A Marathi avatar for Madhubala, Monroe

PIFF logo shows Hollywood and Indian beauties sporting nath; designer says he wanted to link Indian and Western cultures

A Marathi avatar for Madhubala, Monroe

PIFF logo shows Hollywood and Indian beauties sporting nath; designer says he wanted to link Indian and Western cultures

Imagining Madhubala, an Indian icon of beauty and charm, with a typical Puneri nath (Maharastrian ornament designed for nose) is not difficult. But to see Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood beauty and sex symbol, wearing the same nath would require wild imagination. Not at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) though. That is, if you have seen its logo.

"Doesn't she look amazing?" asked Ramesh Iyer, the creative designer of the ninth PIFF logo. "I liked the idea of using a unique ornament (nath) of Maharashtra to link Indian and world cinema. The logo symbolises linking of both cultures by showing the most beautiful ladies in the East and West wearing the nath."

Iyer, who works as a senior manager at Big Picture, said, "I am happy and satisfied. The idea has clicked and is being used as an official PIFF logo."

The nath resembles the English number nine and it is the ninth year of the PIFF. Mughal-e-Azam is completing 50 years and Madhubala is still the most popular Indian figure for feminine beauty. "The idea was to use Madhubala and the nath as the number nine," he said. "I just integrated the ideas together and it came out with a creative force. "Both Madhubala and Marilyn fitted the bill when we used the nath in several of their pictures."

Dr Jabbar Patel, director of PIFF, said: "I am really satisfied with this logo which links Indian and Western culture. It is not only fun but also symbolises a rich Marathi cultural heritage. For the first time, we have used two logos using these beautiful ladies and the nath is a value addition to their respective charms. This is our tribute to both the legends."u00a0

Ram Zond, a film lover, said: "To show Monroe sporting the Maharashtrian nath is a brilliant idea. Both the ladies look gorgeous and have made the PIFF logo more attractive and memorable."