PUNE, DECEMBER 26, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com
Living the
runway dream They are young, gorgeous, and driven by a passion for modelling. Meet the city’s own glam guys and girls
2 DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
ENTERTAINMENT
Because the world’s their stage
By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
W
hile big budget Bollywood films build their path towards international releases and reach a wider audience, not-so-mainstream films are also getting onlookers into theatres at international film festivals. Be it Cannes Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival or London Asian Film Festival, film makers from Pune are representing the country almost everywhere. Apart from being accepted by audiences across the world, the works are even opening festivals and garnering a lot of appreciation. In fact, most of the films are helmed by young directors and feature a relatable and realistic story.
Deepti Ghatge
Umesh Kulkarni
Avi Vasu
GETTING TO KNOW THE DIRECTORS In the habit of surprising herself with her capability, Deepti Ghatge believes that she is still evolving and always will. Let’s Talk About It; her British socio-political comedy short film was pretty much the talk of the town early in 2015. Making it to the Cannes Film Festival and London Asian Film Festival, it is still travelling and being appreciated world over. “I feel fortunate to have parents who are grounded and have lived their lives with honesty and dignity. I choose to build my life on that strong foundation of values, simplicity and hard work. Even though I never thought that I would become a director, literature and arts always interested me. Satyajit Ray, Ingmar Bergman and Andrzej Wajda pulled me towards direction,” she tells us. Just like Deepti, Avi Vasu believes that he is still getting to know himself. He wants to test his limits and see the extent to which he can push his creative self. His first short film, Lost & Found, made it to the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. “I had just moved to Mumbai and this was my first short film in the new city. I met new friends and so many of them were just as lost as my character. As I was shooting the film, I got to see the city first hand. The film holds a very special place in my heart,” says the 25-year-old.
For Kranti Kanade, each film is like a confession. An introvert by nature, what matters to him the most is being truthful to himself and understanding his own life through each of his films. All of his films, be it Gandhi of the Month, Chaitra, Mahek or Shaala, have been appreciated and awarded. Mahek premiered at the London Film Festival and won the best feature film at the Arpa Film Festival held in Hollywood. A creative environment at home pushed him towards being an artist. The 36-year-old hardly watches Bollywood films but appreciates the fresh content that so many directors are producing today. Producing hits like Girni, Valu and Vihir, FTII alumnus Umesh Kulkarni, 39, is not an unknown name. Be it - KRANTI KANADE Vihir or Vaalu, both of which made their way to international film festivals, one can find a little bit of him in all his films. In 2010, his film Vilay won the best film award at the 14th Thai Short Film Festival and Video Festival held in Thailand. Another film, Three of Us, won the best documentary and trophy at the 116th Curtas Vila Do Conde International Film Festival, Portugal, Best Documentary award at the Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival in 2008 and so many more awards and screenings across almost every international film festival.
These filmmakers ditch big budgets and massive publicity drills for quality storylines that draw in a discerning audience. Meet geniuses who have been making the city proud on celluloid
RAHUL RAUT
TGS LIFE
“Being a director, the first thing you learn is that you can’t please everyone.”
IT’S NOT ALWAYS AN EASY RIDE Making it to an international stage and garnering the kind of appreciation and praise that they did, cannot be all that simple. Kranti points out, “Being a director, the first thing you learn is that you can’t please everyone. Everyone has a different taste and some will love your film and others won’t. What is important is being truthful to yourself throughout the process. As a director, if you are satisfied at the end, you can count the film as a success.” Deepti, on the other hand, feels that the entire process of making a film is a challenge and it changes with every project. “A film is a like a living, organic entity. Keeping the creative aspects alive in the middle of technical, and other, difficulties is challenging. No matter what kind of experience you’ve had earlier, each shoot presents a new set of challenges that have never been encountered before. To be able to approach the material afresh every time while dealing with these challenges is important,” says the 36 year old. THE FEELING OF BEING APPRECIATED Films are addictive, for the viewer and the maker. The first time Avi heard an audience applaud his film, he was moved. “I couldn’t even sit in the theatre while they were watching my film. Standing outside, when I heard the credits rolling, I couldn’t breathe but when the applause followed, I was overwhelmed. I remember a stranger walked up to me and said that Lost & Found told the story of his life and it was an incredible feeling that he said so to me,” he recollects. Umesh personally loves the short film format. In between bigger projects, he prefers to make short films in order to explore different ideas. “Creating a film is like an experience and you have to live every minute of it. It is important to make the film that you want to make, appreciation will follow. It is important to research and explore the subject if you want to hear the thunderous applause when the credits role,” he says. All four of them believe that there is no formula to making the perfect film or becoming a successful director. It’s a journey that you have to live and observation, along with creativity, are your only tools. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
Kranti Kanade
3
Spinning it up with
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
STAGE
Guetta By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
J
ust a few years ago, most people would be clueless about what Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, entailed. But there is one man who brought the genre into the mainstream and coached the world on the breakout of this new genre. French DJ David Guetta, a twotime Grammy Award winner, has successfully taken over the world with his high pitched music and refined melody. He is also the highlight of the Sunburn festival, which will be held in Goa this year. Best known for exploring the talent of artists like Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Rihanna and many others, David is the most recognised and one of the highest paid DJs in the world. “I started to DJ when I was 17 years old, even before the evolution of House Music. I started at a time when DJing wasn’t recognised as a profession.
None of us were making money,” says David. He started off by playing a mix of funk and new wave, and today he has mastered the art of mixing dark electronic sad sounds with happy groovy songs. “I began playing house music in 1988. For years, I was playing only in gay clubs. I even remember when I started to invite urban singers, and some of them would tell me that my music sounds so gay. I was surprised with their reaction because in Europe it was never like this,” he adds. He is currently enjoying the success of his latest single ‘Hey Mama’, featuring Nicki Minaj and Afrojack. He has produced a number of hits over the years, be it his collaborations with Sia for the song ‘Titanium’ or an emotional song ‘Without You’ with Usher. EDM may have become more commercial today, but his music sure has grabbed global attention. “What’s becoming the new big thing commercially now is deep house, which was the most underground
“I make beats, eat, play beats, sleep, fly, then repeat. It doesn’t matter if it’s Vegas, China, Ibiza, India, wherever”
thing four years ago. I see things shifting toward instrumental and lyrical dance music. I think EDM is still going to be strong, but in a different way. Music is always action– reaction. It works in cycles. Rock ‘n’ roll did, disco did, people want something fresh and exciting and then they get tired of it and they go for the opposite,” he says. He describes his music as a melody that is driven by many emotions. It’s not just three notes, a bass line and drums, but music that will move the listener. “I make beats, eat, play beats, sleep, fly, then repeat. It doesn’t matter if it’s Vegas, China, Ibiza, India, wherever. That’s my life. Probably my number one source of inspiration is when I DJ, when I see
