TGS Life 04/06/2016

Meet the CREATIVE COPS Refusing to be restricted by their day jobs, some of the city’s police officers are working doubly hard to be able to keep their artistry and passion alive PUNE, JUNE 4, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

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TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

STAGE

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Give this experimental Jazz band’s new album a listen

If you’re a fan of funky arrangements, this threemember band might have popped in on one of your playlists. Out with a new album, they are ready to rule the indie music charts

By Rashmeet Taluja @rashmeet_taluja

T

he Bodhisattwa Trio is a Kolkata-based experimental, instrumental Jazz Rock outfit that believes in spontaneity, improvisation and the raw expression of unadulterated human feelings. Led

by Bodhisattwa Ghosh on the guitar, backed by Premjit Dutta’s drumming and Bijit Bhattacharya’s bass lines, the band draws inspiration from their lives, as well as from artists, scientists and philosophers. The artistes deliver a high-octane mix of original material as well as interpretations of tunes written by timeless legends.

Their new album is called Heart of Darkness, which takes inspiration from both, author Joseph Conrad’s novella of the same name and its 1979 Marlon Brando-starrer Hollywood adaptation, Apocalypse Now. It is a tumultuous sonic trip that swerves unpredictably between Jazz, Experimental Rock and Lo-Fi. Bodhisattwa says of the inspiration, “It’s very personal. I went through a

terrible time last year. I called it Heart of Darkness because that was the direction I wanted to go in.”

Bodhisattwa adds his personal favourites are the second track, Transcendence, and Blues for Polo, which the guitarist calls a Jazz Ballad.

He explains, “It was all recorded live.

We did scrapped a lot of stuff if we were not happy with the song.”

The launch will see Ehsaan Noorani collaborate with the trio.

About Ehsaan’s support Bodhisattwa

Anirban and Vaibhav will help you kick away your Monday blues as they talk about all things Bengali and rip apart their own kind

venues in London, Paris, Slovenia and Bangladesh, apart from performing at the Kolkata International Jazz Fest.

From fiery Progressive Rock tracks like Annihilation to the Down Tempo melodies of 0305, they have been experimenting with soundscapes since they started in 2012.

On the music in their album Premjit shares, “For us, Jazz Rock is simply a term that we are using for the sake of convenience. We don’t know what genre this music is. We are constantly

Kolkata tales now in Pune

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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tand-up comedy was never a part of the plan for either Anirban Dasgupta or Vaibhav Sethia. It is something that just happened along the way and they are happy that it did. Influenced by the comedy scene in Mumbai and being part of the very first Open Mic night in Kolkata, the young boys bring to stage a perspective on everything Bengali. They are outright hilarious, say things everyone can relate to and, most importantly, their humour is of the intelligent kind.

Performing in Pune for the first time ever, they present The Big Bong Theory and promise to keep you on the edge of your seats, guaranteeing that you will struggle to stop yourself from rolling on

shares, “I’ve been friends with Ehsaan for around six years and recently we have worked together in some gigs under the banner of Fender. I’m extremely fond of him as a musician and he is also a great human being. He has supported us right from the word go. We are really thankful to him and we are looking forward to this experience.”

Formed in 2012, the band released their debut album Intersections in 2014.

The band has accrued some touring experience after playing at independent

striving to express our innermost feelings, improve as artists and create a sound which we can truly call our own.

There are huge influences of Jazz and Rock, but I believe it is a sound which is unique and the listener can expect a sense of self-reflection and solitude underneath the technical language we have woven into the music.”

The band believes the album is a continuous story. To get the full essence of the story, one should listen to the entire album in solitude. On the response they’ve received so far and the challenges they face, Biljit reflects, “The response has been very warm so far. We have played twice already in Mumbai and Bangladesh and are looking forward to this tour. The good thing is that music is accessible to everyone. The standard of good music has really gone up because every artist is exposed to the global music phenomenon.”

Bodhisattwa also roped in his friend and photographer Shan Bhattacharya to create a multimedia package. The album is as much a photo book as it is a music album, he says.

“Shan is into abstract photography.

When I heard these songs, I visualized that I would make something like a one-hour film, but since that wasn’t possible due to budget constraints, I gave Shan the songs and he said he could visualize it. Multimedia is much more effective because the music is so intense. I wanted to have one more medium of interpretation to make it a little more effective.”

When: June 10, 8 pm onwards Where: Blue Frog, Pune rashmeet.taluja@goldensparrow.com

Vaibhav Sethia

the floor with laughter.

No matter where they are performing, both comedians have made it a point to ensure that their content is as universal and relatable as possible. “It is important to keep everything as close to the original as possible yet allow every single person in the audience, irrespective of where they come from, to understand what we are saying,” says Anirban.

After working with Godrej for about two years he got frustrated with the routine life and decided to quit.

Thankfully, he had been doing stand-up for a while so he knew that it was a viable career option. “I was so

Anirban Dasgupta

in love with the art form that it became something that was continuously on my mind and the interest only grew there onwards,” Anirban adds. Now, it is the most random things that spark a thought and from there on the script just keep’s building.

Vaibhav, on the other hand, was an architect

who once sat through a stand-up performance when he was in Mumbai and kept returning for more. After about two months of being a part of the stand-up scene, Vaibhav along with another friend co-founded Comedy 5. “The Kolkata comic scene is still growing. It is not as huge as it is in Mumbai but it is active enough to head in the same direction. My only hope is to be able to put it on the comedy map soon,” he shares. The fact that Open Mic nights have gone from being held once a month to five times a week, he is happy that the profession is being accepted.

The friendship between the two comedians dates back to the time when both of them moved to stand-up comedy as a career choice. Their scripts draw inspiration from subtle observations and things that they see around them, especially through the people they meet. Over time, their material has evolved and gone from being general to more specific and refined. Whenever it comes to stand-up, the intention behind the act is most important, they declare.

When: June 6, 9 pm onwards Where: Independence Brewing Company, Mundhwa Road salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

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When shutterbugs turn into filmmakers

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

ENTERTAINMENT

Two Pune-based photographers have directed Pindadaan, their first full length Marathi feature film, and it certainly looks promising

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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rom being friends in college and spending most of their time together even after class, to being business partners for the last 25-odd years, Bunty Deshpande and Prashant Patil, popularly known as Bunty Prashant, have come a long way.

Being their first film, Pindadaan is obviously close to their heart and they have their fingers crossed for a positive response from the audience. The film revolves around a love triangle between Siddharth Chandekar, Manava Naik and Paula McGyynn. The mystical love story hopes to be an emotional journey packed with suspense and drama. The film’s music that released just last week has been well accepted.

While directing a film, one of the most important things for Prashant is that it must convey a message. “Cinema is a powerful tool of communication. Entertainment happens along the way. The audience must be able to take something back home,” he says. This was one of the main reasons why they decided to make Pindadaan their first film and are now looking at some other scripts too. While Prashant directed the film, Bunty was incharge of the cinematography.

Working together for so many years, they are like a well-oiled machine and play off each other’s strengths and shortcomings to create the best result.

Their own background has ensured that the film is visually appealing and this is a huge point in their

VISHAL KALE

favour. The subject is mature, educative and the actors too have beautifully complimented each other making it a very well-rounded package, they add.

When asked what made shooting the film easier, Prashant says, “If a crew believes in the film that they are making, then the process can never be difficult. Even if it is a fictional work, the trust factor can bring out the best in every person working on the set.”

