TGS Life 30/07/2016 by Golden Sparrow Publishing

RAHUL RAUT

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

THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR These days some friendships are fragile and can break up over a trifle. But there are those whose bonds of friendship have stayed firm and strong despite all of life’s vicissitudes, for 25 years and more...

TGS LIFE JULY 30, PUNE

STAGE

An evening of folk and pop-rock with Prateek Singer, songwriter Prateek Kuhad is all set to regale the Pune audience with his catchy folk and pop-rock style of original music By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

rateek Kuhad was born and brought up in Jaipur. He also studied maths and economics at New York University. He started playing guitar at the age of 16, when he was in tenth grade, and by the time he got into junior college, he was writing his own songs. He turned a full time musician after he returned to India. “Music has always been a big part of my life since a very early age. I started writing songs when I was around 18 and fell in love with songwriting. And there was no stopping me after that,” he says. Now Prateek is among the frontrunners in the Indian independent music scene, known for his unique blend of minimal, folk arrangements and pop-rock melodies. Having toured India extensively, he has also performed at New York, Austin and New Orleans in the US. He has featured in festivals such as Bacardi NH7 Weekender, Ziro Festival, VH1 Emerge to name a few. His debut album, In Tokens and Charms, released earlier this year, features well-crafted

original songs like Oh Love, Go, and Fire. This multi-faceted vocalist sings in Hindi and concentrates on lyrics about love, heartbreak, wanderlust, and fantasy, woven in with delicate guitar riffs and chords and simple drum beats. “Songwriting is a way for me to express myself, so my songs end up being about my life and my experiences mostly,” he says. The album and shows were received with rave reviews from across the country, including being picked as the Indian Indie Album of the Year by iTunes. “My journey has been pretty slow and steady, actually. Although sometimes when I look back, it feels really amazing that I am here, doing what I do,” he says. The last six months have seen him pack out venues across India. He was the sole Indian participant selected for the Global Music Program organised by Converse, where he got to record at the renowned Toca Do Bandido studio in Rio de Janeiro. Prateek is all set to rock the Pune audience this weekend, with his renditions of songs from his new album and some of his old popular numbers. Live, Prateek perfectly recreates the warmth and vulnerability that is a signature of his recordings, using his folk-pop sensibilities to maintain a connection with the audience. When: August 3, 9 pm Where: High Spirits, Koregaon Park zainab.kantawala @goldensparrow.com

Heavy metal music with a twist Gaia’s Throne is striving to push the envelope with their music set to the backdrop of a self-crafted science fiction universe By Abha Pandit @abha_pandit

he year is 3100 and Earth has gone through an overhaul. Humans are struggling to adapt to the postapocalyptic world in the 31st century and have artificially engineered a news species, Homo Eternus. Bartaemius, a mad scientist of sorts, is set on the path of unimaginable biological human evolution, a utopia on Earth. The narrative sounds like a fascinating science fiction graphic novel, talking about the post-apocalyptic world. But this is the storyline for Pune-based band, Gaia’s Throne. Categorising their genre as sci-fi heavy metal, Gaia’s Throne was founded in 2012 with five members. Having released four singles so far, the band is releasing a full-fledged album this year with eight tracks.

Science fiction heavy metal is a genre which is a niche, especially in Pune. Being the only city-based band to explore it, Gaia’s throne has its own fan following. The members consist of Aditya Shukla and Ameet Kulkarni on guitars, Sidharth Raveendran on vocals, Niraj Diwan as the bassist and Harshvardhan Gore on the drums. They started the band when most of them were students and now are all in their mid-twenties. Taking inspiration from various

bands around the world, the music of Gaia’s Throne is conceptual in nature. “We have come up with a storyline and through our tracks we tell the story and take it forward. All of the songs are related to each other and the eight-track album we are releasing this year tells the entire tale,” explains Sidharth Raveendran. They have created their own universe and characters as a setting for their music. Rock Opera had a huge following, when bands like Queen and The Who

experimenting with these themes. The concept transcended into heavy metal, which started to deal with themes such as science and history through their music. Iron Maiden has been one of the biggest influences on Gaia’s Throne when it came to creating music. Apart from their theme of science fiction, the style of Gaia’s Throne is rooted in the 1980s. They have clean vocals, lengthy guitar solos and heavy instrumentation, much like the music from three or four decades

ago, making them a retro band. With no such competition in Pune, they are always on the lookout for gigs across the country. Gaia’s Throne claims to have quite a few peers on a national level, who are doing themed heavy metal music much like them. Since they are a clearly defined band, they garner consistent support from listeners of the genre and have played in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Aurangabad apart from their home city. abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com

3 Bengaluru band Peepal Tree pays homage to superstar Rajinikanth with their new single called ‘Magizhchi’, which celebrates the actor’s continuing popularity and cult status, and the amazing adulation he evokes among his legion of fans

A musical tribute to the Rajini phenomenon

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

ENTERTAINMENT

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

eepal Tree is a band with a unique mix of Indian melodies, funk grooves and splashes of electronica, not to mention that the lyrics of their songs are in various Indian languages. The band’s new single called Magizhchi, meaning joy or happiness in Tamil, is an ode to Rajinikanth, the superstar and his long-lasting popularity and the love showered on him by his fans. The song is built around a hard rock sound and a celebratory feel, and interspersed in it are Rajini’s famous dialogues. The video of Magizhchi includes snippets of Rajini fans copying the hero’s signature style and moves that have elevated him to his cult status. Drummer Willy Demoz happened to see the promo of the latest Rajinistarrer, Kabali, which is when the thought of writing a song as a tribute to the superstar came to him. He sounded out the idea to his musicmates, and they were just as thrilled as

Willy, about the prospect of writing an ode to the one and only Rajini. “The theme song and the trailer of Kabali and the superstar Rajinikanth, all came together so well, that it made him feel that this movie was going to have a great impact. There was so much going on in Willy’s head at that point which he wanted to express, and he could think of no better way than to do that through music,” said Tony Das, the guitarist. The musicians got down to sharing their ideas for the

song, and that turned into the song Maghizhchi. Peepal Tree has always strived to break free from the shackles of genres, an attitude which has given their music a wide scope and allows them to experiment and blend elements of diverse musical styles. The band features Sujay Harthi on vocals, Tony Das on guitars, Praveen Biligiri on bass and Willy Demoz on drums and percussion. “The initial phase began back in 2011. Praveen and Sujay, being

‘I would love to host a travel show’ South actress Tirtha Murbadkar makes her Marathi film debut with a film based on the Shani Shignapur saga By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

irtha Murbadkar, who has just entered the Marathi film industry, is biding her time. The actress made her screen debut with southern films, after which she has received some film offers. She will be seen in the film Chaurya, based on the Shani Shingnapur saga. The film is made in a novel, accessible format that will enable the visually-and hearing-impaired to also enjoy the film. It is a suspense filled thriller set against the backdrop of Shani Shingnapur, which has been shot at Chambal. “We shot the film in 48 degrees temperatures, and it was a long schedule. The film is a mystery and every character plays different shades,” she says. The plot revolves around the village that has no doors. The villagers trust each other and they all live in harmony. “The mystery unfolds when a robbery occurs in the village temple. The villagers are shocked as they don’t know who is innocent and who is not,” says Tirtha.

