UNLTD. PEOPLE | FOOD | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT
January 1, 2015
FOOD
5 Beef Kheemas you’ve got to try this year!
KNOCK KNOCK, WHO’S THERE?
A chat with The Little Door’s Tanu Narang
2015 SPECIAL
GET YOUR COOL ON!
15 THINGS THAT WILL UP THE COOL QUOTIENT OF PUNE PLUS
InstaPune | Scor’d | Pune Express | #ActPune
COVER STORY
EDITOR’S NOTE
Another chance to get things straight! They say, there is no better time to make a change than at the beginning of the New Year. After all, well-begun is half done. I wish we could say the same for our resolutions. They just won’t last! Every new year brings with it a hope for change and a fresh outlook. Well, in our case, it’s a fresh set of demands.
“We may have the potential to become one of the most powerful cities in the country, but unless we accept the things we as a city lack in, it’s next to impossible for us to make a mark.” @Veethi Telang
Contact: hello@puneunltd.com
More often than not, I’ve caught myself wishing for a little more than what this city has to offer. We may have the potential to become one of the most powerful cities in the country, but unless we accept the things we as a city lack in, it’s next to impossible for us to make a mark. So, we kick-start our first issue of the year by enlisting ‘15’ cool things that, if established, have the power to transform Pune. They’re wicked, engaging and downright exciting! Think about it - Wi-Fi connectivity across the city, more direct flights for a better travel experience, and smart cars, because, well, the traffic in this city is - for the lack of a better word - a nightmare.
Editor-in-Chief
While our list isn’t entirely a public opinion, most of the points mentioned therein will surely hit a chord with every Punekar. Here’s hoping that if not all, a few of them are actioned this year. After all, we’re really not asking for a lot! So, let’s begin this year with hope in our hearts and a smile on our faces. Let’s rock 2015!
Editors
Happy New Year!
Aditya Kuber
Veethi Telang Apeksha Bhagchandani
Contributors Sharan Garcha Sanil Mahajan Hanisha Lalwani Parmeet Kohli Radhika Sharma Protima Tiwary Amruta Ghate
Veethi Telang
Design
Prasanta Kundu Maddy Kulkarni Sanjali Manekar Anishka Gurjar
Marketing Anish Sohoni Rekha Achtani
Publisher
Media Sphere Communications Pvt. Ltd. www.mediasphere.co.in facebook.com/Puneunltd
Cover Photo Douglas Palmer Used under Creative Commons License
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IN THIS ISSUE
January 1, 2015
LIVE
06 Resolutions PUNE EXPRESS
Redefined...
We went around asking some Punekars about the one thing they’d like to do to make a significant difference in someone else’s life. Here’s what they had to say!
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#ACTPUNE
Paws for a Cause
A Touch Heart Music Initiative.
22 Peth Puja - Part III SPECIAL FEATURE
A walk through Sadashiv Peth.
SEE
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10
PHOTO FEATURE Showcasing awesome work of Puneri shutterbugs
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INSTAPUNE
Capturing the soul of Pune on Instagram
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12 Get Your COVER STORY
Cool On!
15 Cool Things We Want in Pune in 2015
28 Knock Knock, NIGHTLIFE
EAT
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08 Where’s FOOD
the Beef? 5 Beef Kheemas to relish in Pune.
Who’s There?
We decided to catch up with Tanu Narang, owner of the quirky resto-bar The Little Door, that is slowly turning into a favourite among young party-goers in the city. Let’s find out what inspired her to start this business, the story behind the funky menu, and a lot more.
PLAY
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SCOR’D
Reviewing all you can watch, read and eat in Pune.
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EVENTS
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twitter.com/PuneUnltd
These are set to rock Pune for the next 2 weeks.
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PUNE EXPRESS
Resolutions Redefined...
The beginning of each year brings with it many resolutions; some that we religiously follow and others that are forgotten before lunchtime on the first day of the year. Resolutions for the betterment of our own lives are all good but, this year, how about resolving to make a difference in the lives of others? Be it one person/animal or more... Truth be told, spreading joy among others brings the kind of happiness like very few things can. We went around asking some Punekars about the one thing they’d like to do to make a significant difference in someone else’s life. Here’s what they had to say!
Shumita Dasgupta
Radha Solanki
Chef
Homemaker
This year, I’m going to make it a point to feed children on the streets as much as I can. And not with just leftovers; I want to put in some effort and time into giving them healthy meals. I may not be able to do it every other day but I’m hoping for at least twice a week. Minimum. I’m really looking forward to it!
