TGS Life 29/10/2016

There’s more to a katta than just chai and conversation

PUNE, OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

FOR A FUN DAY OUT

PG 14

PG 8-9

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TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

STAGE

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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irector Kshitij Patwardhan is all set to stage his critically acclaimed play Don Special for the Pune theatre audience. Set in December 1989, the play has been adapted from a story by HM Marathe. It is the story of a journalist determined to abide by his principles, and the play focuses on a myriad issues like corruption and liberalisation. The cast includes Girija Oak Godbole, Jitendra Joshi and Rohit Haldikar.

The play is set in a newspaper office in Pune. A dramatic event occurs in the life of Milind Bhagwat, a night shift chief sub-editor. While editing a report about an accident at the city’s cultural centre, he finds himself in the middle of a most dramatic conflict.

“The news of the day is the collapse of a wall of an under-construction cultural centre building, that has caused the deaths of a family of three.

He is taken aback and angry at the construction company, and wants justice for these innocent lives,” Kshitij says. explaining a little bit of the story.

TORN BETWEEN LOVE AND IDEALS

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Director Kshitij Patwardhan’s play Don Special tells the story of a journalist torn between his ideals and values, and matters of the heart

The mystery unfolds with the entry of Swapna Jog played by Girija Oak who happens to be his ex-girlfriend.

Why is she here? Does she have a hidden agenda? “The twist is that Swapna happens to be the owner of the construction company involved in the case. She wants to convince Milind not to print the news. Will he stick to his values or block the news since his former paramour has requested it, is the crux of the story,” he said. The play shows that it is easy to talk about ideals and values, but much harder to put them into practice. “There are moments in life that test your virtue. What path you take depends on how strong you are from the inside,” he adds. The play has already completed 175 performances, and won the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Art Direction and Best Play at the Marathi International Film and Theatre Awards held at Sydney, Australia recently. “It’s an old world play, and it’s serious in all its forms, but the response so far has been phenomenal. We have been fortunate,” he said.

When: October 30, 12:30 pm Where: Yaswantrao Chavan Natyagruh

What does modern mean to you?

Shed your mid-week blues as you are made to question your concept of modernity with the play Bail Melay. It may just leave you surprised

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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n an era where everyone is chasing their very own concept of being modern, director Lalit Prabhakar and writer Yugandhar Deshpande take to the stage to explain theirs through the play Bail Melay. There isn’t a message to take home at the end of the play and yet it gives you something to think about.

What happens when two people who have been living in the interiors of Maharashtra come to the city? Their experiences, the situations and everything that happens around them are what this play is about. TGS chats with the director and writer, to ask them about the play, the challenges they faced and what the rehearsals were like.

Hailing from Pandharpur himself, inspiration to write the script came easily to Yugandhar. Working as a writer full-time, he tells us that the play has quite a bit of dark humour in it and apart from the regular challenges that one faces while scripting a play, once he got into the flow. “Bail Melay is about a couple who migrate to the city from small towns and struggle to achieve their perception of being modern. It starts with chaos which is the most familiar thing of the city,” he says.

Kishor and Sanjeevani are the main characters of the play and live in their small house in the city. While on one hand they are constantly

attempting to be modern, their roots never leave their side.

Sharing his experience of directing the play, Lalit says, “The process was extremely fun. Since the script did not have any cautionary steps I was free to direct it and assume everything from the set to the way I wanted to play it out. This is every director’s dream.” Even so, I made it a point to explain my thought process to the characters and then allowed them to explore it on their own. It is only then that they can portray their roles confidently,” he said. Casting for him for this play was an easy task. The only thing that he wanted to assure was that whoever was a part of the crew were avid theatre lovers so that dedication and creativity would come naturally. Ask him what he would do if he was to choose between acting and direction and promptly replies, “Whatever has a better script.”

Both Lalit and Yugandhar assure us that watching the play will definitely make you think while you have fun. Since the play is not being performed for any commercial interest, the tickets to it are on first-come-first-serve basis and will be available two hours before the play, outside the auditorium.

When: November 3, 6:15 onwards Where: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium, Shivajinagar salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

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The camera never allowed him to fall in love with anything else Energetic, fun-loving and an interesting person to be around, 24-year-old cinematographer Shantanu Prasade hopes to show the world a different perspective through his lens

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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ave you seen the recently released Girl On A Train,” he asks? “That paired with the cinematography technique that Martin Scorsese uses, is how I want my films to be,” he says. From distributing free samples of a local newspaper to owning a studio of his own, by the name of Krystal Clear, Shantanu Prasade, has just begun the ascent of the ladder of success. A candid conversation with this talented youngster, gave us an insight into his journey till date, his dreams and why he loves what he does.

It was during his college days when he was pursuing a Bachelors in Commerce that a classmates DSLR became his friend. He would always look forward to the time when he could borrow it, and a few months later, was hooked. After his graduation, he applied to the University of Pune to pursue a MSc degree in Communication studies.

“My mother was pretty apprehensive about sending me for this course. She

had even thrown away the application form for the entrance exam. However by this time I had already worked in a lot of other fields, be it marketing, programming or content writing to name a few, and nothing caught my attention like the camera did,” he tells us. Obviously seeing him progress the way he has, his mother could not be more proud, he adds.

Seven Roshan Villa, which released early this year, was Shantanu’s first big project. He has just wrapped up his work for another one titled Dil Dimaag Aur Batti, which will release some time next year. Prior to this he has been a part of several short films and other projects like that of filming the video for DRDO. Names like Shahji Karun, Martin Scorsese, Emmanuel Lubezki and Mahesh Aney, keep him interested in what he is doing and even motivate him to do his job better.

“The reason why I decided to do cinematography was to show a different perspective of the world. The though process behind each and every scene is the true test of how one can push their own creative bound-

aries. For me personally, highlighting the emotion in the scene and using it to beautify every frame is what is important,” he says, when asked what he believes makes a good cinematographer. Very often, to keep the creative juices flowing, Shantanu wanders down the streets of the city, camera in hand, capturing anything and everything on his camera. He may just

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

ENTERTAINMENT

place his camera at one stop all day, or decide to work around a theme.

The one thing that the devoted lensman finds challenging and interesting at the same time is working with the lights. How good a frame looks or whether it gives the right message or not has a lot to do with the kind of light that the frame has. While it is a natural

The world is grooving to Lost Stories’ beat EDM duo Lost Stories are among the only DJs from India to have been ranked in the Top 100 on the DJ Mag poll

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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enowned Indian electronic dance music makers Prayag Mehta and Rishab Joshi, who go by the name of Lost Stories, are known for their official remixes of Alan Walker’s Faded and One Republic’s Wherever I Go. The duo, along with DJ Chetas, are the only Indian DJs to be ranked in the Top 100 of the DJ Mag poll. And, their new track with Jetfire and Carta-India is on Spinnin’ Records, which is the biggest independent record label in the world.

Most of their music is inspired by the music they have grown up listening to and that is hardwired into their brains, they say. The idea behind the track India started as a soundtrack for one of their On The Road series where they sampled a track from Monsoon Wedding and processed it. “A couple of months later we met Jetfire through a common friend. We were just going

through ideas for our collaboration and we couldn’t come up with anything solid. I ended up showing him the episode where I used the early version of India as the soundtrack, and he loved it,” shares

Prayag. They then re-vamped the whole song and got Carta on-board.

This track will be the first to sample a mainstream Bollywood vocal on an EDM track.

Recently the duo also

collaborated with Armaan Malik and did a cover of Justine Bieber’s song Sorry, which crossed half a million hits on YouTube. “We had so much music inside us, that we just wanted to let it out. It was the

phenomenon, the fact that it can be used to your advantage is something he absolutely loves. Although it is in its initial stages, Shantanu is currently conceptualising a travel series that is full of the adventurous life of backpackers and those who go on road trips. He has his fingers crossed for this one. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

only way of expression we could find production and performance wise. We had no idea that we’d get so much support on our initial releases,” he said. They are currently working on remixes for One Republic and Cheat Codes, and a track with Sick Individuals and Armaan Malik called Piya, and the list goes on.