the reaction of the people on the new sounds that I am playing. Every time someone comes to me and says, ‘I fell in love dancing with your songs,’ or ‘I met my wife in this club’ or ‘I played your music when I got married’, I’m touched,” he says. He is currently recording a track with Hozier and can’t wait for it to hit the racks. “Hozier’s record was the most amazing one last year. It was so full of emotion and my thing is to combine emotion with the energy of dance music. That’s always my winning ticket. It’s my trick to have a blend of dark, emotional elements with happy, energetic tones together.” zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com
DJ Sartek joins hands with Hardwell One of the fastest rising names in the global dance music scenario, DJ Sartek is gathering international acclaim
TGS NEWS SERVICE @TGSWeekly
W
ith several firsts under his belt, Sarthak Sardana, aka DJ Sartek, has added another feather in his cap as he has now become the first Indian disc jockey-producer whose music will be released by Revealed, which is owned by Hardwell, one of the biggest names in the global dance music scene. Sartek, is also the only Indian to grace the prestigious Beatport top 100 (Electro House) multiple times with his tracks ‘Back to the future’ and ‘Dopamine’. His musical inspiration has been Ferry Coston, who got him into this field. “I was a in the final year of Chartered Accountancy. I finished with my exams and was celebrating at a bar and suddenly I saw a flyer for a Ferry Corsten show. I had no clue about the craft or what Trance music was but I decided to go for it. His music at the show gave me a phenomenal sense of euphoria. Ever since, I couldn’t deal with numbers anymore. That was 2007, now it’s 2015 and I can’t think of anything that gives me greater joy,” says Sartek. In fact, Back to the Future has been played several times at international festivals such as Ultra
Music festival held in Miami this year. The track has been featured by David Guetta on his radio show and has been played by Hardwell at several festivals internationally. “My best experience, till date, is opening for my biggest musical influence Armin Van Buuren. Along with that, meeting Hardwell and the fact that he knew my work felt really reassuring,” he says. He brands his sound as ‘futuristic electro’. He not only has the ability to play the bass heavy Electro but also Future House that is basically a groovier version of classical House music. “Earlier, dance music was restricted to a few listeners and genres — mainly Trance, House and Progressive House. Over the past two to three years, boundaries have merged giving birth to Future House, Progressive and so on. Mainstream radio covers the culture as a whole which was unimaginable back then,” he says. His new track ‘Don’t Need Love’ that has been signed by ‘Revealed Recordings’ comprises of bass heavy grooves and is a culmination of the abilities of two of the year’s most outstanding artists. “When I play a track that has some heavy drops, I hope for it to channel my energy to the audience and make them dance like no one is watching,” he adds. tgs.feedback@goldensparrow.com
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
Women through four lenses Three city-based shutterbugs join hands with a photographer from Berlin for a unique exhibition depicting different facets of women
FEATURES By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
G
oethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan, in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation and Sambhaji Park, will launch ‘Being Woman’, a visual presentation themed around ‘Identities and personalities’. Yana Wernicke, a graduate from the renowned Ostkreuz School for Photography, Berlin, along with Abhijit Patil, Nupur Nanal and Tapan Pandit from Pune will display their photographic approach towards observing women as the most crucial part of a society through various perspectives. Wellknown painter Ravi Paranjape will inaugurate the exhibition this Saturday. Under the theme ‘Purohita’, Yana has captured a series
4
of pictures of city-based women who are trained to become priestesses, establishing themselves in the age-old male dominant practice of priesthood. “While working on this project, I was intrigued to see how the women distinguish themselves from their male counterparts by offering explanations and insights into the rituals they perform and by providing a more empathetic approach. Taking on this role, the female priests greatly support the empowerment of women in a traditional, religious context while promoting social reform.”
Yana has been to several cities in India before but it’s the diverse culture and people that pulls her back here every time. On what made her choose these three photographers for the project, she says, “They had the most interesting and dedicated approaches towards the subject. For example, Nupur made a very dignified portrait of women working as domestic helps across the city. She shows these images in a contact sheet form so the viewer will get a glimpse into their life. Tapan, on the other hand, has photographed women out of context. That means he got rid of everything that will show their social status or surrounding Abhijit chose a very different approach by showing how men gaze
Yana Wernicke
at women at various occasions.” Tapan, who has named his subject ‘Out of Context’, says that when he started working on this project, he wanted to depict women in their pure, physical form, free from any kind of worldly norms. “We always tend to see a woman with a pre-conceived notion where before even striking a conversation, we make a judgement about her in our minds. Whether it’s about the way she is dressed or the way she carries herself. In these pictures, I have captured them in their raw physical form. Some have a backdrop, some don’t, for a simple reason that one could see them has humans without trying to analyse their backgrounds, creed or culture,” explains Tapan. The photo series by Abhijit is based on the male gaze that a woman has to endure in her daily life. “Whether at work or on the roads, she is scrutinised for various reasons by her male counterparts that makes her live in discomfort with a lingering fear. The fact that these photographs will be displayed in an open platform at Sambhaji Park, there will be an impact on the people, especially men, when they see themselves through these photos,” says Abhijit. Capturing the lives of the domestic help across the city, Nupur’s photo series shows the bright, lively and positive side of the women. No matter what kind of background they come from, they are independent and full of life. “Through my project, I got to know these women very closely. It has always been my fascination that in a country where skyscrapers and chawls stand hand-in-hand, how the lives of the women living in these diversities are still so similar. They have the same feelings and desires towards life.” Where: Sambhaji Park, JM Road When: December 26 to January 9, 10 am onwards
5
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
Noisedom 2016
Sanskruti is a cultural garden in its true sense. A place that both young and old would love alike. This new year’s eve, Sanksruti will be hosting a bash, with a great DJ playing under scintillating lights, go-go dancers, karaoke corner, acoustic performances, amphitheatre showcasing various folk artists, variety of unlimited appetizing dishes and desserts. For the children, there will be a magic show, puppet show, tattoo artist, jugglery, air bounce and a special child care and activity center managed by professionals, so you can enjoy without worrying much about them. Further attractions include tiara making, hair braiding, mehendi application, tarot card reader, palmistry, pottery, fire show, rice naming and more. Where: Sanskruti, Pune Solapur highway, Loni Kalbhor
Dance 2016
Bring in the New Year at ‘1 Lounge’, Pune’s largest and most loved nightclub. DJ Stash, Jigyesh and Dustin will be playing the best Bollywood and commercial tunes along with MC Ketan Dossa. Stash has specialised in Bollywood, Hip hop and R&B, and has performed across the world in the best night clubs, commercial gigs and corporate events. He started his production n recently gained more popularity with his Bollywood remixes which are played by most of the dj’s and is featured on top FM stations worldwide including Dubai, Canada and Doha to name a few. Where: 1 Lounge, Kalyani Nagar
Bollywood style
This New Years Eve add some tadka to dance music! Bring in 2016 with The Ship Grill & Bar on 31st December, 2015 featuring DJ Rajbeer. He will take you on a journey which begins in the west with some crazy commercial dance music and will turn it around with his twist on Bollywood’s greatest hits. He has shared console with artists like Abhishek Mantri, Dennis Sheperd, Kellie Acreman, Nawed Khan, Allure, Hannah Wild, Fleix Cartal, Juggy D to name a few. With unlimited alcohol flowing and lip smacking starters floating around, it’s a night you wouldn’t want to miss. Where: The Ship - Grill & Bar, Kalyani Nagar
The Red Carpet 2016