The one thing that they have kept in mind while making the film is to keep its universal appeal intact so that even though it is a Marathi film, a non-Maharashtrian too can enjoy it equally. Visualisation is another important factor, they point out. If you can see every shot in front of you, you are guaranteed a good end result. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

He’s the complete performer

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

“I want to be the guy who does everything when it comes to music. Right from the lyrics, to compositions, even the thought behind the video e might be just 21 years old but a conversamust be mine. The videos that I make have to always tion with him will tell you just how mature be grand and different. Just like Honey Singh’s and sorted, Karan Arora aka KSA is. He videos. Each one must stand out,” says the young was only in the fifth grade when he started hummusician. He gets his ideas and concepts from his ming and tapping tunes on his desk in school. personal life and observations of the people and Inspired by his seniors, he urged his father to buy situations around him. him a drum set so His father he could practice. has been his Within 20 days of the launch of his He mastered the biggest support drums in no time, and has also been debut song, Naagin, the video had thanks to the the producer of crossed 1.2 million views and was the videos on YouTube the videos that he and eventually created before his number one Indian song on YouTube moved to learn Sony Music India the piano and label release. Work the guitar. A self-taught musician, he even taught is his only priority and so he believes in staying busy himself how to compose his own music, write lyrics round the clock. “I am as workaholic as it gets. I and rap by watching videos. In the near future, he hardly have any friends since I don’t have the time hopes to collaborate with Badshah and Divine to for anything other than my music,” he explains. create music that appeals to all.

There are so many things that he hopes to Within 20 days of the launch of his debut song, achieve in the sphere of music. He wants to create Naagin, the video had crossed 1.2 million views and a track for the super energetic Ranvir Singh and was the number one Indian song on YouTube. It was his favourite hero Akshay Kumar. Bollywood is his also featured on the top 20 list on iTunes in India ultimate dream and he has already set out to achieve and the feeling, he tells us, was serene. The lyrics for this, he tells us. this song have been penned by GOLD. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

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VISHAL KALE

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES Bring in your weekend with a bang as you enjoy Arvind Mittal’s adaptation of Simon Neil’s rib-tickling comedy The Star- Spangled Girl

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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t’s been 24 years since Arvind Mittal had his first association with the play The Star-Spangled Girl. Back in 1992, he had already been pursuing theatre as a full-time profession for two years and had acted in as well as directed the play. Taking on the director’s hat once again for the same play, but with a whole new cast has been one hell of an experience and an enjoyable one too, he tells us.

A 100-minute laugh riot, this play was written Arvind Mittal by American playwright Neil Simon and was set in San Francisco in the 1960’s.

It was even made into a film in 1971. An adaptation of the original play will be staged in Pune next week to raise funds for Bapu Trust, an NGO working in the field of mental health. TGS caught up with the director of The Star-Spangled Girl to get a feel of what the Pune crowd can expect at the show.

Have fun while you do something good

The city’s theatre audience, Arvind believes, is very appreciative of good comedy. The play will live up to their expectation of good humour and that is its biggest selling point, he says. “The fact that it is an adaptation makes the entire process of staging the play easier. It is difficult to make people laugh and it takes a while for a team to get the comic timing right. Once this timing is set, it’s a cake walk from there on,” says the director.

The key to adapting a play well is to ensure that when you mould it to meet the situation of the city or country where you are performing it doesn’t lose its original flavour. This play too has hardly any changes to it, Arvind adds.

A love triangle with a tinge of politics, Neil

was said to be actually witnessing a political argument when the idea for the play struck him.

The current cast includes Vishwa Khare, Meghna Mittal and Parth Sayta in the lead roles.

Arvind holds a degree in hotel management but he worked for just a few months before deciding to shift to theatre full-time. It was when he was part of a play titled Seduction in 1990 that he got hooked on for life. After more than two decades in the industry, theatre has become so much a part of him that he is now even looking at scriptwriting as an option.

He also does a little bit of stand-up comedy and promises us that his jokes are as clean as they can get. When asked about the present scene

and future of the theatre industry, Arvind says, “It is there and yet not there. There are several theatre groups across the city but not everyone gets the opportunity to perform and this is true everywhere. Commercialization is at its peak and sponsors prefer groups with a celebrity status to help make profit. A lot of talent gets neglected in the bargain.”

Dedicated to promoting art and culture he also set up Expressions, Theatre and Training, through which he does a lot of comedy, absurd, musicals and thought-provoking plays. They have performed Woody Allen’s Fiddler on the Roof, Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit and Neil Simon’s Sisters to name a few. Apart from several corporate events the team has also performed at numerous theatre festivals across the world. This is the first time, however, that they have tied up with an NGO to help raise funds through a performance.

When: June 10, 6 pm onwards Where: Mahatma Phule Auditorium, Wanowrie Get in touch: 9822093801, 9730103960 salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

This play tackles puberty issues Get ready for a live theatrical performance about a group of tweens preparing for their journey through adolescence

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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ith safety of young girls being among the biggest concerns today, Growing Up is a play that talks about the issue and deals with the vulnerability that children go through at puberty in a fun and factual way.

This musical play is conceptualised by Anju Kishinchandani, and directed by Trishla Patel.

“The play sensitively handles a tricky subject in a matter-of-fact and fun way, aiming to leave the target audience with a very positive attitude towards puberty,” says Anju. The play is for an audience aged nine years and above but it is sure to keep adults riveted. The story also paves the way for parents to open the doors of communication on this subject. “The challenge was to present the information in a way that would be understood and retained by kids. I wanted kids to walk out of

the theatre with the right information and a very positive attitude towards the changes brought on by puberty,” adds Anju, who is a certified sex educator and her company Out of the Box is dedicated to sex education for 5 to 18 year olds.

During the course of her work, she realised that there is a major block in communication between parents and children on these sensitive topics. Growing Up was made with the intention of educating kids in a fun, yet informative manner.

This frank and funny play shows children how to cope with many physical changes, raging hormones and the emotional trampoline. “My aim is also to have the parents watch the play with kids and help both parties get over the embarrassment about discussing these things.

Thus, we added a lot of humour to the play, to make it more palatable,” she says.

The play revolves around a group of tweens who are going through various physical and emotional changes and are confused. Growing Up, the book, can help ease their confusion but the evil frog has cursed Kuku the Clown, who is the hero of the book and thus all pages of the book have turned blank.

A frantic search for the Clown, a strange common dream, their weird teacher Mr Mistry, Cool dadi, Psycho didi and the case of the missing

dog all add to the confusion and fun during this journey. “As the characters wrestle with the idea of being normal, they learn to cope with the changes affecting their bodies and minds. The play also beautifully addresses the issue of okay and not okay touch.”

Anju believes that a high exposure to adult content is leading to increased curiosity levels

among teens. “Kids turn to the internet for information and the information they get there is very age inappropriate. Thus, addressing this subject is a must.”

When: June 5, 5 pm Where: Mahatma Phule Sanskrutik Bhavan, Fatima Nagar zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

5 A doctor, an experimental actor, a filmmaker and a travel junkie all rolled in one, Dr Abhijit More wears many hats

By Rashmeet Taluja @rashmeet_taluja

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ramatic, articulate and driven by a relentless zeal Dr Abhijit More knew back in his college days that he was cut out for something bigger and more creative than just being a doctor.

The 32-year-old has recently essayed a pivotal role in a three-part short film Detective Dighe. The film has been nominated at various prestigious international film festivals.

As a fresher, when Abhijit felt that communication tools like medical camps, conferences and didactic lectures had become redundant. He came up with the idea of preparing a street play to sensitise people against obesity and its ill effects. He wrote, directed and acted in a street play named Motapa: Ek Ghatak Bimari. “Though it was hard to convince my seniors that a play could be effective, after a lot of persuasion, I did secure their permission. Thus, for the first time in the history of Ruby Hall Clinic, a street play was performed inside the hospital premise for an entire week around World Obesity Day. It received an overwhelming response,” he recalls.

A proactive student in college, he would dance, act and take part in art competitions. He was even the president of the student body in college and would often take up key student issues to the dean’s office.

A meritorious student, with several specializations in pediatrics, yoga and gynecology and a master’s degree in healthcare management, he was bound to have an illustrious career as a doctor.

Dr.Abhijit has even served as a healthcare ambassador across reputed hospitals in the city and recently retired as the CEO of a diabetes and obesity surgical solutions firm. “I worked on weekdays and trekked on weekends,” he declares. He is an adrenaline junkie and a bike is his best friend, after his bike trip from Pune to Ladakh, he is planning one all the way to Paris.

