TGS Life 30/01/2016 by Golden Sparrow Publishing

PUNE, JANUARY 30, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT

SINGLE AT

LOVING IT

Companionship is a term that has undergone a sea change over the years. One’s own company is no longer as bad as it would seem to your grandmother. Some successful Puneites fit the example perfectly and might just help you tackle the question, ‘So, when are you getting married?’

VISHAL KALE

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

JUST BEAT IT

These fine ladies find happiness in drumming within a band, or even making some noise playing solo By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

drummer is an important component of any band or orchestra. Be it hitting the drum set hard, playing a monstrous solo, or simply forming a rhythm with a band, the role of a drummer is vital. A look at music history will tell you that drummers have generally been part of a boys’ club. From Chad Smith, Jon Bonham to Siva Mani and Ranjit Barot, men have always scored more when it came to rock and roll. Breaking the chains, these young Puneites are all set to prove that they can play the beats just as hard as the dudes.

Purvi Dave

PURVI DAVE Drums are Purvi’s passion. The public relations consultant has been playing since she was in school and the urge to beat drums only grew stronger with time. “I played several instruments in school and, one day, before an annual function, I saw a few students practising drums. I was instantly hooked to its sound,” she says. After that, there was no looking back. “I learned the instrument really fast and decided to take this up for life,” she adds. Purvi practises every day and will soon release a selfRAHUL RAUT

Siddhi Shah

composed track. She wants more women to be exposed to the instrument. “Drumming is indeed very technical and quite macho in a way. The energy required is double as compared to other instruments but it’s passion that drives you,” she says. KHUSBOO SHAH Khushboo is academically qualified to be a dentist and a clinical hypnotherapist by profession. She began her journey with the djembe with Taal Inc over two years ago and was drawn towards it almost instantly. She is now an active member of the band and also teaches other students. “I fell in love with the instrument after I attended a drum circle session. I was able to connect with it because of the values – joy, peace, mutual respect and community – it represented,” she adds. Soft spoken and modest, - PURVI DAVE Khusboo takes everyone by surprise with her expertise and level of dedication. She believes the instrument gives her a kind of independence and wonders why not many women take it up. “Yes it needs a lot of endurance as both your limbs are constantly moving. It requires co-ordination and syncing your hands and legs. For many, it’s not a very girly thing to do,” she adds.

PRIYANKA BHARGAV MALWADE Women are now also a part of the male dominated dhol tasha groups. In the past five years, the city has witnessed an influx of women dhol tasha groups. Priyanka is an active member of Samrajya Pratishthan Dhol Taasha Group, where she plays the dhol. She realised that although there are many independent boys’ group for dhol tasha, there wasn’t a single all-women group. “So I requested my husband, who is also the member of this group, to include women too. Now, we have around 45 women in the 4-year-old to 50-year-old age group, including students, professionals and housewives,” she says. She agrees that it’s not easy playing a heavy instrument and carrying it around your neck for a long time. “It’s difficult in the beginning. It needs co-ordination between your hands as they are constantly moving, it’s sure not easy but it comes with practice. Our group includes a 50-yearold woman, who plays along with her daughters,” she adds.

“Drumming is indeed very technical and quite macho in a way.”

Khusboo Shah

SIDDHI SHAH A graduate from Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music with a Diploma in Drums, Siddhi has shown outstanding potential and has been thrashing the drums for over eight years. She plays for an instrumental metal band Reverie and for a few commercial bands as a sessions drummer. She was inclined towards the instrument at 15 after trying her hand at the guitar. “I took up a part time job to buy a drum

kit and taught myself for some years before I enrolled for the course,” she says. She also cleared Rockschool (UK) Grade 8 drum exam with a distinction last year and she now aims to be a certified drum teacher. She believes in mastering the technical and practical aspects of playing drums and there are no short cuts for that, it’s all about hard work, persistence and dedication. She looks up to drummers like Gino Banks, Yasmin Kazi, Jai Row Kavi, Sivamani and Hamza Kazi from the Indian music scene and aims to get there someday. “It is indeed a slow journey because it doesn’t happen overnight, and for me that is the most challenging part. It is important to have the patience to learn one thing at a time and play it over and over again till it becomes a muscle memory,” she adds. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

he has drama running in her veins and is making very good use of it. About seven plays old, Riddhima Pandey has already created a niche for herself when it comes to Hindi plays. When she was around five or six years old her mother Shweta would find her imitating characters in front of the mirror. This was an indication, her mother tells us, of the extra-curricular activities her daughter would excel in. Hailing from Lucknow, she moved with her mother to Pune to be closer to her father who in the Navy and is currently stationed at Mumbai. This city was also a better option to help feed the young girl’s thirst for theatre and drama. While no child particularly prefers academics over their hobbies, this little one precisely explains her inclination towards the latter. “As far as studies are concerned, it’s all about mugging up the syllabus. When it comes to theatre, it’s about understanding the concept and putting all your feelings into it and the lines automatically flow,” she says without hesitation. Studying in the fifth grade at Vikhe Patil Memorial School in Gokhalenagar, Riddhima is full of talent and loves dancing when she isn’t rehearsing for plays. Her love for theatre and performing arts comes from her mother who has been a part of theatre for many years and is currently pursuing Bharata Natyam professionally. Jumping in between two ends of the spectrum of theatre, Riddhima loves doing either serious plays or comedy. Ask her what she does when someone does not laugh at her jokes and she says that it is no big deal. “If you say something funny and no one laughs, you just need to carry on. Keeping your fingers crossed and praying that they will laugh at your next one is the only option that you are left with,” she says gracefully. Riddhima was much younger when she performed on the

stage for the first time. It was only after doing innumerable dance shows that she began to show interest towards theatre. Her first play was when she was seven years old and she remembers it clearly. She tells us that she was not nervous at all and enjoyed every minute that she was on stage. She is currently associated with the group Swatantra Theatre and most recently did a play called Tamasha where she played the lead.