As the New Year begins and the old one ends, why not celebrate this in style. So concoct your suits and gowns and get ready to ring in the New Year with new energy. Vivanta by Taj Blue Diamond presents to you ‘The Red Carpet 2016’. Join in for a magical evening of festive dining and dancing together with friends and family. To start your 2016 with some thrill and fun. They have DJ Rohen Anttony and DJ TSK who are all set to get you
dancing and cheering throughout. Enjoy unlimited scrumptious food by Vivantas renowned kitchen and unlimited premium drinks. The event will have a red carpet with 20 photographers, classy ambience and an elegant crowd. Where: Vivanta by Taj Blue Diamond, Koregaon Park
Temptation gold
This New Year’s Eve, Hard Rock Cafe will host a gala night. Ring in the New Year with the sensual combination of black and gold to add the glitter and sparkle in the celebration. The spin doctor DJ Rackish will be playing a host of blockbuster beats, tunes and rhythm. Rackish is the winner of 2008’s War of the DJ’s. He uses his skills and knowledge not just to spin and create trends, but also to help develop a greater musical understanding. His music is forward thinking and full of life. Where: Hard Rock Café, Koregaon Park
The Midnight Masquerade
The Midnight Masquerade as the name suggest is a traditional Masquerade event. Attendees are required to wear a mask, combined with the best attire. They will be incorporating the theme in the decor for the night and giving out masks to guests on a first come first serve basis. Stellar artists like DJ SA and DJ Agnel will keep you grooving throughout the night. DJ SA is India’s premier Hip Hop and Trap DJ, voted ‘India’s best Hip-Hop DJ’ at the VH1MyFav Awards. He has opened for the likes of Akon, Charmillionaire, Kardinal Ofishall, Sean Kingston, SnoopDogg (Lion), and many more. DJ Agnel is a party starter in the true sense and has carved a niche for himself among
the top leading DJs of the country. Where: Blue Frog, Ishanya Mall, Yerawada
Hat Party
It’s that time of the year again; the time to make sincere New Year resolutions and get hammered enough to forget them the very next day. The tickets include everything you need for a mad New Year’s Eve - an open bar with premium alcohol, beer, wine, unlimited appetizers, the best music, and even a midnight champagne toast to bring in 2016. And that’s not all. You also get a party kit with some fun hats to pose for those perfect drunk pictures; and some late-night after party snacks to manage your hangover. Rustic wooden ambiance, your best friends, the best music, and a crazy party all together end the year on a high note and begin the next one on an even higher note, literally. Where: The Irish House, Nagar Road
GET GROOVING
Sanskruti: A Life Of Celebration
this New Year’s Eve
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with one of the most cutting edge DJs in the scene right now at Classic Rock Coffee Co. DJ Lloyd Gueizelar’s presence in the music and programming industry spans more than two decades and he is a legend in the DJ and programming industry. Immensely experienced in hip-hop, psychedelic, house and various genres of electronica, he is currently on the advisory panel and the official DJ and music producer for BollyBoom - a Bollywood Electronic Festival. With his varied experience ranging from hip-hop, psychedelic, house and various genres of electronica, Lloyd has found his pursuit in what Indians are most passionate and proud of, ‘Bollywood’. He is the only Indian DJ to have collaborated with popular international artistes such as Nichole Scherzinger, Britney Spears. He has also collaborated with A.R. Rehman and few others in India. Where: Classic Rock Coffee Co, Kalyani Nagar
Knockout 2016 Toss Sports Lounge brings you a rocking New Year’s Eve party. Choose your prop and dance till you drop as DJ Sam, Abhishek, Rohan will be playing non-stop foot-tapping commercial and Bollywood music. Also, enjoy some lip smacking food from the live food counters with good spread of liquor at the bar. Where: Toss Sports Lounge, Lulla Nagar
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
INDULGE Chilly winter evenings are the best time to bring your barbecue kit out to grill some delicious treats By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
T
ry these easy-to-make and mouthwatering barbecue recipes at home on the next get together. While barbecuing is fun, make sure you have your marinades prepared in advance. Letting the meats or vegetables soak in the spices overnight to help bring out the flavours really well and make the grills succulent. To have a hassle-free barbecue party, keep your salads, dips and chutneys ready a day in advance so you can enjoy the grill with a glass of wine in hand. ALOO SHIRAJI KEBAB
Ingredients 250gm Baby potato 50 gm Paneer, crushed
IT’S TIME TO BARBECUE 1 tsp Roasted pappad 1 tsp Dhaniya powder ½ tsp Jeera powder ½ tsp White pepper powder ½ cup Curd 20 gm Garlic, chopped 20 gm Ginger, chopped 5 Green chillies, chopped 1 ½ tsp Chat masala 2 tsp Besan 20 ml Mustard oil 1 tbsp Butter Salt to taste 1 tbsp Olive oil Method: Wash, peel and partially boil the baby potatoes. Keep aside to cool. Then cut a thin slice from the top and scoop out the pulp. Heat olive oil in a pan and adds chopped ginger, garlic and green chillies. Add crushed paneer and a pinch of all the spices. Cook for 10 minutes and add crushed papad, salt and coriander leaves and mix well to make a smooth stuffing. Stuff the baby potatoes with the masala. In a separate bowl, mix curd, besan, jeera powder, dhaniya powder, chat masala, mustard oil, salt and make a smooth batter for the coating. Apply the marinade to the stuffed potatoes, adjust them in the skewers and roast till golden and crispy. Brush some butter while grilling the potatoes and serve with mint chutney.
PANEER CHELO KEBAB Ingredients 200 gm Paneer 10 gm Ginger 10 gm Garlic 40 gm Curd ¼ tsp Haldi powder 1 tsp Dhaniya powder 1 tsp Jeera powder 100 ml Cream Salt to taste CHICKEN NOORANI KEBAB Ingredients 300gm Chicken breast 20 gm Cheese 40 gm Khoya 1 tbsp Curd 1 tsp White pepper Salt to taste 1 tsp Sugar A pinch of Cardamom powder 1 tsp Gram flour 1 tsp Cashew paste 10 ml Mustard oil 10 gm Butter Method: Wash and cut the chicken breasts into fillets. In a bowl, mix curd and add white pepper, salt, sugar, cardamom powder,
1 tsp Sugar A few strands of saffron 2 tbsp Ghee Method: Cut paneer into triangular slices. In a bowl mix all the ingredients, except ghee, to make a marinade. Apply the marinade on the paneer slices and store in the fridge for an hour. Prepare the barbecue. Arrange the slices on skewers and grill until they turn golden. Keep greasing the paneer with ghee from time to time. gram flour and cashew paste. Mix it well and keep it aside for 10-15 minutes. Make a mixture by adding mawa, cheese, white pepper and salt together. Stuff each fillet with the mixture and make pockets using toothpicks. Now roll the fillet pockets in the marinade and roast them over the barbecue by applying butter using a brush. Roast until golden brown. Recipes by Chef Harish Nirgude, Deccan Harvest, Magarpatta
YOUR CHOW AROUND TOWN A special winter cocktail menu
High on spirits
SuperMenu
Welcoming the patrons with a combination of festive cheers and seasonal flavours, Chili’s American Grill and Bar has seven new drinks including new flavors in Margaritas and cocktails. Begin the celebration by choosing from the two new flavours of the all-time Chili’s favourite Margaritas- Cherry Margarita and the Cantaloupe Margarita, both made with tequila, orange liqueur, Chili’s signature sweet and sour mix and the fruity flavouring. Fruitiness of peach also comes alive through the Bourbon Punch cocktail and the Sweet and Spicy Peach Cooler mixed with jalapeños. The menu also has cocktails based on coffee flavours for that extra kick with the Beer based cocktail of Espresso Alaska and Chili’s twist to the Old fashioned with hints of almond and Coffee. When: Ongoing Where: Chili’s American Grill & Bar, Phoenix Market City, Viman Nagar
Hard Rock Cafe is known for their legendary gigs, loaded burgers and juicy ribs. But equally worth mentioning are their famed Long Island Iced Teas. They’ve decided to turn it up a notch and have created an exclusive range of 10 new LIITs. Fresh fruit, unique flavours, subtle spices and wild colours are only a few highlights from this delicious, refreshing and dangerous menu. When: Till December 30 Where: Hard Rock Café, Koregaon Park
Cafe Coffee Day surprises food lovers with an irresistible range of cupcakes, soups and more. Their SuperMenu is studded with some delicious variety of cupcakes, soups, sandwiches and burgers that have CCD’s signature all-day appeal and a youthful feel. The super flavorsome fun begins with two slurp-y soup variants served with a side portion of garlic bread - the hot and creamy ‘Mushroom Marvel Soup’ packed with the awesomeness of milled black pepper and dairy foam. Another super soup in the menu is the ‘Tangy Tomatina’, a fusion of juicy tomatoes and sweet bell pepper giving it a mouthwatering twist. The indulgence continues with cupcakes - ‘Berry Bite Cupcake’ and ‘Cocoa Cupcake’. With the sweet zest of strawberry and chocolate enhanced with a frosting swirled to a creamy lush, these cupcakes are created to charm the sweet spots. When: Till December 31 Where: All Café Coffee Day outlets
