Pune Unltd. - 13

UNLTD. PEOPLE | FOOD | CULTURE | EVENTS | NIGHTLIFE

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October 1, 2014

FOOD

Killer Misal spots in Pune

SHUKRAWAR PETH Markets, Museums, Wadas, Food & more...

PUTTING THE

‘PUNYAEE’ BACK IN PUNE!

The city’s wins over its evils PLUS

InstaPune | Scor’d | Pune Express | Photo Feature | #ActPune

COVER STORY

EDITOR’S NOTE

When Pune has good to celebrate “Yes, a lot of ills plague our city.

But some good has also happened. Rather than focus on what’s wrong, we decided to celebrate what’s been achieved. It’s the true meaning of the festival.” @adityakuber

Contact: hello@puneunltd.com

Editor-in-Chief Aditya Kuber

Dussehra is a time where we celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

It’s not just symbolic… it’s actually a time for us to ensure that we put into practice all our ideals and dreams and take stock of where we stand. We decided to check that for our city this time…

Yes, a lot of ills plague our city. But some good has also happened.

Rather than focus on what’s wrong, we decided to celebrate what’s been achieved. It’s the true meaning of the festival. And we did come up with a host of things that we can celebrate. Join in as we revel in these achievements.

Interestingly, this month also offers us a chance to plan for the future. Elections are around the corner and we must ensure that we vote and participate in the process that will allow good to triumph.

We all have our choices and this is not an attempt to influence them.

Think through your decision and vote wisely. Importantly, vote!

Happy Dussehra!

Editors Veethi Telang Apeksha Bhagchandani

Aditya Kuber

Contributors Parmeet Kohli Radhika Sharma Protima Tiwary Sharan Garcha Amruta Ghate

Design

Prasanta Kundu Maddy Kulkarni Sanjali Manekar

Marketing Anish Sohoni Rekha Achtani

Publisher

Media Sphere Communications Pvt. Ltd. www.mediasphere.co.in facebook.com/Puneunltd

Cover Photo: Debarup Mukherjee Used under Creative Commons License

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IN THIS ISSUE

October 1, 2014

LIVE

06 Amen, Oh Men PUNE EXPRESS

10

NIGHTLIFE

It’s no surprise that our idea of nightlife in the city has drastically changed. But, what caused it? What are the many driving forces? Read up on to know!

12 SEE

07

24 Shukrawar

SPECIAL FEATURE

INSTAPUNE

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Peth

Capturing the soul of Pune on Instagram

Markets, Museums, Wadas, Food & more...

PHOTO FEATURE Showcasing awesome work of Puneri shutterbugs

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Eat, Drink, Boogie, Repeat

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14 Putting the COVER STORY

‘Punyaee’ back in Pune!

The happy festival of Navratri (Nine Nights) is upon us. It is celebrated in praise of the 9 different incarnations of the Goddess and stories of her victories over evil are regaled with traditional songs and Aartis. We at Pune Unltd searched for our very own Pune’s stories of victories of Good Over Evil. Here’s a few we thought of that bought a smile to our faces!

PLAY

28 30

SCOR’D

Reviewing all you can watch, read and eat in Pune.

EVENTS These are set to rock Pune for the next 2 weeks.

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08 EAT

08 8 Killer Misal spots in Pune FOOD

Spicy rassa, teekha sev, a healthy helping of freshly cut onions & potatoes and some warm pav- music to my ears. The eternal Misal Pav has and always will be the icon of the perfect Maharashtrian dish. If I could publish my own version of a food dictionary, right next to the word “salivate”, there would be a picture of a plate of steaming Misal Pav. And, Pune is Misal paradise. Here are the top eight spots in Pune that should be on your radar for this flavorful snack.

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PUNE EXPRESS

Amen, Oh Men

We’re heading towards Vijayadashami, the celebrations of victory over evil! Every city, including our beloved Pune, has its own negative and positive aspects but, what matters is how we make the good cover up for the bad, right? We asked a few Punekars what the one thing about the city they think makes up for Pune’s negative aspects.

Akash Mahtre

Hardeep Raj Singh

Social Media Professional

IT Professional

I know this happens everywhere but, I love how we Punekars come together during any given festival. Especially Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. It’s almost like we’re one huge family out on the streets celebrating an auspicious day together. I feel that somehow Pune has this quality more than other Indian cities.