“Our music is very unpredictable.

Very rarely will you find two Lost Stories productions which sound alike,” says Rishabh.

The duo has performed at some of the biggest festivals around the world such as Tomorrowland, Mysteryland, Summer Festival, Sunburn, Supersonic etc. “There have been so many musical memories.

But something that will stay with us forever is the time when one was holding up the Indian flag high at Tomorrowland Belgium, 2015, and the second was being in the audience at Mysteryland this year and watching KSHMR play our track to a crowd of 10,000. Words cannot describe the rush one feels during times like these,” he said.

What influences and inspires the duo are the young bunch of musicians who are all about the detail like Mat Zo, Porter Robinson, Flume and Noisia. “These guys don’t settle for the mediocre and that’s been a great influence on our sound,” says Prayag.

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TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

Strike Three to perform in Pune for the first time

STAGE

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

t all started with a music competition that the six boys wanted to compete in and win. They eventually did not participate in the competition, but they stuck together as a band, and look where it has got them today.

Strike Three, the six-member band, that comprises Craig Fernandes on vocals, Shannon Ponnoth and

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Oswin Telis on electric guitars, Brent Tauro on keyboard, Jeremy Fernand on bass guitar and Vimog Barboza on drums, was formed just last year in August.

With John Mayer, Guthrie Govan and Snarky Puppy as their inspiration, they play everything from rock to pop, jazz and even progressive. Soft rock is, however, something that they specialise in.

They believe that over the months they have grown accustomed to one

another’s differences, and in doing so have brought about a whole new sound, one of diversity and freshness, to the music that they create. “For us music is all about having a good time and playing to a crowd that is all ears. It becomes a form of expression for us and helps us in bringing people together too. With every passing jam, the excitement levels simply rise,” explains Brent.

Their gigs are a pumped-up set

Hard rock gets a Sufi twist Nyasa is all set to thrill Pune rockers with their unique blend of original melodies and ever-popular Sufi hits

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

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ocal rockers Nyasa take to the city stage this Saturday. The hard rock band’s songs unfold social messages and are crafted from simple yet mystical lyrics into folk-tinged melodies, pinned down by hard, heavy beats.

Collectively, the five band members condense a vast array of influences and experiences into their own style of music-making. Nyasa consists of Nilesh Salunkhe (vocals and guitar), Vaibhav Ramteke (lead guitar), Gaid Panmei (bass), Vaibhav Duratkar (percussion) and Samuel Pawar (drums).

The Pune based fivesome has, in just a year of performing together, managed to create waves with their young audiences. They opened for Agnee at blueFROG in Pune recently.

“The name of the band is derived from Indian classical music, nyaas being the ending note of a bandish,” said Vaibhav Ramteke. They have gone from being a jam room outfit, to performing across India, and

Nyasa’s distinctive musical brew is made up of their original songs along with a selection of Sufi and folk music. “We were all learning music from the same institute and appreciated each others’ styles. We

then got together to jam, and in 2013 we decided to start recording,” he said.

The Nyasa repertoire is marked by its high-energy spectrum of sounds and the lyrics that are aimed to make listeners relate to and think over the issues that are contained within. “We are soon to launch a new track called Nari, which

4 Finding the balance between complex songs and keeping them too simple, Mumbai based band, Strike Three, will keep your spirits up with their peppy music

with a whole range of covers right from the 90s, till the tracks that have come up last month. Just like the saying, ‘to each is his own’, even these musicians all have their own tastes in music and different inspirations too. It is when all of this is put together that Strike Three’s music is created.

About their original music, Jeremy says, “Writing music that is the perfect balance between complicated and simple styles of

songs is our biggest challenge.

The problem lies in the fact that, although complex music tends to be fun to play as it is more challenging, you tend to alienate a lot of listeners.” Keeping this in mind they like to define their music as being of the ‘funky blues rock’ type. Their rehearsals are super fun and light, they say. Most of the time it is just them running through the basic structure of songs.

As a band, they focus on one thing and that is good music, music that they would listen to. It is their aim with every cover and original composition that they perform.

For a band that is just an year old, they haev managed to create waves amongst the audience. “So far the response from the audience has been overwhelming. We have only heard good things from the crowd, and that is what encourages us to keep going,” he adds.

Right now the band is busy focusing on gigs and schedualing their tours. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

is about women empowerment.

Another of our tracks on the coming soon list is Khudi, which will be motivating song for those who are feeling low morally,” he says.

At their concert in the city, the band will perform four original songs, throw in some jugalbandi, and also cover Sufi hits like Dama Dam Mast Kalandar and Jugni.

“We will play some covers but will give them a new twist. In all we will play 15 to 20 songs and hope that the audience enjoys it,” said

Vaibhav.

There have been the usual ups and downs, along with changes in the line-up, but at this stage Nyasa seems to have found its musical niche, that allow all of them as musicians to express themselves as eloquently as they wish.

The Nyasa sound is a volatile cocktail of creativity, expression of pure joy and an expression of their inner selves.

When: October 29 Where: Jovos, NIBM Road zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

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An adrenaline junkie’s guide to vlogging

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TEJAS GAIKWAD

xactly a year ago, a video of a cyclist riding almost perpendicularly downhill was trending on Facebook.

The freeride mountain biker Sam Reynolds was running for Red Bull rampage, down one of The Grand Canyon’s hills. The version that was gripping was all from Sam’s pointof-view. That is what made it scary. Gautam Taode, one of India’s pro downhill racers is one such adrenaline junkie. His YouTube channel is a showcase of this.

Downhill biking has existed without any officiation for a short while now in India, with Pune’s enthusiasts picking their hills and favourite training spots to practice, as does Gautam. Raised around Wanowrie hill, the racer used to cycle around just like every other average Indian kid. However, unlike most, his hobby took an active turn as he found a passionate career in mountain biking.

His love for the sport is fi lled with zeal as he says, “I got into mountain biking at the early age of 15. Everything about mountain biking drew me in, especially the adrenaline rush and the thrill of the sport in general.”

Describing his fi rst experience downhill, he recalls, “It was absolutely terrifying! That is the reason I got hooked onto the sport of downhill mountain bike racing.”

He says that even though he has suffered a number of crashes with the most recent fracturing his collarbone half a year ago, he finds it extremely addictive. His fi rst race was in Nepal in 2011, as he recalls, “I had never seen such huge mountain terrain before and was immensely pleased. I rode a pretty old bike, which was a second-hand buy so that was a bit of a disadvantage, and I also had a lot of crashes on the trail while practicing. But eventually, I came in the top 10. From then on, I’ve only gotten better and faster.”

Gautam proudly claims that he is the fi rst downhill athlete to put India on the global map. He frequently travels pan-Asia.

He is sponsored by Giant Starkenn, who recently upgraded him with a Giant Glory 27.5 downhill, which is a professional racing

machine. Th is is his third year with the sports company.

As to why he got into vlogging, he describes, “Not a lot of people used to understand the intensity when I told them I went down this mountain and how it was that scary. So I grabbed a friend’s GoPro once and put it on my cycle to shoot my race from my POV. And yeah, it was scary!” The racer documents all his trips through his Garmin, and edits them using Windows Movie Maker.

Although this may seem like a novice approach to video making, the response that he gets on them is great. As he recounts, “while travelling, I decided that I wanted to share my trip with everybody and after the fi rst video became a hit, I decided to make a travel video of each trip I go on so that everyone can experience what I go through.

Vlogging has now become part of my lifestyle it also helps me reach more of an audience.