Celebrate with Mad Over Donuts The country’s favourite donut brand Mad Over Donuts has some special surprises in store for you! They are offering some freshly baked joy with its Christmas donuts. A delicious assortment of cinnamon, chocolate, gingerbread and fruit compotes, their limited edition donuts will knock your socks off! Their limited-time Christmas Range comes in the following tempting flavours: Cinnaple with Dark chocolate, apple cinnamon filling, Strawberry Santa with Milk chocolate ganache and strawberry jelly, Ginger Buddy with ginger glaze and honey ganache, and Starstruck, a cakeling that has a vanilla cupcake base with mix-spice buttercream. When: Till January 3 Where: All Mad Over Donuts outlets
Check out these
TGS LIFE
By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
T
aking time out from our busy schedules to cook an elaborate seafood meal at home might just be a tad bit difficult. Well, here is an easy solution. TGS brings to you four tried and tested seafood restaurants from across the city, which not only serve
sumptuous food but do not burn a giant hole in your pocket either. These restaurants offer you all kinds of fish, prepared in more than one way. While some serve authentic Bengali flavours, others dive into the spices from Mangalore, Konkan, Goa and Malvan. Seafood lover, or not, visiting these restaurants is a must. You might just change your mind. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
Fish Curry Rice Think of seafood and Fish Curry Rice pops up. A classy little place on Law College Road this restaurant is as close as it gets to home cooked seafood. Starting with a humble set up in Narayan Peth, the join’t popularity forced owners to open a second outlet in Shivaji Nagar. Packed with customers almost every evening, the semi-open kitchen for the diners to witness dishes being prepared is a great idea. There is hardly anyone who leaves the restaurant without a word of praise. Staying true to its
tagline of ‘Redefining Coastal Food’, the menu is simple and offers Malvani food modified to suit the taste buds of Punekars. Welcoming you with a refreshing Kokam drink, the spicy fish curries and well fried fish only makes your meal a delightful experience. Not too taxing on your pockets either, the restaurant is definitely deserves a visit. Must try: Bombil Fry, Fish Curry and Prawns Rice Where: Law College Road & Narayan Peth
FishLand A welcoming and friendly staff, a tasteful ambience and food with flavours that stick with you, would be most accurate way to describe FishLand. Tucked away in an area full of restaurants, this restaurant’s food does enough to make it stand out. With a calm and peaceful environment inside, without too much lighting or loud music, it is a perfect place to spend quality time over dinner with friends and family. Offering a big spread of fish preparations to choose from, the restaurant does enough justice to hungry diners with their portions. A blast of Mangalorean flavours please your taste buds with just the correct amount of spice. Sticking to the original flavours as much as possible, the spice levels are slightly balanced keeping in mind the tastebuds of people in Pune. The plating is simple, full of colour and appetising to look at. The specials that they
offer are unique to the restaurant and are most definitely worth trying. Must try: Special Prawns, Fish 94 and Crab Chilli Where: Opposite Maratha Mandir, Bavdhan
INDULGE
TEJAS GAIKWAD & RAHUL RAUT
SEAFOOD HAVENS
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
Malwani Naka If you want to experience the coastal regions of Maharashtra without actually going that far, head to Malwani Naka at Kothrud. While missing the place might be easy unless you are actually looking for it, a step inside will never disappoint. Extremely pocket friendly, this joint is a blessing in disguise for seafood lovers. Set up four years ago, it specializes in Fish
Thali’s and offers you almost everything found in the sea. Preparing some of the spice mixes on their own, the chefs ensure that the food stays true to its roots in terms of flavours. The spice is however taken down a notch to help cater to local customers. Must try: Solkadi, Prawns Rechado and Fish Patra (Basa, Surmai, Pomfret) Where: Near Shivaji Putla, Kothrud
Arctic Seafood Restaurant A one-of-its-kind seafood barbeque and dinner buffet restaurant, Arctic Seafood is an almost perfect representation of the south. The seafood offered here is a welcome change of taste that strikes a balance between the coconut rich flavours of the south and the spice-based ones of the coastal regions. On the menu are seven different types of curries that include a little bit of the chef ’s own concoctions while keeping the original essence alive. While the ambience is not too fancy, the stress on the colour blue gives you the feeling on being underwater. Throughout the year, different food festivals are held here. Currently, the Crab and Pomfret festival is on. They offer Rohu, Hilsa (Ilish) in Jeera bhata jholSorsche bhata jhol- Dahi Mach and Bhaja Mach style, accurately representing Bengali seafood preparation. The restaurant also offers complimentary meals for children who are below three feet. Must try: Crab Suka, Tandoori Pomfret and Any Mackerel Fish preparation Where: Landmark Garden, Kalyani Nagar
TGS LIFE
Living the runway dream
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES
By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
F
rom leaving the comfort of their homes and switching cities to follow their dreams, fighting all odds while keeping cool and taking every challenge in their stride, these budding models have done it all to realise their goals. On their way to becoming the top models of the country, Ketaki Narayan, Siddharth Gothwal, Nathan Sharma, Sailee Naazare and Yaseen Sharieff share their journey so far. KETAKI NARAYAN Born and raised in Akola, education brought Ketaki Narayan to Pune in 2007. After completing a degree in Computer Science, she took up a job at an IT company so that she could be financially independent. As a young girl, Ketaki always loved being in front of the camera and would spend hours watching beauty pageants. “Modelling was never just about looking good and leading a glamorous life for me. Being a beauty with a purpose and bringing a positive change in society with my work is one of my greatest goals.” Ketaki’s first modelling assignment was for an in-house magazine of a daily newspaper in Pune in 2013. Since then, she has been featured in several popular magazines and walked the ramp for renowned designers. Though she has made quite a name in the industry in a short span of time, it hasn’t been a cake walk for Ketaki. “The biggest challenge for any aspiring model is to create an individual style within the limited opportunities. There is always a pressure of competition. We get to meet and know different kinds of people, which is interesting because some have positive energy, some don’t. Some help you to grow, some try to pull you down but the most important thing is to keep calm and work hard towards your goal.” Her family is her biggest inspiration but, professionally, she looks up to super models Lakshmi Menon and Smita Lasrado. “I admire them for their flawless style. In my professional life, photographers Amit Mali and Vijay Powar have been instrumental in my success so far as they helped me understand the nuances of portraying myself in front of the camera,” she says. Besides modelling, Ketaki is pursuing a career in acting. She has recently done a short film called Woman Divine, which is India’s first visual poem. She has also acted in several Marathi feature and short films such as Tumbad, Chidiya, YZ, Watchman, Sati, and Rabindranath Tagore’s Lullaby.
“We get to meet different people, which is interesting because some have positive energy, some don’t.”
YASEEN SHAREIFF Born and bought up in Bangalore, Yaseen Shareiff studied linguistics and possesses fluency in many languages including Urdu, English, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. He came to Pune to complete his graduation and to pursue his passion for modelling and acting. “I was always attracted to the glamour world and every time I saw magazines with famous models on the cover, I wished to be one
of them. I was 18 when I received a call from a photographer in Bangalore who offered me a print assignment. He told me that I was very photogenic and that’s how my journey began.” Yaseen was lucky to get assignments on a regular basis because of his chocolate boy looks and hard-working attitude. “When you are an aspiring model, you don’t work for a salary,
you’re paid on a contract or shoot basis. Sometimes you can negotiate and sometimes you take up an assignment simply because you need to be active in the business and there’s nothing better to do. Many a times, I have done complimentary shoots just to build my contacts. One has to go through these experiences and struggles to ultimately become stronger.”