She also has a couple of Tamil and Malayalam films on her agenda, but she is waiting for the right opportunity to make her Hindi film debut. “After I passed out from FTII, I was offered a Telugu film. After that I kept getting offers from South films, and never really had time to audition for Hindi films,” she says. She is open to the prospect of Hindi TV shows. “I don’t want to be a part of soaps, where women are crying and sobbing all the time. I love travelling, and like backpacking whenever I get a chance. So I would love doing a travel show,” she says. Tirtha is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and has represented India in various competitions abroad. “I was a shy girl, but my father, who was a cinematographer and an aspiring actor, raised me in a way so that I became a confident person. He would force me to participate in extracurricular activities, so that I open up and come out of a shell,” she says. She has already started shooting for her next film, which is about the trafficking of girls from Kerala to the Gulf, where they are forced into jobs as housemaids. “I am very excited about this film. But my dream role would to play a female Mowgli,a jungle girl who is friendly with all the animals,” she says. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

old friends and living close to each other, decided to try something that would put Sujay’s otherwise unexplored Hindustani classical education to a little more use, and something that would test our ability to write music,” says Tony. Getting their sound and style took some time, as they wanted to use and complement each others’ musical affinities and abilities, and combine it into a harmonious whole. It was only in 2014 that Peepal

Tree really began to connect with their music with their audiences. “We want to write songs about things that matter to us, including social and environmental issues. We take old poetry and present it in a contemporary context. Our music also has a tinge of spirituality, and everything that we experience in our lives,” he said. Peepal Tree is working on getting their original songs mixed as they plan to release their debut album. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

STAGE By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

IN CELEBRATION OF THE ART OF STORY-TELLING

It is time to revert to the bygone pleasures of story-telling, as the Nukkad team has planned an event featuring heart-warming Marathi short stories. Reserve next Friday for a story-telling session accompanied by steaming masala chai...

hen was the last time someone told you a story? While you might try and recollect a memory from your childhood, you tend to forget that even the last conversation you had with your friend over a cup of chai, was when he or she was telling you a story. This is exactly what Pune-based web portal Bookhungama believes. Working with the intention to demystify the process of writing, they hope to encourage everyone to write and share their story. Story-telling, they tell us, is much more than just penning it down for someone else to read. In their effort to turn the art of story-telling into a three-dimensional experience, the team of Nukkad, which is a series of short stories that Bookhungama runs, organises storytelling events across the city and in rural parts of Maharashtra. Launched in November 2015, Nukkad has slowly and steadily increased its readership and helped hundreds of people express themselves through writing. The process is simple. You just have to write down your short story and send it in to the team, who after the necessary edits, upload it on their website and Facebook for it to be accessible to the thousands of readers who visit the page every day. “There is a story in every conversation and everyone is a storyteller. With the intention to tap into a

younger audience to keep the art alive, we decided to bring in the concept of short stories. They are fun to read, don’t take up too much time and fit perfectly in our fast-paced lives,” says Vikram Bhagwat, one of the co-

Beer Mug Comedy is set to stage its maiden stand-up comedy show for a Pune audience, assuring them of an evening of non-stop laughs and fun

founders of Bookhungama. He goes on to say that while they haven’t kept a particular theme, one that revolves around women empowerment, rights, emancipation and the state of the gender today, it has evolved on its

own. The contributors to the website are mostly women, and it makes him proud to see how the entries keep increasing every month. Sometimes the entry is merely four words and sometimes 400, but every story is powerful in its own way. Telling us about the other activities that Bookhungama does through Nukkad, Vikram says, “We believe that culture and the opportunity to present it, does not reside only in the city, and so we travel to the interiors of Maharashtra with these stories as well. Wherever we have gone, the response has been tremendous, and this only goes to show how there is no need for the

Get set for a laugh riot

hlok Siddhant, 18, is a big fan of standup comedian Russell Dominic Peters of Canada, who happens to be of Indian descent. This first year student of Symbiosis Law School, Pune, has decided to promote the art of stand-up comedy in Mumbai, Pune and all over Maharashtra. He wanted to start a community that would give amateur artists a platform to showcase their art. Shlok launched Beer Mug Comedy a month ago, and after organising two events in Mumbai, he is all set to stage his first show in Pune this week, featuring Anirban Bhattacharya, Trupti Khamkar, Jerin Ephrem, Shagun Gaur, Akash Singh and Shlok himself. “It takes years to reach the level of stand-up comedians like Papa CJ or Atul Khatri. There has to be a start somewhere, and this is what Beer Mug Comedy aims to provide,” he says. Shlok was just 16 when he entered an open mic competition, and thanks to his natural flair, he put in a rollicking performance, that ensured that he won the contest. There has been no looking back since then.

art of story-telling to vanish with our grandparents. The success of a platform like this is the combined effort of the entire team and there is nothing that they have to complain about. While initially they were skeptical of a platform for storytelling working, in a forum where sharing poetry is so common, the response has taken away any concerns that they had about the future. The other challenges are all a part and parcel of the process and they in fact help deliver a better end result.” Making this art of story-telling two-dimensional, they began organising events where they held dramatic readings of some of the entries. For the event to be held next week, the narrators include Dr Madhavi Vaidya, Sangeita Kulkarni, Ketaki Karandikar, Akshay Watve and Vikram Bhagwat himself. All of them have some association with the world of theatre, and will be reading selected stories that came in as entries to be published on the web portal. Taking this one step further, another dimension was added to this art by turning some of the stories into videos. Stories in English, Hindi and Marathi are all accepted and the portal gets stories from even the US and Australia among other countries. When: August 5, 9 pm onwards Where: Pagdandi Café, Baner salonee.mistry@goldensprrow.com

Anirban Bhattacharya

Jerin Ephrem

Shagun Gaur

Trupti Khamkar

Shlok Siddhant

Akash Singh

Shlok is inspired by his own experiences and what he sees around him, and that reflects

in his writing. He prefers to not have a specific theme for his performances, as it limits the

topics he can talk about, especially when there is so much happening these days. He was writing content for his shows before he even began performing. When he stepped on stage for the first time, he realised just how stand-up comedy can be. “It is tough to juggle academics and stand-up and I landed up taking breaks to finish my boards and entrance exams. It is the laughter and applause that comes during and after the performance that acts as a drug for me, keeping me motivated,” he says. “As an artist on stage, you realise that you are responsible for making the audience have a good time, and that is huge,” he says. Shlok plans to acquire a law degree, while he continues with stand-up comedy. He believes that one should not do stand-up comedy full time unless you are ready to go broke, because it takes a lot to get to the top. The show in Pune is going to be a laugh riot, and the audience can look forward to an evening with a fresh set of artists and gags, he assures. When: July 30, 8 pm onwards Where: Tales & Spirits Bistro, SB Road

A stage for artists of every kind

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

AmplifyArt is organising its first event next week, which brings together on stage artists from various genres, including music, films and poetry, once every month

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

SG STAGE

here are talented artists just waiting to be discovered in every nook and corner of Pune, as in other cities. And what these unknown artists post on social media really gets them nowhere. The AmplifyArt community started as a Facebook page two months ago, provides a platform for these stars of the future. Currently it has 85 artists in cities, including Pune, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. The community’s motive is to collaborate, share stories and create a platform for upcoming artists. Besides an online presence, the team hopes to help build real connections and facilitate exchanges between artists in different cities. TGS spoke to some of the artists featuring in AmplifyArt’s next event, Art Junction which will be held at Classic Rock Coffee Co. in Kalyani Nagar. FROM WATCHING FILMS TO MAKING THEM Prannoy Mehta has been in love with films since he was in the eighth grade. He is now in his second year at Symbiosis College of Media Communication. His latest film called Jude will be screened at the AmplifyArt event. The 15-minute film Prannoy Mehta belongs to the dark genre and is loosely based on the theme of morality explored in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, and Soren Kierkegaard’s philosophy on the subjectivity of truth. It follows a non-linear format as the main character of Jude searches for explanations for his actions and this search leads him to the real and surreal.

A still from the film ‘Jude’

“My dream is to change the way people perceive commercial cinema in India. And I want to change this viewpoint by being in the Indian space itself with more content driven films,” Prannoy explains. He wants to touch upon unexplored themes. His previous films include Nostalgia In The City and The Twit.