My videos are a combination of travel and mountain biking, with quirky bits here and there. I show my point of view while mountain biking and the fact that my sport is terrifying to watch. Seeing it from my point of view only makes it more scary and people love that!”

Gautam says that his videos have a twist, and that is why people love him. The athlete has been to Nepal, Bali, Salong valley in Manali, Bangalore and while he plans to make his annual trip to Bali a yearly vlog chapter, Salong valley is his favourite location to race.

He also plans to make a documentary of his life with bikes, using all the footage that he has shot up until now. For him, biking is not confined to the race; “I meet a lot of people and the best part of my lifestyle is that I get to travel all over the world and experience new cultures.” Among his future plans is to open his own professional training school where -as he proposes -- “I will take on anyone who is willing to hop on a bike and follow me down a hill!”

The amount of focus required to ride downhill at tremendous speed is a massive adrenaline kick to the body. And Gautam is an addict.

TGS LIFE Downhill racing will be recognised as OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 an official sport by PUNE the Cycle Federation of India next year.

Gautam Taode has been FEATURES ready for quite a while

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

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rom Hyatt in Goa, to Dubai, Doha, France, Germany and East Africa, Chef Parthiv Joshi’s work has granted him opportunities to travel and be inspired by food the world over. Co-incidentally, travelling as a child with his father, is also what got him hooked to the world of food in the fi rst place. The very fi rst dish that he conjured up was tomato soup, with his mother looking over his shoulder guiding him all the way. He was about 15 years old then. The soup, he recollects, had an Indian touch to it and was rich in taste because of its natural flavours. Over a quick conversation, TGS asked this chef about his journey, what he loves about being a chef and what inspires his creations.

An admirer of Italian cuisine, whether he is ordering it at a restaurant, or the one preparing it in the kitchen, Parthiv loves how every ingredient of the cuisine perfectly blends and stands out at the same time. In reference to this he says, “I honestly don’t believe that a dish can be completely innovated unless you have a whole new ingredient. So mostly what you can do with the dishes is fusion which in its own way adds charm to the dish and makes it

Travel became his gateway to the culinary world stand out.” Cooking for him is all about seeing his customers happy when they see the dish in front of them. The fact that a customer is willing to try something that the chef suggests is also a huge compliment since it shows trust.

The happiness of giving without actually expecting anything in return from the customer is what gets him out of his bed and into the kitchen every single day.

Inspiration for this Double Tree by Hilton Chef, other than travelling, often comes when he is in the shower. Considering that one’s mind is often relaxed during this time, the creative juices begin to flow easily. One begins to think more clearly and this helps a great deal.

Talking about challenges that a chef faces, there is just one thing that bothers him the most.

“Sometimes we get customers who want a lot of customisations to their meal. While we mostly abide by them all, it is important to understand that every recipe has basic principles that must be followed. Without these the dish might just lose its essence,” he explains. Even so, the fact that as a chef he gets to open people to new experiences through food and show them different dimensions of every single ingredient is what he absolutely loves. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

YOUR CHOW AROUND TOWN Diwali Dhamaka Buffet At Southindies

This Diwali Southindies has a special Diwali Dhamaka Buffet with more than 50 speciality vegetarian dishes from across South India to appease your tastebuds. The best of the best dishes from the four states of South India made fresh and presented live, is something very unique about this Diwali Dhamaka menu. Experience all the authentic tastes of Southindia like Pazham Puri, Vazapoo Wada, Appam Stew, Karvepillae Poondu Kozhambu and much much more, unlimited!! Some of the lip-smacking dishes on the platter are Pazham Puri which is a speciality Kerala nendran banana fried in a crisp rice batter, Mokkajuna Kerrai Wada, crisp fried lentil and vegetable patties and Kai kari Stew, a mix of vegetable stew cooked in coconut milk and spices.

When : Till October 31, 12 noon to 3.30pm & 7 pm to 11 pm Where: Southindies, Ganeshkind Road

A box full of donuts

Diwali calls for the family to come together and celebrate.

Amidst fireworks and home visits, there’s one thing that everybody is always secretly looking for. The sweets box. Diwali is synonymous with mithhai and c o n f e c t i o n e r y.

From homemade laddoos to chocolate bars the festival is all about tingling you sweet buds and guilt free at that. Mad over Donuts helps you with this guilt free indulgence with their special Festivities in a Box. It contains nine irresistible flavours of the season.

The flavours in the Box include: Motichoor ladoo, Kaju Katli’s , Halwa , Soanpapdi, Jalebi, Gulab Jamun which comes in two flavours and Milk Kalakand.

Where: At all Mad Over Donuts outlets Price per box: Rs. 425

Time for some pizza

When you gather with your loved ones and the conversations and laughter flow, just dial Papa John’s to place your order. Heart portions of their pizzas will liven up the Diwali party even more. Allow them to deliver happiness to your doorstep, at happy, pocket-friendly prices. After all, there’s no other better plan. It’s all about family, friends, fireworks and of course, lots of great food.

Papa John’s tantalizing Diwali offer gets you two medium pizzas, starting at just Rs 189.

Where: All Papa John’s outlets

With so many temptations around us during Diwali, most of us tend to forget about health and weight.

But worry not, as we get you healthy faral recipes straight from the experts

Give Diwali faral a healthy twist

Baked Karanji By Saba Poonawala

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aranji is a traditional sweet prepared during Diwali.

Th is dessert has soft sweet coconut wrapped with crunchy pastry. There are two reasons why baked karanji are a blessing during the festival. Firstly, they are a lot healthier than the traditional fried version and secondly they save a lot of time, as so believes Saba, a home chef who runs The Oven Affair and conducts various baking workshops. “I think this is a healthy recipe because there is no frying involved at all. The stuffing contains dry fruits which are healthy and dates give instant energy,” she says.

INGREDIENTS For the covering All purpose flour ......................................................1 cup Ghee ........................................................................ 1 tbsp Curd ........................................................................ 25 gm A pinch............................................................... baking soda A pinch ..................................................................... salt For the fi lling Dates (seedless and chopped) ..................................... 4 Pistachios, chopped ................................................... 10 Cashews, crushed ....................................................... 10 Dry coconut (roasted) ..............................................1 cup Dried figs ....................................................... half cup chopped Sugaraccording ...................................................... to taste Cardamom powder ................................................ a pinch Milk ......................................................................3 or 4 tsp METHOD • Preheat the oven at 180 degrees celsius and line a baking tray with butter paper and keep aside. Add the flour, salt, curd and ghee in a big bowl. Knead this into a dough and let it rest for approximately an hour and 45 minutes or two hours and cover it with another vessel.

• Once rested, knead it again and form small puris in circular shape and keep aside.

For the stuffing: Add the dates, pistachios, cashews, coconut, dried figs, cardamom powder and sugar in a bowl. Add the milk and mix well.

• Now add the stuffing to the puris, join the edges and seal them with a little water. Decorate the edges by pressing a fork along it.

Bake at 180 degrees for 15- 20 mins.

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

INDULGE

Flax Seed Ladoo by Chef Sathish Reddy

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o celebration in India is incomplete without a touch of sweet. Desserts are the highlight of every Indian festival but in the modern age, healthy food is a must. Flax seeds and Walnut have got enormous amount of natural health benefits and the combination of both with jaggery is something outstanding and healthier. “Flax seed improves digestion, give you clear skin, lower cholesterol, reduce sugar cravings, balance hormones and

promote weight loss and that’s just the beginning,” says Chef Satish who is the Executive Sous Chef at Courtyard by Marriott, Chakan. Oftentimes, the simplest foods are best for your health, and this is certainly the case for nuts as walnut is loaded with vitamin E, Omega – 3 acid which are responsible for protection against metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular problems, and type 2 diabetes and also for glowing and healthy skin, he shares.