While he continued his career in medicine, he developed an interest in photography during his travels. Subsequently, he joined weekend workshops to learn cinematography and editing from a senior FTII teacher and taught himself Photoshop. Thus began his full-fledged affair with film making. He has made a travelogue on Hampi for his online travel channel Odyssey Diaries. Moreover, he has made several short films, national-level advertorial films and

THE CREATIVE

PHYSICIAN

music videos for emerging artists under Cutting Chai Productions, in collaboration with his friend Rahul Mahure, a final year CA student and filmmaker.

Coming from a quintessential middle class Indian family, his transition from medical to the creative field was initially met with frowns and panic. However, now his family looks forward to episodes

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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hile most of us love to spend our lives in civilised cities, surrounded by skyscrapers, shopping malls and other human beings, Pune-based environmentalist Kiran Purandhare chooses to live a solitary existence in the wilderness.

Repulsed by the urban chaos, he spent 14 months in the Nagzira forest without taking any break.

He approached the state forest department with a project. His plan was to observe every facet of the forest closely and submit a report.

After a lot of convincing, he was put up in a forest guard’s cabin in the heart of the jungle and was later moved to a slightly better accommodation. Amidst all this Kiran was always under the risk of attacks from scorpions, sloth bears, tigers and leopards. During this period, he cycled over 1500 kms and walked over 1,200 km in the forest. “I wanted to take a deeper look at all facets of nature. Forests are dynamic and they constantly change. The overall experience was very rewarding,” he says.

Throughout his stay, he photographed and documented everything he could. He wrote

Kiran Purandhare will be one of the keynote speakers at the World Environment Day event to be held at InOrbit Mall. The two-day social event, titled AnantDharaa 2016, is aimed at spreading awareness on protection and preservation of the planet and its species.

When: June 4 and 5 Where: Inorbit Mall, Nagar Road

more than 150 diaries, came back and compiled it all into a book titled Sakha Nagzira.

During his escapade, he recalls an experience that will remain etched in his mind. “It was a regular Thursday morning and I was cycling and talking over the phone, when suddenly I saw an animal nearing me.

I couldn’t recognise what it was and I stood there frozen. It suddenly ran towards me and

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

of his health show Slim Bite Eat Right. The concept of the show dawned upon him due to a lot of misinformation floating around on healthy cooking.

“The intention behind producing the recipe show is to guide people about right cooking and eating habits. There are a lot of cooking shows that have chefs demonstrate recipes that they claim to be healthy because they add less oil or omit certain ingredients. There is no scientific evidence and they aren’t qualified to do so as well. Our show is not only about cooking food. It’s about making small changes that have a big impact on the calorie count. It’s about portion count, nutrition and healthy eating and cooking habits. We are not into making fancy recipes with exotic ingredients.”

Slim Bite Eat Right started with seven dieticians and now it has grown to over 20, the show not only has senior veterans from the dietetics field but also gives a platform to budding dieticians who often have the most innovative ideas. Every season of the show explores new themes. The previous season focused on making festive food healthy and their upcoming season’s theme is healthy tiffins, where nutritionists aim at making lunch boxes quick, easy, colourful and bring back traditional healthy cooking.

“We started our first season on a shoe string budget. For the second season, I personally invested money since I did not want to compromise on the quality. Our team is really tiny, my friend Dr Geeta Dharmatti is our knowledge partner, Rupali Gaikwad manages production design, Akash Gaikwad takes care of art direction and Rahul Mahure handles cinematography. We all have grown immensely since the first season.”

On juggling medicine and film making, Abhijit reflectively says “It wasn’t easy to arrive here. Managing work and passion come at a price, but I find time in the evenings or late nights to brainstorm about the films. There was a time when I couldn’t manage both at the same time. It did take a toll on me but I guess when you love something, you make time for it. Perhaps because I married my passion with my profession, I could sustain it.” rashmeet.taluja@goldensparrow.com

HE CAN MIMIC OVER 100 BIRDS

Naturalist, writer, and ornithologist Kiran Purandare shares his experience of staying in the forest for 14 long months

TGS LIFE

stood right in front of me. It was a tigress. But thankfully I was successfully rescued by the guards,” he shares.

Kiran is so passionate about birds that using his observation and dedication he learned to mimic the calls of more than 100 bird species, including the Common Iora, White-throated Fantail, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Coppersmith Barbet. “I was always fond of birds and went birding as a child. Those days, it was just an aimless wandering for me. But my inclination towards birds grew with every passing day,” he says.

He started imitating sounds of birds after his friends complimented him for his whistling prowess. After that, whenever he saw a bird he tried to mimic its sound. “After a lot of observation, I realised that the birds were responding to my call. I understand their signals, like their call for food, or when there is danger around,” he explains.

He is a self-taught ornithologist, but he almost never uses the skills in the forest though. “Birds respond to my calls but I would rather not disturb or confuse them,” he says.

He now has pledged to spend a month or two in the forest every year.

He is currently researching on tribal communities and their association with the forest, while also working towards creating artificial, ecofriendly water holes. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

DUET MARGARITA Everybody loves a classic margarita. A tinge of sweetness with tequilla cutting through it is what most of us are used to.

But add a little bit of kiwi and strawberry with crushed ice and experience a whole new world of flavours. With attracting colours and a salty rim it becomes an apt drink for the hot summers while you chill next to the poolside.

Other Must Try’s: Long beach iced tea & Caiprioska Orange Where: Sizzling Affair, Bavdhan

SPICE UP YOUR DRINK Take a trip down south with this twist on the classic Bloody Mary. The powerful taste of bydagi chillies, ginger and lime with vodka, resonate with every sip.

The vibrant colours make it appealing to the eyes even before you drink it, and the South Indian flavours stay long after it’s over.

Other Must Try’s: Inji Vellam Whiskey & Beetle Sour Where: Savya Rasa, Koregaon Park

WHAT’S YOUR

POISON?

PICS BY VISHAL KALE AND TEJAS GAIKWAD

THE JOKER Served in a tall glass, the drink too stands tall in its quality and quantity of spirit. With a mix of vodka, cointreau, grape syrup and a splash of lemon, The Joker is something everyone must try. The sourness from the lemon and vodka is well-balanced with the sweetness of the grape syrup and the subtle harmony of the bitter and sweet oranges that comes from the cointreau. Its refreshing, out of the box and a great start to any meal.

Other Must Try’s: The Dirty Bastard & Smoochini Where: AFK, Yerawada

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

Bored with the regular cocktails? Here’s an easy solution. Head to some of these places that TGS has picked and treat yourself to some of the most out of the box mixes that you just can’t get enough of KNUCKLE UP Vodka, Fresh Lemon Grass, Pomegranate Juice and Lime, make up this must try cocktail. The freshness from the lime and lemon grass blend seamlessly with the sweetness of the juice and it is the perfect start to your meal. The copper knucle glass lends a rustic look to your drink. The fresh mint sprigs and the redness of the pomegranate, coupled with the taste keeps you wanting more.

Other Must Try’s: Chemical Locha & Guntur Chilli Michelada Where: Urban Foundry, Balewadi High Street

JALAPEÑO PINEAPPLE MARGARITA Whether you love jalapenos or not, this off-beat blend of tequila, jalapeño pineapple reduction, sugar and lime juice is sure to become one of your favourites. This spicy and sweet combination will definitely tingle your taste buds. It might look simple, but the complexity of the flavours will leave you intrigued and it migh just become your number one choice.

Other Must Try’s: Russian Cocaine & Fresh Moved Lawn Where: Sin Envy Pride, Kapila Matrix, Mudhwa Road

Ready to gamble over your next tipple?

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

PICC BY ZAINAB KANTAWALA

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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rustic warehouse feel, screens showing the price of the day and food to die for. The Bar Stock Exchange is sure to be the happy place Puneites flock to when they feel the need to unwind in style.

Located on the fourth floor in the busy Lane 7 at Koregaon Park, the open-air seating of the restaurant is spacious and breezy, while the indoors are cozy and lively with ample colour and light.