I think it’s the way we people feel about education and knowledge. We’re a curious lot and it’s one of the most positive characteristics of Punekars. We take great pleasure in learning new things and acquiring knowledge. And that includes Puneri women. We need to work more towards educating the girl child but I think we’re on the right track.

Sneha More

Kashmira Sardesai

Fashion Designer

Law Student

The fact that Pune is not the state capital but it is still considered to be among the top 10 cities in the country. We’re the perfect blend of old and new.

We move forward without forgetting where we’ve come from and I think that’s a very special quality in our people.

It’s the pride. Pune is an extremely proud city, if you know what I mean. We take pride in everything we do.

We’re proud of our culture, our city, its people, the food, the architecture, education, everything. Unlike other citizens, we’ll never listen to a word against our city, right?

Sayali Jangle Student It has to be the love for our culture! No matter how modern we become; new flyovers, international cuisines in the city etc. etc. We’ll never let go of the old city; the food, the language, the fashion and so much more! For example, sure, it’s great to visit new restaurants and clubs; but, Vaishali is Vaishali, no?

Harish Mane IT Professional I love how Pune embraces change while still being ‘good old Pune’. That’s what growing up is all about. Whether it’s the people or the city’s infrastructure even. It’s definitely one of our best qualities. We welcome the new but don’t let go of the old.

We would love to know your views on the topic.

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Write to us at hello@puneunltd.com

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.

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!

@moulikjain

@jerry_brissingr

@harimenonphotography

@schaurasiya

@grey_sunsets

@gaurav547

@adityamujumdar

@merrytogoaround twitter.com/PuneUnltd

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@drgayatri PUNE UNLTD.

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FOOD

8 KILLER MISAL SPOTS IN PUNE Spicy rassa, teekha sev, a healthy helping of freshly cut onions & potatoes and some warm pav- music to my ears. The eternal Misal Pav has and always will be the icon of the perfect Maharashtrian dish. If I could publish my own version of a food dictionary, right next to the word “salivate”, there would be a picture of a plate of steaming Misal Pav. And, Pune is Misal paradise. Here are the top eight spots in Pune that should be on your radar for this flavorful snack.

Radhika Sharma

Shree Kala Snacks Centre, Rasta Peth Tucked away in the corner away from the regular hustle bustle, a small hotel serves up garlicky spicy-ness in every mouthful. Costing a mere 45 rupees, this Misal is correctly seasoned and comes with a more than generous helping of extra rassa on the side. The sev, dried pohe chiwda, onions and oily brown rassa make this a hit with the locals at lunch- you won’t find any place to sit inside at most times! Get a cup of chai or a cola, and you are set. Plus an added bonus- they sell some pretty sweet motichoor ladoos too!

Kata Kirr, Deccan Gymkhana

Bedekar Tea Stall, Narayan Peth The legendary Misal Pav joint, you cannot leave Pune without eating here at least once. Extremely tasty, the Misal is a bit sweet here. But fear not, ask for a helping of spicy rassa “sample” and voila- you will know why this place is legendary. No pav here either, only bread along with some sol kadi and nimbu pani as side buddies!

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A slightly more upbeatish place, this one has seating inside the hotel and a separate takeaway window too. Choose between light, medium and spicy versions of the Misal here.

I chose the medium version and was pleasantly surprised with the amount of spice (I am glad I didn’t try the spicy version!). It’s not as oily and there is also chaas available as an accompaniment.

Shree Upahar Gruh, Shaniwar Peth Do not trust Google maps to guide you correctly; this one takes a bit of patience to find. Smack at the end of a gali filled with silk sari shops and animal drug stores, the Misal here is not for the faint hearted. The gravy is thinner than most places and really, really spicy! Also no pav served here, it’s bread slices instead. This will get your juices going after a hard day’s work!

Vaidya Uphar Gruh, Ravivar Peth Started by the great grandfather of the current owner, Deepak Joshi, this Misal house is over a 100 years old and till date stands to be the best Misal place in all of Raviwar Peth, hands down.

Open specifically for breakfast/ snacks from 7-11 am & 3-7 pm, the Misal here doesn’t use red chilly, but instead is simmered in green chillies and garlic paste.

Ramnath Misal, Tilak Road Claimed to be the oldest Misal house in Pune, Ramnath Misal is where the Misal gets super oily. But hey, that’s not a bad thing at all, as it tastes super awesome with an added topping of fried poha! The only downside is that they charge you for almost ANYTHING extra- including onions and lemon. Go here willing to let go of all dietary restrictions and enter oil heaven.