INGREDIENTS Brown sugar ........................................................... 1/4 cup Jaggery, crushed ..................................................... 1/4 cup Cardamom powder .................................................. 1 tsp Flax seed powder ................................................... 1/4 cup Flax seeds ............................................................... 1/4 cup Walnut powdered ................................................... 1/4 cup Ghee .....................................................................4 to 5 tbsp METHOD • In a pan, dry roast the flax seeds and keep aside.

• Now combine flax seeds and walnut and ground it according to the texture you like.

• In a bowl, add ghee and combine all the above mentioned ingredients, mix gently.

• Now roll into even shape balls of lemon size.

Quick tips for a binge-free Diwali • Use natural sweeteners like dates, jaggery, honey or figs in sweets instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Various studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can cause side-effects like thyroid problems, memory loss, acidity and even obesity!

• The best time to eat sweets is either on an empty stomach or after a heavy workout. Th is is because when your body is low on calories, it does not convert the carbohydrates into fat, but uses it up for other functions.

• If you thought you could shop guilt-free for your Diwali savouries in the low-fat variety, you’re wrong.

Those attractive packets of diet chakli, diet chivda or farsan can be deceptive. And despite what they claim, most packaged food items contain trans-fats which can be very dangerous for our cholesterol levels and hence our weight and heart health. Make your savouries at home. And opt to bake instead of frying them to cut down on fat.

• Be a health-conscious host this Diwali. Serve snacks like dhokla, masala peanuts, unsalted dry fruits, sprout-chaat, fruit salad, idlis, baked chaklis etc. Avoid hoarding up on soft drinks or artificial juice. Serve nimbu-paani, jal jeera, chaas etc.

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

‘NO OTHER PLACE IS AS MUCH FUN AS OUR KATTA’

'SPENDING TIME AT THE KATTA IS EXTREMELY RELAXING'

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razy work hours and hectic schedules often lea us stressed. It also makes meeting our friends an spending quality time with them extremely difficu Anand Kulkarni and his friends are no exception. Giv their professional schedules, catching up everyday usua becomes difficult and so holidays and weekends are nev given a miss. "Spending time at the katta is extreme relaxing and takes away all the stress. A simple conversatio with my friends and a cup of chai is all one needs to have great start to the day," he tells us. Staying in the same la they all know each other from before but meet at the katt This meetings happen at the corner of Canal Road, ne Prabhat Road, where there is a stall selling chai and crea rolls. These friends have been doing this for almost thr years, and always make time to meet here. They talk abo everything from social issues, to work related stuff. It is al a form of catharsis, Anand says.

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hat started out as a habit to get fit, also paved the way for this group to meet and make new friends. Hailing from diverse backgrounds, ranging from a banker to an entrepreneur, everyone from this group visits their katta at Taljai every single day, without fail. "We celebrate every single occasion at this very place. This katta has given us so much happiness over the years, especially in terms of the amazing people that we have met, this is the least we could do," says Hari Godse, as he asks the tea vendor to pour us a cutting chai.

This group of about 15 members need a reason to celebrate. Whether it is a new pair of shoes, children's birthdays or achievements of their grandchildren, everything absolutely must be celebrated and mind you, at the katta itself. The youngest member of the group is in his 50s while the oldest is in his 80s. From politics to religion, from their neighbours to celebrities, they discuss everything and anything.

The varied professions and age groups make the discussions richer and for them it is the best way to start their day.

"The other day one of our friends did not turn up because he was ill. We waited at our katta for a while for him to turn up but he did not. We immediately called him and all of us went to his house together to visit him. This is how close all of us have got. No other place is as much fun as this one," says Subhash Pawar. This place has made us what we are, someone else says.

‘THE KATTA IS THE PERFECT MEDICIN

'WE DISCUSS EVERYTHING FROM POLITICS TO WHAT'S NEW'

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or the last six years, retired army colonel Sunil Bhide has been frequenting the spot near Abhinav Kala Mandir on Tilak Road. It's all about a cup of chai coupled with fun-filled and informative conversations with his friends he has made at this very place. There were smaller groups of friends that merged into one big group, and all thanks to this katta where they meet every single day.

"We all have different backgrounds, professions and live in different parts of the city too. It all started with coming to this side of the town for our morning walks and from there the friendship grew. We discuss everything from politics to what's new and even share jokes," he explains. In our attempt to keep up with the technological changes, we also learn from each other to use our smart phones and this is just

one example of how we spend our time here, he says.

The group has about eight people, who even make it a point to celebrate each other's birthdays. Making phone calls when someone has not made it or visiting when anyone is sick is also something that this group does. The fact that this group has people ranging from the ages of 50 to 67 years old, brings in so much diversity on even an extremely simple topic of discussion.

"When I was in the army this is something that I used to miss out on. After I retired, I must have hardly missed a day.

It’s all about spending time with these friends and having a great start to your day. I don't think any of us will be able to recollect exactly how we became friends.

It is something that just happened over a period of time," he adds.

T

heir friendship began about five years ago when their grandchildren were enrolled in an evening hobby class at Mahesh Vidyalaya.

Sitting around on the katta near Nalawade Baug, Kothrud. for almost an hour, they eventually

There’s more to a katta than just chai and conversation

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

W

hen and where was the last time and place that you hung out with your friends? It was probably at a fancy cafe, a newly opened bookstore, some swanky mall, or was it in the comforts of your home? For the last week, I have been roaming the streets of Pune, to look for what I have heard of in the stories that

my grandparents told me of their younger days. I’m glad to say that in the vortex of the concrete jungle, we were able to fi nd countless groups of people, of all age groups, sitting out in the open and enjoying each other’s company and conversations. No need for cell phones, these groups gather around spots, popularly known in Puneri jargon as ‘kattas’, and chattered the evenings away. They seem to be the lucky one's who have not only managed to shed their own boredom and everyday blues, but the sight of them and the sound of their

I

ave nd ult. ven lly ver ely on ea ane ta. ear am ree out lso

NE FOR ALL YOUR AILMENTS’ began talking to each other and soon became the best of friends. The place has changed a lot since they first began hanging around there, they tell us. It used to be a quiet road and now it is clogged with pedestrians and vehicles.

chatter is enough to cheer up any passersby too.

What keeps this Puneri katta culture thriving even today? Is there anything different about it from what it was a decade ago? We wanted to fi nd answers to our queries. Speaking to those who frequent these spots that exude a camaraderie and charm of their own, we get an insight into these spaces that bring people together come rain or shine, in face of their busy schedules, and all the ordeals of commuting. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

“We never planned on becoming friends when we started visiting this place. Since it was just for an hour, waiting for our grandchildren was easier than going home and coming back. Now I can’t imagine a day without this group and that’s the beauty of making friends in a setting like this. There is absolutely nothing to distract us,” says Madhuri Kirkole. Agreeing with her, Mangal Shendulkar says, “The katta is the perfect medicine for all your ailments. Coming here, in a way, completes our day.”

Neither of them knew each other and have the katta to thank for the friendship that they share today.

Over a period of time, benches too got built along this stretch, making it so much more comfortable to linger there.

Ulka Kulkarni says, “If ever there is a day when one of us does not turn up, the others make it a point to call and check. We have so much fun here that there is never a reason to not come. All of us read about various things throughout the day so that we have something interesting to share when we get here in the evening.”

“Even if it is something as trivial as a recipe that I might never try myself, I will still learn about it to share it here,” says Shailaja Agarkar, with a smile. The laughter and chatter continued as we bid them goodbye.

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES Pune has long been known for its katta culture, which has endured the effects of changing times and more. For all thosee who frequent them, a katta is far, far more than just a hang-out; it is for them a vital ingredient of their everyday routine, without which life would be incredibly dull and disinteresting

'THE MAUSHI AT THE KATTA IS A PART OF OUR SOCIAL GROUP'

t starts with visiting the katta once and then you get hooked. You keep coming back, explains Anub George. Going to the Spicer College Road, Bopodi katta for about five years now, his friends here are those whom he absolutely loves and will do anything for. Some of the people started coming here to meet their school friends, and then the group just got bigger. For most of them, meeting the friends at this katta is so much more important than meeting their school friends now.