Working just like the stock market, the place follows a simple rule when it comes to the alcohol prices – the more the demand, the higher the cost. While the base price of most of the available alcohol is as reasonable as it gets, on a crowded day if you like to drink something that is popular, it could leave a big dent in your pocket. Having said that, on an outing with your friends fun is guaranteed as you try getting the best deal possible. With its doors open to the public for about a week now, TGS decided to take a peek inside Pune’s The Bar Stock Exchange and tell you just what to expect when you visit.

Apart from the reasonably priced alcohol, the shakes and mocktails that are a recent addition to the menu are definitely worth a try. Although they were a tad bit sweeter than how we would have liked them, since the flavour of every ingredient in the shake stands out, it deserves a mention. Eating food at this joint is like sitting in your grandmother’s kitchen and allowing her to pamper you. With huge portions of food at prices that would seem close to nothing when in a big group, the flavours in every dish we tried packed a strong, unforgettable punch.

For misal lovers, there is a misal fondue which combines the spices that go into a misal with cheese and a small bread basket. While it is not something that we would order again, it is worth trying at least once, simply because of the effort taken to give a traditional dish a modern touch.

Next came the kulcha platter with a generous helping of chole and we were in for a treat. It was just like home-made food and every bite was as delicious as the previous one. The pesto paneer, the pizza and a few other starters that we ordered were all mouth-watering and left us wanting more.

Our only disappointment as far as the food was concerned were the nachos as they were just about average and the slight lack of spice in the food. For those who like their food to be on the spicy side, you might have to make a prior request for some extra chilli in the dishes you order.

Even though the dessert menu might not be too extensive the presentation is amazing and helps you make some place in your stomach at the end of a heavy meal.

If you are the kind who likes to comfortably lie back while you enjoy a drink or your meal you might want to sit outdoors.

The high-rise wooden chairs in the seating inside wouldn’t be the right choice. The staff is more than courteous and the service is prompt too. All in all we know that for the cheap alcohol and surely for the food we would definitely be visiting again soon. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Craving for some idli?

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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or most us, Udipi cuisine borders on comfort food, be it masala dosa, piping hot idli-sambar or uthappam. Of course, it did manage to calm our hunger pangs on a hot sunny day. The newly opened Upsouth Express on NIBM road is a fast food, self-service restaurant that specialises in South Indian meals. Their menu comprises of regular dishes like, idli sambar, dosa, upma, paddu, dal vada, etc.

As far as the ambiance goes, this place is below average. The restaurant has no seating, so if you are okay with this, then you wouldn’t mind it so much to begin with. It is easy-onthe-pockets as there is nothing in the menu that is priced above Rs 50. So if you are having a rushed day and you need a quick, tummy-fi lling meal, walk into Upsouth.

The dish that most appealed to us was Mini Idlis. They were soft, light and the quan-

tity too was pretty good. These mini-sized idlis were dipped in flavoursome piping hot sambar, which had the right amount of spices and tanginess. The coconut chutney served with it too was well prepared. What didn’t work for us was their Masala Dosa, which was too oily. But it was crispy and served with right amount potato mixture.

The meal rice combos here are different every day. On Monday there is Podi Sadam, Tuesdays its Tomato Rice, Wednesdays Bisibelle Bath, and so on. Other must-try dishes here are Chow-Chow Bath and their Saturday special Puliyogere. They are in the process of introducing one new cuisine each month.

Not really a coffee people, the manager insisted we try it just once. And we had no complaints. It was everything a South Indian fi lter coffee should be – rich, strong and divine. Their pineapple sheera and badam milk too were very fi lling. It was just the right amount of sweet and the flavour of kesar is sure to have you asking for more. The service here is pretty quick. The food arrives within ten minutes of placing the order. It’s clean, hygienic and they only use RO fi ltered water for preparing all the meals.

Well setting up a food joint in an area like this, where there are restaurants of all kinds, sure needs some thinking. But it seems the owners of the week-old Upsouth Express have hit the right spot with the residents since there were many customers enjoying their fare.

Where: Upsouth Express, near Brahma Estate, NIBM Road zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

OUR PRODUCTS: • Coffee’s • Katta Special • CAD Katta • Ice Creams • Thickshakes • Katta Mastani • Burger • Fru Katta • Sabja Katta • Katta Mysteries • Katta Shev Pav • Hatke Katta FOLLOW US ON:

Visit us on: www.saicafekatta.com BRANCHES BALAJI NAGAR l ANANDNAGAR l SINHGAD COLLEGE l KHARADI l LAXMI ROAD l NEAR EON IT PARK l KARVE ROAD l VADGAON SHERI

CONTACT FOR FRANCHISE: 99 60 33 33 74

hom tha

PICS BY RAHUL RAUT

TGS LIFE JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

Meet

CREATIV

FEATURES

Refusing to be restricted by their day jobs, some of the city’s police officers are working doubly hard to be able to keep their artistry and passion alive

Acting will always be just a hobby

A sport takes up all his fr

In his college days, Sachin Sawant was known to be a bright actor. He was part of the theatre group back then and even after joining the police force, he didn’t give up on his hobby. He is currently posted as a police officer at Wanowrie police station and is a popular face from the 90’s serials.

“Every time I decide to take up a film project, I have to apply for a long leave but it is not easy to get it my profession. So I am very selective about the films I choose. I love both my jobs and I don’t want to compromise on either,” he says. Sachin has acted in television shows like Chandrakanta, Chandramukhi, Black and Horror Nights.

His journey started off by mimicking legends like Raj Kumar and Feroz Khan. He recalls an experience when, a couple of years ago, he was

Head constable Rakesh Yadav has been serving the force for about a decade now. Working at the headquarters in Shivaji Nagar, he has a diverse job profile and he often travels outstation for official work. However, when he doesn’t have to report for duty, you would most likely see him head towards the boxing ring.

Boxing is and will always be Rakesh’s his first love. He recalls the time when he won his first important medal at the boxing nationals, in 1991. “I have two identities and I love both of them. Being a policeman is my identity and the skills required for this job have built up after years of training. But my identity as a boxing coach is something I have created from scratch and so it holds a special place in my heart. I can’t imagine a life without it,” he says.

His inclination towards the sport started when he was in school. The local corporator of Pimpri had opened a free boxing academy and many of his friends had enrolled for the sessions.

Rakesh simply tagged along with them and ended up falling in love with the sport. Till date, he has participated in 18 national competitions, where he won one silver and three bronze medals.

He also participated in various Indian police competitions where he has bagged many medals and won state championships too. “Whatever time I get away from my duty, I spend coaching aspiring boxers. This is what takes away any jobrelated stress. Teaching the sport and doing it well is my way of giving back to the game that keeps me fresh,” he adds.

shooting and a crowd would gather to watch him act. “It was a different feeling altogether,” he says.

After working in the industry for a while, Sachin has learned so much about film-making that he is currently working on a script and would someday love to direct his own film. He also would love to play a negative role soon.

“Both acting and my job in the police force are two separate worlds for me and I never mix the two or take either for granted,” he adds.

He has always keeps his duty as a police inspector above everything else and has often had to rush out of a shoot to nab criminals. He is never found sitting idle and whenever there is little time on hand, he can be seen penning down story ideas.

“I love both my jobs and I don’t want to compromise on either” - SACHIN SAWANT

Using his passion to spread social messages An assistant police inspector in the traffic department, Mahesh Sartape believes in following his passion with all his heart without expecting anything in return. Scripting, directing and acting in films is what keeps him going. His short film Helping Hands, was a rage on Facebook as it crossed 13 lakh views within a few hours of being released.

The film raises awareness on helping road accident victims. He also made another short film titled Zebra Crossing and has acted in the Marathi film Nati Goti in 2005. “Acting relaxes me.

The world of entertainment is very different from my job in the police force. Yet, this is something that maintains some kind of balance in my life. It’s my way of stress management, as working in the traffic department for long hours in the scorching sun can sometimes be quite tough,” he says.

As a child, Mahesh wanted to join the police force and be an actor as well. He has always loved watching films and his passion for acting just grew stronger. Whatever he has learned about film-making, be it the use of light, dialogue or any other technicalities, it is simply by watching films. It was his favourite pastime and he sat analysing every shot for hours. He believed this was the only way he could get better. He has till date been associated with six short films and three big projects, be it as a director, actor or scriptwriter.