I’ve decided to volunteer in an old age home! The people living there deserve some love and respect and if I can simply put a smile on their faces, it’ll give me so much peace. I also plan on providing them with warm clothing and basic daily necessities. It’s the least we can do for them, don’t you think?
Sanil Deshpande
Shivani Desai
Teacher
Public Relations Executive
I’ve carried out some research and picked a few NGO names that I’d like to teach in thrice a week. I teach English and Mathematics and I feel it can make a huge difference in a child’s life if they can speak the language and pick basic Maths’ skills. I’ll consider myself very lucky if even a couple of children take an interest, learn and better their lives through it.
I have a servant at home who struggles day and night just to feed his family. I really want to help him and not just financially. So, this year, I have decided to educate his 11-year old daughter. I don’t know how I will do it given my erratic work schedule. But, this is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. And hey, what better a resolution than this!
Rakesh Prajapati IT Professional
I live in Kothrud and I see a number of stray dogs in my locality every day. It makes my heart weep to see them in the condition they’re in. Most of them are so malnourished. I really want to help them by, at least, providing some food on a regular basis. We all know that life fairs better when you think beyond yourself and decide to do something for others.
Shantanu Naik Artist
I’m a guitarist by profession and take classes at my home 4 days a week. And I have often wondered, there must be so many kids, even a few in my society, who may want to learn to play guitar, but don’t have enough money. So, this year, I have decided to teach at least one kid for free!
We would love to know your views on the topic.
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Photo: pelican Used under Creative Commons License
FOOD
Where’s the Beef?
5 Beef Kheemas to relish in Pune. Sanil Mahajan
Kheema is a quintessential part of an Indian meat lover’s palate. Although Kheema, or mincemeat, is typically a lamb/mutton based dish, hard core meat lovers will agree that Beef Kheema is the best variant! Pune has a lot of restaurants that offer street style Beef Kheema so here’s the lowdown for the Kheema-loving Punekars…
Diamond Queen, Camp Price: ` 110
Diamond Queen is one of the most famous Irani joints in Pune, which is frequented by regulars for decades now. Located near MG Road/East Street, Diamond Queen, or DQ as its popularly known, dishes out a unique variation of the Beef Kheema Fry. It is slightly dry for some people’s liking, but all is well when you eat it with a butter naan (which is also very good here). Served with an egg and some tomatoes, this Beef Kheema can be had for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Shifa Restaurant, Nana Peth Price: ` 55
This is a hidden gem only known to those who’ve ventured in the by lanes of Nana Peth. It’s located right opposite Chand Tara Masjid near Apollo Theatre and has been known to serve hungry (and drunk!) folks into the wee hours. The Beef Kheema Fry here is full of spices that gives it the extra oomph and has just the right amount of oil to keep everyone happy. It goes well with the Malabar Parathas or the extra-large Tandoori Rotis they serve. While you’re there, also try out their Beef Chilly and Bheja Fry.
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Photo: Valters Krontals Used under Creative Commons License
COVER STORY
Nayab, Shivaji Market Price: ` 55
What originally used to be a cycle repair shop a few decades ago, is now a quick-fix tea joint for people visiting Shivaji market. While their tea is more popular, their Beef Kheema is also delicious. Onions, tomatoes and loads of spices are generously mixed with the Kheema, which is always served piping hot. Their Malabar Parathas are slightly disappointing unless they’re being made fresh so look at other options.
Madinah, Poona College Road Price: ` 60
Madinah has to have one of the largest food menus I’ve seen. Their kitchen isn’t that big but Photo: Bob Peters Used under Creative Commons License they probably serve over a thousand items. Even Beef Kheema has several recipes but I found the simple Beef Kheema Fry to be the best. The Kheema here is pretty mild and the quantity is better Price: ` 60 than most places. The Tawa Ghosht is slightly spicy and so, is a perfect side dish for the Kheema. Not many Punekars drive down to Kondhwa for food (unless you stay there of course), but this is one place While I’ve listed down the top five Beef Kheema joints, you have to visit. Probably the best Beef Kheema there are several others like Majestic (Camp), Radio (Shiin town; it is way spicier than others. One spoonful vaji Market), Aaina (Camp), Metro (Pune Station), which of this Kheema can elevate yours senses to the hilt serve Beef Kheema. Although these places used to serve – yes, it is that good! Have it with Malabar Parathas excellent Kheema until a few years ago, my recent visits and order some Seekh Kebabs while you’re at it. didn’t do it for me! How about you?