ENTERTAINMENT

Members of Stars of Pune, the city’s only all vocal orchestra group, talk about their extraordinary art and their journey towards forming a musical ensemble

TEJAS GAIKWAD

ohn Cage once said, “If this word ‘music’ is sacred and reserved for eighteenth and nineteenth century instruments, we can substitute a more meaningful term: organisation of sound.” The city based orchestra group Stars of Pune seems to be inspired by Cage’s words. For this orchestra troupe, their vocal cords are their instrument. They are capable of turning their voice into a drum kit, guitar, tabla, flute, violin and several other instruments. Mixing up an entire dance track with their pulsating voices is no easy job but this ten-member team has managed to master it. “I had an orchestra back in Kerala and I thought of forming one in Pune too. I moved here in 2000 and told my friends about it. All of them were musically inclined and I only had to polish their talent a bit,” says the founder of Stars of Pune Vinod Govind. The group practised for months before setting up a fullfledged orchestra group. It was after their first performance at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, that they were confident enough to perform in front of the crowd. “Our performance was a hit. Audiences had never seen or heard this kind of music before. This boosted our confidence. Ever since, there has been no looking back for us,” he adds. The ten like-minded friends got together to form the only non-instrumental orchestra in Pune. Their songs are a mix of Hindi, Marathi, English and Punjabi songs that range from willowy, soft tunes to loud, high energy tones. “Everyone in the audience has a different taste in music. So we want to entertain

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

Work ing towards becoming an actress when she grows up, her mother is her biggest critic. She is waiting for the day when her performance would bring tears to her mother’s eyes. While she likes something about every actress from the Hindi fi lm industry Deepika Padukone, has been on top of her list for a while now. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

It’s all vocal By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

Although she is just 10 years old, her confidence, stage presence, dialogue delivery and dedication towards acting is just as good as any Bollywood biggie

VISHAL KALE

She is a star in the making

TGS LIFE

everyone and cater to their expectation. We have a set of 25 songs that we always play and if some new song, that we like, comes up then we add that to our repertoire too,” says Vinod, who imitates the sound of the tabla and drums. The group needs no help to be riveting and they want to take his extraordinary art further. Since each of the group member is busy juggling their day jobs, all of them get together on weekends for practise and double the efforts before the show. Having performed across the country, they have learned the technique of presenting an old style show with a youthfulness

in their act. They rehearse the numbers with a beatbox flair and improvise before the performance. Their passion for music and enthusiasm to perform can been seen in everyone’s eyes. Their orchestra is rich with diverse performers, coming from different backgrounds, some entrepreneurs and some working professionals. “We all come from middle class families and different working backgrounds but it’s music that binds us,” adds Vinod, who runs a travel agency. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

Get ready to ROFL

The Weirdass Pajama Festival will have you guffawing through performances that include stand-up routines, sketchcomedy, improv, comedy theatre and tremendous craziness

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

he talented actor and comedian, Vir Das is back with a new season of the Weirdass Pajama Festival. He is simply relentless at getting people to laugh. It is a trait has earned him the tag of being one of the best comedians in the country. With comedians from all over the world, think America, UK, Australia, Malaysia and Middle East perform in the country, The Weirdass Pajama Festival is all set to tickle your ribs. We caught up with two young performers to get an insight into the performances.

Kavi Shashtri

AMOGH RANADIVE Influenced by the stalwarts of the comedy world Eddie Izzard, Stewart Lee and Ricky Gervais, Amogh got into stand-up comedy on a high note. He has been a television show writer since the past three years. After writing shows like Bollywood Nonsensex and Deadly Dus for Channel V, Bollywood Confidential for NDTV Good Times and Love2HateU for Star World, he is now considered the best artist on the block. “I used to write a Bollywood comedy show on Channel V when open mics started happening in the city. I thought I would give it a go and it worked. I’ve never looked back,” he says. Performing at the festival for the third time in a row, he could not be more excited about sharing the stage with Vir Das this year. He is on the panel with Vir at On The Pot which is the live version of his hit web series, The Potcast. “That’s going to be a great show. I am also on a show called Funnypedia, where we’re showcasing all genres of comedy,” he adds. Besides, Amogh is one of the highlights of The Anti Love

Amog Ranadive

Show where the performers essentially kill Cupid. The finale, Planet Pajama, will see more than 25 comedians performing one after the other. KAVI SHASHTRI Better known for his stand up comedy acts and quick wit, actor and standup comedian Kavi Shastri is all set to soak in all the laughter at the Pajama Fest. He is ready with his wittiest punches and funny one-liners along with a pinch of satire. Kavi has never been to a comedy show before and got into the stream by accident. “I was introduced to comedy after I did a film with Vir Das. He saw the potential in me and encouraged me to do stand-up comedy. I never thought I was funny or had the skills to crack jokes,” he says. He also is one of the panelists at On The Pot along with Vir, and is part of the show Funnypedia. “I am a fan of the Potcast, so it’s an honour for me to perform with Vir. Funnypedia brings together all genres of comedy on one stage. I am also a part of The Anti Love Show,” he adds. Kavi considers Indian audiences the best in the world as they are more receptive and understand the emotion better. “Audiences here are more intelligent than you think they are. They understand the sentiment behind the joke, where as audiences abroad come with their own mindset,” he says. The state of comedy has changed incredibly here and he is happy to see innovations in every comedy act. “With social media coming in, the comedy scene has changed completely. People are experimenting with a lot stuff to make themselves stand out, which is great,” he says. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS JESTERS WITHOUT BORDERS It’s a show where people from different parts of the world come together and talk in front of people while those people laugh. Organisers have clarified that it’s not a UN meeting. Catch Vir Das and the rest of the world at the Pajama Festival and see them show off our diversity. Featuring: Rizal van Geyzel, Dana Alexander, Jonathan Atherton, Imran Yusuf, Anish Shah, Vir Das and Fakkah Fuzz THE ANTI LOVE SHOW The show is about everything that is not love. Comedians will tell you everything about love and why it sucks. If you’re into all that stuff, then this is your therapy. Featuring: Vir Das, Sharul Channa, Rishi Budhrani, Anu Menon, Kavi Shastri, Ashwin Mushran, Amogh Ranadive When: February 5 Where: Susie Sorabji Auditorium, Camp

Here’s a sneak peek into Kenny’s bizarre mind Funny, sarcastic and charming, Kenny Sebastian is all set to tickle your funny bone. All you need to do is get to the venue By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

musician, an animal lover and an avid foodie, is how 25-year-old Kenny Sebastian loves to describe himself. Living throughout the country because he was an army child, this musician, filmmaker and stand-up comedian has truly been successful in carving a niche for himself. All set to perform in Pune on January 31, Kenny talks to TGS about his latest act, A Door Through a Window and his life as a stand-up comedian. More than 1,000 shows under his belt and a huge fan following on YouTube, the young artist hopes that this is just the beginning of everything good. A Door Through a Window is something that he has written specially for the comedy festival Stage 42 and promises us that he has gone all out with this one. The script truly represents his bizarre perspective on everything in life, using music, films and art as a medium. The only reason he believes he could go all out this one time is because he knows that the audience is going to be prepared for it. A musician and theatre artist since his college days, Kenny believes that both of these aspects help him become a better performer. Ask him why he chose to be a stand-up comedian after graduating with a degree in painting and he laughs as he answers, “What I do requires

