Adda's Anniversary

This thursday, adda celebrates its second birthday. The adda is a monthly meeting that takes place at Goa Portuguesea, and was started by film-maker Anuradha Tandon and writer Vikram Chandra. Says Anuradha, "It started when Vikram told me about a meeting at New York which involved people from the literary world." At the adda here, Anuradha tries to collect people who are non-linear in their approach and who are willing to actively participate in the meetings. Over the last two years, several well-known names have given presentations at the adda, including CP Surendran, Jaideep Mehrotra and Deepti Naval. And among the regulars here are Sheldon Austin, Govind Nihalani, Rahul Bose, Tanuja Chandra and Kaizad Gustad. Besides, for many others as well, the place has proved to be the muse for new ideas and projects. Here are a few examples:

Mahesh Mehboobani: The dancer met Govind Nihilani at the adda and is now working with him in his next project Takshak. Later, Mehboobani also performed at the adda, and presentin the audience was Subhash Ghai who was so impressed with his work that now Mahesh is busy working on the dance-steps for Taal.

Jayant Kripalani: This script-writer has been in the business for a decade now. Having written the TV serial Ghar Jamai, he is now working on a script for a romantic film. It was here that he kept bumping into Dilip Ghose, an old friend. Now the two have decided to work together. Says Jayant: "The adda puts you in touch with lots of interesting people and triggers of the thought process."

Priti Chandriani: This film-maker has only missed two adda sessions and launched her range of Belgian chocolates, Chossieur, at the adda in January. She says: "It's a great place for a launch. Through the adda the word really spread about my chocolates and I got lots of orders."

-- SUJATA ASSOMULL

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