragrance, excitingly romantic, opens a new door to emotions. It creates a fruit cocktail with mouthwatering pear and mango, leading to elegant heart that introduces a floral bouquet of orange blossom, jasmine and iris with hints of watery fruity aromas as well as peony.

Gaultier 2 Perfume: This Perfume by Jean Paul Gaultier, the famous design house, possesses a blend of Vanilla, Musk and Amber. The seductive tones are nicely blended through a smoke screen of myrhh and incense, for a fragrance that impart sensuality.

I Loewe You: This women’s fragrance is aimed at an innocent, extrovert, spontaneous teenager. It belongs to the family of fruity and floral fragrances. ‘I Loewe You’ would serve as an exclusive gift for the lively and ingenious female you want to get cozy with.
Elle: This fantastic fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent will win the hearts of young, modern, urban girls. It is tender and brings joy with luminous lemon’s crisp notes of along with litchi on the peony petal. Elle is perfectly wearable!
The Hugo XX and XY: The Hugo style, the version XX for females, brings gourmand fruity notes, whereas that for men (XY) fetches an aromatic rhythm. The former is available in golden campaign tones, whereas the men’s is metallic grey tone. They are created so for emphasizing the differences between both sexes, also highlighting the mutual magnetic attraction.

Davidoff Adventure: The Davidoff Adventure, a men’s perfume, has been inspired by adventure - the concept of wild nature with hot spices and bright colors has been blended to remind the wearer of the sensuality of exotic woods and the humid freshness of the rainforest.

Tags: business gift baskets, promotional gifts, low cost gifts, corporate gifting for employees, Corporate gifting India, Cheap corporate gifts, Gifting occasions, Business etiquette, , Best corporate gifts

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If you are planning to gift perfume, here are some basic facts to be kept in mind:
Alcohol content in perfumes makes them emanate sweet smells from one’s skin. Without it, only the wearer would know about it.
Find a fragrance that complements skin type and natural aroma of body of the person whom you want to gift it.
The scent should be pleasant enough and subtle enough to enhance the wearer’s personality.
A perfume lasts longer on some individuals than on others owing to differences in our skin (dry or oily) as well as in our PH levels. Try layering your perfume to ensure a longer effect.
Apply perfume low on the body and on your neck so that it gradually rises and won’t be lost quickly. Just a light spray on the hair can last whole day. It can be sprayed on the inside of the elbow, on the wrist, and back of the knees.
The best time to apply perfume is after a shower or bath, when skin pores will be open and can soak up the fragrance.
Keep perfume - gifted or bought - in cool, dry area. Keep it away from direct sunlight since it can unbalance the various ingredients.
An opened perfume bottle should be put in its box, when not in use, to ensure a longer shelf life.
Use non-deodorized soap where perfume is to be applied. Soaps and deodorants can affect how it will smell on your skin!

Certain types of jewelry like costume or pearl jewelry can get discolored owing to perfume alcohols. Some can also lose it outer coating. When wearing perfume with such f jewelry type, spray it away from the jewelry.
You can gift a variety of perfumes for different seasons that go with the person’s body and personality type.

Tags: Worst gifts, Gifting occasions, Gifting events, , gifting to clients, gifting etiquette, Corporate gifting India, Business etiquette, business gift baskets, Popular corporate gifts

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