OTHER ARTISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR 1. Vibhash the lead vocalist of Livewire and Dishaan Gidwani doing an acoustic and sufi set 2. National Youth Poetry Slam mento, Casey as an MC and performer 3. Nehal who is the moderator for Soul Slam as a performer

PSYCHEDELIC BLUES QUARTET Ishaan Mahashabde, Mihir Deshpande, Sanket Pradhanand and Sanket Bhosale got together for some casual jams about two years ago that evolved into 4#Brownees, a band that plays psychedelic blues music, with a touch of Indian classical. It’s an intense collaboration, with mostly original songs inspired by real life experiences. Mihir, Sanket and Pradhan were college friends, and Ishaan joined in a year later. “Our music is extremely relatable and is inspired by the struggles that one faces every day. We will be playing about six songs at the event,” they said. 4#Brownees features Ishaan on drums, Mihir on vocals, Sanket on lead guitar, and Sanket on acoustic guitar. MAKING MUSIC COMES NATURALLY TO HIM Shelton D’Souza, 19, happened to go to his first-ever NH7 Weekender concert, which completely changed his approach to music. He hails from a musical family, his mother being a music teacher and his father being a part of a band, but Shelton had never considered making a career in music. “It is the very second before you step on stage and the second after your performance that has all the thrill and motivation that I need to give my best,” he says. He has been creating music for the last five years and penning lyrics for three years. He will be performing a ten-minute set, of the kind of music that will make people happy and maybe even make them dance, he says.

A LOVE FOR THE WRITTEN WORD Bhavya Bhagtani manages to find inspiration in almost everything, from simply walking down the street, to seeing her friend video conferencing with her family. She began writing poetry when she was in the ninth grade, for the school’s bi-monthly journal. “It was then that I realised how penning words felt better than late night, hour-long conversations with a friend, and a diary and pen became a part of me,” she says. She won a prize for her first ever performance at a college event. Her performance at the AmplifyArt event will not follow any particular theme since right now it’s all about exploring everything, she feels. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Gourmet meals delivered at your doorstep

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

Gourmade with Love delivers food across the city, the USP being tasty and healthy food that caters to a wide range of individual tastes and likes By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

Ready, Steady, Cook

vendors only. They are customised to the finest detail to suit your lifestyle and best achieve your health goals,” says Sonia, who is actually an engineer with an MBA degree. Whether you are a working professional, home-maker, parent, fitness enthusiast or a patient with specific needs, Gourmade with Love takes care of any and every requirement to ensure you get what you need to lead a healthy life without compromising on anything. All the recipes have been created by the team itself through trial and error. The same dish is not repeated for two months, and this keeps the team on their toes. Gourmade with Love delivers food all across the city, and they currently make about 500 to 600 meal boxes a month. Sonia’s plan is to cater pan India and even go global. She also wants to open a salad bar or café, since salads are their USP. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

start by marinating the meat for a while before you can cook it,” she says. With the freshness and health element, these flavoursome meats are bound to appeal even to fitness fanatics. Websites like EasyMeat provide you the protein at your doorstep, leaving you with the job of cooking it according to the instructions given. After tying up with chefs, they have come up with fresh recipes of a continental flavour, which are appealing to the young crowd. EasyMeat lets you choose between chicken and different kinds of fish, each one with its unique

marinade. An jalapeno lime marinated boneless chicken breast is a favourite among lovers of lean meat, while some choose to go for chicken wings or basa fillets. “There is no need for any external ingredients, once the order is placed we deliver everything else required to complete the dish too,” explains Vijeta. So while you long for that sticky sweet glaze atop your barbeque wings, it comes right along with the pan of marinated meat to complete your dish. The entire package is also reasonable on the pocket, with products on all websites starting from around Rs 150 for a pan and going up to Rs 500, especially for the fish. Meatroot, another such website, which has a strong hold in Pune, offers mainly Indian spiced marinades for their meat. With chicken tikka, butter chicken and prawns curry marinades, it’s safe to say they have a loyal customer base here. Shlok Sangeani, a regular customer, swears by the marinated meat trend. “I used to be a little fat and after I started to lose weight I found it increasingly difficult to get healthy, protein rich food. Ordering marinated meats in a convenient option for a student like me,” he says. Since these pans of marinated meat are prepared fresh, from scratch once the order is placed, they can be stored in the freezer for up to a week. Usually, customers end up ordering everything they need on a Sunday for the entire week ahead. A quick and hassle free to rustle up a delicious dinner, it isn’t a wonder this trend is quickly catching on with the city crowd. abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com

RAHUL RAUT

onia Patodia is a foodie, who launched Gourmade with Love in August 2015, when she realised that there were few options to order hygenic, tasty, high-quality and nutritious food from. She had had her experiences of runof-the-mill eateries that assured hygienicallyprepared food, but in reality the food often enough left her with an upset stomach, if not worse. In her travels to foreign lands, she had found scores of cafés, restaurants and delivery services that would provide not just healthy, but really tasty and nutritious food. Why couldn’t we have that in India, was the thought she often had. And that is just how the concept of her food delivery service took concrete shape. Sonia had to start from scratch, as hers was a novel concept. She had no benchmarks or guidelines to follow in the setting up of her venture. “I took five months to research about the market, the best and right packaging, how it should look, how the customer will perceive it, and how it will reflect on our brand. I started by simply getting the brand name and logo designed, after which I began shaping up other

parts of the company to ensure that we were doing everything right from a legal and positioning standpoint. Getting the right staff on board and managing the delivery network was the next step,” she recollects. She started off Sonia Patodia with just an assistant who helped her do everything from cooking to delivering the food. But now she has managed to put together a team of very talented chefs, a nutritionist, as well as the delivery and the administrative team. “They are all very passionate about creating the absolute best experience for our customers,” she says. Overcoming the challenges along the way proved to be quite exciting. She still faces them, and each one is a learning curve, that makes her find ways to solve whatever the problem may be. This has given her the confidence that there is nothing that cannot be overcome. This is essential for an entrepreneur to know, because there will always be problems and people who demotivate along the way. In today’s fast paced world of consumerism where everyone is trying to achieve more, her venture is like the missing piece of the puzzle. “Everyone goes through a lot of mental and physiological pressure, and these healthy and tasty boxes offer the comfort we are constantly in search of. All the food is cooked each morning with fresh ingredients, sourced from local

Keeping up with a fast-paced lifestyle, the option of buying freshly marinated meat online is working well for gourmands in the city By Abha Pandit @abha_pandit

hen it’s been a long day at work, no one really wants to go home and spend hours cooking a perfect meal. Without the energy to slave over the stove how is it possible to have a healthy and delicious meal? The answer lies in ordering marinated meats online. In the last couple of months, quite a few websites offer a range of options in meats and marinades, freshly cut and prepared. The

complete preparation is done once the order is placed, without the use of any preservatives. The founder of one such portal which delivers to Pune, Vijeta Singh of EasyMeat, says that the concept has picked up steadily since it makes for a good meal on a regular basis. “Generally, we target single people and working couples living in the city. Whether students or professionals, most of them don’t want to come home in the evenings and spend two to three hours in the kitchen cooking a good meal, especially when it comes to meat since you must

Eateries in the hiding By Abha Pandit @abha_pandit

ood is an important part of every city’s culture. Being a Punekar, one expects to be well-versed in the variety the place has to offer in terms of places to eat at. Apart from ARIRANG Hidden in a guest house in a small lane in Viman Nagar, this restaurant offers authentic Korean food to diners. With a capacity of seating only 30 people at a time, Arirang needs a telephone reservation two hours before the meal. Opened in 2008 by Jung Rae Kim, the original idea was to provide inhouse dining options for the guests at the

Vaishali, Good Luck and the other well-known restaurants, there are some hidden gems which not too many people know of. Whether they are newly opened or just inconspicuous, excellent food is their common factor. After searching high and low, TGS brings to you this list of discreet eateries from all around the city.