Café Zam Zam, Kondhwa
Photo: Alpha Used under Creative Commons License
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#ACTPUNE
Paws for a Cause A Touch Heart Music Initiative
C
Sharan Garcha
omprised entirely of college students, Touch Heart Music networks among people and provides an ‘information-exchange’ platform on Facebook for adopting stray puppies, dogs, kittens and cats to people who are interested in nurturing them as their companions. I chatted with Shantanu Naidu, one of the founding members of the group, to know more about the initiative.
What got you to start an initiative like Paws for A Cause? I have always been the sort who would rescue puppies from the street and take them home. Being around dogs and taking care of them is almost like a family value. My parents always told me that dogs are lovable creatures and they aren’t something that you must be afraid of. A few of us came together to find loving homes for stray dogs. As we are all dog lovers, our involvement in the cause is stronger. That’s how we started Paws for a Cause last December.
welfare initiatives.
Tell me about your work in detail… Adoption of stray dogs is a complex issue that needs intervention by municipal authorities. But on our level we have formed a network of passionate dog lovers who are dedicated to find good homes for stray puppies. The number of stray dogs in our city is growing and people complain about their presence in their areas but nobody makes an effort to adopt a helpless canine. Our Facebook page is updated with photos of various canines and felines that are up for adoption - all non-breed specific, nonetheless endearing. Respec-
What is the ideology of this initiative? Paws for a Cause is a nationwide campaign which aims to promote the adoption of strays, stop breedism, sensitisation of society toward strays and provide immediate official action against any form of cruelty that is reported in association with PFA, PIFA and other animal
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tive phone numbers are put up and they are adopted by interested people browsing the page. We do background checks of adoptive families; visit their homes to check if
#ACTPUNE they are genuinely prepared to welcome a puppy in their lives. Also, if some families realise that they cannot keep the dog in their homes, the dog should be given back to us. Till the dog is not adopted again, our group members foster the dog on a rotation basis.
Tell me more about this video.
How do you raise awareness about adopting stray dogs? Music touches the human heart and is the best way to spread social messages. It is also the fastest growing media as of now. We at Touch Heart Music, use the medium to spread awareness about the causes we feel strongly about. This time, we have created a music video with a real stray puppy ‘Johnny,’ who is in search of a shelter for himself and wants to appeal to people to provide it.
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The video follows the life of Johnny as he encounters the usual kicking, shooting and dangers of city life in his quest to find a home for himself. This is a group effort in a hope to sensitise people to the condition of stray dogs. For this video we teamed up with many animal welfare NGOs to propagate the idea of stray dogs’ adoption.
What’s next? We pick up a social cause every year and prepare a soulful music video for the same. The content for the video is written, composed, played and shot by us so that we can create a spark of change. Currently, we are working for tigers’ conservation and in the process of figuring out governmental permissions required to undertake a music video on it.
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COVER STORY
Photo: Seemz Used under Creative Commons License
Get Your Cool On! 15 Cool Things We Want in Pune in 2015 Hanisha Lalwani
Pop-up Restaurants If you’re a follower of the global food scene, you’ve probably heard of pop-up restaurants. Pop-ups are like wandering, nomadic restaurants and our neighbor, Mumbai, has seen quite a few of them over the past year. Case in point, Gaggan Anand of Gaggan fame (his eponymous Bangkok restaurant ranked 3rd on the World’s 50 Best Asian Restaurants list) set up a public tasting of his progressive Indian menu at Bandra-Kurla Complex. Needless to say, the city’s foodies were raving about it. Pune has a proud and flourishing food history too and we are sure there will be lots of takers of such pop-ups.
Dedicated Public Open Spaces The city’s urban dwellers are spending way too much time indoors; be it within offices or malls. Walking on the roads isn’t much fun with the bludgeoning traffic scene and incessant honking. Parks are too few and largely unkempt. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a multi-pur-
Photo: Mack Male Used under Creative Commons License
pose area dedicated for free use by the public. In such a space, meet-ups, intimate music gigs, food festivals and open-air movie screenings can be curated at this public space. Take a hint from Melbourne’s Federation Square and London’s Trafalgar Square.
More Fashion Brands Photo: Vinoth Chandar Used under Creative Commons License
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We all have that one friend or cousin from the likes of Dubai, US or UK visiting Pune and sporting an amazing bag or tee of a brand we are not familiar with (and would never hazard admitting). Hey, we want access to these cool brands too. It’s not fun when you run the risk of
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COVER STORY
Photo: Mike Mozart Used under Creative Commons License
running into someone at a restaurant wearing the ditto dress you bought from Vero Moda. Move over Mango and Zara – someone bring us Top Shop and Michael Kors! Shopping online just isn’t the same thing.