The band One Night Stand is all set for a power-packed performance at the Hard Rock Café. Watch out for their tribute to Dire Straits

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

STAGE

the least amount of work and is enjoyable at the same time. Plus, no one gets to tell me what to do.” Attributing a major part of his success to YouTube and other social media sites, he believes that they are responsible for changing his audience from 300 people to one million in less than three years. While he promises us that there is no key to being a perfect stand-up comedian, he stresses on the fact that being yourself is important. “Doing what I do, if you sound like another comedian, you aren’t funny anymore. You have to find your own selling point and it has to be something that you are comfortable with so that you are able to do it well,” he tells us. Kenny’s scripts are often inspired by his own experiences. He observes things happening around him and turns them into jokes that are packed with his perspective. “I do find it difficult to write fictional jokes and so my experiences are my best friends when it comes to this,” he says. He usually prefers to stay away from topics like politics and religion because he feels that in today’s day and age you never know who you offend and how. Improvisation is his strength so he almost never follows the script he spends hours preparing. Before pursuing stand-up comedy as a fulltime career, Kenny began making films at the age of 15. By the time he was 23 he had already written and directed 12 short films as well as edited major motion pictures like Station and Joint Trip. His first special, ‘Journey to the Centre of My Brain’ was the first-ever stand-up comedy act to be released on YouTube. When: January 31, 9:30 pm Where: Arc Asia Pune, ABC Farms, Koregaon Park salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

That’s the way you do it

and have also opened for the New Zealand rock band Supergroove. “The best feeling is when the crowds cheer you till the end of the performance. Our most memorable gig was at YPO festival in Goa, we performed in front of an elite crowd which included business t y c o o n s such as Anil Ambani and Vijay Mallya. It was amusing to see them sing with us,” he says. Their powerful vocals and soothing harmonies, with a strong backing of instruments makes them stand out. Since every member is equally passionate about their music, their sound and the vibe on stage keeping the audience gripped and singing along with them. “There are a very few bands that are ethical towards the originals. We play the songs as they were meant to be without mixing or fusing it with other genres. We respect the original compositions and that’s what separates us from the rest,” he adds. When: February 4, 8 pm onwards Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Koregaon Park zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com

“The best feeling is when the crowds cheer you till the end of the performance”

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

ne of the best known classic rock cover bands from Mumbai One Night Stand is all geared up to rock the city with their performance. They are currently hailed as one of the best Dire Straits tribute bands in the country for their close-to-the-original tribute performances. “We are highly influenced by Mark Knopfler and hence we started the Dire Strait tribute nights. This is going to be our tenth show. We will be playing 18 numbers by the legendary band,” adds Padmanabhan NS, aka Paddy, a rhythm guitarist. Formed in 2003, the band has played at some of the most prestigious music circuits and have also won the first-ever Battle of Bands hosted by Hard Rock Café. Their typical set list includes songs by Beatles, Dire Straits, Queen, Cream, U2, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, among others. The band was formed as a result of a mail sent by a music channel calling out for

TGS LIFE

new performances for an event. “All of us got together for this one particular gig with no intention of continuing further but after receiving an overwhelming response from the crowd we changed our minds. This was a ‘one night stand’ in the true sense,” says Paddy. The other members of the band include Arvind Iyer on vocals and bass, Sarosh Izedyar on guitar and vocals, Ramesh Krishnamurthy on

drums, and George Joseph on keyboards. The gig will also feature an element of violin, that will be played by Narayan Raman a versatile musician who is known for Carnatic, Hindustani and fusion styles. The band has participated and won a number of rock competitions, including the prestigious I-Rock Fest. They have opened for Apache Indian during his four-city tour of India

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE Meet these creative and talented home bakers who are creating everything from hanging cakes to duplicating objects to make appetising beauties

Chicken leg piece-shaped cake for your next party By Salonee Mistry & Zainab Kantawala @TGSWeekly

one are the days when a regular chocolate or pineapple cake was the only option available. Keeping in tune with the trend of customising anything and everything, cakes too portray themes and characters that you relate to. TGS introduces you to six home bakers from the city who prepare some of the most gorgeous looking 3D cakes and can take on almost any challenge when it comes to baking. K AJAL MANTRI: YCD A maths teacher by profession, baking was limited to being a hobby because of time constraints. It was only when her younger daughter was born and she was at home that Kajal Mantri started baking more often. It was because of the push that she got from her friends and family that she decided to pursue it fulltime. “The biggest challenge when I started out was to make people understand that the cakes I prepared were at par with those made by professionals. Being a home baker came with its drawbacks,” says Kajal. Moreover, managing to bake with a toddler by her side was something else that she had to cope with but just for a few years. Be it the baby shower cake that took her seven hours or the hanging cake that took 10, Kajal ensures that everything that leaves her bakery is exactly how she would like it, if she ordered from elsewhere. This allows her to deliver the best even when there is a time crunch, she adds. Get in touch: 9021968966

NEHA AGARWAL: 1001 CAKES Whatever the client may demand, be it a classic cake or theme-based cartoon or figurine, Neha Agarwal can make it all. Her ideas come from what customers have in mind. Plus, she puts her own imagination to use. “It was after we bought an oven that I got into baking. Till then, it wasn’t even something that I had thought I would ever do,” she says. She has made various theme-based cakes like the Harry Potter cake and a music themed cake too and attributes it all to social media. “People have all kinds of wacky ideas when it comes to cakes. Some have asked me to make an egg fry cake and some a chicken leg piece. It’s all because of Pinterest. People see it there and want the same one for themselves,” she adds. Get in touch: 9860047858

TANVI PALSHIK AR: CAKILICIOUS From creating just one kind of cake to catering to a huge client base that demands a different creation every day Tanvi Palshikar has come a long way as a baker. After marriage, Tanvi started tinkering in the kitchen and soon enough the baker in her kicked off once again. This is when she decided to take up baking as a business. Starting out professionally, the biggest challenge were the customers themselves. “Making people aware of what I do and bring people on board was difficult initially. Once I got a few clients, the word spread,” she says. An even bigger task, she believes, was the patience she needed to show while she waited for orders to pour in. Tanvi has made some of the best 3D cakes and each of her customers is seen leaving her bakery happy and satisfied. Get in touch: 9637444373

