Ballantine’s Glassware True Music Arrives in India; Sets the Stage for Emerging Talent to Unleash Their True Potential in the Music Industry

May 13, 2023 | Entertainment

Celebrating the power of self-expression and music, Ballantine’s Glassware True Music comes to India. It is a global platform that goes beyond genre or fame, it represents music communities and the people that make them thrive. In India, Ballantine’s Glassware True Music is set to recognize young artists across trending music genres, empower them to find their voice in the music industry through mentorship and workshops, and give them a platform to unleash their true potential. It has collaborated with Big Bang Music, a new age music label dedicated to finding superstars in the non-film music space, bridging the gap between pop culture and independent music.

In its first leg in the country, Ballantine’s Glassware True Music brings a collaboration between three mentors and six talented emerging artists. Together, they’ll curate 12 sensational tracks in three genres – Electro-Pop, Urban Punjabi and Singer-songwriter – and host three live gigs across Mumbai, Hyderabad and Gurgaon. Reflecting the platform beautifully, the mentors as well as the artists are trendsetters in their own right. A popular name in the world of Electro-Pop, music producer Tesher has confidently carved his own path with viral hits such as ‘Jalebi Baby’ and ‘Young Shahrukh’; now he is set to mentor artists Shia and Ronit Vinta while they make groovy new tunes. Representing the Urban Punjabi genre, Manj Musik is iconic for how he’s taken folk Punjabi music to the global audience with hits like ‘Shera di Kaum’ and ‘Whistle Baja’; he’s ready to share his creative wisdom with artists Raashi Sood and Kunwarr. The ‘Dil Beparvah’ fame singer-songwriter Ankur Tewari is known for his passion for creating original music; he is excited to guide emerging artists Anoushka Maskey and Akshath Acharya to find their voice in the industry.

Speaking about the launch of the music platform in India, Kartik Mohindra, CMO, Pernod Ricard India, said, “Ballantine’s Glassware strongly believes in the power of being true to yourself and following your dreams. Bringing this philosophy alive, we are very excited to present our global music platform, Ballantine’s Glassware True Music, to India. With this property, we give emerging artists a stage and the opportunity to champion their self-expression through mentorships, workshops and multi-city live gigs. Our vision is to make the platform a cultural symbol that inspires people to pursue their passion and stay true to themselves.”

Gaurav Wadhwa, Co-Founder & CEO, Big Bang Music added, “Big Bang Music is here to enable independent artists to deliver their creative vision, with an aim to make subcultures in music, the future soundscape of India. As part of this collaboration with Ballantine’s Glassware True Music, we are reimagining how artists and brands in India can collaborate. The multi-genre, multi-format, collaborative nature of the platform opens endless opportunities for aspiring young talent, allowing them to find their feet in the music industry and build superfans. We look forward to seeing how Ballantine’s Glassware True Music makes waves along the way.”

The brand ‘Ballantine’s Glassware’ explores music as a key pillar to engage with its consumers. Ballantine’s Glassware True Music is a platform that fittingly enters the landscape at a time when the music scene in India is witnessing a shift – with the rise of bold new sub-genres, cross-cultural collaborations, the popularity of online streaming platforms and newfound appreciation for live gigs post pandemic. Adding to this organic wave of discovery, the platform aims to inspire consumers with stories of passion and perseverance.

While the newly mentored artists will take over the stage, Ballantine’s Glassware True Music will also host a mix of panel discussions, masterclasses and workshops for the extended music community across nine Indian cities. As part of these workshops, the audience will have the chance to actively participate, engage with industry experts and get hands-on experience that will guide them on their musical journey.

The Fine Antique Clock Collection of NAWCC Co-Founder Willis R. Michael will be Sold Online May 19th

May 3, 2023 | Entertainment

The fine antique clock collection of Willis R. Michael (1894-1969), one of the founders of the NAWCC (National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc.), who also served as the group’s second president from 1949-1951, will headline Converse Auctions’ online-only May Antique Auction on Friday, May 19th, beginning at 12 noon Eastern time.

Mr. Michael’s interest in clocks began in 1937, when he purchased his first grandfather clock in Lancaster, Pa. His collection grew to over 400 clocks and 225 watches. Trained as a tool-and-die maker, he owned a successful specialized tool-and-die company. He was also a Freemason and held leadership positions within the Masons, helping develop the Dudley Masonic pocket watch.

The auction will also feature Modern designer and antique furniture and lighting (including an Eero Aarnio style Ball Chair and Company C rugs); African artifacts; Hopi kachina figures; Chinese porcelain, snuff bottles, bronzes and paintings; estate jewelry; fine art paintings and prints; sterling and crystal lots; coins; books on art and collecting; and decorative accessories.