Sustainable Parking Solutions With a miles-to-achieve public transportation system, many in the city have opted for the convenience of a personal four- or two-wheeler. But Pune’s roads are choked and parking is every driver’s nightmare. We have all found ourselves in that tacit competition to find that empty spot on the road before the other drivers. Crowded cities like Hong Kong and London house two of the five most expensive parking spaces in the world
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costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why can’t we have smart, green multi-level parking facilities in several of Pune’s busy spots?
More Direct Flights Every time Punekars have to travel abroad, the almostfour-hour-long drive to the Mumbai airport is not tempting; this road journey is an unwanted part of the travel itinerary, and we want some respite now. Think about this; with a direct flight, you can now reach the exotic Seychelles from Mumbai in just three hours! That’s a tad quicker than the time it takes to travel from Pune to Mumbai using the Expressway. It would be a dream if Pune had direct flights at economical fares to more cities in India and short haul flights to South-East Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
COVER STORY
Sweet Student Discounts If Pune has been called the Oxford of the East, then let us live up to that epithet. As a city, we should continue to be more appealing to students from other cities in India and foreign countries. For instance, in London, your student ID can get you a discount at the local pancake parlour, on movie tickets and a free or discounted bus travel. Chances are your college student ID in Pune gets you nada. With students paying high rent and living on a tight budget, it would be cool if they got some special discounts across the board in the city.
Fun Workshops Lots of people, expats and Indians, are shifting base to Pune, be it for education or for work. But does Pune have something for everybody? Not really. We have lots of breweries in the city but is there a place where hopsheads can learn more about beer and brewing? Lots of youngsters love a tipple, but do they have anywhere to go to learn about mixology? Does anyone teach the minimalist art of Japanese home cooking? We want more than multiplexes and malls to busy ourselves over on weekends; we want some fun workshops to nurse a forgotten hobby!
Photo: Geoffrey Fairchild Used under Creative Commons License
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Co-working Spaces An emerging tech hub, Pune is also coming into its own as a start-up hub. It is important the city supports new businesses and its up and coming entrepreneurs. Homes, restaurants and cafés doubling up as makeshift office spaces for start-ups are restrictive and temporary solutions. Co-working spaces like The Mesh, the first of its kind in Pune founded by Deepti Kasbekar, is dedicated to solve the office-space problem for start-ups. How about more of these spaces in the city?
Themed Days Two years ago, Hindustan Times organized the ‘HT No TV Day’ campaign in Mumbai and Delhi. On November 30, 2014, Janwani organised the ‘Tring Tring Day’ in association with PCMC in Pune to promote cycling. Some corporate offices also observe one day in the week as the ‘No Dustbin Day’ in the staff cafeteria to limit food wastage. We would like to see more of such conscious and at the same time fun initiatives soar in the city in 2015. And, speaking of themed days, we want more themed places as well; Victorian themed restaurants, Bollywood/ Hollywood themed cafés. These are fun and will bring in varied cultures into the city.
Gaming Spots
Wi-Fi City
The next time you visit Bangalore, head to Monkey Bar to soak in the vibe. It’s a really cool place with good music and indulgent food and drinks. And foosball and a pool table that are forever occupied. The popular Rodeo Drive in Dubai has a mechanical bull ride at the centre of the restaurant, which attracts both the timid and adventurous alike. The now shut Mocha Mojo in Mumbai used to organise Board Game Nights once a month. Apart from food, it is such recreational activities that form the makings of a really fun night out with the buddies. We want more of such cool places with gaming options in Pune.
What are we without bandwidth? Bangalore became India’s first city to have several free Wi-Fi hotspots. Hyderabad is in the running for being India’s first fully Wi-Fi enabled metro. If Pune has to attract more tech entrepreneurs, be home to start-ups and appeal to foreign tourists, having free Wi-Fi spots would be a step in the right direction. How cool would it be to have the whole city ‘Wi-Fied’?!
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COVER STORY
A Swankier Heritage Bus Tour The ‘Pune Darshan Bus Tour’ does not sound half as attractive as it should. The day-long bus tour covers most of the prominent tourist spots in the city. But we think the tour and bus branding on the whole should be far more aesthetic, appealing and identifiable so that more locals and tourists get on board to appreciate the rich heritage Pune has to offer. Many cities abroad even offer free buses from site to site for the benefit of tourism. We want.