LY NETTE DIAS: LY NN’S CHOCOLATES & CAKES Th ink art and images of a great sculpture, painting or dance come to mind but 38-year-old Lynette Dias has combined her interest in art and love for food to create a yummy job profi le for herself. Having imbibed the art from her mother, she fi rst started baking as a hobby. “My mother baked a lot. Later, I was glued to cookingbased TV shows and that’s how I learned the intricacies,” she says. Lynette quit her job with a software company and baked at home to kill time. After a few months of mastering the art, she decided to convert her passion into a fulltime profession. She has made several, quirky, theme-based cakes like Idli Sambar cake, Misal Pav cake, Fish and Meat cake and so on. “A lot of detailing goes into this. For instance, if it’s a Samosa Cake then I have to prepare a fondant strip then airbrush the edible paint and this is just the start,” she tells us. She generally takes orders a week in advance to ensure quality work. Get in touch: 9823382260 NEHA BHIMSERIA: NEHA’S BAKERY

After being inspired by her friend who also made beautiful cakes, Neha Bhimseria realised her passion for baking too. She watched several tutorials on YouTube and Facebook and interacted with other home bakers to learn the nitty-gritties of baking before starting her own home bakery. She specialises in baking 3D cakes, which are sure to leave a lasting impression on her customers. They all require a lot of detailing and it takes six hours to make a single cake. “It may be a birthday, anniversary or a bachelor party, 3D cakes are always in demand. Our customers want something unique all the time,” says the 28year-old. Customers’ demand for these quirky cakes has increased and it a good creative exercise for her she points out. Get in touch: 96047 99693

VALLARI JOSHI: COCCIO CAKES AND BAKES After working as an assistant director for a few years in the Marathi fi lm industr y, 3 5 -y e a r- o l d Vallari Joshi decided that she needed a n o t h e r profession. Prior to this she had never really baked, except for making a red velvet cake because she craved it. “I never had any formal training in baking. I think what helped me was my love for cooking and my artistic personality,” she tells us. It was only after hours spent researching on baking that she mastered the art. Being avid foodies, her family became her biggest critic as she started out three years ago. Speaking of keeping up with the competition, she says that it is very challenging to make clients realize the various levels at which home-baked cakes are better than those sold by commercial establishments. “What you get outside is more cream and less cake at a cheaper price and getting people to change this habit is difficult. Clients expect a home baker to be like any other commercial establishment. What they fail to see is the line that separates both,” she tells us. Get in touch: 9673002169

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

TGS LIFE JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

40,

Single at and loving it

Prasanna Chitnis Some people may be content with living a regular life – a good education, successful career and ‘settling down’ but, for Prasanna, life is living for what you are passionate about. In his case, it’s music. His day starts with teaching music to kids in school. At home, he has a music studio where he plays and practises instruments like the guitar and piano. He even teaches choir groups. Prasanna’s day starts and ends with melodies that makes him happy. “Some people are cut out for a marriage. It’s just not in my fibre,” he says. Whenever he finds the time, Prasanna plays basketball or catches up with reading philosophical books. An introvert by nature, he truly enjoys his personal space. “When one is married, there is a sense of responsibility and the need to fulfil duties as a husband, father and son-in-law. In the midst of all this there are chances that you might forget to give time to yourself, which - PRASANNA CHITNIS may not be the best thing,” he adds. Prasanna was busy shaping his career until he turned 30. After playing with a couple of bands, he settled to teaching music to kids, which made him happy. In his decade-and-a-half long teaching career, he has taught at over 20 schools. “I am not missing out on anything. Most of my day is spent with children so I have no complaints. I am living my life as I want to which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,” he adds.

By Salonee Mistry and Zainab Kantawala @TGSWeekly

or most of us, the ideal way to lead a happy life is to take on a good job, find a partner, have children and plan adventures unto retirement and beyond. But some people are different. They find solace in just being themselves and embracing single-dom. Some might contort their faces with the thought and their expressions might change to disbelief. But it is

true. Personalities like Karan Johar, Tabu, Urmila Matondkar, Oprah Winfrey, Camaron Diaz all of whom are single have set examples of leading lives to the fullest, joyfully and unapologetically. They have a strong sense of self and are all leading an independent and successful life. It may seem easy to follow a stereotyped life and find a soulmate. But what if you decide to walk your own path? We get five Puneites to answer that question. Each one of them is happy to be single and has willingly set aside the matrimonial drama.

“When one is married, there is a sense of responsibility and the need to fulfil duties”

Albert De

An amazing musicia heart, 40-year-old A After working for a as a Computer Har musician in him beg is what he does roun Being married w isn’t. “I am not agai feel that it is impor you decide to share tells us. The only reason single is because he about himself. In ad one person who, he

Kavita

Prachi Bhruguwar Remaining single is a matter of choice says Prachi Bhruguwar who is an IT professional, at Cybage, Pune. Focusing on her career gave her little time to think about things like a personal relationship and marriage. “I was never trying to get married. It was never my goal,” says the 45-year-old. Her parents were obviously trying to ensure Prachi found a suitable partner and weren’t wrong in their place, she admits, but there is a lot that she wanted to achieve in her career before she decided to settle down. She always felt that being married came with the added responsibility of having to sacrifice the time she had for herself, to take care of her husband and his family. It’s not something she is quite ready to do, she says. Marriage is about companionship and

emotional dependency on one another more than anything else, she believes. As long as one is capable of being emotionally independent, marriage might not seem that important. Prachi has never regretted her decision to not get married and enjoys the freedom that comes along with being single. Late night long drives with friends, random photography trips, cooking for her parents, siblings and their children, and travelling are part of the list of things she does in her spare time. “I have never been against the idea of marriage. I might meet someone tomorrow who might make me feel that I can still be myself and do everything I do even after being with that person and I would be fine with it,” she smiles.

Each day in c is different, c same time. Al court hearing consultations about getting have her occu her parents, nephews, keep “Being s everyone mus yourself and w yourself,” she Right fr according to travel and so old believes advantages o

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT

TGS LIFE JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

Ashish Kasodekar

enis

an and an even better person at Albert Denis is content with life. few years in the corporate world rdware Networking expert, the gged to be let out and now music nd the clock. was never on his agenda and still inst the idea of marriage. I just rtant to discover yourself before your life with someone else,” he

n Albert believes that he is still e is in the process of learning ddition, he has not yet found that e feels, would be right for him.

Being a fulltime musician, he has no fixed working hours and he most definitely needs a partner who understands this. “Getting married is a natural process. You can’t get married only because you are of age or because your family wants you to,” he says. Ask him if he ever regrets not getting married or what he misses out on the most and after a lot of thinking he finds something to say. “It is only when I am with my friends who are married and hear them talk about their children that I wish I had kids too. But it’s just for a fraction of a second,” he assures us. When he isn’t busy with his music, Albert loves watching documentaries, playing snooker and spending time with his close friends.