Today, Mahesh has a team and his film has even been to international film festivals. It’s like a fine tuned machine that works perfectly, he tells us. “My biggest challenge is to juggle time. Sometimes we have to work day and night to finish a film because going on a long break is not an option for me,” he tells us. As of now, he has a few projects in the pipeline and, some day, he would love to work with Aamir Khan.

t the

VE COPS

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

I

t may be difficult to picture a tough cop as a gifted photographer but the limits of your imagination do not hold back these police officers. Despite long and gruelling duty hours, some cops are making time to pursue their hobbies and changing the stereotypical image of the force while doing so. Of course, every officer bears a huge responsibility and a lot of stress but they also know how to manage the pressure to be able to continue following their passion, be it theatre, photography or boxing.

ree time

Capturing life, one click at a time Humble, soft-spoken, gifted and hard-working are the most apt words to describe Anil Satav, who works with the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department. When he is not working, he is busy setting up his camera and preparing for his next trek or outing. Besides this, he is also a part-time yoga trainer and a vastu consultant. “I have always believed that if you like something you should find time to do it.

Be it yoga or photography, whenever I get time away from work and my other responsibilities of being a son, husband and father, I like to unwind with my camera. For me, that is personal time that I need at least for a few hours a week to keep me sane,” he explains.

Anil is not very particular about what he likes to click. It could be anything that appeals to him and something that he can think of a caption for the minute he sees it. His pictures have been displayed at several exhibitions across the city and - ANIL SATAV he has even won a competition held by an international photography magazine. “Photographs sometimes tell stories that words and people cannot. It’s all about not being scared to explore with your camera and step outside your comfort zone,” he tells us. Ask him about his future plan and he says, “I want to write photography books.

The first one is a book on the Wari tribe and the rest will follow. It is something that has helped me keep the craziness that comes with my job at bay and I am glad I decided to pursue it,” he confesses.

“Photography is something that has helped me keep the craziness that comes with my job at bay”

She wants to set an example for girls in her village Hailing from a village where girls aren’t allowed to choose their own fate, inspector Surekha Gavhane is an inspiration for many. Women in her village are not allowed to study much and are usually married off early. They hardly ever get the opportunity to leave their homes, let alone their villages.

Fighting against all odds, Surekha found her way to a college in the outskirts of her village and fell in love with theatre. Even when she joined the police force the only thing pushing her forward was the idea of setting an example for the girls from her village .“I had never even dreamed that I would see myself on the big screen one day.

Getting into the skin of the character was the most difficult but it was an experience that I will never forget. I am hoping that going against the tradition pays off and helps more girls become as independent as I am,” says the young woman.

In the film Khwada, released in 2013, Surekha played the role of the main leads’ mother. Since the film was set in a village, she not only had to learn the dialect of the place but also had to get the body language right.

Even though she has worked in numerous plays while she was in college, she knew that this

one film was a big opportunity for her. She gave it her 100 per cent and got every bit of her role right. “I remember that whenever I got a break from my duty I would rush home to rehearse.

I would do my household chores wearing a navari sari which my character wore and spoke the dialect too. It had become a routine for me.

Acting de-stressed me and soon it became a huge source of happiness for me,” she shares.

The reason Surekha hasn’t done many films is because she gets limited days off from work. She only takes up films that give her an opportunity to explore herself. In fact, she makes it a point to especially thank her seniors, police sub-inspector Pradeep Jadhav and police inspector Mahadev Kumbhar from Hinjawadi police station for their constant support. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

MERCEDES-BENZ GLC LAUNCHED AT RS 50.7 LAC Marks the sixth luxury SUV that Mercedes sells in India

“But mom! All my friends have SUVs with lower drag coefficients!”. Is this a common refrain in your household? Tired of doing the school run in an SUV that has only right angles? Mercedes has been listening to you and your burgeoning ilk and is ready to address this sticky problem.

One is no longer stuck with the BMW X6 as the only SUV that slices through the air rather than bashes it into submission.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC class of vehicles was launched on 2 June, conveniently slotting into the sliver of space left between the GLEclass and GLS-class (previously, the ML-class

and the GL-class). Mercedes provides two engine options: the diesel GLC 220 d outputs 170hp and 400Nm of torque while the petrol GLC 300 outputs 245hp and 370Nm of torque.

Officially, Mercedes has launched the GLC ‘Edition 1’, which is their traditional was of saying ‘first batch’. As they’ve done before, the Edition 1 cars come into the country as CBUs (fully imported). This is Mercedes’ sixth luxury SUV in the country, making their lineup the most comprehensive among the luxury car purveyors.

Expectedly, equipment levels are high.

Eighteen-inch alloys are standard. Mercedes will provide an optional off-road engineering package that raises the ride height by 20mm and offers three additional ride modes: offroad, incline and slippery. Five drive modes are standard in the GLC: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. Hill descent control is standard as well. We also see the use of Mercedes’ new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed auto transmission.

Slotting in below their range-topper, the GLC understandably gets plenty of comfort and convenience features. There’s a panoramic

Mahindra launches all-electric eVerito In a surprise move, Mahindra launched vehicle from 0-80% charge in 1 hour and an all-electric version of its Verito sedan, 45 minutes, is reserved only for the top (D6) dubbed the eVerito, on 2 June. Mahindra variant. Fast charging needs to be done claims that the sedan can go 110km on a at one of Mahindra’s designated charging full charge. The manufacturer is claiming stations, while a standard full charge takes running costs as low as Rs 1.15/km.

8 hours and 45 minutes using a 15-amp The eVerito also phones home home plug. Other features include with a variety of information regenerative braking and a Claims a (Telematics). Fleet sales seem feature called REVIVE, which range of to be a likely target, especially is basically an 8km power considering the aging Verito/ reserve for emergencies. You 110km on a Logan platform. The eVerito don’t get airbags in any variant. full charge is available immediately in key Performance is about cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, adequate for city use, which is Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, where Mahindra is pitching the Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and eVerito. Top speed is claimed at 86kmph Nagpur. and the 110km range is dependent on load.

The eVerito will be available in three Prices start at Rs 9.5 lac ex-showroom, variants with marginal differences between Delhi, for the D2 variant after state and them. Unusually, fast-charging ability, FAME subsidies. The D4 and D6 variants which Mahindra claims can charge the cost Rs 9.75 and 10 lac respectively.

sunroof, ambient lighting with switchable colours and levels, cargo bars behind the rear seat that liberate another 30 litres of luggage space and what Mercedes calls an EASYPACK tailgate. DO WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION YET? Safety is typical Mercedes fare: ABS, ESP, Crosswind-assist, PRE-SAFE, Attention Assist, Active Parking Assist, 7 airbags, LED headlamps and adaptive tail lamps.

All this could be yours at Rs 50.7 lac for the diesel GLC 220 d, and Rs 50.9 lac for the GLC 300 petrol, ex-showroom, Pune.

RAHUL RAUT, VISHAL KALE AND TEJAS GAIKWAD

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

Anamika Das

Since almost everyone blogs about lifestyle, fashion and food, TGS set out to find four bloggers whose choice of subject was a little different than the others

OUT OF THE BOX, YET IN THE LOOP

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

for a life full of adventure sports and activities and he couldn’t be happier about it. When Rohan Khedkar felt the thrill of jumping off high cliffs or rafting in rough waters, he also wanted to share his experiences and create a platform to do so. Improving his skills as a blogger he learned the art of attracting a substantial amount of readers to his blog and carved a niche for himself in no time.

There are innumerable bloggers out there and a huge amount of things to discuss. While the number of people that have taken to blogging is continuously on the rise, what sets every blogger apart from the other is his or her choice of subject and their dedication towards blogging.

A

uthor Devdutt Pattnaik inspired her to start her blog Magnifying the Tales approximately three years ago. In the blog, Anamika Das, a third year student of Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts, analyses snippets of Hindu mythological tales in relation with events in the present era. Still an amateur at blogging, she constantly changes her style of writing, hoping to attract readers and the growing numbers show that she is headed in the right direction.