Cool Rentals
crazy ladies. Pune’s young fashionistas too want such rental options. And, not just for bags; we want to rent it all- faux fur, shoes, bags, jewellery, more, more, and more.
Smart Cars Whether you walk or drive on traffic-engulfed roads, doesn’t the idea of breathing in clean fresh air sound appealing? Enter Electric Vehicles (EVs). However, it’s been a rough ride for India’s first automatic electric car, the Mahindra Reva; their sales figures in Indian cities, including Pune, do not look electrifying. As we move into 2015, let us embrace lifestyle changes that are more environmentally conscious for a cleaner, pollution-free Pune.
There are secret societies, and then there are secret bag societies. Capisce? No? Let me explain. In these recession-hit times, few have the spare cash to spend on an expensive Tony Burch or Alexander McQueen. So what do you carry for that haughty, Page-3 night out? Rent a bag! With an annual membership fee, websites in the West like Bag, Borrow or Steal have come to the rescue of many label-
Photo: Robert W. Howingtoni Used under Creative Commons License
Infrastructure We’ve seen roads getting a temporary finishing job done, but come rain and thunderstorm, we brace ourselves again for yet another monsoon filled with jerky drives on uneven streets. Smooth, pothole-free roads. Are hard-working, tax-paying Punekars asking for too much? And what happen to that metro project? In 2015, we hope it gets the priority status it deserves! Photo: Maegan Tintari Used under Creative Commons License
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SCOR’D
Film Night at the Museum: Secret
of the Tomb
Film Ugly
Watch it only if you love Robin Williams
Hard- hitting and dark!
Food Largo Pizzeria, Viman Nagar
Book Sita’s Sister by Kavita Kane
Book The Power of Posture by Renu Mahtani
Unravels the tale of a tragic mystery
One-stop guide for replenishing your health and vitality
Food Smiley House, Aundh
Savour the flavour with every bite you take!
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Authentic Vietnamese cuisine
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PHOTO FEATURE
Ü
Faded memories.
Ü
Soulful silence.
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PHOTO FEATURE
Ü
Tranquil moments.
Ü
Wheat. All Photos: Nishad Mankar
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Peth-Puja Part III
A walk through Sadashiv Peth Parmeet Kohli
I
do not count myself as a regular to Pune’s extraordinary Peths. That works to your advantage if you want to avoid traffic of the worst kind and are not a fan of jostling for space on the narrowest of roads. Not knowing the Peths well can be a drawback too, if you’ve planned to cover four of them in a go and realise on getting
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there that one of them is humongous and has been grossly underestimated! Well, that’s Sadashiv Peth for you. If this were a movie I’d call it ‘The Return of the Huge Peth’ after wandering through relatively smaller Peths – Nana, Rasta & Bhawani for our last issue. But we aren’t in a Tolkein wonderland even though our
SPECIAL FEATURE a run for their money. A little distance from Jumbo King, opposite SP College, is the wellknown SP’s Biryani House. Established in 1994, SP’s had a humble beginning and has now grown into a full-fledged three floor restaurant. Along with their famous and to-die-for Mutton Chop Fry and Sajuk Mutton Dum Biryani, SP’s offers quite a few seafood options on its menu. Be prepared to stand in a queue though as the three floors haven’t helped enough to negotiate the huge crowds the place attracts. Worth every second unless you are a vegetarian. roads quite resemble the wastelands of Mordor. Tilak road, which runs across the heart of Sadashiv Peth, is one of the longest commercial roads in Pune. It starts from one end of Sadashiv Peth just after Saras Baug and ends at the other extreme, which is Alaka Talkies. Dotted with a mélange of commercial establishments, educational institutes, eateries and amrutalayas, it gives you a preview of the contrast Sadashiv Peth has to offer. On the commercial front Tilak road is primarily big on all kinds of mobile, computer and accessory shops. From the biggest brands to little setups specialising in repairing gadgets for a cut price, Tilak road is the go-to place in case you need anything to do with gadgets.