Alkunte

civil lawyer Kavita Alkunte’s life challenging and interesting at the lways busy with case management, gs, appearances for clients and gives her almost no time to think g married. When work does not upied, her family, which includes four sisters, brother, nieces and ps her busy. single is an opportunity that st cash in on. It is time to focus on work towards your ideal vision of tells us. rom organising your chores your schedule to being able to ocialise on a whim, the 45-yearthat there are innumerable of being single. There isn’t any

added responsibility that you have to shoulder either. Like everything, the idea of being single too has two sides. “The feeling of being lonely easily creeps in when you see your friends with their families. Even things like lack of intimacy and nobody to take care of you are some of the major disadvantages,” she adds. “I somehow don’t believe in the constitution of marriage. Very rarely, you end up not feeling trapped and so getting married should never be the only aim in your life,” Kavita advises. Being a lawyer, she witnesses a lot of marriages disintegrate and so genuinely doesn’t see the point in getting married. Most times, marriages end because you aren’t with the right person and this is something she hears often. There is no way of finding the right person and so you’d rather not get married at all, she feels.

“Being single is an opportunity that everyone must cash in on. It is time to focus on yourself and work towards your ideal vision of yourself” - KAVITA ALKUNTE

When you hear an extremely fit, good looking man say, ‘I am single and I am loving it’, most people react with a disbelieving eye roll and a ‘Yeah, right!’ in their mind. Plus, if the man in question is someone who owns a cafe, is a long distance runner, cyclist, plays basketball, and rides a Harley Davidson, it’s even more unbelievable. “I am not against marriage, but one should do what makes one happy and I am happy being single,” says Ashish. His day starts with a warm up jog followed by a run. Then comes his cafe, where is spends half a day and later works at his travel company. If he has the time, he chills with his friends in the evenings. “I like to have my personal space where I can do what I really want to do. I am involved in so many other activities that I have never got time to think about marriage or even feel the vacuum,” says the 43-year-old. He believes that people should follow their heart and not just get married succumbing to societal pressure. “As long as you’re happy with yourself, there’s no problem remaining single,” he adds. But he sometimes misses having children. “Whenever I see my friend’s kids playing I miss that feeling of being a father,” he confesses.

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

Ford Mustang comes to India The original muscle car is finally here

he hugely anticipated Mustang muscle car was showcased by Ford in India On Thursday, ahead of the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo. The Ford Mustang will be on sale later this year. Thankfully, Ford has been smart and not bothered with messing with the formula. A 5.0-liter V8 engine will be on offer which produces more than 420hp and 529 Nm of torque. The new Ford Mustang retains key pony car design cues, including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck. But there are a few changes such as a lower and wider stance with a reduction in roof height and wider rear fenders and track. The generally sleeker lines are evident when you compare them with the outgoing model, which has been soldiering on more or less in the same shape since 2005. The Mustang will get all of Ford’s recent bells and whistles, including SYNC connectivity with voice commands, navigation, push-button start, passive entry, power folding mirrors and a rear camera. The vehicle’s interior lighting colour can be customized with the “MyColor” gauges feature. Driving modes include normal, snow/wet, sport and track modes. Unfortunately, we don’t have a price yet, but rumours suggest a 50-60 lac price range, ex-showroom.

BAJAJ “V” PAYS TRIBUTE TO INS VIKRANT B

VW POLO GTI TO BE SHOWN AT AUTO EXPO Delicious hot hatch to come with a turbo 1.8, manual or DSG gearbox

hile it may not grab as many headlines as the Mustang, one thing’s for certain: the VW Polo GTI will capture the hearts and minds of many, many motoring journalists. Volkswagen have confirmed that the car will indeed be shown at the Auto Expo in February. While we’ve known of the impending hot hatch for almost a year, VW’s official release clarified a few things. For one, it will come with a 1.8TSI motor, not the almostthere 1.4 that we make do with in the Jetta. Internationally, this motor makes 189hp, which should feel very brisk indeed for the sub-4m hatch. We also know that it will come as a three-door instead of the local model’s five. Unfortunately there will only be a 7-speed DSG gearbox available . We expect the car to be a CBU import, which will put the price into the category of silly money (for a hatch). But it’ll still be cheaper than a BMW 1 Series or a Mercedes A-Class and if you’ve ever had a go in a Polo cup or rally car, you’ll know it’d be more fun. Feb 4 can’t come soon enough.

ajaj Auto is poised to launch it’s new motorcycle, teased as the Bajaj “V”. The V will be showcased on the 1st of February, just before the Auto Expo. While no official photos are available, a screengrab of the YouTube teaser video indicates a somewhat retro-styled single-cylinder motorcycle, likely of a 150cc displacement. Why the “V” then? Bajaj may have hit upon the most innovative marketing scheme in recent years. What’s special about this new bike is that it will contain metal from the famed aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant. Bajaj claim to have acquired the metal when it was being scrapped

and have used it in the production of this motorcycle. The INS Vikrant was India’s first aircraft carrier, joining the Indian Navy in 1961. It served the nation till 1997 and became a museum ship till 2012. After that, it was dismantled and sold as scrap metal. Eric Vas, President (Motorcycle Business), Bajaj Auto Ltd, said “For decades, the INS Vikrant has been celebrated as the pride of our country and is synonymous with Indian military capabilities and power projection. We are proud that Bajaj Auto is playing a role in keeping the legacy of India’s first aircraft carrier alive.”

TGS LIFE

An interplay of light and darkness finds its way into contemporary art through Vivek Patil’s works

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

rtist Vivek Patil creates art that you have perhaps never seen before. He creates his images in total darkness. While working in a three dimensional space, Vivek paints with light just as a regular artist would with colours. Enter his studio at Warje, and one might be surprised to see the walls adorned with his artwork. He is also a sand artist and speed artist. “I invented it by coincidence. There was a radium sheet in my hand and suddenly the electricity went out. The room illuminated with the radium light, and that’s when I thought about using light as a medium for my art,” he says. After completing his engineering, Vivek realised it was not something he wanted to pursue since art made him happiest. After his stint with sand art, he was on the lookout for a newer media that would bring him to limelight. “I research about this a lot. I found a Japanese artist who did light painting and starting watching his videos on YouTube. His art was still and I innovated it by adding motion,” he says. For Vivek, the radium became his