RAHUL RAUT,VISHAL KALE AND TEJAS GAIKWAD

Visit lesser known food destinations of Pune which are missing from well-known food guides

JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE CAFÉ PUNE 52 Opened just three months ago, Café Pune 52 has become popular among the residents in the locality. Offering typical Maharashtrian breakfasts as their speciality, the joint attracts both Maharashtrian as well as customers from outside the state. The owner, Saajan Kenjale, wanted to open a joint in a restaurant setting, where people could eat their daily breakfast. “Most of the places selling Maharashtrian breakfasts are either on handcarts or don’t offer a wide variety, which is what makes Café Pune 52 special,” he explains. Named after the pin code of the area, this eatery offers an option of sandwiches and pizzas in the evening hours. As to why they’ve shied away from being put up on Zomato, Saajan wants to wait until they are completely settled in before launching. They do have a very active Facebook page for their customers to check out and post reviews on. Their specials are dadpe pohe in the breakfast menu and the garlic cheese chilly toast in the snacks menu. Where: Shop number 4, Rahul Complex, opposite Pratidnya Hall, Karvenagar

hotel, who are mostly Korean. “I came to India from South Korea and saw that there are many Koreans in Pune. I wanted to give them a place to eat authentic cuisine while they’re away from home,” he says. Kim stays away from social media publicity since he doesn’t think they can handle big crowds. However, a pre-booking will guarantee you a place at their table. Their popular meal is the set meal, which usually has a soup, noodles, stir fry with meat and vegetables, pan fried pork or fish and a light dessert. Arirang is particular about timing and is open from noon to 2:30 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm every day. Where: Lane 6, Sakore Nagar, Next to IVY studios, Viman Nagar MAASA Another small joint serving sea food, Maasa is only two years old and has already got a fan following among the local diners. An inconspicuous joint in Mundhwa, it was started by Yogesh Dahale, a former media person. Offering traditional Maharashtrian fare, they have a vast menu which specialises in fish, as their name suggests. Maasa relies on word-ofmouth publicity and doesn’t require any social media coverage, feels the owner. Although the menu is Maharashtrian, the cooks are Bihari but are well trained by Dahale. The must haves here are their surmai tawa fry and chilapi, a river fish. Where: Kodrevasti, Railway Station Road, Mundhwa

TGS LIFE

NEW FRIENDS Started in 1988 by the Joshis, this small joint is too easy to miss. They promise homely Maharashtrian style sea food thalis, and boy do they deliver! “My salary was not enough in my government job, which is why my wife came up with the idea of this restaurant,” explains Manohar Joshi. He would help out after his job and now that he has retired, works there full time. What’s unique about the place is the attitude of the owners. With only six tables in the small space, they refuse to compromise on the quality of their food. Once the tables have filled up, the doors are shut until everyone has heartily eaten inside. Customers are requested to wait outside the closed gate until a table is vacated. The Joshis themselves buy and cook all the food, their secret to a perfect taste every time. Completely absent from social media, New Friends relies on word-of-mouth. In true Puneri fashion, the restaurant is open only from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, from Monday to Saturday. The surmai rice plate and prawns fry is a must have. Where: Next to Model Café, opposite Om Super Market, Model Colony abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

riends’, the hugely popular sitcom makes one wish you had a similar group of friends, who are a huge part of your life. They are like a second family, and are always willing to hold your hand as you navigate through the rough seas of life. With Friendship Day just round the corner, TGS decided to celebrate the undying bond of friendship by talking to and spending time with groups from across the city, who have been friends for more than 25 years. These people we have spoken to, have been friends even before they knew what being friends really meant, and are as inseparable today as they ever used to be. Th is is all about how they became friends, how they managed to stay in touch, and what it takes to maintain a friendship for so long.

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

That’s what friends are for

These day can break whose bo and stron 25 years

Therapy for life’s problems Their parents became friends during their college years and Kavita Padmaraja and Sneha Kulkarni carried on that bond after they were introduced to each other when they were in school. Right from when they were children, Sneha and Kavita have had the same interests and hobbies, dealt with situations in the same manner, and even had the same taste in clothes or food. “We were crazy enough as children to have matching clothes. Everything that I had in my wardrobe be it a toy, a

From the cradle to the grave

book or anything, Sneha had it too. We were and even today are pretty inseparable,” says Kavita. Th is doesn’t mean that they are joined at the hip. Both of them have different priorities in life and often don’t even get much time to meet. But in all these years they have made it a point to stay in touch, even if it means calling the other person in between meetings. Most of their memories from when they were children revolve around then going on trips and picnics. Being outdoorsy and adventurous by nature, they were always looking for a reason to go on trips. Th roughout their college life, unlike others, these two have only roamed around on their bikes, and even joined the same hobby classes. “We both lead very different lives right now. While Kavita is busy with her patients, being a counsellor and her two children, I have a hectic schedule with my corporate life. But when we come together, it’s like we get teleported back to our childhood,” says Sneha. They both believe that it is an individual’s approach to friendship that determines how long it lasts. Once you learn to respect each other’s priorities being friends becomes a fun experience, no matter how many years it may have been. You have to make time for the other person and accept the other with all their flaws. For both of them time with the other is like therapy for all of life’s problems.

Even before they understood what the word friendship meant, the nine of them have been together. From playing on the merry-go-round when they were three, to taking care of each other’s children today, not only has their friendship grown over time, but it has also become something that they cannot live without. Rashmi Shelar, Heena Sharma, Priyanka Jadhav, Ishita Mukherjee, Priyadarshini Chandra, Naseem Tarwalla, Sruthi Vidhu, Riti Arora and Christine Chopra are the kind of friends that you want for life. While others in their group have come and gone over a period of time, these nine have managed to stick together and be there for the others through all the ups and downs. “Be it when we were in school or even today the times when we have our night outs or stay-overs at each other’s houses, is our favourite part.

No matter how busy we are, we m sustain for so long,” says Chris arguments are quickly sorted ou The Café Coffee Day at Viman out. “Everyone in this group is else together. It’s almost imposs Apart from staying in touch it a point to meet as often as th sisters and feel that accepting ea an amazing experience, but also

TGS LIFE

ys some friendships are fragile and k up over a trifle. But there are those onds of friendship have stayed firm ng despite all of life’s vicissitudes, for and more...

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Distances don’t matter Shruti Vinod and Apurva Chavan were bench partners from their very fi rst day at school, a bond which evolved to their being best friends for life. They were separated for a short while, when Shruti shifted to Mumbai as her father had been transferred there. But when they reconnected, the time they were apart didn’t mean a thing, and their friendship was as good and strong as it ever was. Reminiscing about the time when their friendship took root, Shruti said that those days Apurva and she would always be fighting over trifles, but they also hated it when they were made to sit on different benches by their school teacher. “Apurva is someone I can call at any time and talk about anything to. All big things that happen in my life have to

Four-of-a-kind

make it a point to find time and that is what helps the friendship stine. While they have never had any major fight, even small ut by the others and so it has never developed into anything big. Nagar or their houses is where the nine of them love hanging s as close as family is to us. We laugh, cry and do everything sible to imagine a life without these eight girls,” says Christine. h through WhatsApp and telephone conversations, they make hey can, either with or without their families. They are all like ach other with the flaws is what not only makes the friendship o makes it last.