He found blogging to be an interesting medium of expression, one that was completely driven by the individual and for this very reason Dhananjay Nene started /var/logic/ mind in 2004. His love for experimenting and playing around with programming languages and technology helped him decide what he wanted to blog about. /var/logic/mind was also nominated for the Best Science and Technology Blog by the Indie Bloggies Award in 2009 and featured at number 139 on the list of top software blogs worldwide in a list compiled by a Dutch gentleman.

With the world of realestate changing constantly, for Neelima Kohli keeping up through her blog was extremely exciting. From writing poems to blogging about realestate, it has been three years of sheer hard work and dedication to step out of her comfort zone.

Various motivational speakers like Shiv Khera and novelists like Chetan Bhagat have inspired her.

His love for Neelima Kohli travelling, paved way

FINDING THEIR NICHE Being an entrepreneur who loves to go on adventures, the blog Adventures365 named after Rohan and his friends’ venture is something that they all love spending time on. Their own travels and experiences not only helped them understand their target audience better but actually helped with the writing too.

There was no need to be pretentious or assume how an adventure or outdoor activity would feel like, most experiences were already tried and tested in Rohan’s case. His favourite aspect about sharing his experiences on the blog is the fact that it has turned him into

a storyteller and hopefully an inspiration to others who want to overcome their fears.

Shedding some light on how blogging changes over time, Neelima tell us that the methodology of addressing the readers has transformed. “There is a much more defined audience now and there are strategies developed for writing. Today, blogging is about attracting the reader first, then converting them, closing in on them and finally making them loyal,” she explains. As with any other product, consumer is the king here and you’re writing for them, she adds.

Neelima has been a freelance content writer for a few months now and blogs under the name idonadesigns. She has also been sharpening her graphic designing skills and for her writing and designing go hand in hand. With the combined experience, it is pretty easy to align the words with visuals and this has helped her in writing her blog tremendously.

With a huge volume of people blogging, attracting readers is quite the task. Keeping this in mind, when we asked Anamika why she continues to blog even after not having much success, she says, “The best part about being a blogger is that you can put forth your opinion without the fear of any rules. Unlike a reporter or an academician, I am not limited in any way.”

Over time, she has gone from simply typing out her thoughts to including logical hooks

Rohan Khedkar

Dhananjay Nene

throughout the post. It has now become more of a narrative that is engaging, she adds.

Although, over a period of time, the content that Dhananjay put out evolved as it mirrored his interests, there wasn’t much of a change in the way he wrote the blog, unlike Anamika. To him, the blog is an unconstrained medium of expression and it started purely with him sharing his experiences and opinions, not knowing or expecting any further benefit from it. Since he is a professional programmer, the experience helps Dhananjay create content that is much more accurate and to the point.

KEEP IN MIND Giving up the fear of being judged because of what you write is the only way a blog will stand a chance of being successful, believes Neelima.

She further adds that blogging is like falling in love. The more time one spends with the words, the stronger the bond grows.

“Find your own writing style and be creative. Figure out what it is you are most passionate about, not what you see as trending to simply make money. If you are blogging about your business, try to build a community that will be loyal and then focus on their interests and needs,” says Rohan. He also agree with what Neelima said. After working for more than six years in the IT and product development industry, he switched careers to focus full-time towards his entrepreneurial life.

Blogging has now become more of a passion rather than something that helps supplement his venture.

Anamika, on the other hand, stresses on the fact that since everyone is in a hurry they expect a quick and intriguing read. Holding onto the reader’s attention as she writes about mythology and history is quite a task for the young girl.

Keeping it trending is equally important she quickly adds.

The senior most blogger among the lot, Dhananjay feels that one should write a blog because they want to tell the world a story. “You will eventually develop the right audience, rather than trying to reach some predefined audience.

This keeps blogging enjoyable and allows you to remain honest to your aspirations,” he says. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES Renowned photographer Ajay Bhatia brings his tribute collection to French architect and artist Le Corbusier to Pune Bu Zaina Kantawala @kantawalazainab

A

rchitecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light. Light and shade reveal them. The image of these forms is distinct and tangible within us, without ambiguity. It is for this reason that they are the most beautiful forms.” Inspired by these words by the French architect Le Corbusier, documentary photographer Ajay Bhatia has worked on his collection of pictures ‘Le Corbusier in India: A Play of Light’.

According to Ajay, Chandigarh has the unique attribute of being the only completely inhabited city designed by Le Corbusier.

His pictures are inspired by readings from ‘Towards A New Architecture’ where the French architect speaks about the great primary forms of geometry; cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders and pyramids.

In the present series, he has explored these geometric forms in the Capitol Complex and the Mill Owners Association Building in Ahmedabad. Part of his work

IN THE RIGHT LIGHT AND TINT explores the contemporary spirit and lifestyle of modern cities. “I view a camera as a receptacle for light, the lens is an eye and the sensor is the soul. The pictures are the work of complex interplay of shadows and highlight the architecture of Chandigarh in a different manner,” he says.

He has strived to capture the light filtering in the buildings. He has shot at different times of the day, to portray the rays of the sun, and their effect on the buildings.

He took different angles of the Capitol Complex, capturing it in various hues. “I took about 100 photographs and the light gave a new dimension to the buildings in the complex. I also have innumerable pictures of the Open Hand. My favourite here being the one I captured with rays of the sun lighting the hand,” he adds.

Ajay’s work explores the lifestyle of

modern cities and the traditional essence, heritage and culture of historical cities and villages of India. He is also involved in documenting the rhythms and colours of traditional dance, music and folk art of India.

He believes that the Indian sub-continent is a land of great diversity and beauty. “One would need several lifetimes to travel and explore its infinite photographic possibilities.

I strive to create a photographic memory of as many region of the land as I can,” he adds.

Over many years of his life, he has travelled to various parts of the world but when he returns to Chandigarh there is always a sense of homecoming. “There is a feeling of returning to a city, which is tranquil, beautiful and well ordered. The city offers great architecture and many naturerelated spaces,” he adds. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

CARRYING THE EARTH This weekend, come witness an art exhibition, where artists and designers have used cloth and canvas bags to create beautiful work that carries the message of conservation of natural resources.

Children are also welcome, and they will be given a cloth bag painting activity, all the while educating them about the importance of avoiding plastic bags.

When: June 4-5 Where: The Monalisa Kalagram, Koregaon Park MOONRISE KINGDOM Enjoy a movie night at Lost The Plot, Pune’s rooftop cinema lounge. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom, directed by Wes Anderson, tells the story of two twelve-yearolds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. The retro ambience at LTP is cosy and each person receives high quality wireless headphones for sound. LTP also has a delicious finger food menu and movie themed cocktails, served at your seat.

When: June 4 Where: Seasons Apartment Hotel, Aundh

DANCE SHOW Dance shines on as one of the most vibrant elements of culture in India signifying conversation between body and soul. The HomeSukh is all set to host a razzmatazz dance ensemble showcasing Bollywood, break dance, hip hop, free style dancing will be performed

by Step up Dance Studios, Pune, directed by Dax Matthew, a renowned and professional choreographer. An evening filled with grace and passion coming live on-stage and putting up a spectacular dance show on Sunday evening is a perfect way to conclude your weekend.

When: June 5 Where: The Home Sukh, Ishanya Mall, Off Airport Road

WEEKEND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Enroll yourself in a photography course for the weekend. Perfect for working professionals, the course comprises of general photography with a technical base for creative work. This workshop is also aimed at shooting excellent pictures with minimum and available equipment and light. Sameer Belvarkar, a renowned fashion and advertising photographer will be teaching

the course. Perfect for beginners, the sole requirement is a DSLR camera. You will be taught how to get comfortable with your DSLR by understanding semi-automatic and manual modes of exposure.

When: June 11 and 12 Where: Anand Dham studio, Law College Road

TGS LIFE

Painting parties are the newest trend in town. Here’s where you listen to music, drink your favourite beverage and go home with a masterpiece of your own

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

A

few women sit around a large table at a brewery, paint brushes in one hand, beer glass in the other and soothing music playing in the background. This is exactly what a painting party looks like. They are all busy painting the night sky as their instructor circles the room, keeping an eye on their work, giving tips and sharing jokes.