They are young, gorgeous, and driven by a passion for modelling. Meet the city’s own glam guys and girls
TGS LIFE
SIDDH ARTH GO TH
WA L
We n made famous by Jab Being from Ratlam, a tow s ard tow d use foc al was always Met, Siddharth Gothw luck As er. ine eng an e om bec his studies and wanted to m on to become a model. Fro would have it, he moved be uld wo and up ss ed to dre a ver y young age, he lov His carried himself in public. he how ut abo ous sci con his d ise pra e eon ry time som face would light up eve del mo a ing om bec of t though style and looks but the never crossed his mind. for higher studies, he Af ter moving to Indore inter-col lege fashion an e in happened to par ticipat g bit that the bug of model lin show and it was there as a g lin del mo of t though Siddharth. “I had never t, ean pag ning the col lege profession, but after win few a h wit ch tou t. I got in I decided to give it a sho it while studying hard but es nci age g lin del local mo ng goi not s hea rtened as it wa didn’t work out. I was dis ne. a job with an MNC in Pu got I n the any where and 3.” 201 in I finally moved to the city l days, Siddharth says Ta lking about his initia the ely lucky to have met that he has been extrem iced. The not get and e tim ht right people at the rig ain a that he faced was to att one and only cha llenge the so y, nn ski ely rem ext to be good physique. “I used g lin del mo shape to enter the first task was to get into o tw the e anc bal to ge was world. The second cha llen d to use I . del mo a and er ine lives as a sof tware eng the and then hit the gym in work throughout the day d ide dec n eve I t tha e sionat evenings. I became so pas f sur uld sue model ling. I wo to give up my job to pur On ch. roa app ld who I cou the net to find people hers agencies and photograp it vis uld wo I s, weekend e sam the At ate a por tfolio. who cou ld help me cre of s tale k dar ny ma rd I had hea time, I was sceptical as dels ich demands budding mo wh rld wo g lin del the mo n bee e hav I ry, On the contra to make compromises. .” ple peo ht rig met the extremely lucky to have guides you towards the Finding a mentor, who arth, helpfu l and for Siddh right goa l, is always ation pir ins my all w dra “I it was Lovel l Prabhu. e in W henever I par ticipat from my surroundings. am I and d har ng ers worki a competition, I see oth inspired to do bet ter.” t be know n as the hot tes His biggest dream is to g, lin del mo es sid Be es. advanc model alive, even as age cket tar, takes time out for cri gui the ys pla h art dh Sid g kin loves coo and basketbal l games, and
NATHAN SHARMA It’s been nearly five years since Nathan Sharma left his hometown Guna, in Madhya Pradesh, to pursue a Bachelor in Business Admiration in Pune. He says that he came to the city on the pretext of studying but he hoped to become a model all along. Right from his school days, Nathan had a keen interest in dramatics and would participate in cultural activities. “I wasn’t good at academics, but when it came to participating in dance or fancy dress competition, I would be the first one in line and I’d win prizes too. I organised a fashion event when I was in the 10th standard and I was featured in my school magazine. Walking the runway became my ultimate dream, so I joined Lovell Prabhu’s academy where I am under training currently.” Every aspiring model has to go through many rejections in the initial stages of their career, so did Nathan. “I still recollect being rejected twice when I wanted to be a part of this particular pageant but I never gave up and kept trying until I got through. One has to be a bit stubborn and aware of the happenings in this industry to reach somewhere. I have that fire in me and I try to be the best.” Nathan also says that it’s not always about the chiselled body that will make you a super model. One needs to be in sync with the mind, body and soul to be able to bring out the best in one’s personality. “It’s all about putting the right attitude forward. With a negative approach, you will never survive in this industry.” Nathan also dreams of becoming an actor and have a crazy fan following one day. He has won many pageant titles including Mr Central India, 2015. His charm also got him the Best Smile title at a city pageant recently.
“I wasn’t good at academics, but when it came to participating in dance or fancy dress competition, I would be the first one in line”
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES SAILEE NAAZARE A student of biotechnology, it was Sailee’s dance teacher who saw the spark in her to become a successful model one day. She took her teacher’s advice seriously and appeared for a few auditions to be a part of local pageants in the city where she got her initial opportunities and there has been no stopping Sayali ever since. “They say being at the right place at the right time is very important, but as a budding model you can’t be too certain as to what is the right place or the right time. It’s a very competitive industry, even if we don’t wear a crisp suit to step into the boardroom, we have to be street smart and have our A-game on at all times. It is just as challenging as any other field,” she points out. She idolises her mother and her dream is to be happy in whatever field she chooses, even if it comes to being a hermit – she says she wants to be one someday. Sailee has won many pageants and, besides modelling, she is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and has been teaching the dance form for the past four years.
TGS LIFE VISHAL KALE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
THRILL OF DRIVING
STUD
It takes genius to make a behemoth behave like a bunny
to palm the throttle of this huge cruiser. The beefy handlebar rises slightly and sweeps back from its mount to fall perfectly to gorilla hand. his is the Indian Chief Dark Horse, It’s when you twist said throttle that you realise one of several variants based on the just how refined the experience of the Indian same basic chassis and engine. It’s a Chief bikes is. Throttle is ride-by-wire, so giant, ornate mechanical sculpture that’s more it’s light and smooth, connecting to a fueling fancy-dress than function, at least at first system that’s damn-near perfect for an glance. It weighs in at 357kg, which obscenely large V-twin engine. In immediately prints a giant NOPE this case, Indian’s “Thunder Stroke Verdict in the mind of this 61kg author. + Performance, 111” 1811cc motor, specifically But this job, such as it is, throws designed for this application. handling, looks a few googlies once in a while, It’s air-cooled, as tradition - Brakes and we have to make the best demands, but barely heats up. TGS rating of it. The Dark Horse isn’t new, The cylinder heads are often ;;;;Z having been announced early in just warm to the touch, lightly 2015. It’s basically the same bike toasting the rider’s calves at their as the Chief Classic, but comes in this worst. No testicular inferno here, ‘Thunder Black Smoke’ matte finish, with unlike some other cruisers I could mention. relatively little chrome on show. Newsworthy or Also worthy of praise is the way the motor not, we couldn’t wait to get our grubby hands retains composure when caned on the highway. on it. Big twins rarely rev high and when they do, Hands. Big, hairy, gorilla hands are ideal they tend to feel like they’re going to shake
By Tushar Burman @tburman
T
Wrangling this horse on hard-packed dirt seems impossible, but isn’t! A testament to its balance.