Let there be light

canvas and light became his paint. He draws on a big luminescent area using the ray of light. He creates various images, interactive stories, and sometimes also adds music to connect with the audience. The only thing required for the performance is darkness. “Otherwise, it is not possible to see what is happening on the

canvas. Besides, we need a wooden frame on which we paste our luminescent painting canvas and a black cloth to cover the frame,” he adds. Later, Vivek went on to participate at India’s Got Talent which gave him a much-needed break. He shot to fame when he won against a contestant in

the face off round. “The best experience was my Republic Day performance, which was dedicated to Gandhiji, it made the judges Kirron Kher, Karan Johar and Malaika Arora Khan cry. They even gave me a standing ovation,” he adds. Till date, Vivek has made over 500 portraits and artworks. Being

a man of innovation, he continues to research newer mediums of art. “I am now working on an art form called Ebru. It involves painting on water and then taking an impression on the paper or canvas. I am learning the process right now. Once I master it, I will present it before the world,” he adds. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com

Quirk up your wedding invitation and creativity. “The devil is in the detail. Not only is it important to portray the couple’s story right but do it as best as possible,” she tells us. Her illustrations tend to sometimes be more ethnic than they were intended to be but that is her style, she believes. Sayali’s dream is to make her work stand out and create an identity that revolves around illustrations. For her, the best part of the entire process is that she gets to meet interesting people and learn of their stories. “Of

TEJAS GAIKWAD

A Puneite at heart, this 29-yearold is insistent about adding an ethnic and creative touch to almost everything she finds By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

old winters, new palazzo pants, falling down the stairs and her brother returning to India for a short vacation, Sayali Bhagali illustrates almost anything. Even though what was laid out across the table in front of us was only a small representation of the work she has done, everything was extremely unique in its own way. “I want my work to represent Pune and everything Marathi,” she laughs as she explains her work. Since as long as she can remember, Sayali has wanted to become an artist. Her drawing class was the only one that she enrolled in and took seriously. Studying at Sir JJ School of Applied Arts in Mumbai gave her the technical knowledge that she needed to pursue her dreams. Currently, she works as a visual designer at Persistant Systems, Pune while making illustrations is her creative release. After a hard day at work, the only reason you will find Sayali rushing home through traffic is because she has thought of some illustration to

add to the work that she has been doing. Her stint with making illustrations on different objects other than her drawing book started about three years ago. It was her friend’s wedding and out of curiosity she asked him how he met the girl he was about to marry.

Fascinated by their story, she put it down in illustrations. The work became a part of her friend’s wedding invitation and there has been no looking back since. Sayali has made about 15 wedding cards. All of them depict the couple’s love story in extreme detail and are full of colour

course, the recognition I get for what I do helps too,” she quickly adds amidst giggles. The most challenging part while making these illustrations is getting the correct emotions on paper. While Sayali most definitely wants to make this her fulltime profession, she admits that it is due to her near absolute lack of business sense that she hasn’t been able to do it yet. Apart from wedding cards, she also illustrates frames that could be given as gifts for birthdays and anniversaries, fridge magnets, mugs, key-chains and whatever else you wish to get illustrated and personalised. She is also working on an illustration book called Manatlya Manat. This book while just in its initial stages is about all the embarrassment and hurtful comments thrown at her throughout her life for being a healthier person than her friends. The book, she hopes, will inspire the reader to smile more often. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

Urmila: the mythical and the mundane ABOUT THE BOOK

Pervin Saket’s recent book brings the forgotten wife from Ramayana alive. The author shares with us her perspective on the profound character and the sensibilities that inspire the story

The talented and passionate Urmila Karmarkar gets married into a wealthy, politically-connected family. When Urmila’s brother-in-law is compelled to move to Dubai, her husband leaves her behind and chooses to follow him instead. Fuelled by this rejection, Urmila seeks solace in her art as she battles to keep her dreams of love and motherhood alive, waiting for her husband to return. Powerful and poignant, Urmila blends the past and the present, the mythical and the mundane, the artist and the activist, marking an exciting new voice in Indian fiction.

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

enowned poet and writer of the famous book A Tinge of Turmeric Pervin Saket is back on the block with a new book titled Urmila. This mythological fiction is inspired by the character Urmila from the Ramayana and it draws from her sense of loneliness and rejection. The novel is set in modern-day Mumbai, with a background of social and personal intrigue, and explores issues of identity, desire, devotion and duty in contemporary India. “Much of what I write is an exploration of identity, of what it means to be a woman or an Indian or a teenager negotiating a unique personal and external landscape,” Pervin says. Rather than grand heroes with large quests, she is inspired by the tiny person who appears only as a footnote in history or is lost in the shadow of another’s light. “I have always found myself wondering about the trivial characters who may appear on page 42 and

disappear on page 47, or about the brother of the protagonist who has just two scenes in the book. I am always curious about how they would see the story,” she says. Her latest offering is inspired by this perspective and the desire to take the forgotten wife and make her the hero of her own narrative. The book is an attempt to present an outlook that has traditionally been silenced or ignored and so it traces a woman’s rejection and her passionate search for love, rekindling questions of devotion and desire in modern day India. “Although Urmila was married to one

of the most well-known heroes in mythology, she has been side lined. I also know that many women who live in incomplete marriages will relate to her pain,” she adds. Pervin’s fascination with words began with the stories and poems she heard while still in school. She soon fell in love with the movement and rhythm of words and their playfulness. “I would read a line from a poem and play it back in my mind again and again, enjoying the possibilities that the line opened up. I was fortunate enough to have fabulous teachers who encouraged my relationship with

words,” she says. She was shortlisted for the Random House India Writers Bloc Award 2013. Her poems have also been featured in The Binnacle, University of Maine. With this book Pervin wants readers to revisit not just silenced women from epics but also from our lives around us. The author is set to launch the book on Saturday and will be joined by two other writers, Anil Menon and Sucharita DuttaAsane. They will discuss the writing process, the creative instinct, and the new wave of mythology-inspired writing. When: January 30 Where: Crossword, Senapati Bapat Road zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

From the happiest country in the world

After spending a decade in Bhutan, journalist Aby Tharakan is on a mission to promote the nation he still likes to call home By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

worked with a regional newspaper based in Kozhikode. During all these years, his favourite memories are those of when he was translating Michael Jackson’s autobiography and Paulo Coelho’s interview into Malayalam.

lthough Aby Tharakan has been living in Kerala since the last three months, he still calls Bhutan his home and is grateful for everything that the country has given him. He has closely seen the transition of the nation from a monarchy to a democracy as well as witnessed the rise and fall of its private media. Giving Pune’s travelling enthusiasts a flavour and introduction to Bhutan, Aby assures us that his audience will leave wanting to visit the country at least once. AN INDIAN FROM BHUTAN Associated with Bhutan’s independent media after democracy and a part of Bhutan’s first private newspaper, Aby has seen the growth and development of the country closely. After moving to Bhutan as a high school teacher and teaching for about two years, he started working as a media consultant. He was among the staff that worked with the first private newspaper there. Ask him how the journey has been and he assures us that it was nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. “My love for journalism is deep-rooted. As a child, I dropped newspapers at doorsteps every morning,” he recollects.