"The katta that we fondly call maushi's, is a hub of creativity. It’s a social space that allows us to be ourselves. We vent our problems, find solutions, exchange ideas and more importantly become each other's support," says Anub. There are so many different people who visit the place. The age group is diverse and so are their professions, he adds.

What’s extremely special about this katta is maushi herself, after whom the katta has been named. "The maushi at the katta is a part of our social group. She doubles as our grandmother, guide and mentor.

There was this one time when one of the boys needed some financial help, and maushi offered it to him without a second thought. It is a big deal because she knows nothing about us other than our faces and some of our names," Anub tells us. Adding something more about the katta itself, he goes on to explain how the place is crowded in the evenings, and there are about 20 people all hanging around and having a great time together. "It's a celebration of sorts", he says with a smile.

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

Say what you want about the “modern classic” trend, it’s produced some gems

I

f you consider the subject empirically, there has been no better time in the history of automobiles than the present, specifically for motorcycles.

Depending on how old you are, you may look back fondly at the two-stroke era, or the horsepower wars of decades past, or with disdain at the introduction and relentless advance of electronic aids. But I believe many more will look back fondly at the present time, when nostalgia is informing motorcycle design, but not engineering, and opening up motorcycling to so many newcomers. Just look at the resurrected Triumph Bonneville, Ducati Scrambler, Indian Chief or its youngest sibling — this Indian Scout Sixty.

Like most trends, there are the authentic leaders, and the sheep. Like the myriadpretenders that slap high pipes on a standard model and hope for a halo to form. The Scout Sixty is not a pretender, it is a leader.

It may be designed from the ground-up to hark back to a time past, but it is engineered for 2016. The Sixty joins the full-bore 1200cc Scout as a “cheaper” entry into the Indian brand. Unfortunately, as a fullyimported motorcycle, it ends up being just about Rs 100,000 cheaper, with no other advantages. It uses a 999cc motor, makes 78hp and 88Nm of torque, which is significantly shy of the 100hp and 98Nm that the Scout makes. Clearly, these numbers have some meaning on a buying decision, but otherwise affect little in the experience of this genuinely fun motorcycle.

The fi rst thing you notice about the Scout is its overtly ‘vintage’ design. Fat front tyre, classic colours, machined metal you’d expect on old railway engines. All this is fancy-dress, hiding a thoroughly modern liquidcooled V-Twin motor nestled between cast frame pieces as a stressed member. When was the last time you saw a cruiser without two tubes of metal cradling a vibrating

Back to the future lump of a motor? For a bike of its size, the Scout Sixty many kilometres on it as possible, including some is surprisingly light, and weighs 252kg full of fuel. fast highway work. Unfortunately, the NH4 is full of None of this weight is evident due to its extremely low slow highway work-in-progress. There are sharp, deep, 643mm seat height. You sit feet forward, with the bars near-invisible potholes all along the ‘highway’ outside reaching comfortably back for this 5’9” author. Taller Pune in the direction of Bangalore, and quite a few riders will actually be even more comfortable and able were bad enough to be disastrous. Our ride was without to lean further back into the accessory backrest. incident, but we can safely say that a less capable The Scout Sixty comfortably falls into a category motorcycle would have easily tossed us off, or over the I like to call “psychotic rickshawalla”, which is to bars, or something similarly dramatic. The Scout Sixty say, you can misbehave with this motorcycle almost took it all in its stride and highlighted a key truth: the moment you get on it. Once you adjust to the cruisers — no matter how comfortable — will hurt odd sensation of not having your feet generally your back at some point, by way of the forwardbelow your body, you can just cane the Scout mounted controls. The rider simply has no Indian Scout Sixty with confidence. The ride-by-wire weight on the feet to absorb impacts. Th at Sixty throttle and fuel injection are perfect, apart, fast cruising is a pleasure and + Handling, and provide the tactility and ‘connected’ despite no wind protection, wind blast feeling I enjoy in a motorcycle. There’s was manageable. Brakes are adequate performance no snatchiness at low speeds, torque and didn’t warrant comment one way - Odd tyre size is available in plenty at all rev ranges, or the other.

TGS rating and point-and-squirt negotiation of Our test bike came decorated with ;;; 2 city traffic is tons of fun. Suspension is accessory leather saddlebags, with fiddly well-damped and you only feel jolts in your clasps and a big chrome crash bar. The bar is spine over the harshest obstacles. The generous close to the footpegs, and may foul for those with torque ensures you always feel like you’re in the right larger feet. That, and the very basic console are about the gear (5 against the Indian Scout’s 6) and the relatively only niggles we had with this motorcycle. More serious is vibration-free motor allows you to wring the maximum the noise the exhaust makes, or doesn’t make. It’s a very out of the motorcycle, all the way to it’s approximately poor note, barely registering as a V-twin and something 200kmph top speed. that will immediately put off anyone familiar with this Get out into the hills and you continue to gain format of motorcycle. For those who intend to keep the confidence, but lose some metal. The Scout Sixty has a bike long-term, you might want to note the 16” wheels modest max lean angle, and you’re likely to scrape the with custom Indian-branded tyres. You’re unlikely to pegs, if not other bits at even slightly elevated pace. find options in your local tyre shop.

The bike stays planted, however, and eggs you onward The Indian Scout Sixty proves that you don’t need raw and upward. Slow-in-fast-out is a prophecy rather than horsepower, overarching attitude or yogic ergonomics to good advice with the Sixty, with so much torque and have fun. This is a fast, honest motorcycle that makes few CG so low that you can’t do anything else. Th is is not compromises in technology and delivers performance a lazy, loping cruiser but one that will keep up with in spades. At Rs 11.99 ex-showroom, it is beaten in value only by the Rs 12.99 lac Scout. I can’t think of many other sportier bikes in most street situations. cruisers I’d want to buy, at any price.

We used our brief time with the Indian to put as

Cutters to plotters: No brakes

Once upon a time, ustaads were drawing and cutting vehicle graphics by hand. Until the machines took over

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mong the innumerable Google search results for ‘lettering book’, there is one titled The Art of Hand Lettering by Helm Wotzkow, a book which was first published in 1978. This book contains exemplary type design and lessons on understanding typefaces.

This, and similar books were a common sight in Nanapeth, Sattar Khan Chawl around 40 years

ago. Some of the earliest vehicle graphic artists in Pune took notes on ligatures from these, and cut the curves on radium by hand. It was fashion born out of necessity for the new-age Bullet and Trax owners to get their vehicles jazzed up with stickers and number plates. But the ustaads were few and their expertise, unmatched. And then technology overtook the hand.

THE NAME IS THE GUARANTEE

S

hakeel Tajmohammed Sheikh manages Modern Arts, a radium shop right beside Poona Central Restaurant. He represents the business and his legendary artist brother Akil bhai.

Around five years ago, Akil’s partner, the youngest sibling amongst the three passed away. Akil bhai retired from the profession and doesn’t even like talking about it.

Shakeel is the eldest, perhaps also the strongest, as he feeds a family of a colossal twenty four today, solely from whatever his radium business fetches. The shop was his gift to Akil in 1985, and that etched Akil’s name in the streets of Nanapeth forever. Ask anyone where to find Akil bhai, and there would be fifteen more kids and oldies alike guiding you along.

“Akil’s name is extremely popular.

He had these lettering books from which he used to see the font and cut them out by hand,” Shakeel proudly says while

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

LOOKING BACK AT DAYS OF YORE

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ushtaque Dawood was in the ninth standard in 1978 when he started working under a streetlamp, around which three of his shops now stand tall. Mushtaque Arts and Accessories, is what he named his business. He claims to be the first vehicle artist to have followed up on the need and start a trend. “There was not a single soul in Nanapeth when I started. It was a completely residential area. I set up shop first,” he says with more happiness than pride. He abandoned his education not for want of resources, but because within days of starting work, there were masses of vehicle owners lining up at his doorstep.