You’ve got a friend, come high or low times

Viral Desai and Rajendra Lalwani became friends during their fi rst year of junior college. Little did they know back then that 30 years down the line they would still be the best of friends. Meeting each other and catching up is a part of their routine, rather than something they have to make time for. Playing badminton thrice a week, and early morning coffee the rest of the week days are rituals that they have followed for years on end. Sunday is the special day, when they meet along with the families over a meal. “It is just a part of our routine now. We have been there for each other for about three decades, and it’s quite impossible to imagine bringing about a change in this,” says Viral. Earlier they would hang out at the Mukta, the popular coffee place near Tilak Smarak Mandir. After it shut down, they shifted to Rupali on FC Road. From the beginning they have always played pranks on each other and those around them, but what’s important is that they have always been there for each other through the highs and lows of life.

Living next door to each other, becoming friends and staying in touch was easy when they were growing up. Those years laid the foundation of their friendship so strongly, that even when they shifted and moved to different houses and cities, or even when they got married, nothing really changed. Two pairs of sisters and four best friends, is the best way to describe Ranjana Dixit, Anjali Kari, Geeta Khaladkar and Amita Ambekar. They have been friends since they have understood what it meant, and while many others came and went, they have managed to stick together. The four of them have been the closest of friends for more than 50 years, and have seen each other through the highs and lows of life. “There was this time when our grandmother had passed away, and we had to go to our village for her last rites. But Anjali had her 10th grade exams. Even though we had an aunt who lived next door, she stayed at Geeta and Amita’s house the entire time. That’s just how close we were,” says Ranjana. “Since we became friends so early on there was no sense of ego or competition between us ever. It was always all about

be shared with him, and even if we are busy, a phone call is sometimes enough,” she says. While their priorities in life are different at the moment, nothing in between them has changed. She still keeps hitting him like she did when they were younger, and he still is the silent type who quietly listens while she talks. Since they were really young, the two of them have absolutely no idea how they became friends. “The bond that we share is difficult to explain. It is necessary to respect, understand and give space to your friends for it to be able to last for so long,” Apurva explains. When the two of them meet, they talk about everything under the sun, and are giggling constantly. They have known each other for 30 years, and the joy of being friends has not diminished for either one, and it seems set to go on for ever. looking out for each other,” says Amita. From playing carrom, watching fi lms, studying together and being there for every single important event in each other’s life, the four are just like sisters who happen to be best friends too. Geeta tells us that it is important to give their parents credit for how their friendship turned out. “Even when we failed to meet because of our personal commitments, our parents always remembered and asked us how the others were, and so we had a reason to stay in touch,” she says. “We think that because there was no motive or intention like the fact that we were in the same class as children, or were assigned to the same project etc, made our friendship stronger. We were friends because we liked spending time with each other,” explains Anjali. Their husbands too get along well and so whenever they find the time to meet or have a get-together at someone’s house, it’s all about sharing stories and remembering their childhood. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

MIDDLE CHILD Hardcore performance is great for track days. Audi has a more everyday option By Tushar Burman @tburman

Minimal badging on the sides and at either end

Large boot stores plenty and is easy to access

udi’s S line of cars don’t get the recognition they deserve. Sitting in between the standard models and the totally performance-oriented RS cars, they sit as the middle child, often overlooked. We have, on occasion, driven the RS5, RS7, even the R8 and come away impressed by the raw power they pack into seemingly standard body styles. But let’s face it: a wolf in sheep’s clothing isn’t likely to make you a nice wool coat. It’d rather eat the coat with you in it. Not so much the car on this page: the S5, which is what Audi calls a “sportback”, basically a sedan with a hatchback rear and more rakish roofline. In terms of size, it sits somewhere between an A4 and an A6 but ends up feeling surprisingly compact. Even in terms of performance potential, you could consider the S5 the middle child. There are sportscars in the lineup that make less power. Why then did Audi feel the need to paint the media car in this lurid yellow, we have no idea. It’s a unique shade for sure, akin to pure printer’s ink

Legroom is decent at the back. Headroom is a bit tight for taller passengers.

expanse of nice, flat luggage area and very easy to access thanks to the hatch opening. It’s a bit like the Skoda Octavias of old -- looking like sedans with hatches hiding huge boots. On the go, the S5 is a refined experience. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is quick and smooth, and shifts gears with digital efficiency. Press the throttle with aggression and the gearbox quickly shifts down, releasing a nice V6 roar from the quad pipes out back. It’s a chatty car in that it likes to make nice growly noises when provoked, but never overpowers. The sound is enough for feedback and kicks, but does not cause discomfort. High-rev gearshifts release a nice crackle from the exhaust. Paddle shifters are present for those times when you think you know better than the car’s electronics. Driving modes can be chosen Dash is usual Audi fare. Dark two-tone upholstery between comfort, dynamic, efficiency or tailored and carbon trim look sporty to your individual tastes. Ride quality is where the generally luxurious experience breaks, with than anything else and it drew attention wherever the large wheels and relatively low profile tyres it went. Though, we suspect, it would pass under transmitting road imperfections to the passenger. the radar in a more sedate paint job. Few, if any Setting the car in ‘Comfort’ mode didn’t do much external features stand out. You have a typical in this regard. Audi front grille, headlamps and design language On our favourite, winding hill road, the S5 tweaked slightly to accommodate the curvaceous shone with its Quattro permanent all-wheel rear hatch. The red ‘S’ badges are also discreet on drive system. There’s always more grip than you the front and the back. need, and it works well with the performance of Step inside and the treatment is typical Audi. the motor. The specifications will surprise you if If you’ve been in a recent A-type sedan, everything you drive the car before looking at the brochure: is familiar. There’s the MMI screen, central console 329hp and 440Nm from the supercharged V6! and ergonomics as expected, but with a small, We’ve driven much angrier-feeling cars fiddly jog dial. The steering wheel also with less power. The S5 delivers this doesn’t have explicitly labelled phone capability with little drama. Despite Verdict controls, which is something that being 4.7 metres long, the S5 feels + Refinement, will confuse those coming from compact with a small footprint performance, other car brands. Upholstery is in width-wise. Visibility is good and unique black and dark brown and there the flat-bottomed steering feels - It’s just “nice” is much leather on display. There nice to till around good surfaces. are some lacquered carbon fibre The ORVMs could have done a TGS rating trim pieces along the door and other better job showing the sides and rear ;;;`2 surfaces as well, though we’re not sure if of the vehicle, but that could be down it’s the real thing. The seats are comfortable to personal preference. and supportive one-piece units for the front, lending The Audi S5 has plenty of performance a sporty look without being uncompromisingly potential, but keeps everything feeling hardcore like the near-race seats you’d find in a comfortable and luxurious. It is an odd, middle sports car. child and we imagine it will have less takers than Rear legroom is good for a person of my size more overt sportscars or luxury sedans because (5’9”) but then, few grown men are actually my of the niche it occupies. That’s an opportunity size, so we’d suggest a seating capacity of four for for the buyer who wants something different. maximum comfort. At least one passenger we rode Certainly no other car we’ve seen comes in this with commented on how his i20 felt more spacious shade. At just north of Rs 69 lac ex-showroom, in the back. Again, apart from the “sport” theatre, the price will give you pause. You can buy more there is little else to talk about. Open the hatch spacious luxury cars for less, or more overt sports and it’s another world. Literally! Audi claims 480 cars for as much. Stuck in the middle again. tushar@goldensparrow.com litres of cargo space, and we believe them. It’s a vast

VISHAL KALE

TEJAS GAIKWAD AND VISHAL KALE

Priya Gaikwad

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

une-based students of International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Pradnya Kamble, Priya Gaikwad and Komila Lalwani are making history, as their collections have been shortlisted for the London Fashion Week to be held in September. The first ever Fashion Week was

JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

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Komila Lalwani

Pune designers to feature in London Fashion Week These fashion design students of Pune have the opportunity to showcase their collections at the high-profile global event in September