Masemari is another very popular restaurant on the other side of Tilak road and draws crowds from all over the city for its delectable range of seafood. As does Durvankur, which is further down Tilak road, for its Maharashtrian thali. Apart from the usual Pethi amrutalayas, Sadashiv Peth has countless ‘chaha and nashta’ centres to cater to the large number of educational institutions in the area. Peppered around all the colleges and schools, students can be seen swarming around them for their early morn-
A lot of other Peths are big on food but Sadashiv Peth beats all of them hands down. Yes, all of them. A big yellow board with the words “Jumbo King – Mumbai’s original vada pav” draws my attention as soon as I park on Tilak road. Given my weakness for vada pavs I walk right in and order a Veg Crispy Jumbo King, from their innovative menu, which does not disappoint in the least. Reasonably priced, quite delicious and bearing more semblance to burgers than vada pavs, Jumbo King gives the likes of McDonalds
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ing breakfast to their late evening snacks. I join a bunch of students at one of these joints for a hot cup of chaha feeling happy about Sadashiv Peth having started on a good note. It becomes quite clear in no time that Sadashiv Peth is the educational hub of the city. Pune Vidyarthi Griha, Sir
Parshurambhau (SP) College, New English School, Jnana Prabhodini Prashala are only some of the educational institutes’ names the Peth houses. While SP College and New English School lie on the main Tilak road with sprawling campuses, Jnana Prabhodini is a short walk inside the lane opposite New English School. The huge building can be recognised from a distance and once inside, you sense something different. I talk to Prashant Divekar who is the coordinator of the Teacher Training Centre at Prabhodini. He tells me how the institute is run along the lines of Swami Vivekananda’s educational philosophy. Established in 1969, ‘‘Motivating Intelligence for Social Change” is Jnana Prabodhini’s motto and it sets about doing so by using various techniques for enhancing intelligence and ensuring exposure to society for its students. The entrance test for this CBSE school, which has classes 5th through
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10th, consists of psychological tests based on creativity and thinking skills. Other than being a regular school, Jnana Prabhodini has a Public Examinations Department, which trains students for examinations like the UPSC, the Prajna Manas Samshodhika, a Ph.D research centre recognised by the Pune University, which focuses
on research in psychology and its application for identification and development of human abilities, and the Sanskrit Sanskriti Samshodhika, which aspires to handle a wide range of subjects that are related to Sanskrit and Indian Culture. The Sanskrit Sanskriti Samshodhika has a research library with 15,000 books on different subjects including Sanskrit literature, philosophy, religion, grammar, Mahabharata, etc. It also houses a rare collection
of 2,500 books on Ramayana from different countries in different languages and scripts. Jnana Prabhodini also incubates wonderful initiatives like rural development, a women’s selfhelp group and Gyan Setu, more about which can be read here: http://www.thepunekar.com/ actpune-what-gyan-setu-is-allabout/2014/09 Overwhelmed I walk out of Jnana Prabodhini, which aptly means ‘awakener of knowledge’ in Marathi, and turn towards the peaceful residential lanes of
but in vain. Exploring further, I ask directions to the Bharat Natya Sanshodhan Mandir. In 1814, students of Vishrambaugwada High School initiated the Students’ Social Club, which today has led to this gorgeous theatre, picture gallery and research department. The Bharat Natya Sanshodhan Mandir houses over 11,000 theatre-related books, has been preserving prose and musical theatre for more than a century and is a matter of great pride for all of Pune. Just next to it is the Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, which is one of the great institutions of Maharashtrian history. It was founded more than a hundred years ago by the great historian Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade. The institute maintains a treasure trove of historical documents, coins, artifacts,
Sadashiv Peth. Beautiful old wadas and buildings with dense creepers hanging over most windows, the residential area is as laid back as it gets. Round blue plaques (remembrances of the history and culture so embedded in Sadashiv Peth) on some of the structures proudly mark names of the famous people to have lived in those buildings. I try for a while to locate the plaque with Lokmanya Tilak’s name on it
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I y t
SPECIAL FEATURE maps, paintings, rare books and early Marathi newspapers, special exhibitions for which are organised from time to time. This collection has helped many history scholars and researchers over the past in their research. The painting gallery has a collection of over 1,500 paintings. The Khare Museum has a collection of various artifacts from across different dynasties and the library houses a collection of over 80,00,00 documents in Sanskrit, Marathi, Kannada, Farsi and other languages! I did manage to sneak into the library and was delighted to no end. Row upon row of books neatly placed in beautiful old glass and wooden shelves; it is a book lover’s dream. Dizzy at the thought of all this history I get to the famous Khunya Murlidhar temple. A structure supported by bamboos, as a result of being weakened, and a roof full of spider webs welcomes me. The inner courtyard of the temple is adorned with beautiful trees and there’s something eerie about this temple, which I cannot put my finger on. I speak to the priest, Ambarish Khare, who is his family’s seventh generation serving the temple and he tells me about the temple’s blood-stained past. It was following a dream in the late 17th century that Dada Gadre, a merchant and moneylender to the Peshwas,
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got the temple and marble idols of Murlidhar and Radha made. The grace and elegance of the wonderful statues tempted the then Peshwa ruler Bajirao II to consider installing it in Shaniwarwada. Gadre refused and this caused bloody battle between Gadre’s Arab soldiers, who had been hired to guard the temple and Bajirao’s army deputed under British chief Boyd. This is where the name “Khunya Murlidhar” originates from. Besides being a cultural hotspot, Sadashiv Peth is a whirlwind of history, commercial establishments, beautiful residential pockets, educational institutions and some top-notch eateries. It is your quintessential Puneri Peth and much more. Never will I dare to underestimate this magnificent Peth again. Lesson learnt!
