Taash parties up the stakes

[1]

Card parties with mega bucks have turned more grand this year. As Diwali draws closer, pre-Diwali card parties hosted by the seriously rich are the talk of the town. Stakes shooting up to `15 lakhs and much, much more don’t raise brows. Hi-end décor is embracing exotic themes. Lavish dinners are turning cordon bleu. And the city’s glitterati are all geared up to attend the biggest and hottest card parties thrown by industrialists and business honchos.
Nishant Arora and Vishali Kumari, owner of Kohinoor Foods, have planned a lounge party on October 24 with a Moroccan theme at their farmhouse near Garden Of Five Senses. With a budget of `7 lakh onwards, they are inviting around 250 people, primarily focussing on poker fun. “Poker is the latest craze at card parties, so we have a bigger stake for that. We have set up small kabanas and big centrestage canopy to give it a Moroccan look. The stakes depend on the individual’s choice.”
The spotlight is on cards, but the backdrop of decor is of utmost importance to the hostess with the mostest. People are spending lavishly on décor to make the party a grand affair. According to Ferns and Petals, event planners and decorators, this year’s most expensive card parties have earmarked expenditure of approximately `50 lakhs (a 20 per cent jump from last year). Says Lalita Raghav, vice president, FnP, “Card parties have become the most lavish occasion for people in the metros to celebrate the festive season. As compared to last year, the spending has gone up from `8 lakhs to `15 lakhs. This year’s bashes focus more on classy and grand decor with stylish card den look. There is a huge demand for exotic flower decorations including Liliums and Protea in special cuts and styles.”
Many are planning a small but lavish affair at private farmhouses. Delhi-based businessman Arvinder Singh, who is famous for his Diwali bashes in town, has planned a bigger bash at one of his farmhouses in Punjab. “This time it’s a private affair and entry free starts from `2.5 lakhs. The stakes start from that to no-limit table. This time we have invited 75 close friends and family guests. Although the parties have already begun, the grand ones will start from October 23, and continue till Diwali,” he says.
Seconds Ankur Pasari of travel and packaging business, who organised a grand card party with performances by jazz players, percussionists. This time he has planned a private party with a budget of `15 lakhs onwards. “This time, I’ve only invited 100 people. There is an increase in card parties in the city. I already have invitations for three in a single day.”
Besides the traditional flash card parties, blackjack or derby, poker parties are gaining favour. While Manish Dutt, managing director of Kastros cigar, will be hosting Cigar and Poker nights on the Sunday before Diwali, Vishal Lohia, executive director, Indo Rama synthetics, is hosting a poker party at his farmhouse in Chhattarpur.