themselves free of the chassis. Not so with the Dark Horse, which maintains its dignity close to its limiter. And that’s when you realise that you’re riding a 357kg cruiser —that’s almost as long as your daily hatchback — and hustling it through traffic like the evil Terminator is gaining on you. It’s that easy to ride. The centre of gravity feels like it’s about six feet below the motorcycle, and the overarching feeling is that of balance. Balance between the motor, the wheels, the weight and the rider. This also means that the bike has a tendency to stand up as soon as you stop applying pressure to the bars, so conscious counter-steering is the order of the day. You would also be advised to respect the massive 139Nm of torque on offer, which can easily break traction if you want it to. The fact that our test ride had just one such incident on a wet road is a testament to how sorted the power delivery of the Dark Horse is. The bike slides slightly, you instinctively correct, leaving nothing but dark lines, applause and moist underwear in your wake. In my mind, anyway. Indian motorcycles has made much of the chassis design of the Chief series of motorcycles. Sure, you see the twin downtubes up front like a traditional cruiser, but the magic is in the thoroughly modern chassis component that makes up the backbone of the bike, and how all the heavy metal bits attach to it. The result is a motorcycle that belies its weight on the move and feels — I must repeat myself here — perfectly balanced. Like a top in the sweet spot of its spin. It rolls with the slightest gradient, and feels almost too responsive to grades on flyovers. Build quality is expectedly high, with only a minor rattle or two on this much-abused press bike. Particularly impressive is the suspension damping, which has very little pogo effect and ensures that the tyres stay firmly in contact with Tarmac at all times — a great confidence-booster. If we had to nitpick, the front brakes would be target #1. Their stopping power is adequate and coupled with the well-sorted suspension, brake the horse effectively. However, they do
Minimal console. Cusriously, the digital display is toggled by what should be the flasher trigger
feel a bit wooden and you’re never quite sure how much grip you have up front. But then, if you’re riding this bike that hard, perhaps you would be better served on sportier machinery. The Indian Chief Dark Horse is a thoroughly impressive cruiser that oozes vintage charm, as is the fashion these days with many things. The massive proportions and ornate bodywork make a giant impression on the road. So much so that we didn’t have a single traffic-stop window shopper enquire about the mileage, on-road cost or cubic capacity. They were just too busy staring agape. I’m not a cruiser enthusiast, nor do I have the hair, tattoos or BMI to fit into that crowd. But if I had Rs 22 lac (ex-showroom) burning a hole in my pocket, I now have one more idea how to spend it. tushar@goldensparrow.com
TGS LIFE
5000 kilometers, 5 nations, 4 riders With the India-Myanmar highway opening up, a group from Pune takes on the task of riding across borders to explore the incredible cultures By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
R
iding through picture perfect mountain trails on a bike, chasing the cold and foggy weather along the coast and overcoming the impulse and thrill of riding, sounds like an adventure right? For these four friends this adventure will soon become a reality. Sachin Joglekar, Kuldeep Waghchaure, Deepak Vadgama and Mahesh Bandel will ride their motorcycles beyond borders, cultures, castes and creed. With the opening of the new highway, these four friends, who call themselves Road Wanderers have arranged a one-of-a-kind road trip. They will be traveling through five nations in 21 days, covering 5000 kilometers, on their bikes. The journey will kick start from Guwahati, on January 21, and will end on February 11 in Bangkok. They will be going through Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. “We wanted to be the first to travel through the India-Myanmar highway, which is set to open in January. We have stocked up motorcycle oils to ensure that we can go a long distance without requiring service or worrying about a breakdown,” says Sachin, who is prepping to steer his Royal Enfield Classic 500. Besides being an adventure junkie, Sachin is an IT professional and a certified skydiver.
Deepak will ride his Hero Honda Karizma, Kuldeep will be on his Honda CBR 250 and Mahesh will ride his KTM Duke 290. The passionate bunch of adventurers will ride through stretches of landscapes and interact with people from various cultures. “We have studied these countries, researched their cultures, people, geography, etc. We don’t want to ride extensively and tire ourselves, so we will ride 300 kms a day and stop at every capital city for two days. This is not our first time riding far. Earlier, we have been to Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand together,” adds Sachin. It took a lot of paperwork to ensure that the group won’t be stopped at any critical border. “Everything is sorted. We will wear all the safety gear and a good quality helmet. We will carry only four pair of jeans and T-shirts that’s it,” he says. Their love for bike rides has taken them to different places in and around the country. What connects the college friends is their passion for bikes and roads. “After college, we started meeting up once in two weeks or once a month to go on short rides to nearby places. That’s when the idea of starting a biker’s club struck us. There was no looking back and we went on bike rides regularly,” adds Sachin. These Puneites want to start a revolution of sorts among young Indian bikers. They want to set up a club that has bikers from all walks of life, from a Hero Honda Karizma rider to a Hayabusa rider. “One day, I hope that this world will be like one big country where our children will be amused at the kind of ‘issues’ we had to deal with while crossing borders on a land which was supposed to belong to everyone when God created it,” Sachin adds. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES
Sachin Joglekar
Kuldeep Waghchaure
Mahesh Bandel
Deepak Vadgama
An expedition to the South Pole Pune-based environment lover Avani Awasthee will soon pack her bags and embark on an expedition to Antarctica where she will debate and discuss issues of climate change with people from across the globe By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
F
ollowing up on something that caught her attention in school, Avani Awasthee is all set to embark on a 15-day expedition to Antarctica in March. Led by Robert Swan, the first individual to walk to both North and South Poles, the expedition is meant to be a life-changing experience for the group that travels there. The location poses as a perfect setting to debate, discuss and determine the effects of climate change. While interested participants go through an application process before being selected to be a part of Robert’s Leadership of the Edge program, 18-year-old Avani has been preselected for the expedition. Since the last four years, she has been involved in spreading the message of reusing and recycling waste. Through a competition introduced by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), she created a campaign and a two-minute video that focused on recycling and saving Antarctica. She stood third in the competition across the country and was also crowned as one of the ambassadors for TETRA PAK. “My school had collaborated
“Being a responsible citizen, I only hope for the future to be safe.”
with TERI and the competition lasted for about a year. There were innumerable things that I learned and I was happy that it drew my attention to a topic that everyone should be talking about. Climate change is a serious issue and can have severe consequences if not dealt with properly,” she says. Wanting to do something in order save the environment, she continued to be
associated with TERI and has been working with them for the past four years. On her own, she also started the Recycle Army which talks about the importance of recycling. A diverse group of people got together through the initiative and not only spread awareness but also cleaned their neighbourhood. While she was in the 11th standard, she spent an entire academic year in Denmark and was amazed
by the cleanliness and greenery she saw. It was here that she took most of her inspiration from and learned a lot too. “Being a responsible citizen of the country and city that I live in, I only hope for the future to be safe. Once I am back from the expedition, I will most definitely continue to spread awareness and work in the field as much as possible. My main target audience will be schools, as it is only the younger generation that should take responsibility and will be the source of change, she tells us. Avani’s trip is partially funded by Robert Swan’s, Foundation 2041. She is currently in talks with sponsors to raise the remaining expenditure for the expedition. Studying in her first year at Flame University, Lavale, she is pursuing a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA). She is majoring in Entrepreneurship Studies and is pursuing her minor in International Studies. Wanting to have her own business venture, she hopes that she can find a way to incorporate environment safety issues in it. Working for the environment is much more than just a hobby for her and she hopes that she can bring about some kind of positive change. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
VISHAL KALE
TGS LIFE
Doodle your your way way Doodle to the the bank bank account account to
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES It isn’t just an activity that helps pass time anymore. These doodlers have turned it into their career and are raking in quite a bit of moolah thanks to their creativity By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
D