A handwritten magazine was the first thing he published when he was in school and took charge of his college newspaper while he was studying at Bishop Moore College, Mavelikkara. The first time he was threatened as a journalist was in college by his seniors, he remembers. It was quite the experience, he says, as he bursts out laughing. Before moving to Bhutan he also

INSPIRING INDIANS There are innumerable things that India and its citizens can learn from their neighbouring country, one that has been their best friend for life. His talk titled ‘Stories from Bhutan’ is essentially an effort to promote the country and their ideologies. “Bhutan worships and takes care of nature like no other country. This is something that India must learn to help solve so many of its problems,” he believes. Another thing that Aby hopes India would take away from the happiest country in the world is their practice of discussing every issue. Issues like sex become a taboo because they aren’t discussed enough, he believes. It is his observation that across walls of buildings in Bhutan, one would find paintings of male genitalia sketched out big and colourful. This is the nation’s way of talking and keeping sex in discussion, it is believed. Aby tells us, “People in Bhutan live like they are part of one big community. This ensures harmony and peace. The feeling of hundreds of people at your side is extremely satisfying.”All he wants is to share his stories and request more Indians to travel to their Himalayan neighbour and experience what he has. After his Pune visit, Aby will travel to Bangalore with the same agenda. When: January 31, 4 pm to 6 :30 pm Where: Independence Brewing Company, Mundhwa salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

hen one thinks of theatre, one thinks of Damodar Kenkre, Jyoti Subhash and even Shreeram Lagoo. But audiences also think of Amey Wagh, Subodh Bhave and Alok Rajwade. The only reason is that through generations the passion and love for theatre has merely passed on and hasn’t died with the artist. Having said this, it can be well assumed that theatre will never fade away, instead the number of people who come on board only increases every day. TGS spoke with theatre veterans Shernaz Patel, Atul Pethe, Jitendra Pawar and Farah Nesargi to understand how much theatre has changed in the last 10 years and what they think its future would be. THEATRE ENTHUSIASTS FOR LIFE An active part of theatre since 1991, Jitendra Pawar has given to theatre more than his share. He has acted in over 15 English, Hindi and Marathi plays. Since 2002, he has written, directed and adapted close to 25 English and Hindi plays. A part of the industry, Jitendra felt that there was ample talent in Pune but no means of staging their work. Attempting to fill this gap, he founded Niche Stagekraft in Pune nearly 14 years ago. Born in a family that had theatre running in their veins, Shernaz Patel was most naturally inclined towards the stage. While both her parents Ruby and Burjor Patel being veteran Gujarati stage artistes, the environment at home was always one that encouraged theatre. Not limiting herself to the stage, Shernaz has also done innumerable films and is a well-known face in Bollywood. She is extremely active when it comes to theatre and was, most recently, one of the faces behind the Draame Bawas festival held in Mumbai earlier this month. Speaking of Parsi theatre and Draame Bawas, Farah Nesargi was the director of the play Defenseless Creature, which won the competition. While working in a software company is what feeds her stomach, theatre is what feeds her soul she believes. Farah has been an active part of theatre for the past 25 years and has absolutely no plans of retiring anytime soon. Known in the Marathi theatre circuit, for the different kind of work he produces, Atul Pethe is a playwright, actor and director. Even though he started his career as an actor he eventually turned to theatre full time. Among his most famous works is Satyashodhak which revolves around the visionary leader Jyotiba Phule. THE LAST DECADE OF THEATRE “In Pune, theatre hasn’t changed much. In fact, the theatre scenario has remained stagnant to some extent,” says Jitendra, when asked if he has seen a change in the last decade. It was from 2005 to 2012 that he saw a huge momentum build up for local theatre, but after that it has dropped, he recollects. Everyone wanted better opportunities and aspects which Pune

TEJAS GAIKWAD

Four theatre veterans talk of the impact of the next generation, particularly with new groups emerging every day

The changing world of

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

theatre

did not always offer, so they moved to other cities and this city’s theatre suffered, he points out. Farah, on the other hand, feels that there hasn’t been much change. There are very few English plays that are staged by the Pune crowd. There was also a time when musicals would be performed in abundance and now they have almost vanished, she believes. Putting forth a completely different take on how theatre has changed, Shernaz says that it has become more about travelling these days. “The trend is such that now plays are being devised from scratch and are performed across the country. This has increased the production costs yet the funding hasn’t increased,” she says. As a result, one might feel that the quantity of plays in the city has reduced but that’s only because theatre groups spend most of

their time touring. On similar lines, Atul says that theatre has not changed much. While the quality and quantity of plays are somewhat the same, the commercialization of theatre has increased. THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON THE PRESENT All four of them feel that something needs to be done to take theatre to another level. Limiting it to competitions and annual programs will only push performances towards stagnation. While there has been an increase in the number of people buying tickets for plays, theatre lovers might not have necessarily increased, feels Jitendra. “Those currently active in theatre shoulder the responsibility of its future. Theatre workshops, more plays, festivals, bringing international theatre groups to the city and in

general discussing theatre is necessary for a better future,” Atul tells us. One of the reasons why theatre in every city must increase and see a brighter tomorrow is because people need to be in a community space and theatre allows that, feels Shernaz. It is a medium that allows you to be entertained and be stress free, she adds. “An interest in theatre must be generated to pull crowds to the auditoriums. This should be done via interesting and out of the box plays and only then will theatre change for the better,” says Farah. There is a lot that the medium of theatre still has to offer. It is only when a conscious effort is made, will there be a positive change. Whether this change comes with the current theatre generation or the next, is something one will have to wait and watch, say all four of them. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

SHOPPING

A trendy twist to home décor

14 Be it your wall clocks, sofa cushions or table lamps it is time to shun away the typical and stylise

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

Bachchan Bucket Stool

TEJAS GAIKWAD

Not only is it innovation at its best, with the bucket used as the base but the design on it is most definitely a classy way to bring your favourite Bollywood into the house. Price: Rs 4,000 Where: The Little Quirkshop, Wanovrie and Aundh

Standing Bottle Lamp Comic Theme Pillow Bring out the superhero nerd in you with this uber cool comic themed pillow. Price: Rs 490 Where: The Little Quirkshop, Wanovrie andAundh