At the parties, a group of people meet under the guidance of an artist and sip a glass of wine or their favourite drink while completing a masterpiece all in one night.

“Painting parties are basically partying together with friends or strangers, while also indulging in some form of creative activity. You have fun and socialise just like at any other party, but you also feel the joy of creating something,” says Debasree Dey, founder of the GroupArtCircle in the city. They organise painting parties every week at different restaurants in the city.

It’s a party where new friendships are created and hidden talents are discovered. Each participant leaves with a masterpiece and a fun experience. It’s perfect for a girl’s night out, date night or just chilling with friends. Kavita Vora, cofounder of Sundown Stroke, who has been active in organising painting parties, believes it to be a great stress buster. “Today, when people While painting, you can enjoy the drinks are busy with social media, they have no time and chit-chat with the group. The painting is to express their emotions. Painting is a great pre-selected by the instructor and step-by-step medium of expression and guidance is provided to what better way to bring help even a non-painter. out your hidden talent,” she All participants are says. asked to put on their No matter where you apron, grab a drink, and choose to hold the party, be sit with canvas and colours. it at your office, in the park, The instructor guides the your favourite restaurant class with the first basic or at your own house, the strokes and outlines. Every main goal is to enjoy a few participant follows him and hours relaxing and creating inserts details into his or her your own memorable painting. The instructor’s masterpiece. “The parties job is to encourage are meant for everyone and struggling artists and offer not just artists. People may assistance. feel intimidated at first, but A regular at - DEBASREE DEY once they attend a party, these parties, Prachi they get the confidence Prafulachandra didn’t ever that they can paint. We have had painters of all think she had an artistic bone. She once couldn’t ages, from 4 to 60 years,” adds Debasree. draw a straight line but now she is confident

BLENDING PALATE WITH PALETTE

“Painting parties are basically partying together with friends or strangers, while also indulging in some form of creative activity.”

Women all ready with their colour palette at the party organised by Sundown Stroke

enough to try a difficult painting. “I am kind of addicted to painting. I try to attend painting parties at least twice a month. I usually sign up along with a small group of friends, family or coworkers,” she says.

The organisers pick a subject depending on the occasion or season. There is good food, light and soothing music, and many other like-minded participants. “It all started when I along with my artist friends had a discussion about how we could get youngsters to socialise where they could also learn something about art. That is when we came up with idea of starting Sun Down Stroke,” says Kavita. Debasree, who previously worked in the IT industry, held on to painting during her leisure time. As a couch surfer, she found her love for meeting strangers and swapping stories. So, she thought of combining the two ideas and started GroupArtCircle, where she gets to paint while instructing as well as meet people from various spheres.

“The painting party concept started in US many years ago and it is quite popular there. My

American friend Julie suggested that I should start something similar here, as she knew of my love for painting and community life. And nothing beats the feeling of seeing the joy on people’s faces when they finish their masterpiece,” she informs us.

When she started GroupArtCircle, Debasree had no idea what she was getting into and had zero expectations. Most of her participants find it very de-stressing to mix different colours and create various strokes on the canvas. “So when someone attends my workshop and their friends get to see their artwork, it inspires them to do something different too,” she adds. In just three months they have organised 19 painting parties and poured life onto 238 canvases.

Another regular Ruchi Agarwal, who held a painting brush for the first time only two months ago, says, “I have had sleepless nights staring at my artwork with disbelief. I never trusted my creativity,” she says.

Painting parties give you the perfect platform to take the time to slow down, get out of your head for a couple of hours, focus on something creative, and be social at the same time. “The reason we stop painting once we grow past childhood is because we become aware of criticism and become afraid to make mistakes. Hence, the concept of social artworking helps adults come out of their inhibitive state and paint along with many others like them. Of course, the beer helps too,” laughs Debasree.

A bunch of happy people showing off their canvas at a painting party organised by the GroupArtCircle

14

TEJAS GAIKWAD

SP

GO BLACK

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

OR WHITE

SHOPPING

These black and white fashion finds by 17-year-old Fatema Hundekari are so classy that you’d want to own them too.

Not only they speak sophistication and elegance, but they are sure to leave you looking trés chic every second of the day

For a formal evening This is an ideal chic get-up for any formal party. Pair them with black stud earrings, and heels and you are ready to shine through the evening.

Dress: Globus, Rs 2500

Go chic This black and white ensemble is perfect for a casual outing. Pair it with ballet shoes and balck studs and it is sure to give you the confidence to charm anyone in the room.

Jeans: Zara, Rs 3000 Black Pullovers: Marks and Spencer, Rs 2000

All set for the party

Keep it short

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.

Dress: Zara, Rs 6000 Black heels: Steve Maddens, Rs 4500

Walk through the streets in style with this simple and elegant shorts. Team up with your favourite crop top for a flawless look.

Shorts: Forever 21, Rs 1200 Crop top: Forever 21, Rs 800

Go strolling around with friends This dress is sure to get some attention when you go out shopping with your friends. Wear a simple gold bracelet and remember to add light lipstick to complete your look.

Dress: Only, Rs 5500 Sneakers: Converse, Rs 2500

— Compiled by Zainab Kantawala

VISHAL KALE

‘Dedication is the key to staying fit’

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES EXPERT SPEAK Atul Kurpe, Director, Focus Five Fitness Club

DNYANDA SHRINGARPURE Age: 18 Weight: 47 kg Height: 5’ 8

The youngest contestant to make it to Femina Miss India 2016’s Top 10, 18-year-old Dnyanda is all about setting goals and achieving them one at a time.

A few weeks after she got back from the pageant, TGS caught up with her to find out what her fitness routine looks like

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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ith an ideal like Kareena Kapoor through her growing up years, staying fit and in shape was a given.

A fun-loving and passionate person, Dnyanda Shringarpure was both mischievous and a straight As student in school. Super ambitious in life, she finds it in herself to put in the required amount of dedication and hard work to make her dreams come true. When she isn’t juggling between her studies and the fashion world, she loves playing basketball, dancing

and travelling. After topping her 10th grade exams, she took up Science only to find that she was more interested in Mass Media and eventually change streams.

When it comes to being fit, the young girl can’t stress how important it is to find the balance between exercising and a good diet.

“Both go hand in hand. Avoid eating junk and try to have home-made food and fresh fruits as much as possible. A cheat meal when you’re out with your friends or family is always allowed but drawing the line is important,” she explains. With her hectic schedule she hardly gets any time for herself but always makes it a point to squeeze in some exercise. Yoga is her solace. She also plays basketball and tries to go running every weekend. Following simple rules such as taking the stairs, drinking a lot of water and constantly trying to be active helps her stay healthy and in shape. Ever since she has started to eat healthy, her skin, hair and, above all, her entire lifestyle has changed for the better, she states.

FITNESS MANTRA Her mantra is to keep moving forward. One should always strive for progress and not perfection, she believes. Your only competition

is with yourself and you should work on becoming the best version of yourself. “Dedication is the key to staying fit. There will be many temptations along the way but it’s all about how you tackle them.

Commitment is crucial here and that is why there are only a few people who get there and are able to maintain it,” she says.

Being fit and healthy ultimately makes you feel better about yourself. It’s your body and you should treat it well if you want it to treat you well, she adds.

HER DAILY LOG Once I wake up at 6.30 am, I generally do yoga for about half an hour, which is followed by breakfast at 7.30 am. This first meal of the day includes milk or fresh fruit juice along with cereal and fresh fruit cuts. To allow for some variety, I sometimes supplement the cereal and fresh

For your eyes only

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eyond basic black, there are an infinite amount of eyeliner looks you can create. One little line can transform your makeup look in a big way. Priti Anand, Pune based make- up artist branches Priti Anand out a few quick and easy looks.

• For beginners, there are two basic ways to apply eyeliner. One way is to start by making dots along the upper lid. After you have made the dots, you simply connect them.