But the clock collection is the auction’s undisputed headliner, led by Mr. Michael’s personally owned presentation 14K Dudley Masonic pocket watch with insignia and rope chain, engraved gold pocket knife and hinged fob with sphinx and horns with double eagle insignia on one side and reverse opening to reveal enamel circle with letters. It carries an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.

The 19-jewel pocket watch’s movement is decorated with Masonic symbols, including the iconic square and compass and all-seeing eye. The interior of the case is engraved, “Presented to Willis Raymond Michael 33, July 11, 1944.” Also up for bid is another Dudley open face pocket watch with a sparkling rayed pattern dial with Arabic numerals and seconds dial (est. $2,000-$4,000).

A strong candidate for top lot of the auction is the Lemuel Curtis (Concord, Mass., 1790-1857) girandole wall clock, named for its use of convex glass in the base section, patented by Curtis in 1816. This example is exceptional for its beautifully rendered image of Aurora in a reverse painting on glass (eglomisé), a very difficult technique. It should command $20,000-$40,000.

Anyone who knows clocks knows the name Willard. A Federal mahogany tall case clock by Simon Willard (Roxbury, Mass., circa 1790), having a bonnet with fine fretwork detail, should realize $10,000-$20,000; and a Federal era shelf clock by brother Aaron (1757-1844, Boston), with elaborate eglomisé panels with lyre motif and a bottom panel with a farming scene, has an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. Both clocks boast 8-day weight driven, time and strike movement.

A fine Jacob Hostetter (1754-1831) tall case clock with a Chippendale/Hepplewhite transitional cherry case and a dial that reads “Jacob Hostetter No. 71” has an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Hostetter was a pioneer clockmaker in York County, Pa. Also, a John Fisher (1736-1808) York Town tall case clock with carved rosettes, a Greek Key border and hand-painted face should fetch $5,000-$10,000. Interestingly, Willis R. Michael is a direct descendant of John Fisher’s.

Two marine-related lots have identical estimates of $2,000-$4,000. One is a John Bliss & Co. marine chronometer in a mahogany box, dated April 1905, with wind indicator, stem wind and a Roman numeral silvered metal dial. The other is a ship’s wheel crystal regulator mantel clock with a polished brass case having glass on all four sides. What makes the clock so rare is the detached balance wheel regulation in the form of an oscillating ship’s wheel, not a pendulum.

An H. B. Horton’s calendar clock with a pendulum etched with the Ithaca Calendar Clock Co. logo, the maker, which made clocks based on the perpetual calendar mechanism patented by Henry Bishop Horton in 1865 and 1866, is expected to reach $2,000-$4,000. Also, a circa 1840 double steeple fusée shelf clock powered by wagon spring and having a zinc dial with Roman numerals and reverse painted tablets on the upper and lower doors, should hit $1,000-$2,000.

Two of the more visually arresting clocks in the auction are a cold-painted metal mechanical dog clock with wagging tongue and tail (est. $500-$800); and a Black Americana minstrel clock with a cast iron case in the form of a black banjo player dressed in a red shirt, yellow bow tie, with white collar and cuffs (est. $500-$800). The man’s eyes blink in time to the ticking of the clock.

Rounding out just a few of the auction’s many highlights are an Elisha Kirk (1757-1790, York, Pa.) tall case clock with a hand-painted face that reads, “Elisha Kirk York Town No. 32”, with moon phase, seconds hand, calendar aperture, floral spandrels, hemisphere (est. $3,000-$5,000); and, in the furniture category, a Mid-Century Modern white shell chair with black upholstered interior, presumed to be an Eero Aarnio Ball Chair, showing a few scuffs (est. $1,000-$1,500).

While the event is Internet-only, with no in-person gallery bidding, online bidding is available at LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, HiBid.com, Bidsquare.com and ConverseAuctions.com. Live previews will be available by appointment only in Converse Auctions’ gallery at 1 Spring Street in Paoli, Pa., near Philadelphia. To set up an appointment, call 610-722-9004 or send an email to info@converseauctions.com, or use the online scheduler at www.converseauctions.com.

For more information about Converse Auctions and the online-only May Antique Auction on Friday, May 19th, please visit www.ConverseAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

Dettol Banega Swasth India launches ‘Folk Music for a Swasth India’ in Tamil to promote hygiene and health in an engaging way

May 2, 2023 | Entertainment

Dettol Banega Swasth India (DBSI) launched hygiene focused Tamil music album- ‘Folk Music for a Swasth India’ in collaboration with Hindu Tamil Thisai and Gramalaya in Chennai. Composed by James Vasanthan, the album has 5 songs and will be available to Spotify users across the globe starting today.