o you remember drawing random figures or crazily scribbling when you were bored in a history class. Now, youngsters are picking up on the doodling trend and going beyond covering pages of their notebooks. The aimless drawings have taken a new avatar and you can see it everywhere from coffee mugs to key chains and even clothing. THE MOVEMENT The older forms of art like sculpting, abstract art, or just painting took centuries to become popular but doodling has become a hit with the youngsters in a short span of time. Aditi Deo started her firm, The Doodle Factory, where she aims to bring vivacity to otherwise dull items like tray, mug, bags, calendar, diaries, etc. “I had worked on illustrations before and I started the company so that I could do something that I love as well as sustain myself. I love doodling, as it has no rules or regulations and there is no explanation to what I do. This form may look easy but it’s still original and valuable,” says Aditi. It may sometimes depend on the artist’s mood, whether the shapes denote happiness or sadness but there is one thing common with all the designs, it’s the quirkiness it brings along. “Doodling is different from all other traditional styles. It is a fun way of expressing one’s feelings. This art is versatile and one can make it more vibrant and bold by using various colours. It can simply be defined as taking a pen and paper and asking yourself to go on with it. It’s an unplanned art,” says Kesar Khinvasara, who is pursuing doodling as a
Aditi Deo
Kesar Khinvasara at one of her doodle projects
full time career. She has collaborated with a few international companies and is currently working on murals. TEJAS GAIKWAD
Meghna Menon
be hung on a wall. It was an expensive affair for the artist, as they had to book a hall to exhibit their works. But doodling is something that anyone can do anywhere,” adds Meghna. Aditi’s company is growing with each passing year and she is happy that people are taking interest in the art. One can see the uniqueness of the art through her products. “I started with casual illustrations in a series called ‘20 Expressions’. I had kept a theme in mind and kept adding textures to it. The reason for the popularity of these products is their quirkiness and easy-to-understand messages that are expressed in a fun way. One can take it up full time if they are innovative enough to sustain their art and tell a story, or give a message. A doodle can be based on the current political situation or awareness about a cause, people should be able to relate to it,” she adds. For Kesar, it’s a different story. Her inclination towards pen and paper grew when she was in college. She knew she was Meghna Menon, another Puneite, has getting good at it so she decided to take this started her company called Meghnanimous. up as a career. “I did not plan on taking this She combines doodles, zentangles and other up initially. But, gradually, I started liking hand-dawn art forms to create unique designs. what I drew. What I like about this art is the She makes creative pillow detailing in an intricate work. covers, T-shirts, coasters, laptop The art form is very popular skins, wall clocks and many abroad and is slowing picking other accessories, and markets up in India too,” she says. them through her Facebook These doodlers are active page. “Doodling is an art form on social media sites and most of a subconscious mind but over of them sell their products on time people have transformed it online shopping sites. While into an aesthetic form, giving it the products with other art shapes and figures. The art has forms may be expensive but evolved for good and people are these doodle-art products now considering it as a lucrative range from just Rs 200 to Rs career option,” says Meghna. 2,000. In fact, Meghna is not - ADITI DEO A GROWING TREND only popular for her products With Google coming up with but has clients who ask her for innovative doodles time and again, people personalised or customised doodle products are becoming aware of this fun art. Today, it for gifting too. “I try to use doodles that has become so popular that it is considered a appeal to all kinds of age groups. Be it a child’s commercial art form. Be it college students, bedroom, retail merchandising or wall art, I professional graphic designers or illustrators, offer everything. The art form is in demand many have taken up doodling to earn a living. now and it will only grow in the coming days,” “Earlier, people considered art to be something she says. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com that was created on a canvas, which could then
“This form may look easy but it’s still original and valuable”
Explore the city one step at a time
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES
Put on your walking shoes and set out to discover the city with a camera in hand so you can capture every detail as you walk through the heart of Pune By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
T
he city is known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra and is extremely rich in terms of its history and heritage. With end-of-year vacations upon us, it is time to find something fun and interesting to do. If you’re a bit of a history buff, try signing up for a heritage, historical or cultural walk, a food trail, or a photo walk. Here are four organisations that arrange different kinds of walks across the city. You might join in the trips that are already scheduled or work with a coordinator to customise a trip for yourself too. PATHIL Specialising in themed walks, Saniya Mane set up her venture Pathil two years ago. A statistics graduate, she was always interested in outdoor activities and, gradually, she turned her hobby into a profession. “We have conducted themed walks such as the Peshwai Walk, Pune Along The River, Hidden Temples of Pune and the Pune Market Walk. Even the snacks on these walks are theme-based. We aim to organise at least two walks in a month,” she says. Depending on the theme of the walk, places visited and route varies. For instance, through the Peshwai Walk, the group was taken to the places related to the clan. Shaniwarwada, which was the seat of the Peshwa rulers, is the highlight of the trip. Some peths, like Nana Peth, Narayan Peth and Rasta Peth, are also included in this trip. As far as catering to the theme is concerned, for this particular walk, guests get a taste of modaks. “It is important that people have the correct information about the historic sites. A number of local residents also don’t know much about the local history or culture. Th is is a chance for them to get to know their city better,” says the 23-year-old. The tours usually include an expert who guides the tour. Get in touch: 9881070959
the five most important Ganpati pandals across the city. The Cantonment Snack Walks takes you through the typical Persian and favourite dining places in the cantonment area. The Old City Heritage Walk takes one through the peths and culture spots of the city, like Shaniwarwada. “I set up this company is to promote tourism in Maharashtra. There is a lot of culture, nature and history that is waiting to be explored. These walks are the perfect way to soak in the culture of the city,” he says. Get in touch: 9011040773
FOLIAGE OUTDOORS Th is company has been conducting heritage walks for years, apart from arranging tours across the country and internationally. Catering mainly to corporate entities and
THE WESTERN ROUTES
A wildlife and environment lover, Jayesh Paranjape, 35, started The Western Routes about three and a half years ago. The walks include everything from an Old City Heritage Walk, to a Breakfast Walk, a Cantonment Snack Walk and even seasonal walks during the festive days. One of the most popular walks is the Manache Paach Walk, which takes participants through
CHALO HERITAGE AND NATURE WALKS Jan Ali took over Chalo Heritage and Nature Walks from a Dutch lady, who was initially looking after the venture. Her husband, Rashid Ali, also began helping her with the venture. Their old city walk aims to offer participants a feel of what Pune is and essentially is focussed on an expat crowd. It promises to take you into the local life of the city and allows you to interact with those living in the heart of the city. Kumbharwada is among the most popular areas to visit during the walk. “We prefer to take a smaller group, of around four people, so that the tour can be well-customised. With bigger groups people are sometimes forced to do what the others want to and they might not enjoy the experience much. With a more personalised walk, they can stop to take photos and interact with the people they meet whenever they wish,” says Jan. The couple also believe that participants bring their own experiences to every trip, making it a different experience each time. The wadas, peths, and historic places like Shaniwarwada and some temples in the city are included in the guided walk. Get in touch: 9923338963
schools, the tours take participants on an in-depth journey of old Pune, monuments like Shaniwarwada, temples like Kasba Ganpati, the Pataleshwar caves and many peths and wadas including Nana Phadnavis Wada among other places. “All our tours are tailor-made based on what the clients need. We have the basic routes and places already chalked out but we modify the tours according to what people want to see. The participant fees pays for guides, snacks, and transport. Giving the right information is important and so we have guides who have been doing this for a while and know the city in and out,” says Nikhil Patil, 32, the operation in-charge at Foliage Outdoors. Get in touch: 020 6644 7777 salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
Dazzle the
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
Whether you’ve planned a big night out or getting ready for a house party, doll up with these uber-stylish dresses and steal the spotlight
SHOPPING Go Blue
Team this knee-length dress with lots of junk jewellery. Wear long dangling earring, teamed with black heels, and you are good to go. Price: Rs 2,195 Where: Pussykat, Clover Centre, Camp
NEW YEAR’S EVE Black Bodycon short dress
Sequin contrastbodice dress
This dress is sure to get some attention in the party. Wear a simple gold bracelet and remember to add a bright lipstick to complete your look. Price: Rs.2,990 Where: Mango stores