Surprisingly, his teachers and parents supported his passion then.

“Today’s young kids do not know how to do tape lining. Even now, it is hardly three or four of us guys who do it for Enfields,” he remarks, looking around at the innumerable radium shops in the area. He mentions how owners from Kalyan to Amravati used to get their dismantled Bullets in trucks and

cars to him for the perfect sticker lining on the suspension, the tank which had to display the words ‘Enfield India’ and so on.

Some still ask him for the traditional work.

Mushtaque bhai is a sketch artist. While he has converted his shop to accommodate digital graphics that range from Shivaji stickers to LED-backed number plates, he still artistically engages himself with his white charcoal pencil on radium sheets.

His strokes are clear and show little age.

Picking one ambitious project from his memory, he narrates, “25 years ago I made art for a friend’s rickshaw. His name was Anwar. It was a hand holding a rose upright in three colours - red, golden and white, and a sword with fish circling around it. Even though today he has changed all its parts, he has kept the windshield preserved.”

As the world moves faster and youngsters want more eye candy in timeframes as short as fifteen minutes, competition amongst shops has pulled the lever on artistic value.

But the veteran doesn’t regret it. He just looks back wistfully.

showing two number plates from the heydays. One of them is golden and the radium is as thick as a deck of playing cards. The curve cutting is exemplary.

Shakeel is illiterate but his brothers weren’t. Understandably, he can’t identify magazines very well. However, he furnishes an issue of Overdrive magazine in the hopes that he may find what he is looking for; the pages that said ‘Graphics

by Akil.’ “International magazines used to have Akil’s original letterings in a section which was called that,” he says, disappointed that he can’t find a copy.

Sadly, while Shakeel feeds his family on the name of a legend, the business is seeing a downward trend. He explains, “The competition is heavy. Number plates get designed for as little as Rs 300 and there are so many shops around. There’s no significance attached to it anymore.

You just need a computer and a machine cutter, and the work gets done.”

MOVING ON FROM TRADITION

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illennials look forward, not back. They are energetic and pacy. “It is a running business, there’s no time to sit and design stickers, boss,” a young boy of 20s shouts when requested for an original design. Arbaaz Shaukat Kamble and Saqib Haneef Sayyeed are two such individuals who’ve taken artistry to the assembly line. Arbaaz looks upto Saqib, who has been plating numbers and designing stickers for 12 years.

“I was always interested in designing these.

I grew up around here looking at these things, so I thought of trying my hand at it,” Saqib says. Although the 26-year old spent some

time on hand-cutting in the early days of his career, he doesn’t feel much about the universal abandonment of the technique. Arbaaz resonates, as he quickly remarks, “Humara kya hai na, koi aata hai ki yeh design banao; we think of where to fit it, then we sit on the PC with the graphic in the pendrive and get the sticker ready in no time.”

The process is that the client provides the image. The vendors clean it up and stick it.

Nanapeth has become that one-stop-shop for decoration enthusiasts who have ideas in mind.

The availability of technology has encouraged pace and detached value from art. But as demands grow, so must supply.

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES With a will to learn, Rahul Sawant, a boy with special needs is making it big in dance, cycling and swimming.

Here is his success story

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

R

ohit Sawant, 18 year old may have a mind of an eight year old, but he is an inspiration in true sense. It is his passion for dance, swimming and cycling that has given him recognition and taken him places. He has set a record for swimming non-stop for 13 hours and 12 minutes, and got his name registered in the Limca Book of Records.

He was just four when he fell down and injured himself. He was rushed to the doctor and was declared fit after a few stitches. He resumed his normal life and was back to school after a few days. The major setback in his life was when he fell again, injuring his head.

Th is time it was serious, and was taken to Mumbai for treatment.

He was put on medications but

MEET THE WONDER BOY

there was no improvement and Rohit’s condition worsened. “The reason was improper diagnosis, and by the time we figured out, it was late. Rohit lost his mental abilities and he started loosing his body balance. He could not memorise or remember things. He is fine now but he has a brain of an eight year old,” says Mrunal Sawant, his mother.

TOUGH TIMES During this period, when his mental conditions deteriorated, his school and neighbourhood friends refused to talk to him. They made fun of him and humiliated him. “It was difficult for him to cope up because he was not born ‘special’, and had developed mental disorders at the later stage. He was frustrated with his life, as was labelled ‘different’.

He wanted to be normal just like other kids,” adds Mrunal.

Th is is when his mother and his cousin Rohit Murundkar intervened. They were fi rm on making Rohit stand on his feet. “It was important to help him to channelise his energies through something.

And Rahul being a dancer decided to teach him,” she says.

HURDLES ON THE WAY It was not easy to persuade Rohit to learn dance. But gradually he started taking interest and enjoyed the steps. It gave him confidence, and a new meaning to his life.

“Initially he would not pick up steps, and would cry a lot. But slowly he developed a liking for dance, and today he has almost mastered Bollywood, contemporary and zumba,” adds Mrunal.

OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE Rohit is now part of Bal Kalyan Sanstha, a cultural centre for disabled children, where he teaches dance to many students.

He went on to win the Zumba Passion Award at the Zumba Convention in Florida, USA, where his talent was appreciated by Zumba founder Alberto Beto Perez. He also participated in a dance reality show Dance India Dance and reached the third round. “He picks up the movements and steps really fast. Even Mithun Chakravarthy appreciated his dance,” says the proud mother.

His abilities are not only restricted to this. He is also making a mark in swimming and cycling too. Th is young champ has got about 40 medals in swimming, and has also bagged a silver medal at a national level Special Olympic Bharat held in Bhopal. “It was hard for him to learn cycling. He used to fall a lot, but he was determined to learn,” she adds.

Rohit now does dance shows across Maharashtra, and recently did a charity event Zumbathon:

“It was difficult for him to cope up because he was not born special.”

loose for a cause, which was attended by special children. He performed to raise funds for kids with special needs. He now plans to swim across the English Channel, in an attempt for Guinness Record.

“He does not attend school, but I push him towards something where he can groom his talent, and sustain himself in future,” she says. zainab.kantawala@ goldensparrow.com

Reclaiming lost spaces Abhijit Patil is a street explorer. He helps redefine how we look at areas which nobody can claim as their own, yet they do

By Gulal Salil @gulalsalil

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ulsibaug is shut on Mondays. On this very day, in the month of January in 2013, a group of artists converted the closed shutters and the empty market walls into a public exhibition of visual art. Th is movement was called Sadakchhap.

Autorickshaw drivers, vendors, passersby and more gazed around viewing art which was sourced in from artists all over.

Unlike Tulsibaug, Kurdi used

to be a village in Goa bustling with people till 30-years ago. The construction of the Salaulim Dam turned it into ghost memory as the village submerged under water forever. Th is month, MAMI gave premier screening to a documentary on the subject titled Remembering Kurdi. In both of these projects, there is one man common. His name is Abhijit Patil.

Having leaped into documentary photography with fi rst steps as a photojournalist at the age of 19, Abhijit is the founder of Sadakchhap, an actor

and a researcher. His forte lies in bringing out the extra-ordinary in something that may seem ordinary to a layman.

The photographer directed an 18-minute docufiction in 2014 titled Bhairav based around youth, their assumed remoteness to Indian classical music and the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival. The fi lm was shot by Remembering Kurdi’s director Saumyanand Sahi, with whom Abhijit eventually got more occupationally involved later.

“I was wearing the same clothes for the entire course of Remembering Kurdi which took a year to shoot. It was annoying,” he laughs as he recalls the experience while shooting the guerilla-styled documentary.