Shree Krishna Bhuvan, Tulsibaug

Wah Marathi Express, Seasons mall, Magarpatta City

It’s shiny and renovated, but the Misal still tastes the same. Ask any Punekar and this spot will feature on their list. An authentic breakfast place, Shree Krishna serves the Brahmin style of Misal, its slightly less spicy, but tasteful nonetheless. Wash it down with some taak and end it on a sweet note with some sheera!

If you can’t find enough time to get into the small lanes or are too afraid to park your car in the narrow spots, then Wah Marathi Express is a good option for the suburbanites. Located on the 3rd floor of Seasons mall right next to the their restaurant of the same name, the Misal is plain and simple with the right amount of spice. They use a combination of the traditional sev and farsan, and it’s open through the day!

Happy eating folks! May the force of the spicy rassa be with you!

All Photos: Radhika Sharma

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NIGHTLIFE

EAT, DRINK, BOOGIE, REPEAT Protima Tiwary

Nightlife in Pune seems to have undergone a drastic change in the last few years. Remember those times when we used to take off to Tiger Point when we felt like letting loose? Or, the club hopping in Mumbai when we were feeling too adventurous? It all seems to have taken a 180 degree turn...people from Mumbai are now driving down to Pune to experience the laidback yet exciting vibe of the night life in Pune. It’s no surprise that our idea of nightlife in the city has drastically changed. But, what caused it? What are the many driving forces? Read up on to know!

Stand-Up Comedy Shows Comedy is a great stress buster and is now being used extensively in the entertainment industry too. Local clubs and pubs are organizing weekly events dedicated to comedy alone. The best comedians from across the

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country are now eyeing Pune as a potential market... and we Punekars aren’t complaining! A dull weekday can now end on a vibrant note thanks to the comedy events in town. So much so, that Pune will soon be seeing AIB, India’s biggest standup comedy group, at NH7 in November. Now that’s what we call progress!

COVER STORY

Photo: Dennis Wilkinson Used under Creative Commons License

Masterclasses and Blogger Meets

Wine Tasting

The culinary nature of Pune has evolved over the years.

From the simple missal pav and thali, Pune now boasts of a wide range of international cuisines. The passion for food is growing and this has resulted in a lot of networking between food bloggers and cooking enthusiasts.

Brands are organising blogger meets and masterclasses over drinks and dinner where the bloggers can interact with each other as well as learn how to cook great food.

Coupled with the passion for food, there is a growing increase in wines and spirits too. Wine tasting festivals have become a big hit where wineries from all over the country come down to participate in it. Brands are not only organising wine tasting sessions but also the launch events for new wines in the market. Grover Zampa Wines, for example, often hold their launches in premium hotels in Pune.

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NIGHTLIFE

Tweet ups and Insta Meets

Concerts

Social Media has created a revolution in the field of networking.People are connecting like never before.

Thanks to social media, people from the world of social media get together through Tweet Ups and Insta Meets and make new friends. Social Media Day held a couple of months ago at Jimmy Hu was one such event which saw a huge turnout! Honestly, how cool is that? Informal meetings over drinks and food end well lateinto the night and, once again, we aren’t complaining!

Pune is on the radar, and how! Thanks to Pune’s spirit and enthusiasm, International DJs and musicians today consider Pune as a part of their tour. And, the madness and excitement for the concerts begins months and months in advance. This also gives enough time to people in other cities to buy passes for these events in the city. Remember the Bryan Adams concert in 2011? Or, the Enrique concert in 2007? These concerts have put Pune on the map, and we’re loving it!

Photo: Sonara Arnav Used under Creative Commons License

Gigs

Offers

Local bands and budding talent of the city are being given a platform to perform in the city. Local pubs and clubs have ‘gig nights’ every week. People from all over town come down to support their band/artiste. Since a majority of them are students, pubs also have reduced rates on these nights. If you’re wondering where to catch live performances and gigs, Blue Frog, High Spirits, Swig, Irish Village are some of the many places you could check out.

Pubs and Clubs have offers to lure in customers even on weekdays! Happy Hours, Karaoke Nights, Ladies Nights, Retro Rates, the works! It’s a win-win situation for all as we Punekars get to go out more frequently and brands do great even on weekdays (including Mondays, yes!).

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Midnight Buffets Nightlife is no longer limited to the11:00 pm deadline.