If you want to stand out and make a statement, wear sequins. Pair this blingy dress with simple stud earrings, and don’t go overboard with the accessories. Price: Rs 3,295 Where: All Vero Moda Stores
Peach Dress
Prep yourself for this season and start your search for the party dress of your dreams. With all over sequins, a shift silhouette, and a sleeveless cut, this is the perfect combination of elegant and sophisticated. It is sure to give you the confidence to charm anyone in the room. Price: Rs 2,545 Where: Pussykat, Clover Centre, Camp
TwistedFront Metallic Dress
Sequin Bow Dress Bling is in this season. This bow dress will give you sophisticated look. Team it up with a pair of coloured heels and a matching bag to go with. Price: Rs 7,500 Where: Sonam Parmars Studio, Baner
Crochet Cap top
This uber cool dress will make you stand out in the crowd. Team them with bright jewellery and white colour pumps. Price: Rs 1,799 Where: Tick store, MG Road
If experimenting with your style makes you happy, then get this dress and it will never disappoint you. This one comes with a great appeal and you can carry a nice handbag to complete your look. Price: Rs 1,679 Where: Forever 21, Nagar Road
Chic florals
14 TEJAS GAIKWAD
SP
TGS LIFE
Want to make an edgy fashion statement? This simple yet trendy dress will make you shine in the party. Team it with black stilettos and minimal jewellery to complete your look. Price: Rs 2,199 Where: Tick store, MG Road
H
ard working, determined and above everything else optimistic, is the best way to describe Rajendra More. This 38-year-old auto rickshaw driver living in Bhopodi, Pune might not have had the best of everything yet, but his strong belief that ‘something good is on its way’, keeps him going. A self-made man, today he owns his own house, his own auto-rickshaw and is leading a happy life with his wife, Priyadarshini and six-year-old son. “I did not have a happy childhood. My father was an alcoholic and so while growing up violence, abusesive language and sleeping empty stomach was a routine. My mother and I were completely dependent on my father and in fact, it was my grandmother who took care of me,” he recalls. Constant fights and an unhappy
environment at home coerced him to run away from home when he was just 20. He slept at a friend’s house and worked in a restaurant as a waiter to manage his expenses. After working there for a year, he learnt to drive a rickshaw and has been driving one to provide for himself and his family for the past 17 years. It was only two years ago that he managed to save enough money to buy his own auto rickshaw. Talking about his current living situation, he says, “I live in a small room and make just enough to get by. Driving a rickshaw from 10 in the morning to one in the night, I am giving it my all.” His wife who is a 12 standard graduate works in a Maha E Seva Kendra. In between both of them they manage two meals a day. They have also managed to enrol him in an English medium school ensuring that they do
RAHUL RAUT
A SELF MADE MAN
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES
unekar
not compromise on his education one bit. In order to garner enough blessings from people for his son, Rajendra has also started doing a little charity in his name. Every handicapped, blind
GUYS, IT’S TIME TO QUIRK IT UP! T
hink wacky and the image of actor Ranvir Singh wearing a loud all-printed blazer and trouser will instantly pop up in your mind. The actor is quite popular for his ‘flawlessly funky’ fashion sense and always has something to offer to the shutterbugs wherever he goes. And if you are one of those who don’t mind going a bit eccentric when it comes to fashion, here are some styles that are trending to dress you up just right. Men in India are finally experimenting with their fashion sensibilities, says designer Jayesh Sachdev whose label Quirk Box focuses on totally off beat and innovative men’s wear. Some of the latest trends to follow this season are print-on-print along with bold colours and florals in shirts, blazers, jackets and even shoes. Designer Deepak Parwani whose label D by Deepak Parwani has recently designed some funky looks for actors Irrfan Khan, Ranveer Singh and Anil Kapoor suggests a lot of digital prints which not only look cool but make you stand out. “Motif prints such as alphabets, faces and flowers are the in-thing this season. Similarly, Marsala, which is the colour of the year, along with navy blue STYLE and olive greens are the ones that could GURU be well experimented with. Two-toned jackets are back in vogue so are backless waistcoats which make men look dapper,” suggests Deepak. No matter how funky the outfit may be, the key is to wear the right fit. Smart casual shirts with rolled up sleeves with a pair of well-fitted trousers or denims are the way to go. “Bandh galas are the fashion go to of the season and printed bandis work fabulously for cocktail parties,” adds Jayesh. There are various accessories that you can pick up to further quirk up your look. Badges and pins for the lapels with popular faces or motifs such as birds, animals and even your favourite football team look super fun and stylish. Bright-coloured printed bowties too, make for a playful accessory to create a contrast look. There are shoes with bold colours and motifs which could be worn to give that extra edge if you don’t want your whole attire to be extremely experimental. As told to Heena Grover Menon
and senior citizen passenger that hails his rickshaw is entitled to a generous discount. “I am fortunate enough to not be on the streets. Whatever I have managed to do for myself is 50 per-
City
cent hard work and 50 percent blessings. I want to be able to do something good for others so I can gather enough blessings for him,” he shares. (As told to Salonee Mistry)
celeb chat
Name: Anuja Shinde, Model Three words to describe me: Gorgeous, genius, generous love my job because: It enhances my beauty and persona Best advice I’ve received: Love yourself and world will love you When buying something, the first thing that catches my eye is: The colours What’s your inner animal? Horse, because I love to run The first thing you notice about an attractive person: Eyes. They speak a lot The perfect start to a day is: When it starts late Your current fourwheeler: Hyundai Creta Your fitness regimen: I love to dance. It’s the best way to get into shape. And gymming. Your food indulgence: Paani puri till my eyes start watering Books by your bedside: Vogue magazine The first site you visit when you fire up your comp: Amazon, as I love to shop Your favourite city: Pune Ideal holiday: Everyday is a holiday for me as I love my routine and job (As told to Heena Grover Menon)
TGS LIFE
DECEMBER 26, 2015 PUNE
'I am not endorsing being thin'
BUZZ
A
ctress Parineeti Chopra, who has been receiving mixed response for her new slim avatar, says she is endorsing fitness and healthy body. The 27-year-old Hasee Toh Phasee star used to be adored for her plump figure but Parineeti said she wanted to have "better stamina" and hence worked out to shed the extra kilos. "That (criticism) is absolutely bizarre. Being thin is a different thing, I wanted to have better stamina and control over my body... I am not endorsing being thin, I am endorsing being your fittest self," the actress told reporters at the red carpet of Stardust Awards here. Talking about her weight loss, Parineeti added she is happy that the result of her hardwork is showing. "It's good because ever since I've become an actress people used to talk about my weight in a different way. I wanted to work on my body and I got 6-8 months to work on it. I am glad results are showing."
Nice phase to be in Bollywood now
W
ith artistes getting their due credit in Bollywood now, superstar Kajol says it's the best time for an actor to be in the Hindi film industry. Kajol, 41, who made a comeback on the silver screen after a gap of five years with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale, said Bollywood has films for every performer be it male or female dominated. "Our film industry is in a wonderful phase, where we are at right now. As actors, we have a world in front of us. "Male, female, hero, heroine and what we used to call character actors, everybody has the chance to have a film that centres around them with nobody taking away anything from anyone. Right now, it's a nice place to be an actor," Kajol said. Asked her opinion on the female pay disparity in Bollywood and Hollywood, the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai star said it's a global issue. "I think it's definitely prevalent in Bollywood. It's world over. I also think
we have a Meryl Streep, who has done Mamma Mia!. We have Julia Roberts, who has done Notting Hill. I cried in Skyfall after watching Judi Dench. We have so many actresses, who have done so much fantastic work today despite being paid less." Kajol said it's completely fine for a middle-aged actress if she is not getting to play a college girl. "If you talk about typical typecast of a herione, may be they cannot currently play a 16-year-old bubbly girl and rejecting or not getting roles, that is perfectly fine. You have to find a film that works for you."
'Saif is very professional'
A
ctor Shahid Kapoor is all praise for the performance of Saif Ali Khan in their upcoming drama Rangoon. The Vishal Bhardwaj-directed movie brings together the two stars for the first time on screen. The movie started making headlines since it was announced, due to the 'personal' history the two actors share. Rangoon also stars Kangana Ranaut. "I have shot for one, one-anda-half days with him. He (Saif) is very professional, nobody could have done the role like him. He is a
great cast in the film, same goes to Kangana, who has been doing great work. Looking forward to know how people will react to the casting," Shahid told reporters at the 11th Guild Awards. The actor's solo release this year, Shaandaar, failed at the box-office. Shahid said a film's failure is as bad as a break up. "It hurts when a film doesn't work. You put in so much of hard work and if it doesn't work then you experience pain, anger you go through the same emotion you go through a breakup," he said.