Describing his association with the village, he says, “I realised that it could be like tracing my own roots. I understood how collective memory gets formed in the process of the fi lm.”

He left full time photojournalism after working for five years at various Pune, Mumbai and Delhi outlets, after which he graduated to the streets. “Streets are my thing,” he says with realisation of the fact that he wanted to do art and study the social landscape through his pictures. Sadakchhap soon become reality.

Sadakchhap is a guerrilla-style conversion of public spaces into art galleries. It aims at breaking art away from elitism. Its second chapter was on the plain walls of Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Kirkee and the third on Garware subway in the same year of 2013.

Narrating an incident, he says, “There was a farmer from Satara who heard about us, and came with two photographs of his village to put them up. He said that those two pictures took him back to his days spent in the village.”

Describing his inclination

towards open galleries, he adds, “We artists think we are on top of the world. It is important for art to be seen by all kinds of public.”

The friction from unwelcoming spaces is important. “No one knows who owns the public spaces”, he implores narrating how there have been instances of shops and vendors just not allowing art on their walls.

“It is sometimes challenging to go to local people and convince them.

Some just straightaway ask us to get lost,” he mentions. Sadakchhap’s fourth chapter is planned for January next year.

Abhijit’s work on male gaze on women was exhibited in Goethe Institute, Max Mueller Bhavan in January this year, and he has also received the Media Foundation India award for his photo essay titled Rojandhari. He is currently working on a feature script based on his association with Pune, which he says, “is a city I understand a little.”

Get fit the fun-filled Bokwa way

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016

The Bokwa Fitness regimen is a fun-filled, easy-to-learn workout, that is as suitable for ages seven to 70. And it’s set to the beat of contemporary pop music

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

I

t’s as easy as A, B, C or 1, 2, 3… quite literally. When it comes to Bokwa Fitness, all you have to do is draw letters and numbers with your feet, while shimmying to the beat of the music. It is a sweat-inducing, high-on-energy combination of ‘Bo’ that is boxing, and ‘Kwa’ that comes from the traditional South African dance Kwaito. Th is intense cardiovascular workout helps to build muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility. If you’re looking for a fun fitness class that is challenging, but which you can pick up in a jiff y, Bokwa is the answer.

WHAT’S THE DEAL The fitness dance style of Bokwa was conceptualised by Los Angeles-based fitness personality Paul Mavi, with a focus on dance moves based on his South African heritage. During this regimen, participants draw alphabetical letters and numbers with their feet

while performing an energising and addictive cardio workout routine to the beats of music.

“The form is simple and can be enjoyed and practiced by any age group, be it a seven-year-old or a 70-year-old person. When the participants draw a Bokwa L, C and 3 among other letters and numbers, it mimics a free-form, rhythmic, street dance style from South Africa, which requires no formal training,” explains Hema Ankaraju, a trainer. It’s easy for anyone to pick up quickly, no fancy footwork is necessary. And once the basic steps are mastered, dancers can add their own freestyle moves like explosive arm movements, shimmies, and hip bumps.

“The magic behind these instructor-led classes is the combination of high-energy music, easy-to-master moves, and the freedom for creative dance expression. Th is has helped Bokwa Fitness grow to be a bona fide workout craze,” says Shraddha Ganeriwala, a Bokwa enthusiast

and owner at Pulse Studio.

as letters and numbers so everyone can do Bokwa. According to Mavi, DO THE DANCE the use of sign language makes Bokwa participants draw letters it simple for people to follow the and numbers with their feet while routines,” adds Shraddha. performing an intense cardio Another enthusiast, Prachi workout routine.

Rananaware fi nds In this workout, Bokwa fun as each step is taught well as helpful in using American reducing weight. and Bokwa hand “I was a regular at sign language, thus Zumba, but got making it the only bored of it. Th is is a fitness programme new fitness fad, and in the world with a it’s very different bespoke hand sign from Zumba. In language which is Zumba you require a combination of choreog raphy, letters, numbers and while in Bokwa one words forming the can carry out this - HEMA ANKARAJU dance instruction. step without any Th is means even the personal assistance hearing impaired once one learns the community can dance to our tunes, alphabets. Bokwa does not require says Hema. Regardless of whether you to count steps, unlike the you know dance or happen to be traditional eight counts followed professional dancer, Bokwa is by most dance fitness programs,” adaptable for all levels and ages. she says. Also, Bokwa is set to It also happens to be a calorie contemporary pop music, which torcher. “The steps are structured is generally upbeat and energetic,

“It helps you lose weight and promises to enhance muscular strength.”

PUNE

FEATURES

while Zumba is usually based on Latin rhythms. Bokwa instructors have the freedom to pick any music they like, but most aim for Top 40 songs, making this one nonstop cardio party. “It is a nonstop workout. The tracks should be continuous, lasting up to 30 minutes at least,” says Shraddha.

TORCHING CALORIES Who said burning calories gets monotonous? Th is peppy and high energy dance routine is a great cardio workout as it combines cardio conditioning, strength training, co-ordination and flexibility. As per the experts, one Bokwa workout can actually help you burn around 1,000 calories.

“Apart from burning up to 1,200 calories in one session and helping you lose weight, it promises to enhance muscular strength, flexibility and cardio respiratory endurance. The best part is since there is a high-impact as well as a low-impact workout option available in this form, anybody can take it up,” says Hema. It also helps you de-stress and focuses on selfexpression and confidence. zainab.kantawala@ goldensparrow.com

SP

14

TGS LIFE

FOR A FUN DAY OUT

OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

SHOPPING

Chic and casual at the same time, 21-year-old student and model Ankita Lande shows you how to turn the oomph factor up a notch even on your most regular day

Staying in style

Headed out with your friends on a day long adventure, this dungree and white crop top is your best bet. It’s easy on the eyes and comfotable too.

You can pair it with converse or flats.

Dungree: Famella, Rs 1,200 White Top: Boutique, Rs 800 Jacket: Quirkbox, Rs 1,600

Black and white

When you want comfort to compliment your style these striped trousers and plain black lose t-shirt is the way to go. Pair it with a plain sling bag and contrasting heels to complete the look.

Top: Cupcakes & Closets, Rs 900 Pant: Boutique, Rs 1,000

Paint the town red

This uber cool red lose top when paired with a white jeans will most definitely make all heads turn. Flats, a chunky neck-piece and a watch can be added.

Top: Mango, Rs 2,500 Jeans: Jealous 21, Rs 1,400

Brunch dates For when the evening is chilly

This is an ideal outfit for those of you who easily feel cold. The dress is both comfortable and elegant and can easily be paired with a brown or black jacket. You could also add a beanie if you like.

Dress: H&M, Rs 1,600 Jacket: Forever 21, Rs 2,500

If you have a brunch that you must absolutely attend this white crop top and trendy black pants is your ‘go to’ attire. Pair it with white heels or flats and remember to keep the accesories minimal.

Pants: Pantaloons, Rs 1,099 Top: BusyBee Boutique, Rs 800

— Compiled by Salonee Mistry

‘Loving your fitness routine is important’

TGS LIFE OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016 PUNE

FEATURES

Currently pursuing a Masters in clinical psychology, 20-year-old Rajita Dutta is a pageant girl who believes in giving a 100 per cent to everything she does

By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry

F

rom horse-back riding, to swimming, basketball and even athletics, sports has always caught the fancy of this Kolkata girl. Being adventurous comes naturally to Rajita Dutta, who has been living in Pune for about five years now, is extremely focused on her fitness and is currently preparing for the Miss India pageant, a title she dreams of winning. She takes extra care of herself which is a top priority, and she pays minute attention to every aspect of her looks and health.

“Entering pageants was something that I was always interested in. While my father was initially apprehensive about the industry, once he saw how dedicated I was, he eventually came on board,” she said. The

EXPERT SPEAK Dhruv Chaudhuri AVP and Head Coach Multifit Gym

You have a well balanced workout routine. However I would suggest that you increase your protein intake and include a little of it in every meal.