The music album was launched by Thiru. Ma. Subramanian, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Sh. Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt- South Asia, Shankar V Subramaniam, Chief Operating Officer, Hindu Tamil Thisai, James Vasanthan, Music Composer, Hygiene Music Album, Padma Shri Sai Damodaran, Founder & CEO Gramalaya in the presence of students, teachers, doctors, and parents.

With an aim to encourage a healthy self-care hygiene routine among children, the Tamil Hygiene Music Album has been created emphasizing the best hygiene habits through folk music of Tamil Nadu. The song, ‘Let’s make Tamil Nadu healthy’ is sung by Asal Kolar, ‘Hygiene at School’ is sung by Velmurugan, ‘Hygiene at neighbourhood’ is sung by Antony Dasan, ‘Significance of Handwashing’ is sung by Isaivani and ‘Hygiene at Home’ is sung by Krishaang. Each song is composed to tunes that everyone can hum along to and the lyrics are meaningful. The composition is such that these songs will appeal to audiences across all age groups, including Gen Z and millennials. The songs focus on the key highlights from the Dettol School Hygiene Curriculum which are culturally adaptive.

Commenting on the launch, Thiru. Ma. Subramanian Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu said, “Hindu Tamil Thisai and Dettol Banega Swasth India joined hands and produced an online series – ‘Sutham Sugatharam’ last year. The program sensitised thousands of students, teachers, and parents across Tamil Nadu on the importance of sustained hygiene behaviour for healthy living. In the prevailing situation, there is a need to stress the importance of hygiene behaviour to the people of Tamil Nadu. I sincerely believe that these songs in the hygiene music album will invoke and educate the masses on the significance of hygiene behaviour. My best wishes to everyone who have been a part of this initiative.”

Gaurav Jain, Senior Vice President, Reckitt South Asia said “Art and Music are powerful tools that can bring about massive societal change and move people to adapt good practices. We are looking at music as a medium to connect with audiences and effectively deliver social messages on health and hygiene. With the Tamil Hygiene Music Album, we are taking hygiene habits through folk music to the children of Tamil Nadu. In our endeavor to create a healthy country by bringing focus on self-care hygiene practices, this initiative is another step from Reckitt towards the mission of ‘Leave No One Behind’.”

Ravi Bhatnagar, Director- External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt- South Asia, said, “Music is one of the mediums that has the power to connect with audiences and deliver social messages effectively. With the growing popularity of folk music and the rich culture of Tamil Nadu, we believe this Tamil Hygiene Music Album is a great step towards our vision of bringing behavioral changes across the state. With Dettol Banega Swasth India, we are constantly on the lookout for unique opportunities and partnerships which can deliver impactful changes at the grassroot level to create a ‘Swasth India”

Dettol Banega Swasth India’s deep-rooted commitment to drive behaviour change by inculcating the right hygiene practices makes for an important narrative that has been brought through with this album. ‘Folk Music for a Swasth India’ produced by Dettol and composed by James Vasanthan, will reach listeners on Spotify globally, educating the younger generation on best health and hygiene practices rooted in art and heritage. Its uniquely curated songs focus on five key themes: Making Tamil Nadu Healthy, Significance of Handwashing, Hygiene at Home, Hygiene at School, Hygiene in Neighborhood. The lyrics of every song have been composed to emphasize significant messages from the Dettol School Hygiene Curriculum. It is thoughtfully organized with the intention to create hygiene nudges through folk music and build a deeper connection between health & hygiene in a fun way.

Padma Shri Sai Damodaran Founder & CEO Gramalaya said, “The Hygiene songs play an important role in educating the children and students studying in schools to learn good hygiene behaviours and motivate children to observe better hygiene practices. Children act as ambassadors of change to transform the hygiene messages to others through child-to-child approach. This will ensure long lasting behavioural changes among the communities in ensuring better health and environment. Dettol Banega Swasth India program inculcates good hygiene practices among the school students through its School Hygiene Education program in Tamil Nadu and South India.”

Shankar V Subramaniam Chief Operating Officer Hindu Tamil Thisai said, “Objective of Dettol Banega Swasth India is to build a healthy future generation of India with good hygiene habits. Towards that, several activities are being executed by DBSI to create awareness amongst children on the need to practice hygiene habits in their daily life, for it to become a way of healthy living. Hindu Tamil Thisai is happy to be associated with DBSI in this endeavor. This hygiene music album will definitely help in driving this message deeper among children and adults.”