NIGHTLIFE Midnight buffets are perfect for those who, after a crazy night of partying, need something to fill their stomachs.

What’s special about these buffets is that they are available at discounted rates and also have some delicious food available for those with midnight hunger pangs.

The 5-star hotels in the city provide some great options for the midnight buffet. Imagine a full course meal at J W Marriott after a mad night of partying at Miami in the same hotel? Gone are the days when a quiet dinner ended early. You now have the option of leaving your homes for a late night meal even post-midnight!

Theme Parties As if there was not enough going on already, we also have theme parties that are now being held every fortnight. We’re talking about themes like glow in the dark, art attacks, theme-based fund-raisers, theme-based holidays, and a lot more. High Spirits recently held Art Attack, a party where everyone wore white, and played with a whole lot of neon colors. A change from the ordi-

nary, this is definitely something that keeps everyone excited.

Music Festivals Over the last few years, development and success of music shows has shown a steady increase. Indian listeners are open to experimenting with sounds beyond Bollywood. This has brought about a revolution in the music industry. You have Pune hosting the biggest music festival, NH7, every year. From 6000 attendees in 2010, the number has grown to more than 15,000 now. The entire vibe of the city changes during the 3-day music fest. Needless to say, we just can’t wait for NH7 to happen in November this year!

The night life in Pune is definitely a lot more happening than what it was earlier. We know how to work hard and party harder. Cheers!

Photo: Anvit Chandure

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COVER STORY

Putting the

‘Punyaee’ back in Pune!

Amruta Ghate

Take a bird’s eye view of our beloved Pune, and you would probably see a haphazard mess of old and new divided almost meticulously by two of its proud rivers, Mula and Mutha. Zoom in a little more and you will see a clear distinction between ‘Pulachya alikadle’ (The ones living this side of the bridge) and ‘Pulachya Palikadle’ (The ones living on the other side of the bridge). A little closer and you would come to its residents, us, the Punekars. A charming, ever smiling, quirky, sarcastic and all in all fun loving populace. A little closer and you will invariably realise that underneath its tough exterior, every Punekar treasures a heart of gold and a soul that beats in solidarity with everything and everyone Puneri.

The happy festival of Navratri (Nine Nights) is upon us and everywhere you go, you will see beautiful belles dressed up in traditional Gujarati chaniya cholis, guys in dhoti and kurta or more traditionally chorno & kediyu with charmingly decorated ‘Dandiyas’.

This festival is celebrated in praise of the 9 different incarnations of the Goddess and stories of her victories over evil are regaled with traditional songs and Aartis. We at Pune Unltd thought, ‘Hum bhi kucch kam nahin!’ and searched for our very own Puneri stories of victories of good over evil. Spread a little cheer, shall we? Here’s a few we thought of that brought a smile to our faces!

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Saathi Haath Badhana...

That morning of September rose like any other for Ashwin Ajit Doshi and Siddhart Dudhu who were both on a bike headed for a restaurant called Chhotu Kolhapuri for some snacking. Anant, who was riding the bike, said that they stopped at Dnyaneshwar Paduka chowk at a red signal and the next thing they know is that they are trapped beneath a bus and a fast rotating axle was menacingly staring at him in the face. Seeing this, a crowd of about 50-70 onlookers gathered and lifted the bus with their bare hands in order to free the two youngsters from under it. This collective effort was something the boys confess they owe their lives to. What one kind heart could not have accomplished, a hundred helping hands did! Isn’t is absolutely heartwarming?

Ik Din Bik Jaayega, Maati Ke Mol, Jag Mein Reh Jaayenge Pyare Tere Bol...

Aakash Shah, a Pune lad, was never an ordinary kid at an age when most of his peers were busy taking to social sites and trying to receive the highest marks in their report cards. Aakash had made it to the Limca Records for being the youngest in India to start a social organisa-

COVER STORY tion. After his 10th Standard Board Exams, Aakash and his group of 15 friends, all under the age of 18, founded Action for Pune Development, a social organisation for the youth. This group took to Facebook for the noble cause of raising money for a cancer stricken patient, Parnavi Kherade. On hearing that Parnavi is from an underprivileged background, Aakash was moved by her plight.

Combined with the efforts of kitty groups, friends and independent contributors, the 17-year-old gave Parnavi Kherade a special gift of a donation of Rs.50,000 on the first day of the new year. Just goes on to say that it’s never too early to start doing good for the world we live in!