Add in some nuts and other healthy fats too. Focus more on compound movements like squats and deadlifts and less on crunches, as that would be more beneficial for your core as compared to crunches.

Expert rating: 8/10

young girl has already been crowned Ms Citadel, along with winning titles like Mirchi Queen B and Campus Princess.

HER FITNESS MANTRA Rajita has a very simple fitness mantra.

Balance, she believes, is most important, no matter what your goal is. “Even if people want to eat food that they love, keeping a check on the calories is the least that they can do. If you figure out a way to balance your workout, you might not have to hit the gym everyday if you don’t want to.

Loving your fitness routine is important to get to your goal faster, and it helps in staying dedicated to it too,” she tells us.

While she will soon be heading to another country to pursue her masters, Rajita assures us that she will continue entering pageants, at least as a hobby.

MY DAILY LOG “My day usually starts around seven in the morning. Coffee is the fi rst thing I have after I get up as this keeps me going for the rest of the day. Breakfast is usually a bowl of cereal or oats. I make it a point to have this with honey instead of sugar to add a little sweetness to it. Since I follow the Rujuta Diwekar diet, I try and eat only the local and season food.

At around 11 am, when I start to feel a bit hungry, I eat a bowl of fruits. Th is is generally the fruit that is available during that time.

Th is is followed by lunch at around 1:30 pm.

A bowl of brown rice, boiled vegetables, and dal, which I sometimes alternate with chicken curry is what this meal consists of.

“Since I strongly believe that along with regular exercise and a proper diet, sleep is also an essential to stay fit, I nap for about two hours in the afternoon. I have some fresh juice which is always at room temperature when I get up and the head out for a workout. For my workout I alternate between cardio and resistance training. I do everything from running, squats, lunges and as I am currently working on my abs, crunches are something that has become a regular affair. On some days I even choose to do yoga instead of heavy workouts so as to give my body enough rest.

“After my workout, at about 5 or 6 pm when I usually feel hungry I have a bowl of sprouts topped with chaat masala to add some flavour to it. Dinner is at around 9-9:30 pm and generally comprises of phulkas, chicken or vegetable stew or maybe some curry. My cheat day is generally once in two weeks and even then I ensure to not over-do it. Water is a major component of my day as not only does it keep me hydrated but helps in clearing out the toxins too,” says Rajita. salonee.misty@goldensparrow. com

RAJITA DUTTA Age: 20 Weight: 50 kg Height: 5’11

A Guide to your Halloween costume I t’s that time of the year again, when old tattered clothes, scary make-up, and fancy attires will take over the night. You guessed it right, Lubeina its Halloween. Shahpurwala While this one day may be a struggle to dress for the fact that you can pull off the look simply by pairing most of the things that you already have in your closet is a big sigh of relief. All you have to do is a little bit of searching and obviously mis-match stuff from your wardrobe.

Lubeina Shahpurwala, Partner, Mustang Socks gives you tips to dress up for Halloween this year.

paint under your eyes might be the spookiest thing you would think of and maybe the easiest to do too.

DON’T KEEP IT SIMPLE A blast from the past is just something you should be looking for. Halloween is all about being the wackiest in the party. Let’s just say you would want to keep aside being simple for today, bring out the fun factor.

A LITTLE BIT OF PAINT It’s time to finally bring out those old paints and your artistic side too.

Paint all you want on your body just because it’s allowed on this day and is not weird at all.

PAINT YOUR NAILS AND SOCK UP YOUR FEET Spooky nails with weird colours and funky weird socks are just something you’d want to wear this Halloween.

OLD IS GOLD A DIY yeezy top with a drop of red

FLASH BACK Take out those old hats/caps that you may have kept away buried in your closet. Revamp the look with some morbid designs such as skulls or cobwebs painted on them. Use florescent paints to make angry scary eyes which will stand out.

— As told to Salonee Mistry

TGS LIFE

PUNE

BUZZ Riya Sen finds Marathi cinema really appealing and she shares a deep connection with Pune

M

odel and actress Riya Sen was in town on Thursday, 26th October for promoting an upcoming thriller titled 30 Minutes in which she has done an item number. We chatted with her while she was there.

The popular youth icon says that she is very religious. One of her latest instagram posts says ‘Keep Calm and Trust Shiva’, which is because she finds the Shivalinga very intriguing.

Describing her newfound inclination, she says, “For some good reason, I have been travelling a lot and i don’t know why I’ve been wanting my own Shivalinga murthy. I bought the best one which is called

the Parad Shivlinga which has mercury in it.” Adding on to why she bought her own, she says, “We’ve grown up in our house with pictures and statues of gods, but we are not in the habit of waking up and worshipping it. We would sometimes run to a temple to worship god when we wanted to, so I wanted to know why do people have their own statues and why I had this feeling.” She says that its presence is really helping her in her life with positivity.

Riya says that while her sister Raima Sen was their g r a n d m o t h e r ’s favourite and mother’s best friend, she has been the baby of the house. She says “they pamper me, they spoil me, but if I have a secret or a problem,

I never discuss it with them. I am shy to talk about stuff to my parents. But I am the laughing and entertainment stock of my family.” She calls Raima her twin-soul, “If she was here, she would have sat at the exact place as I have, spoken to the same people. Till today, we have common friends. No matter where we go in the world, if she meets someone she says like, ‘Oh my god, you must meet my sister’ and I do the same.”

The 35-year old celebrity sees Marathi cinema as a

great potboiler of culture.

“Marathi fi lms have great subjects, fantastic actors.

Today, Marathi cinema has got a separate face,” she remarks.

“Everyone wants to be a part of it, I definitely want to be a part of it. I definitely want to do marathi fi lms,” she adds.

I don't fall in love blindly We all felt Golmaal 2 was crap: Ajay

A

nushka Sharma says she is practical when it comes to matters of the heart as she does not believe in love at fi rst sight. "I am very practical as a person. I don't fall in love blindly or at fi rst sight. I don't understand these things. I never come to know if somebody is in love with me, they (boys) will have to hold placards and s a y , "A n u s h k a said."I don't understand fl irting. I am zoned out.

Someone has to say to me they love me as I often consider them (boys) as friends," says the actress.

Anushka's upcoming fi lm Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is about unrequited love so, when asked whether she ever had a heartbreak in a real life, she says, "No, I am practical. I don't have a crush on anyone easily.

When my friends in college had crushes, I used to think something is wrong with them. I just chill out. I find Tom Hardy very hot. About Bollywood actors I don't think like that as I know them."

Asked whether she has any advice to give to actor on love Anushka says, "They all know everything.

I don't like to talk about my personal life so I will not talk about others.

A

fter Rohit Shetty called his 2008 directorial venture Golmaal Returns a crap, its lead actor Ajay Devgn says he also agrees with the fi lmmaker as there were so many irrelevant dialogues in the fi lm.

The 47-year-old star believes that out of all the three parts of Golmaal, its second part was the weakest. "We all felt that it was crap as compared to its other parts and I totally agree with Rohit. We got a little carried away in Golmaal 2,” Ajay told PTI. "There were some dialogues, which were not suited for the kind of the

genre we were following.

But I think we realised it and then we changed it in Golmaal 3 again."

The actor, however, is currently busy promoting his directorial venture Shivaay and cannot wait for people to watch it in theatres. "I'm very happy.

Everybody has put in a lot of hardwork. In fact, it took me more than a year to screen test all over the world to get actors like these, who are really professional." "The child (Abigail Eames) in the fi lm is so great, you wouldn't have seen any performance like that including all of us, she is that good," he adds.

TEJAS GAIKWAD

I WANT TO ACT IN A MARATHI MOVIE: RIYA SEN

OCT 29-NOV 04, 2016