TGS LIFE

held at New York in 1943, followed by the Milan Fashion Week in 1958, Paris Fashion Week in 1973 and London Fashion Week in 1984. These four haute couture events dictate the fashion trends for the entire world. The Pune designers’ collections, inspired by traditional Indian heritage with western silhouettes, easily cleared the first two rounds of selection. “I am very impressed to see the creative design collections. The students have incorporated creative, imaginative and original themes in their collection keeping the Spring/Summer 2017 forecast in mind, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India with a Western aesthetic,” says Joseph Toronka, celebrity stylist of London Fashion Week. Pradnya’s collection is inspired by mud

Pradnya Kamble

houses in the Rann of Kutch. Her designs comprise bright coloured embroideries and leather cutwork as key components of her silhouettes. “Kutch is basically famous for its domeshaped walls and conical roofs, and that’s what I inculcated in my designs. I am really looking forward to be in the top ten and to achieve my dreams,” she says. Komila Lalwani, who has been brought up in a traditional family environment, believes in setting high goals for herself. She realises the importance of being liberated, and that’s exactly what her collection speaks about. “I have made a fusion of embroideries from different parts of the world which includes felting techniques and Indian embroideries. Keeping the salvation mountain in mind, I’ve

created a collection that makes a woman feel free,” she says. Bold silhouettes and contrast in colours add character to her garments. “After all, we all need to trigger the bold and confident woman hidden inside each of us,” she says. Priya Gaikwad’s collection too is inspired by India. She believes in hard work and dedication. Her collection is a fusion of the styles of the Gaddi tribe from Himachal Pradesh, Bonda Orissa, and Banjara from Rajasthan. “It was a bit difficult for me because I had to leave my eight-month-old baby, and work day and night, but my passion for designing has brought me here,” she says. She is about to start her own brand, Priya’s Couture. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

The humans behind Humans of Pune VISHAL KALE

By Rituja Rao @ritujarao

ith over 350 stories and 27,500 likes on Facebook, Humans of Pune (HOP) continues to look for meaning not popularity. Started in 2012 by Fergusson College (FC) Nayanika Chatterjee student Mukta Joshi, HOP was inspired by Humans of New York (HONY) and Brandon Stanton. Nayanika Chatterjee and Isha Chitnis, then kick-started the page, taking over from Mukta after she moved, rekindling the magic of human stories. Nayanika Chaterjee, 20, a Young India Fellow, Ashoka University, Delhi was previously a FC student and joined HOP in search of meaningful stories, inspired by the HONY craze. She says, “I never knew people could share stories so openly.” Isha Joshi, 21, media enthusiast, shares the sentiment, saying, “I’ve lived in Pune all my life but never really explored the city.” HOP features a photograph of a person anonymously, along with an extract of their story, with a strong message. “It’s like being judgmental looking at people, choosing who to talk to, but we look for a friendly face and muster courage to approach them,” she adds. The girls often took many wrong turns and landed in new places while on their photowalks, only to have a story to tell. “Ka? Kashala?” they are often asked by people who do not like ‘girls roaming around with a camera’. Nayanika and Isha have often found themselves in heated arguments with people over

From left to right: Tanvi Salunke, Prajakta Nene and Isha Chitnis

such issues. Isha tells us, “We were photographing a young couple at the Pune Railway Station and were surrounded by about 50 people. A man physically nudged us repeatedly and a woman started calling us ‘Terrorists’. We had to approach the cops.” Punekars usually look at them with suspicion and once they say ‘Facebook’, it gets even more difficult. “It’s very difficult to convince them about the anonymity. Pune is different from Mumbai and New York in this sense, because people do not open up as easily,” Isha reminisces. HOP have gotten some crazy requests too! Some people talk to them and later ask them to take the picture down due to societal reasons,

some ask them to pay to click them and some even ask for printouts and passport pictures! HOP receive some hateful comments on their posts and this insults the subject in the picture, defeating the purpose. The page continues to strive to hear all voices and refrain from censorship. As Nayanika moved to Delhi this year, the girls decided to recruit some new members for the team and their call for applications received a huge response. After going through many viable candidates, they picked Tanvi Salunkhe and Prajakta Nene. Nene, 21, architecture student, loves being out there and talking to people. Salunkhe, 19, philosophy student, agrees, “We are shut down by many people. But if this is the way to do it, we will.” HOP brings stories from diverse subjects and lives. They recently featured Milind Soman who had visited Pune. When asked why they do it, Isha says, “We do it to influence the society.” Nayanika says, “By being a part of HOP, I stopped being judgmental.” The team has some big plans for the coming year. But it has never been about the likes for them, they just want to continue brining real stories and posting them consistently. They are currently concentrating in forming collaborations to bring out more specific stories. They have previously collaborated with Santulan, Nepal Rescue drive, AIESEC, Blue Cross Society, Pune Model United Nations, etc. Follow their journey on Facebook and know Pune better than ever. Humans of Pune continues to bring us stories from the city where we haven’t looked, it serves the ever curious social media by bringing more than just beautiful images and Internet, HOP brings a message.

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Portray your artistic personality

Art is all about connecting with yourself and this is just what Imagination Roof allows you to do. TGS talks to Shriya Kolte, who runs the space to find out more By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

icture a quaint little place in the hustle bustle of the city, surrounded by greenery, beautiful art pieces and installations. Inspired through her travels and love for art, Shriya Kolte decided to turn the open space that was used by her mother-in-law to paint into an art studio where creativity driven by imagination takes centre stage. Motivated by artists who excel in different genres, Shriya’s plan is to turn the place into a hub for all kinds of art forms, be it painting, pottery, dance or theatre. Believing that to follow any style of painting it is important to understand where the painter comes from, almost all classes and workshops begin with a small description of the artist and the era that s/he belonged to. Open to all age groups, the space is created keeping in mind the different moods and atmosphere that people might need to be creative. “The ambience plays a huge role in the kind of work that an artist produces. The calm and peaceful environment at the studio allows for one’s creative juices to flow and helps you connect with yourself. It gives you the comfort of your home with the

amenities of a studio space,” she tells us. There isn’t a shortage of creative people in the city, what is missing is the right platform for them to shine, she adds. True to her description of the place, as soon as you enter the studio not only are you taken over by the beauty that surrounds it but the innumerable paintings make you want to pick up the brush. Since she is an interior designer, Shriya has done up the space herself and hopes to bring as many diverse artists to teach there as she can. It is an ideal space to explore yourself and your artistic side along with a chance to learn so much. Ask Shriya whether it was all easy considering the creative idea that she had with the space and she nods her head. “Most

of it was fairly easy since there is no shortage of art enthusiasts or artists in the city. The challenge was in finding the right people to run the classes. I wasn’t willing to compromise on who came in to teach the regular classes or the workshops. It is what will define the quality and character of the studio,” she explains. Imagination Roof conducts classes and workshops by renowned artists and holds an annual exhibition for the students to display their work. One of the studios is in Bhosale Nagar and the other is in NIBM. The idea is to encourage amateur artists to showcase their art and maybe even make a living from it. Knowing that art demands a lot of clarity, the classes are structured in a way so as not

TRAVEL WITHOUT FEAR

ndians are well-known for their love of travel, especially to foreign lands. In fact, tourism companies are mushrooming in every corner of the country to cater to these travellers. But they usually sing the same tune, offering group packages, honeymoon tours and a chef on board to make the trip comfortable for everyone. Devendra Sasne, an avid traveller himself, decided to come up with a unique concept that was new to the tourism industry, at least in Pune. By offering travel packages for people specifically from the LGBT community, he hopes to provide a safe zone for them where they are free to live with their identity, without any inhibitions. Soul Journeys, his newly launched venture, brings to the table a concept which not many Indians are familiar with. “After seeing so many travel companies offering tour packages, I realised there was nothing specifically for the LGBT community in India. With the stigma surrounding them, I wanted to provide an open platform for them safe from judgment,” he explains, talking about his concept. A commercial pilot, Devendra stayed in the US and Canada for almost a decade. He considers himself well versed with the places and the events happening around, especially for the queer community. “When people from this community travel, they usually end up going to places like Thailand, but the West has a lot to offer, in terms of the openness of their culture as well as prides and events which happen all year round,” says Devendra. The 30-year-old has just launched his website around three months ago and it has begun to pick up. Although no tours have officially departed yet, his itineraries are ready and he has received a