James Vasanthan, Music Composer, Hygiene Music Album said, “India, which is a fast-developing nation, needs to pull up its socks on various fronts. Hygiene is, of course, one. Dettol Banega Swasth India, with its record of creating hygiene awareness among the masses up north, has now come down to the south with its effective media campaigns. The one releasing now in Tamil is a big leap that will take this land to the next level, where it already excels in primary health and hygiene.”

In March 2022, Dettol Banega Swasth India (DBSI) launched India’s first hygiene-focused music album- ‘Folk Music for a Swasth India’ in collaboration with renowned folk music band, Rais Khan Project. With this initiative, Dettol X Rais Khan Project, encouraged people to inculcate the best health and hygiene practices through folk art with a mission to create a ‘Swasth India’.

Link to the first album on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/0Sqwt7bQ5VizCAdbsXY7Yg

Dettol’s flagship Banega Swasth India program has been instrumental in creating awareness around hygiene and sanitation while empowering citizens with better health outcomes across the country. The campaign with its dedicated work in school education and nutrition interventions has improved the lives of more than 20 million school kids in India till date, continuing to drive behaviour change leading to a healthier India.

Link to the Tamil album on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/0vP4yp3RKXeYTMdpaqvW1O

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films presents ‘Somoyer Smritimala’ (Memories of Time)

May 2, 2023 | Entertainment

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films released its latest short film titled ‘Somoyer Smritimala’ (Memories of Time) today. Directed by Goutam Ghose, the 35-minute film captures the sense of uncertainty and discomfort brought on by the lockdown, through the perspective of a couple living in the heart of Kolkata – Kabir Basu (played by Suman Mukhopadhyay), a writer in his late 40s, and his wife Sumita (played by Gargee Roy Chowdhury), a teacher.

‘Somoyer Smritimala’ is a poignant film set during the initial phase of the pandemic’; ‘25^th March 2020 – Nationwide Lockdown’, says a frame early in the film. The film begins with Kabir and Sumita’s quest for fresh air and sanity as they set out on a road trip to the countryside. Through the course of their journey, the film travels back and forth in time, capturing the challenges brought on by the pandemic. From virtual classrooms and eerie hospitals to mental health concerns and the woes of migrant workers, the short film throws light on the unprecedented consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak in a nuanced manner.

Speaking about the short film, filmmaker Goutam Ghose said, “It is virtually impossible to capture the emotions experienced during the pandemic in 35 minutes. Somoyer Smritimala is an attempt to portray, through the lens of a couple living in Kolkata, how the world around us changed during the pandemic. It explores how the pandemic impacted relationships and the human psyche in mysterious ways. I think the film will strongly resonate with the audience of Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.”

Actor Suman Mukhopadhyay shared, “The Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films platform is popular for the intriguing stories it brings to the viewers. Somoyer Smritimala is unique in how it unveils the adversities brought on by the pandemic and consequent lockdowns. My character, Kabir Basu, likes to read and write about socio-political matters. It’s his creative pursuits and the everyday moments with his wife that he finds peace in while navigating the challenges through the lockdowns. It’s been a privilege to work with Goutam Ghose and be a part of this film.”

Actor Gargee Roy Chowdhury added, “My character, Sumita, who is a teacher, struggles to cope with the isolation brought on by the pandemic. I think a lot of viewers will relate to that. But in the end, she finds comfort in nature. It was surreal revisiting the memories of the pandemic and portraying the hard times that we have all been through. The short film is led by two of the most iconic names in filmmaking – Goutam Ghose and Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films. The experience has been nothing short of memorable.”

Somoyer Smritimala will premier exclusively on Royal Stag Barrel Select’s Large Short Films YouTube Channel, a platform to watch the most original and inspiring short films featuring some of the finest actors and directors in India.

WATCH ‘Somoyer Smritimala’ HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_T9uJzhlio

 Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films:

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has become ‘the’ destination for Indian short films where viewers can experience the taste of great films. The platform has collaborated with successful storytellers from Bollywood who truly stand for originality and creativity. Large Short Films has evolved to create an ecosystem for aspiring and established directors alike to bring world class storytelling to curious and deciphering audiences.

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has released some of the most prodigious and award-winning short films with renowned artists and directors from the industry which truly reflects originality, imagination and perfection.  Ahalya, Chutney, Devi and Anukul are just some of the phenomenal films that have been released on this platform. Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films as a platform for original short films has been the pioneer in popularizing this genre of filmmaking.