Kitaabein Bohot Si Padhi Hongi Tumne…

How many times have you picked up a book by a celebrated author, read a news piece by a respected journalist, seen a film made by an acclaimed director and thought to yourself; Gee! I wish I had a chance to talk to this author in person about his work and methodology!

Well, Pune International Literary Festival facilitates just that! Being home to a number of young writers, poets and artists in general, it seemed only fitting that Pune plays home to a literary festival of international magnitude. The idea began with eminent city-based authors Manjiri Prabhu and Sonja Chandrachud wanting to start something that will create a common meeting ground for aspiring writers, thinkers, bloggers, students and readers alike. As Sonja Chandrachud aptly puts it, “Pune has a great number of amazing writers. As a writer, if you can inspire somebody else to read and write, then you are creating a new generation of knowledge seekers and givers.” (As told to Times Of India, edition dated

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May31, 2013). This year the festival that was inaugurated at the hands of Smt. Maneka Gandhi, PILF had taken up the cause of Environment Protection through Animal Welfare and while some panels were dedicated to this cause, others saw authors of international repute such as Francois Gautier, Sabina Sanghavi, Amish Tripathi; eminent film personalities such as Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra, Atul Kulkarni, Girish Kulkarni and many more luminous dignitaries. All of them spoke of their work, as well as reached out to the audience with an open interaction, workshops etc. Kudos to PILF for making Pune a richer reader of literature and more aware audience of films!

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COVER STORY Ujaale Mein Pee Gaya, Roshan Huaa Jee Gaya, Kyun Sehte Rahe?...

What happens when talented artists from all over the world, armed with pen, paper and a microphone come together to stand in solidarity for a change in the world they live in? A movement is born, a movement that has assumed international proportions; this is 100 Thousand Poets for Change. A movement that began in the United States and soon spread across the world. As their page on Facebook aptly states, “The first order of change is for poets, writers, musicians, artists, anybody, to actually get together to create and perform, educate and demonstrate, simultaneously, with other communities around the world. This will change how we see our local and global communities. We have all become incredibly alienated in recent years. We hardly know our neighbors down the street, let alone our creative allies who live and share our concerns in other countries. We need to feel this kind of global solidarity.” In Pune, 100 Thousand Poets for Change will be carried out by Pune Poetry Slam, a bunch of poets young and old, who along with Airplane Poetry Movement will use spoken word poetry as a medium to talk about things they care about, things they want to change. Voice, thoughts, action and intent; all loud and clear. We solemnly stand by these

beautiful poets from all over the world!

Paani Paani Re, ‘Pyare’ paani Re...

Zoom down the Bombay Bangalore Highway and about 10-12 km from the city, you will catch a glimpse of a pretty looking water body that is home to a number of birds, flora and fauna, this is the Pashan lake. What’s so amazing about it? Well, our ‘darling’ PMC has received The Skoch Smart Governance Award for its restoration and projects of river improvement! Yes, we are as proud as you are. Pashan Lake is a manmade rivulet that has been made by bunding a small rivulet i.e. Ram Nadi.

Until recently, the lake and area around it became a cause of concern after rapid deforestation caused silt formation and unchecked growth of Ipomea weed and Hyacinth had made the water almost entirely unfit for use. Taking notice of it, the PMC carried out a large-scale dredging process for a few years and the silt was piled up on the banks and in the middle of the lake to form an island. Thus, a shallow wetland was converted into a moderately deep lake. Additionally, it also carried out massive drives for removal of Hyacinth and carried out awareness drives in order to stop the flow of pollutants into the river as it plays host to a number of migratory birds each year. All of these efforts definitely paid off and resulted in the PMC receiving this honor that is awarded in recognition for top performing government organisaPhoto: Yogendra Joshi Used under Creative Commons License

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COVER STORY

tions and organisations working with the government, operating at local, state and national levels. For making Pune even prettier than it already is, we thank the PMC with a bow!

Railgaadi, Railgaadi, Jhuk jhuk jhuk...

The Pune Metro and Punekars have always had a rather funny relationship. Quite sordid like Hollywood couples actually. While the Metro proposal blue print has been ready for quite some time now, it got the PM’s nod only a few months ago and is now in its operational stage.