Soul Journeys provides an inhibition-free platform for the LGBT community

multitude of enquiries. With gay prides being the main attraction of Soul Journeys’ tours, the trips are centred around those events. Miami, Canada, Thailand and some places in Europe are what Devendra is currently focussing on. “When I talk about this concept, people generally assume that the idea is to provide a safe space for partying and hook-ups. But my aim to give this community the entire travel experience in an environment where they won’t have to hide their identities,” he says. Even though prides are their main motive, Soul Journeys also promises to provide a touristy feel by not limiting their customers. Unlike most travel companies, Soul Journeys leaves you free to skip any part of the tour you don’t wish to join. They don’t have any hard and fast rules, and hence don’t feel like tour operators. People not from the LGBT community are more than welcome to join, as long as they are comfortable with the other travellers and make them feel at ease. From negativity, a lot of our society has to accepting the LGBT community, feels Devendra. Hopefully in another couple of years, they will not only tolerate them, but freely mingle without making them feel out of place. “The concept is new and like every other novel idea, it will take some time to pick up. But I am confident that there will be many takers for these unique tours,” says Devendra. abha.pandit @goldensparrow.com

TEJAS GAIKWAD

By Abha Pandit @abha_pandit

to overcrowd them and to ensure that every student gets equal attention if not more. The youngest member at the moment is two-anda-half years old while the eldest is aged 70. The studio has collaborated with several interior designers across the city to help sell artworks created by the students as well. They also rent out studios for artists. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

hey wanted to portray the Rajasthani culture in their home and hoped for the interiors to be modern too. Built on a 6,400 square feet plot is the royal Gundesha residence which goes by the name Sparsh and is an easy way to teleport yourself to the palaces of Marwar. With columns, hand paintings, chandeliers and small, circular balconies along with longwinding steps, the home is full of intricate work, be it the furniture which has been custom-made to suit the rest of the interiors or the designs on the ceilings. The house has even aged gracefully and no one would even guess that it is 12 years old. Nagraj Gundesha who owns the jewellery store Satya Pedhi Jewellers in Camp is well-known across the city and is a humble and modest man. “The only brief we gave the architect was that we wanted the home to blend the rich culture that we come from with the current times and trend. Even though maintaining the place is quite a handful, it is worth all the effort in the end,” he says. As soon as you enter the house, a palatial stairway invites you to the top of the house. When the house was built, the area on either side of the stairway was meant to be the living room, one for the guests and the other for the family to spend some quality time together. Today, the left side has been turned into a bedroom for Nagraj and his wife Gunvanti. Just behind the stairway is the dining area, another room and the kitchen. The huge dining table and its chairs are welcoming enough whether you are hungry or not. The area under the staircase houses several small mannequins placed to look like a scene out of a village. The top floor holds three rooms and a common area as well. This can be turned into a room any minute simply by rolling down the blinds

With a touch of

Royalty

TGS LIFE

As if it’s landed straight out of a big budget Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, the Gundesha home is classy, majestic and a treat for the eyes

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Nagraj Gundesha and his wife Gunvanti

which overlook the entrance of the home. All the knobs, on every door in the house, are peacock shaped and one can find antiques and unique show pieces in every corner of the home. The walls and roofs have been made using natural

wood and the polish on them adds a rustic charm. Anil Ranka, the architect who worked on the house that took close to two years to be built, tells us that he enjoyed working on the project. “I could use a whole palette of colours because

they wanted the haveli look and add some contemporary elements to it too,” he says. All the designs on the walls of the home have been handpainted and the colours that have been used beautifully blend with the rest of the décor. While the windows aren’t really big to allow for natural light to enter, the several ambience lights across the home add to the look of the interiors and give the place a palatial charm. A total of eight members live

in the home right from the eldest member Nagraj’s mother, Sukhibai, to his granddaughter Amaira, apart from this his two sons Dhawal and Dhiraj with their wives Pranjal and Mittal. There are servants’ quarters are at the back of the home and greenery surrounds it on all sides. Even though it is located in the hustle bustle of Mukund Nagar, it is quiet and peaceful in and around the home at all times. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

When in doubt about what to wear, smart casuals are the safest bet. They are trendy, comfortable and can be styled in so many ways. 21-year-old Niraj Pardeshi picks out five outfits from his closet to show you how it’s done VISHAL KALE AND TEJAS GAIKWAD

SHOPPING

KEEP IT CASUAL

Make a statement

Chinese collars are a fashionable option for a cleaned up, yet casual look. Team this black shirt with light coloured denims or chinos for an evening out. Pair with loafers to complete the look. Shirt: US Polo Assassin, Rs 2,000 Denims: Roadster, Rs 2,800

Layer it up

You can never go wrong with a pair of classy ripped denims. Wear a loose fitting vest on top and throw on a jacket to look your casual best. White sneakers are the finishing touch. Vest: Koovs, Rs 600 Jacket: Campus Sutra, Rs 1,200 Denims: Roadster, Rs 2,800 Sneakers: Supra, Rs 1,200

Dressy casuals

For a slightly more formal look, wear this blue printed button down shirt with beige trousers. Loafers and a trendy pair of sunglasses are the perfect accessories for this office casual look. Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger, Rs 3,200 Trousers: Harvard, Rs 1,600

Check it out

A checkered shirt is a must have in any man’s wardrobe. You can wear it buttoned up or over a plain t-shirt to go from formal to casual in a minute. Dull trousers work best if the shirt is bright. Opt for lighter shades in trousers if the hues of the shirt are dark. T-shirt: Zara, Rs 800 Shirt: United Colors of Benneton, Rs 2,000 Trousers: Van Heusen, Rs 2,500

— Compiled by Abha Pandit

Black or White

This white stand collar shirt when paired with black knee length shorts makes for a perfect casual look. Team with white sneakers and matching shades to make a subtle statement. Shirt: Zara, Rs 2,000 Shorts: Zara, Rs 2,200

‘It is important to have fun while you exercise’

FEATURES

AISHWARYA DHAVALE Age: 21 Weight: 51 kg Height: 5’6

sometimes even cycling because it’s a fun exercise, she shares.

er world revolves around her love for travel. With a spiritual soul that wants to make a difference in the society, Aishwarya Dhavale believes in spreading positivity wherever she goes. Geography has always been her favourite subject and she even chose to specialise in it during her graduation. Apart from this, she absolutely loves and had always dreamed of, was to be in a beauty pageant. From winning the most elegant bride title at the Indian Bridal Contest, to being the first runner up at Face of India and going to Korea to represent India, her journey has been a fun one. She was also one of the top six in the Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva Universe 2016 pageant. Extremely enthusiastic about everything that she does, her cheerfulness easily rubs onto everyone around her. “I believe in living life to the fullest. No matter what you do, it must make you happy. It is important to have fun while you exercise too. Only then will you goals be easily achieved,” explains the 21-year-old.

MY DAILY LOG I start my day at around 9 am. I do yoga and later have as many fruits and dry fruits as I can. In addition, I also have aloo parathas or whatever is cooked for breakfast at home that day. This is the first meal of the day and

EXPERT SPEAK Atul Godbole Founder and Head Trainer

hink you have no time to get gorgeous? This five minute makeup plan by Manasee Dograa, a beauty expert and founder of Kreiva’z Salon gives us a quick makeup regimen for a flawless face. · Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease. Use your fingers to apply your foundation if you want it more polished. · Always apply powder where you are shiniest first which is usually Manasee Dograa your T-zone with a very light dusting everywhere else. · For eye makeup always start with a base shadow without any shimmer that matches the lightest skin tone of your face and apply all over your lid up to the brow. Use this base shadow to make sure the darker shadow on your eye lid is up to the crease and is properly blended.