Independence Day long weekend is round the corner. Are you scrambling to put together your travel plans? We present you four quick alternatives to replace your travel agents and expensive hotels! To make the most of your vacation, explore these different options according to your budget, time frame and other parameters. COVER STORY INSTAPUNE
@thepunekar We love everything about Pune and scout for Instagram images that showcase its spirit. If you have an interesting image of the city, tag @thepunekar on Instagram and it could get featured here!
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NIGHTLIFE
KNOCK KNOCK, WHO’S THERE? Protima Tiwary
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Is it just us or are new restaurants/ bars/lounges cropping up in the city literally every other day in the past couple of months? We decided to catch up with Tanu Narang, owner of the quirky resto-bar The Little Door, that is slowly turning into a favourite among young party-goers in the city. Let’s find out what inspired her to start this business, the story behind the funky menu, and a lot more.
NIGHTLIFE Tell us about your career path. How did you get your start? What interested you about this particular kind of restaurant? I was a successful brand manager in a well-known media firm when I decided to resign and invest some time in planning my own business. Though I loved my job, the thought of becoming an entrepreneur was more appealing. A regular job can get really dull, even when you’re doing something you love and with people you care about.
Where does the restaurant’s name come from? It is a really unique take on bars that India has never seen before. And so we decided that the name also had to be unique. We wanted to create a mystery about the hidden paradise that is on the other side of the door when people enter our Mediterranean-themed bar. After a few nights of brainstorming sessions with friends and family, we decided to take a poll on the shortlisted
I have always loved to travel and the purpose of travelling has mostly been to try out new places, new cuisines and new flavours. On one of my trips to Krakow in Poland, I realised that a bar needs to be grungy, rustic and loud. It can be cosy, beautiful, simple yet stylish. I loved the designs of the restaurants and bars there and I loved the atmosphere. I imagined something like it right here in India and I would speak about it all the time, but no one took me seriously. I had a desire but no experience and no cooking skills and I was weary of doing it on my own. So one day, I called my brother (Bhuvan Narang) and said, “Listen I have thought of a business that we can start together. Let’s open a resto-bar, but something more stylish, trendy and fun!” And without hesitation he was like, “Ok, did you not know that my life-long personal dream has been to own my own restaurant. Let’s do it!” Talk about thinking like brother-sister! The Little Door is the inspiration for our love of great food, drinks, music and activities. It was our desire to bring more depth and understanding of the international bar concept to India; and do it with a sense of style and fun.
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Tanu and Bhuvan Narang,
brother and sister duo, owners of The Little Door brand twitter.com/PuneUnltd
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NIGHTLIFE
Ashutosh Joshi Pune partner
as a restaurant owner and manager? Most of my time goes in ordering produce, making sure that everyone is happy and working well, overseeing the cleanliness of the restaurant, checking inventory and rotation of food and drinks, making sure all equipment is working properly, chatting up with the customers and most importantly “being there”.
What’s your secret to keeping customers coming in? The secret is to keep up with the changing times and changing demands of the customers. We keep doing minor changes to the decor, the programming, the menu and the service staff so that our customers always experience something new every time they visit The Little Door.
names. The names were posted on social networking sites and out of 1000 plus votes received by us, 812 liked The Little Door.
What makes your restaurant interesting/ unique to other restaurants? We love to believe that we are unique in every aspect. We are different to other bars or resto-bars in terms of decor, design, programming & music, food & beverage offerings and the casual games that we conduct - it’s so much fun to get random tables to compete with each other and compete fiercely but part as friends.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities
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What are some of the challenges of being a restaurant owner and manager? The biggest difficulty you face while keeping your business afloat is to deal with the people. It could be a local authority, an association, an obnoxious customer or a dishonest employee. It is a part of your learning course; you deal with them and you move on.