However, the tussles between citizens and the PMC have been continuing right from the stage of its inception. The citizens showed dissent at the corporation’s plans of having an elevated metro citing that Pune’s roads will never be able to take the additional pressures

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of traffic caused during construction so it was decided to be an underground project. However, details of phases still showed elevated routes. In November 2011, the Maharashtra Government declared that all the routes would be underground. However, in April 2012, the PMC declared that all routes will be as per the DMRC report, mostly elevated and partially underground (in core city areas). Between red tapeism, the Centre’s tussle over the operations, citizen objections and support, the project is progressing at a slow but sure pace. What it means to Punekars is a sound and efficient mode of public transport that will reduce traffic congestion and consequent problems. Albeit it must be well researched and all effects must be properly studied! We Punekars may not accept such massive changes in the city, bit don’t you think it’s for our betterment?

Ü

They don’t require words to share a bond.

Photographer: Sanil Mahajan

PHOTO FEATURE

PHOTOFEATURE

Ăœ

The destination is important. But, what matters more is the journey.

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Photographer: Sanil Mahajan

PHOTO FEATURE

Ăœ

On top of the world.

Photographer: Sanil Mahajan

SPECIAL FEATURE

Shukrawar Peth Markets, Museums, Wadas, Food & more...

Parmeet Kohli Shukrawar Peth, which was first known as ‘Visapur’, was built in 1734 by Jivajipant Khasagiwale under the rule of the Peshwas. Once the largest Peth in Pune, it is now flanked on one side by the busy bus hub of Swargate and on the other by Budhwar Peth. Shukrawar Peth is an integral part of central Pune and is host to a plethora

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of local businesses.

Always bustling with activity, the Peth houses Pune’s oldest and most loved market – the Mahatma Phule Mandai. Commonly known as Mandai Market or just Mandai amongst us Punekars, it was once a wholesale market

SPECIAL FEATURE but, owing to city traffic, the wholesale market has now moved to Marketyard, which is in Gultekdi. The construction of Mandai’s main building, which is a beautiful old world Gothic style structure with spacious and expansive interiors, was completed in 1885. The main tower, carved in stone and wood, is massive with eight wings for entry and exit and can be spotted from a distance. Once inside the Mandai, you are shielded from the sun and the airy and cool interiors coupled with soft lighting make you want to catch a quick forty winks. I did actually spot a few vegetable sellers in the middle of an afternoon siesta! Quite paradoxical for a loud and busy market but how Pune-like! Lazy and laid back.

Mandai was inaugurated by the then governor of Bombay, Lord Reay, after whom it was named initially - the Lord Reay Market. The market was later renamed to the Mahatma Phule Mandai in 1938.

It houses a small Mahatma Phule Mandir inside the newer building which can be hard to find owing to its size. But, any vendor though

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should be able to help you find it.

Just beside the Mandai is the Akhil Mandai Ganesh Mandal. This mandal is in its 121st year and the priest-incharge made it a point to tell me that the stunning Ganesh idol that the mandal houses is eco-friendly, made from papier-mâché and is one of a kind. Not only does the Akhil Mandai Ganesh Mandal draw crowds during the Ganesh festival but also receives a constant flow of devotees on a daily basis.

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Apart from the Akhil Mandai Ganesh Mandal, Shukrawar Peth is dotted with plenty of Pune’s oldest and most well-known mandals. Rajabhau Pasankar, chairman of the Vanraj Mandal, which has been in existence since 1904, tells us how Shukrawar Peth is the place to be during the Ganesh festival.

The whole place transforms into a hotbed of colours, sounds and celebrations. Devotees from all over Pune throng to Shukrawar Peth to catch a glimpse of their favorite idols. Sahu Chowk Mandal, Akara Maruti Kopra Mandal and Shinde Ali

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SPECIAL FEATURE

mechanical appliances. You’ll spot multiple shops with strategically placed electrical water pumps throwing water into plastic tubs before pulling it back to throw it again! Innovative advertising at its best. Stores full of utensils and other metal wares like common items used in prayers including metal idols are prominent with all of them flaunting their wares outside their shops. The area also has a lot of wholesale murmura and farsan shops which double up as bhel vendors. All of this apart from the gigantic Mandai of course where you can get a vast range of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Mandai beats its more glamorous competitors - superstores in big malls, hands down. Shukrawar Peth is also home to hordes of CA classes and CA aspirants can be seen rushing to these classes, most of which are located at and around Prestige Point.

Mandal are some of the other renowned mandals in and around the locality.