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TEJAS GAIKWAD

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

HER FITNESS MANTRA Hiking, trekking and anything in the outdoors makes Aishwarya happy. She believes in setting goals for herself no matter how small they are and then giving it her all in achieving them. “I feel that people avoid taking into consideration the fact that daily exercise is a must. Even a two kilometre walk is very important in an everyday routine. Only being on a diet doesn’t help at all,” she says. Exercise and diet go hand in hand, she adds. Apart from her workout and hiking trips, her daily activities include climbing a 10-floor staircase with a heavy backpack and

JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

QUICK MAKEUP HACKS

A crazy mountain girl with a strong urge of wanderlust, is how she likes to describe herself. Meet Aishwarya Dhavale, who believes that the most important thing in order to look good is to feel good about yourself

TGS LIFE

You have a very well balanced workout and diet regimen. Maintaining this balance over the long term is a challenging task though, so try not to be too rigid about everything. Its ok to have a cheat snack once every few days. Also be careful with the heavy backpack since it can lead to back problems in the long run. Consider using ankle weights instead. Expert rating: 10/10

is about half an hour after yoga. For lunch, which I have at around one in the afternoon, if I am not at home I make sure I eat something healthy. Junk food is a big no irrespective of where I am. When at home, I eat a proper satvik lunch. By early evening, which is around four, I go for my workout. This includes a lot of cardio and concentrate on my lower body. Once I am home I have some boiled chicken for my protein intake. This is extremely important to give me energy for the remainder of the day. Post this, by around 9:30 pm, I have my dinner which includes soups or something light. Sleeping on a heavy stomach is not a good idea. I hit the bed around 11 pm since a good amount of sleep is also necessary for your health. Throughout the day I make it a point to drink a lot of water. Most health problems are related to lack of water intake and so you must keep sipping water every now and then. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

· Always apply your brow powder to the upper portion of the eyebrow to lift your face. · You should put Bronzer on your face, neck and chest to even out your skin tone. · Be sure to take a step back and make sure your skin looks even. · When applying a blush, first smile and then start on the apple of the cheek and blend the brush back towards the hairline. · Always contour your nose, jawline, cheek-bone and forehead area. · Avoid heavy makeup and dark eyes in monsoons. The smokey eyes is also a strict no! Curl your lashes and use waterproof mascara instead of a regular one to prevent smudging. Fresh colours of pink, reds, oranges, light browns and nudes are great for the season. — As told to Zainab Kantawala

TGS LIFE JULY 30, 2016 PUNE

BUZZ

‘M Cream was a journey of self-discovery’

rom the moment she read the script, she was excited about playing the character of Jayashree Bose. What excited her even more was that Jayashree was so different and yet so similar to her in many ways. It was a different kind of role, one that she had never done before. Daughter of the well-known actress Lillete Dubey, Ira Dubey has created a niche for herself, with films like Aisa Yeh Jahaan, Aisha and Marigold. She has kept raising the bar for herself. Just five when she first set foot on stage, acting is all Ira has wanted to do ever since. The Marigold star was super impressed by Agneya Singh, the director of M Cream, for the sincerity that he delivered through the script and how ambitious he was. “I do not ever want to be type-cast in a particular kind of film, and so when the role of Jayashree was offered to me, I was ecstatic. This has been one of my favourite characters when it comes to films, and I explored a whole new side of myself. M Cream was a journey of self-discovery for me, and every single character,” she says with tangible excitement in her voice. The character she plays is idealistic, innocent, quiet and yet romantic. She also had a great time working with Imaad Shah, who is her co-star in the film. Being extremely close to her mom and always following her around, Ira had the opportunity to learn a lot and so never felt the pressure when she actually began her career. Honesty is the one thing that she has learned from her mother. Working with her and simply being on the sets and in green rooms, she picked up a lot through observation. “Mom has always been a friend, encouraging my sister and me in everything that we did. She picked on us more than she did on others, and so while we didn’t like it much, it helped us become who we are today,” says Ira. While she confesses that her mother isn’t the easiest to work with, she is very liberating and tolerating in nature, she says. Ira is currently working on her one woman show called Nine Parts Of Desire, another play directed by her mother titled The Flick, and is also working on Gauri Shinde’s film with Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt.

ONE OF THE BADDEST MOMS IN TOWN By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry You have seen her in shows like House of Lies, and heard her as she did the voiceover for Princess Anna in Frozen. Kristen Bell is not an unknown name in the industry, and with her latest film Bad Moms, she is all set to reveal a whole new side of herself. Her character Kiki in the film is not a cool mom, and so is judged harshly by all the other PTA moms. One of the reasons she decided to take up the film is because she herself is a mother of two and could relate to the script. Really early on in motherhood, women forget that they too are a girl and that they need girlfriends too, she believes. Part of the beauty of this film is that it’s about these mothers discovering friendships again, she tells us. Talking about her own life as a mother she says, “Every day is something comical. When you are raising kids, you feel like you could cry or crack up and just scream because there’s so much happening, whether it’s what they’re saying to you or the fact that there’s avocado or poop on every surface,” she jokes. She feels that even through all of this it is important for women to do and behave how they feel like. I choose not to label myself under any circumstance. I’m not a good mom, I’m not a bad mom. I try very hard and when I fail I learn to get up and move on, she says. This exceptionally talented artist began her career through stage productions and made her Hollywood debut with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It was when she was in her freshman year that she was introduced to theatre and fell in love with it. She majored in musical theatre and there has been no looking back since. Sharing something else from her personal challenges with motherhood she says, “My husband, Dax and I tap out and take mini meditative breaks. Since we have two toddlers they are always loud. We keep an eye on each other so that we can take over when needed. It’s like being in the ring and you have to tap out with your partner,” she says. Kristen will also be once again be lending her voice in Frozen 2, and even though they haven’t started recording yet, she is super excited about it. She is just waiting to get her hands on the script as of now. Bad Moms which released on July 29, is written and directed by Jon Lucas and is a comedy film that also starts Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Annie Mumolo, Jay Hernandez, Jada Pinkett Smith and Christina Applegate. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

From TV soaps to the big screen By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

elevision actress Niyati Joshi is all set to sizzle on the big screen with her debut film Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara that features Sahil Anand opposite her. Made under the Joy Mukherjee banner, the film directed by Monjoy revolves around the journey of three young couples who are without a clue on how to best manage relationships. She will be seen playing the character Pooja, who is in a committed relationship with Sahil in the movie, and is quite confident and secure about her positioning in the film. “My role is of a woman of substance. She is a modern, sober woman, and doing well in life. She is independent in her head but also completely dedicated to her relationship. She is madly in love with a musician who has commitment problems,” says Niyati. After doing some hit TV soaps like Ek Ladki Anjani Si, Saat Phere,

Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan, and many more, she is now all set for her film release. She considers herself lucky to have got the opportunity to work with Monjoy. “My experience of working with Monjoy as director has been great. We have been friends for over nine years now, so my comfort level and understanding was much better. He is very particular on what he wants, right from the voice modulation to the way an actor will deliver the dialogue,” she says. She went through a couple of workshops for the same too. She got into modelling when she was in college and was seen in a couple of ads. She also participated in the Miss India pageant in 2006. “I was very comfortable doing serials, but I got bored and decided to take a break. Luckily the film happened for me, but I still don’t mind getting back to TV if something interests me,” she says. zainab.kantawala @goldensparrow.com