How can the reality of restaurant management as a career differ from typical expectations? What advice can you give to those who would like to open a restaurant of their own someday?
COVER STORY The reality of being in restaurant business is not as rosy as it looks like, but it’s a superb journey. My advice to those who would like to open their restaurant someday would be “Go for it” and don’t be afraid. Don’t let people stop you from dreaming big. The more you connect with people the more exciting the dream becomes. If you believe in yourself you can do anything.
Who have been some of the instrumental people who have really encouraged and supported you through the starting and maintaining of your own restaurant? In my case, my dad has been my biggest support. He influences a lot in how I think, how I feel and the decisions that I make every single day. Things could be going wrong, the ceiling would be on top of my head, and his words to me are always “you’re a strong girl, you can do it!” My goal is to never disappoint him. It was a great feeling to see him smile proudly at his kids when we opened The Little Door. My husband also has been amazingly supportive. As a matter of fact, he is the greatest fan of The Little Door and also the biggest critic.
know their specials.
What are the most popular dishes among the customers at your restaurants? Our star dish is Greek Nachos. The other popular dishes are Vodka Penne, Champagne Risotto and Drunkesserts (Drunken Desserts).
What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of the restaurant business? The time I am not at The Little Door - Mumbai/Pune or I am not occupied with a few consultancy projects for my other business named Jamun, I go on short offbeat vacations to not-so-known places with my husband and a few friends.
It has been said that the décor of a place often reflects a person’s personality. What particular accessory/accent, would you say, most reflects your personality? What aspect would that be? I would describe myself as a determined, fun loving, fashion conscious woman who believes in staying simple yet stylish and I think the decor of The Little Door shouts the simplicity of my personality.
Where do the ideas for your food come from? What is the inspiration behind the masterpieces? All the inspiration comes from my travel diaries. On every trip I make sure that I do a few tapas tours, cooking classes or just meet a few chefs to
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Mayur Gadkari Pune partner
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EVENTS
04 January
Celebrating Differences
7 lovely stories from 5 story tellers in a special book that everyone must read. An evening of weaving and sharing stories of special needs and inclusion. Each happy little story talks about disabilities with a view to sensitize children so that they grow up with open and inclusive attitudes. There are small nuggets of information at the end of the book, some questions to ponder and pictures to colour. When Sunday, January 4 Where: Pagdandi - Books Chai Cafe, Shop No.6, Regent Plaza, Baner Pashan Link Road, Behind Symantec, Baner, Pune Time 4 pm
HI Life Exhibition
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January
HI Life Exhibition, India’s biggest and most exclusive showcase of haute couture, personal style, home decor & luxury products, has been the epitome of luxury living concepts. After achieving success in leading cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad along with an exclusive showcase in Sri Lanka HI LIFE now comes to the city of Pune. Showcasing here are some of the finest work by almost 200 fashion designers from across India. When Wednesday, January 7 Where The Westin Pune, Koregaon Park, Pune Time 10 am
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Financial Fitness for All
January
Do you need Financial Planning?
If you are in your Awesome 20s, Where‘s the party tonight? Is the more common adage than which investment avenue to opt for? If you are in your 30s, as expenses escalate, where is the money to invest is sometimes the dilemma. If you are in your 40s, Are my investments equipped to tackle all my goals is more likely the question. No matter, which age group you are in, the finance puzzle persists To de-mystify the financial jargons, help you evaluate options viz Tax Saving instruments, PPF, FDs, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Real Estate, Gold etc., and assist you in taking an educated financial decision, SHB Social Foundation is organizing a series of Financial Fitness Workshops, where we have invited an experienced financial planner to guide us through the drill. When Saturday, January 10
Entombed Metal Fest
January
Frameshift Initiatives In Association with BIG69 and Cyclopean Eye Productions presents the Seventh Edition of Entombed Metal Fest. The line up includes bands like Defiled (Brutal Death Metal from Japan), Gaia’s Throne (Pune’s very own sci-fi metallers), Dhwesha (Old School Death Metal from Bangalore), Cruoris (The sole Death Metal outfit from Pune) and Dirge (Pune’s one and only doom metal band)
Where: Saathi Haath Badhana, Shop 1, Siddarth, Next To Chitale Bandhu, Gaikwad Nagar, Aundh, Pune
When: Monday, January 12
Time: 9:30 am
Time: 4 pm
Contact: 9373339162
Contact: 9967771992
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Where: Hotel Elite Ambience, Wakad, Pune