Sari ki Ghadi Corner Wall Hanging Adding a rustic charm to your home, this personalized corner wall hanging made from beer bottles will make the room look fashionable. Price: Rs 5,500 Where: Barish; www.barishonline.com

Right from cutting the wood to doing the wiring, this bottle lamp is customised with spray paint and mosaic according to your décor needs. Price: Rs 999 Where: Barish; www.barishonline.com

Definitely classier than your old round wall clock, this custom made square frame table watch is the perfect way to up the bar when it comes to making a statement with your decor. Price: Rs 550 Where: Craft Village, Bavdhan

Handmade Paper Lamp With the print of what you love the most, adding this handmade paper lamp to small corner of any room is sure to make a statement. Price: Rs 500 Where: Antarvalay; 9421030786

Ethnic Pillows

Lights in a bottle

Hanging Planter Customised and made to order in your favorite, colour and with a little personal touch, this hanging planter which requires minimum maintenance could be the substitute to the garden you have wanted. Price: Rs 1,600 Where: The Little Green Glass; 8805009667

If you don’t want the regular solid colour pillows, these ethnic looking custom made ones available in an array of colours are your saviours. Price: Rs 250 each Where: Craft Village, Bavdhan

Bringing to life a simple wine bottle with drawings and sketching of something you love and with LED lights inside, Table Terrarium they are sure to lighten This simple and yet tasteful terrarium does up any room. not take up much place and can also be Price: Rs 700 used to light a candle in. Where: Antarvalay; Price: Rs 700 9421030786 Where: The Little Green Glass; 8805009667

A classical music teacher by profession, but a fitness freak at heart, Nitin believes that staying healthy should always be a priority By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

oming from a family where everyone is a Science teacher, Nitin Sangme’s choice to pursue music as a career was a first. He completed his Sangeet Visharad, did an M.A. in music and then decided to spread the joy that it gave him by teaching others. He is currently a classical music teacher at Indira National School, Pune. The need to continue studying music brought him to Pune from Latur and is now a disciple of Pandit Rajendra Kandalgaonkar. An extremely friendly and outgoing person, Nitin loves going on treks and also is a part of the fusion band in Pune. For him fitness acts like a stress buster. “Fitness gives you time for yourself. It helps clear your mind and gives you dedicated time to keep your mind calm and stress free,” says the 29 year old. HIS FITNESS MANTRA No matter what one does and how they do it fitness should be on everyone’s mind at all points throughout the day. Be it cycling, walking up and down the stairs, dancing or

Experiment with these interesting fashion quick fixes by designer Rutuja Patil

RAHUL RAUT

‘Fitness gives you time for yourself’

TGS LIFE

JANUARY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

NITIN SANGME Age: 29 Weight: 73 kg Height: 5’ 8”

EXPERT SPEAK Atul Kurpe, Director, Focus Five Fitness Club

Your daily log is very impressive. Here are a few suggestions that might help you with your workout and fitness regime. You could add a small quantity of carbs early in the morning before leaving for your work. You are following the supplement schedule very nicely and could also add micro nutrients to it. Be sure that you have a minimum of four to five liters of water in a day to keep you hydrated. Always remember to maintain a proper ratio of strength training, core exercise and cardio. Expert rating: 9/10

jogging everyone must find some way to stay in the best of shape according to their ability. “It is not about being thin, or having the perfect figure, what is important is feeling healthy,” the young man tells us. MY DAILY LOG Once I get up at around 5:30 am I have one scoop of BCAA along with five grams of glutamine. Both of these are supplements which help the body energise after the long sleep. I leave for work immediately after that. Th roughout the

day I make it a point to eat something every two or three hours. Th is helps keep my metabolism in check. Since I am into body building to gain muscle mass I also need to have two grams of protein for every one kilogram of my weight, which I distribute throughout the day. My first meal consists of one scoop of whey protein with 25 grams of oats and two whole eggs. My next meal which is sometime between breakfast and lunch comprises of one apple and six eggs of which I hae only the white part. For lunch, which is at about 1 pm, I have small portions of brown rice, dal, paneer and a bowl of salad. Th is is my heaviest meal of the day. According to my schedule this keeps me full for the next few hours as I tend to get busy at work in the afternoon. The fourth meal of the day is around 4 pm and is a bowl of fruits. These include watermelon, pineapple, apple and bananas, along with 1 scoop of whey protein. Since I generally workout late in the night, my

pre-workout meal has a high dose of absorbable carbs, protein and fats. Th is meal consists of two brown breads, four whole egg omelettes cooked in butter. I make it a point to have this meal at least one and a half hour before my workout. 20 minutes prior to my workout I have a cup of black coffee, which enables me to perform better during my weight-lifting training. Usually my workout comprises of 20 minutes of mild cardio and 45 to 60 minutes of weight training. I generally concentrate on one body part a day. Post work out I have 1 scoop of whey and two bananas. The last meal which I have usually within an hour after my workout has mainly moderate fat, high protein and fibre for better digestion. My last meal is a bowl of boiled leafy vegetables, six egg whites and a small portion of paneer. Sunday is my cheat day and so I have absolutely anything that I feel like having that day. salonee.mistry@goldensaprrow.com

Layer in style for the casual evenings

an edgy clutch will help complete your transition. Add tights or stockings and a leather jacket to a dress A leather motorcycle jacket will add an edgy element Add warm accessories to a simple outfit that will make even the most flowery pastel dress The key here is to strike the right balance with look amazing during the coldest months. Balance accessories you want pieces that are dressy out the top by wearing tights and boots with STYLE enough for where you’re going, but not the look. Finish with girly accessories, so dressy in that they’ll clash with a basic like cameo necklace. GURU and comfortable long-sleeved shirt and Don’t limit yourself to just dresses, though jeans. There are several ways to make this outfit leather moto jackets work wonders on sequined go from casual-chic to party chic. First, wear a party tops and silky blouses as well. If moto jackets fitted long sleeved shirt that shows off your figure. aren’t your style, you can substitute a black blazer for a Next, look for wool or cashmere like fabrics for your trendy look perfect for a night on the town. scarf. Another way to dress up this look is by wearing Layer with a dressy vest high heeled boots. Lastly, statement jewelry and/or An easy way to tweak a fall wardrobe for chilly

temperatures is by adding a jacket, vest, or scarf to simple outfits. A silky black blouse is incredibly versatile, and will look amazing under a faux fur vest and a trusty pair of jeans. You’d be surprised at how warm these vests Rutuja Patil keep you and they’ll work great with long sleeved shirts, thin sweaters, turtlenecks, and even long sleeved dresses! Keep this looking night-appropriate by adding a pair of platform booties and a sparkly cocktail ring. As told to Heena Grover Menon