• The second easiest way is to simply start in the middle of the upper lid and draw the line outward.

After that, you start toward the inner corner of your eye and work your way to the middle in small, even strokes until you have done the upper lid.

Double Wing: Add a little ‘60s flair with a full cat eye that has not one, but two wings. Separate the two with a white eyeliner drawn between them.

Ombre Blue: Just wear it on your lower lash and your done. Also a gradient liner that starts white then transitions to a bright blue on your waterline would be a fresh way for an evening. Slightly-bare lashes and soft pink lips keep this look subtly bold.

Shimmering Jewel Tones: This gorgeous starlight makeup is a magical way to wear color on your eyes. And you don’t need to feel limited to just blues and greens — this look is gorgeous with burgundy, purple, bronze ,and silver shades too.

A festive Gold or Bronze: A gold eye is like wearing jewellery on your face, making your eyes stand out in a simple, sparkly way. Just finish it with just a brown liner over your upper lid and fill

Though your profession needs you to have a lean and skinny body type, here are some tips for you to remain fit. You must try and gain some muscle weight as currently you are underweight. You must have small meals after every three hours. You could try some other types of exercises too, such as strength training, power yoga, cross fit training among others. Have at least one balanced meal in the whole day. Protein, carb, healthy fats, minerals and vitamins along with at least four to five liters of water is a must in your diet.

Expert rating: 7 /10

fruit cuts with poha, upma, dosa or a brown bread sandwich. Post this, I head out for my college which starts at around 8 am till noon. I head home for lunch around 1 pm and this usually consists of chapati and vegetables with a little bit of dal and rice.

Depending on work, I leave for shoots, fittings or shows and try spending some time with my friends in the evening. Other than that, whenever I am at home I like to catch up on some television, meditate or maybe do yoga. My last meal of the day is around 9 pm which includes chapati and vegetables, with some dal rice once again. Th is sometimes gets supplemented with chicken or fish. I also generally tend to end my meal with something sweet.

Because of my work schedule it’s difficult to always eat at home, but I make sure I do it as much as I can. I always carry a water bottle with me and drink a lot of water as this not only helps keep me hydrated but helps in cleansing too. I also always have a few dry fruits and energy bars to keep me energised throughout the day. salonee.mistry@ goldensparrow.com

up waterline with a hint of brown.

Layer it white: White eyeliners are finally back in. Try this layered look by applying it in the shape of a cat eye, then adding a thin black line in the same shape overtop.

Fishtail eyeliner: Start with a classic eyeliner on the upper lid followed by a similar liner from the outer corner of the lower lid pointing it downward and connecting it to the outer of the eye.

Tips • If you have small or close-set eyes, applying eyeliner all the way around can make them appear smaller and/or closer together. Instead, try only lining half of your bottom lid.

• Don’t go all the way to your tear duct. Your eyes water naturally as the day goes on, which can cause your eyeliner to smudge, smear, and clump.

• It is best to finish every eye design with eyeliner and mascara .

As told to Zainab Kantawala

TGS LIFE

JUNE 4, 2016 PUNE

A magical fable of sibling love

BUZZ Meet Nagesh Kukunoor and the crew of Dhanak as their film makes its way to Lost the Plot before its theatrical release

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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pen air film screenings are not a new concept in Pune anymore. With Lost the Plot screening films almost every other day, the rooftop open-air cinema is doing more than its share to help keep the trend alive. They will soon screen the preview of the Hindi feature film Dhanak, in the presence of the cast and crew, before its commercial release.

Quite popular at several film festivals, this story of an elder sister trying to help her younger brother get his eyesight back can melt the hardest of hearts. Ahead of his visit to the city, director, writer and producer Nagesh Kukunoor spoke with TGS about his newest venture.

Shot over 33 days, across 46 locations, making the film was one hell of an experience, Nagesh recalls. “The fact that it is a road movie being filmed in Rajasthan, the heat was enough to pose all possible challenges. However, the test for me began with casting the right children for the roles. We auditioned almost 500 children before

deciding on Hetal Gadda and Krrish Chhabria,” says Nagesh.

The film was screened at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival for the very first time. It competed in the Generation KPlus section and won the Crystal Bear Grand Prix for Best Children's Film and a special mention for the Best Feature Film by the

“The test for me began with casting the right children for the roles.

We auditioned almost 500 before deciding on these two” Children's Jury. In addition, they also bagged the Best Film Award in the main category at the Children's Feature Film Competition – Cinema in Sneakers, and the Best Film Award at the Montreal International Children's

Film Festival. Dhanak has already been to 43 film festivals and the appreciation has been overwhelming.

When a friend pitched a story for an ad film, Nagesh was inspired to turn it into a script. It is very important for a filmmaker to believe in the story that he is making and there was something about this one that called out to him.

The trailer alone will show you just how innocent, sweet and magical the film will turn out to be.

After working for a while as a chemical engineer, Nagesh found satisfaction in filmmaking. He has made 14 films till date and each has been unique in its own way. “As a filmmaker, trusting my instinct is the most important factor for me. I like to be challenged while making films,” the director states.

Ask him about his future plans and he laughs, saying that the journey with this film isn’t over yet, to start planning for the next. Filming is a long process and he likes to finish one project completely before starting another.

The one thing that he absolutely hopes he would not be a part of is the publicity and marketing that one has to do before the release of the film. For this very reason, he tries to not start a new project till one is completely finished. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

Conventional idea of beauty Ryan and Russell is boring: Radhika Apte are the nice guys

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ctress Radhika Apte finds the conventional notion of beauty dull and for her looking beautiful is about the emotions one can convey through their face.

The 30-year-old Phobia actress said the connect one shares with another person is what makes people beautiful.

“The conventional idea of beauty is so boring.

I find all my friends very beautiful. A face is beautiful when you can relate to it or when you can see the emotion through the face.

If there is a connection then you will find a person beautiful. That connect is most beautiful for me,” Apte said.

However, she feels being an actress does bring certain amount of pressure to look presentable and she is okay with following that trend.

“There is a pressure on actresses to look in a certain way. Like when I have to go out for promotion or interviews, I have to choose designer wear.

I am following that.

“There are certain expectations from actresses and I am doing that. But in personal life, I am a pajama person. I never wear make up,” she said.

Apte will be seen sharing screen space with superstar Rajinikanth in his next Kabali, and the actress said working with him was one of her best experiences.

“Working with Rajini sir has been one of my favourite experiences. He is one of my favourite actors because he is so big. You can't get bigger than him. He is so humble, hardworking. He doesn't have any air around him. He is so simple and inspiring,” she said.

The Badlapur actress said she was not worried

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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about being in a same frame as the Southern superstar.

“I wasn't nervous at all about working with him. He makes his co-stars so comfortable. And sometimes when you feel so much request for somebody, you will not be nervous around them because it's beyond that,” Apte said.

irector Shane Black’s new action-comedy The Nice Guys, starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, is sure to take you on a fast-paced thrill ride. The movie is set in 1977 Los Angeles, where Ryan Gosling and his hired hitman Russell Crowe track down a missing girl played by Margaret Qualley.

“She is incredible. It’s her second film and you would think it is her 50th. She has such a strong point of view on her character and what she would and wouldn’t do.

She’s definitely a kid but she’s not an annoying kid actor,” says Ryan.

The movie advances with their investigation and interesting turn of events that may even lead them to death.

Ryan, who is usually seen in romantic and serious films like The Notebook, Crazy, Stupid, Love, etc., took up the challenge of playing a light-hearted comic role, thanks to Russell. “If it wasn’t Russell, I don’t think I would have done the film. When I read the script, I knew that Shane was on a plane trying to convince Russell to do it so I read it with Russell in mind,” he says.

This is their first movie together and the two clicked pretty well from the very beginning. By now, Ryan is used to meeting a certain amount of resistance while trying out something in a comedic direction. To have Russell around made it easy for him. “It’s been so surprising to me how he has been so supportive. I really am grateful for that. I just realized that I’m lucky just to be an actor.

I grew up dreaming about doing this. Not just that but I get to have a choice and to work with people whom I admire,” he adds. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com