As you walk through Shukrawar Peth, you realise it retains its charming wadas like most other Peths of Pune and they blend uneasily yet gracefully with the newer buildings and housing societies. It leaves you with a longing for the past. The wooden stairs, quaint windows and colored wooden doors with big iron latches are a delight which most of us walk by and forget to notice.

As much a hub for local businesses as it is residential, Shukrawar Peth is big on shops selling electrical and

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SPECIAL FEATURE Shukrawar Peth is not left behind on the food front either. Aasra Biryani House was suggested to me by a couple of folks who have lived in the area for ages. A small, unassuming joint which has been around for a good 65 years, Aasra Biryani serves some delectable mutton and chicken biryani, the aroma of which reaches your nostrils way before you enter. Other than their famous biryani, the mutton and chicken fry, mutton and chicken masala as well as the seafood is all very popular

and the place is always full! We spoke to the owner, Kundalik Goparao Nagre, who told us that the taste at Aasra has remained the same since it began 65 years ago and that folks from Shukrawar Peth have been frequenting it for years. He also claims it is Pune’s first ever non-vegetarian restaurant. Not sure about how accurate that piece of information is! Shukrawar ‘Pethis’ seem to be in love with their Biryani. We spotted biryani joints other than the popular Aasra like the Gaurav Biryani House as well.

Another gem right in the midst of Shukrawar Peth is the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. It contains the collection of Dr. Dinkar Kelkar and holds numerous interesting historical artefacts collected by Dr. Kelkar from across the country. A history buff will not want to miss this. The collection is dedicated to the memory of his son Raja, who died an untimely death. More about the wonderful museum can be found here: http://www.thepunekar. com/punes-pracheen-varsa-kelkar-museum/2014/07/ Be it the Mandai, the wadas or the beautiful Ganesh mandals, all in all Shukrawar Peth is a delightful area which instantly connects you with the old charm and heritage of Pune. Shukrawar Pethis beam with Puneri pride and talk about the history of their mandals and the Mandai with a glint in their eyes.

Photo: Neha Pipraiya

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All Photo: Parmeet

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Pride of Pune

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3 A.M.

A horror film that’ll make you sleep peacefully.

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Food V-deck,

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EVENTS Tides From Nebula Live Tides from Nebula is a post rock band from Warsaw, Poland. They have been active since 2008 and have extensively toured almost all parts of the world covering a plethora of events. They are one of the best EuroOctober pean instrumental acts right now. Here is your chance to watch them live in Pune!

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When: Friday, 3rd October

Durga Puja Special

05 October

Sanghamitra & Pagdandi Present Durga Puja Special.

Come and enjoy the delicacies at The Vegetarian Bengali Cookout with Home Made Classics & Favourites from the East.

When: Sunday, 5th October Where: Pagdandi -Book Chai Café, Shop no 6, Regent Plaza Mall, Baner Pashan Link Road, Baner, Pune Time: 1 pm onwards

Where: High spirits, Survey no 35a/1 Ghorpadi Gaon , Pune, Time: 8 pm onwards Fee: 1000/- (material included)

11 October

Bloodlust

Frameshift Initiatives is back after the Entombed Metal Fest anniversary with another killer lineup to give you sore necks and backs! Be there to witness an epic metal evening! Early Bird Passes - Rs. 200 At the venue - Rs. 300 When: Saturday, 11th October Where: Tarawade Clarks Inn, JM Road Time: 4:30 pm

International Singing Group: Singing varied songs together in a group people from all over the world with music leader Sara Roberts.

When: Tuesdays, October onwards Where: The Cultural Centre, Prelocate, Plot No. 20, Survey no 90/2/B and 90/3/B, Behind Bharat Gas, Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa, Pune Time: 7 pm – 8 pm AgeGroup: + 16 years Signup at tcc@prelocate.com with your name and mobile number. Email subject: International Singing Group. For further requests call: Anna: 9764441478

Indian Cookery Workshop Learn from Purnima Chandan how to prepare a basic vegetarian Indian lunch: Chapati (Indian bread)/Dal (lentils)/Jeera Rice/Subzi (vegetable curry When: Saturday, 11th October Where: TThe Cultural Centre, Prelocate, Plot No. 20, Survey no 90/2/B and 90/3/B, Behind Bharat Gas, Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa, Pune

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October

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Time: 12 pm - 2 pm Fee: Rs. 800 Sign up at tcc@prelocate.com with your name and mobile number. Email subject: Indian Cooking Workshop For further requests: 9764 44 1478