MARWAR - the magazine that inspires Excellence

We ended the year with extravagance; our anniversary issue was appreciated by stalwarts in the community, giving us a boost to create even more spectacular and innovative issues in 2008.

This issue we present a Rajasthani legend that has now been converted into a Bollywood magnum opus. Jodhaa Akbar, a film based on the marital alliance between the Rajput Princess Jodhaa and the Mughal Emperor Akbar harks back to 16th century Rajasthan, with period costumes, jewellery and sets, while retaining its modern-day relevance of arranged marriages that are sometimes mere business alliances. But more than the issues at hand, one is mesmerised by breathtaking visuals of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan, romancing each other, in their regal gear. Marwar thought they were the perfect picture of kingly grace and grandeur — an ideal preview as you await the movie's release.

To say that most of the personalities who make it this issue are multi-faceted is an understatement. Topping the list is California-based author Sujit Saraf who deftly mixes space research with running a theatre company and writing his best-selling novel, The Peacock Throne.

People for Animals' member Alpana Bhartia is a homemaker and artiste and has a passion for wildlife. She is also on a mission to convert barren spaces into green patches in the Garden City, Bangalore .

Designer Anand Kabra first set out to do medicine and eventually turned to fashion design; Bina Goenka studied law and now runs a jewellery brand with her own name. A jamboree of professionals, making time for their passions indeed!

The three entrepreneurs Sushil Jhunjhunwala, Sunil Mantri and Sanjay Budhia are bound by one common factor — an uncanny ability to turn adversity into opportunity. We trace the journeys of these businessmen who have overcome hurdles to create empires that have now reached the pinnacles of success.

We zoom in on shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal's bachelor pad. Complete with a Buddha lounge, a terrace for partying and a gymnasium, his home is swanky and spacious. But what truly entertained us were his bytes on marriage, keeping house and living away from family. Coming from a matchmaker of sorts, we were sure enlightened!

Its sheer length denotes class. But is it just the space and the fact that it's chauffeur-driven, up its luxury quotient or is it the increasing amount of hi-tech gadgets that can be fitted into it? We focus on the limousine and find out why anyone ‘who's arrived' continues to flash it as a symbol of style.

The automotive industry in India sure seems to have gone into a tizzy. With the launch of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé and Porsche's Carrera GT, Indian roads have not only garnered more speed but definitely become more expensive as well. A look at the marvels.

But as we speak of all the opulent living, we don't forget the essentials; the need to find harmony between the mind, body and soul. To satisfy this growing need of our readers, we have embarked on a collective spiritual journey in the new section titled Marwar Wellness. Here we see the introduction of various concepts that are soon gaining ground for a more holistic way of life.