In a bungalow bari live babus in starched dhutis. And tant sari-clad boudis with big red bindis – their house keys jingling jangling in harmony with the clink of bangles. Tradition, culture, Rabindrasangeet and paan. All this is still Kolkata, but there is also the modern, urban, cosmopolitan side.Verve and Louis Vuitton present the glamorous side of Kolkata – ladies who lunch, wine and dine. Sohiny Das learns more about their work, travels, spa addictions, indulgent husbands, canine appreciation, adult babysitting and wardrobe envy over many a tête-à-tête

Happy hippy: Ekta Puri, Hotelier

Ekta Puri has a large and extended family. Initially, it comprised only of her mother and sister ("my baby and best friend"). "Unfortunately, I lost my father when I was only five," she tells us. Two years ago, a husband was added, and along with him came another set of parents and a sibling. "The term 'in-law' really doesn't exist for me," she says. "They are my Mom, Dad and Sis." And hubby? "Vikram is more my boyfriend than a husband, even after two years of marriage," she laughs. There are more in the parivaar. "Finally, my four dogs - Spencer, Stanley, Oliver and Marcus, who are an integral part of my life."

Family tradition extends into work. "My father was an hotelier, and my mother works with the tourism department of the Government of West Bengal," she gives us the history. "Vikram is an investment banker by profession, but he quit working at Wall Street to move back to India and is now an hotelier." Ekta joined in, changing career track. "I am actually trained to be a film maker, but am currently playing the role of an hotelier," says the lady with a master's degree from New York Film Academy.

Their properties in Kolkata and Agra, and a home in Delhi keep them shuttling between the three cities. Travel is not just a necessity, but a passion. "I am an obsessive globetrotter," she admits. "I take off to travel whenever I get time. I love exploring." Wanderlust also leads to another kind of lust.