TGS Life 22/08/2015

PUNE, AUGUST 22, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

In search of the rarest

BIRD OF INDIA

Manish Hariprasad, creative producer of films like Kai Po Che and No One Killed Jessica, who is an avid birder as well, spends five days in search of a critically endangered avian at a not-so-well-known bird sanctuary in Maharashtra. Does he succeed? Read on to find out

Strike a pose!

Enter the DIY home

p08 & 09

Flying High on Flavours

p06 & 07

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TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

ENTERTAINMENT Siddarth Jadhav says his new film, Dholki, is a sure shot entertainer

By Salonee Mistry @Sal0412

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aking inspiration from his father, Ramchandra Jadhav, who was a theatre artiste, Siddarth Jadhav (33) grew fond of acting at a very early age. Popularly known as Siddhu from Jatra, Sattu Supari from Golmaal or Dhanaji from De Dhakka, the actor has received accolades for his acting skills on the big or small screen and even the stage. A very enthusiastic Siddarth spoke with TGS about his upcoming film, how he chooses his roles and why theatre remains his first love.

SOMETHING EVERY YOUNG BOY COULD RELATE TO Dholki, set to hit the screens next Friday, August 28, is the story of almost every young boy across Maharashtra. The character of Lalya, played by Siddarth, is representative of a young boy, who does nothing in particular. The village clown is not liked by anyone, except his mother. One day, he finds a dholki hidden in the attic in his house and that is when his life changes.

Lalya is character that’s as relatable as it

This versatile actor loves doing comedy the most

gets, believes Siddarth.

“The main reason I choose a script like this was the fact that it was being directed by non-Maharashtrians. It was their perception of what Marathi cinema should be like. In addition, the film is a total entertainer, which is always a joy to work on,” says Siddarth.

EVERY ROLE IS A DREAM ROLE Growing up in Ratnagiri, Siddarth led a very simple childhood. He was like any other normal kid, who had big dreams, and was in awe of the actors on the big screen. The actor grew up watching his father on stage and Kishore Kumar and Govinda on the big screen. When he first attempted theatre in college he realised that it was, indeed, his true calling.

Being naturally talented and a keen observer, it was not long before the audience started noticing and appreciating his work.

“Every person I meet is an inspiration. Everyone has something to teach me and knows how to do something that I don’t.

Observation is the key here,” shares Siddarth. He also credits the success of his roles, to the director of the film or play. Once the director knows what he or she wants, it is easier for actors to deliver, he adds.

With the need to constantly surprise the audience and even the people who know him, for Siddarth every role is a dream role. If the role is challenging and

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different from what he has done before, he most definitely wants to do give it a go.

With a natural comic timing, even though it’s considered to be a difficult genre, it is his favourite.

THEATRE IS MY FIRST LOVE Theatre has always prevailed and opened its doors to every actor. “I strongly believe that theatre is the platform that gives an artist recognition, name and fame. It is from there that most artists soar and achieve what they wish for. I started with theatre and still love performing in front of a live audience,” says Siddarth. Theatre allows you to experiment and brings out the true actor in you. For an actor to act to his fullest potential an audience reaction is equally important and the reactions when on stage are always real and immediate. This helps an actor grow, believes Siddarth PUNE IS JUST LIKE HOME Siddarth is often seen onstage at Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir. He loves the city’s audience as, he believes, they love and understand art irrespective of its format.

“JM road and Deccan is just like Mumbai’s Dadar and while Pune has its own calm aura, it also has the hustle bustle of a city life and that is what makes the city special.

Punekars have always loved and appreciated me,” says a grateful Siddarth. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

PLUCK THAT STRING: YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF EVENTS Raat, Chand Aur Gulzaar

reading of Gulzar’s short story Raavi Par. When: August 22 Where: Gyaan Adab Centre, Kalyani Nagar

The Birdcage

Gyan Adab celebrates accomplished poet Gulzar’s 81st birthday with three entertaining acts. With a mesmerising narrative of the maestro’s life story, songs and dramatic reading of his short story, the evening promises to celebrate the genius of Gulzar and his work.

Nitu, Deepesh and Meenal- three ardent Gulzar fans, will present a speciallycrafted narrative of the poet’s life with an audio-visual presentation. Debabatra Sinha will be belting out some soulful compositions. The singer began training in classical music at the age of 8 and has continued his dedication to his art. The evening will conclude with a dramatic

This Sunday, enjoy the movie The Birdcage at the city’s only rooftop cinema.

It is a remake of the French comedy La Cage aux Folles, which is about a gay man whose son wants him to play it straight for a few days. This is the third big cross-dressing movie to hit the American screens. It may be unconventional, flamboyant or even outright blatant, but it is sure to have you in splits.

When: August 23 Where: Lost The Plot, Aundh

Stand-Up Mondays

Laugh away your Monday work blues and start your week on a high with the

best in stand-up comedy. A writer and humourist Maheep Singh will touch on a variety of subjects in his show. This show offers more than a common stand-up comedy wherein the audience can expect laughter in it’s various degrees as well as food for thought.

When: August 24 Where: Independence Brewing Company, Mundhwa

Dance Away

Come experience how dance can help you release emotions. An introduction to Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), the course is a perfect blend of dance, role play and visual art exercises to explore our body image and emotions.

Mirroring exercises, dancing with props, moving through space, trust exercises, improvisation, body rhythms and handgestures exercises are all part of the package. Dancing with others helps gain self-esteem and confidence. Be a part

of this emotional dance journey and you will most definitely crave more.

When: August 22 and 23 Where: Artsphere, Kalyani Nagar

Lights, Camera, Action Following in the steps of great acting practitioners like Stanford Meisner, Bharat muni and Michael Chekhov, children can now improve the basics of their acting skills. Laying more emphasis on the process of acting rather than making actors, Natya Junction Theatre is all set to an environment necessary for acting aspirants to train themselves.

A solid foundation, a clear sense of truth, openness and having no fear of audience is the key to good acting they believe. Post the workshop you will get an opportunity to participate in all the upcoming activities by Natya Junction Theatre.

When: August 22 onwards Where: Rachna Avenue, F C Road

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Pune’s biggest indie music festival is back

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

STAGE Pune highlights

AR Rahman, Mark Ronson and other global musical giants will play at the festival this year

• AR Rahman • Aayushi Karnik • Baba Sehgal • Blakc • Dualist Inquiry • Erotic Market • Niladri Kumar • Nischay Parekh • Peepal Tree • Pierce Brothers • Prateek Kuhad • Raghav • Soul Clap • Swarathma • The Raghu Dixit Project • Vir Das’s Alien Chutney Pune will host the festival from December 4 to 6. The tickets are available at Insider.in

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he popular music festival turns six this year.

The NH7 Weekender has grown to be one of the most loved musical weekends in the country.

It promises to bring its fans an unforgettable musical experience.

This year, the festival travels to five cities. The journey kicks off in Shillong, where the festival will be held for the first time.

Then the festival travels to Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore before landing in Pune. “Shillong has been a destination for the festival in our minds ever since we started this journey in 2010. The city has, by far, the most enthusiastic music fans in the country and to host a festival there, set in the heart of Meghalaya’s natural splendour, is a real honour for us. This year

Watch out for...

The man responsible for one of the biggest singles of the year, Uptown Funk, will play his debut shows in India at the Delhi, Pune and Bangalore editions of the festival. Mark Ronson is an English DJ, record producer and song writer.

He has produced multi-platinum, Grammy-winning albums for artists like Amy Winehouse and Adele, and his fourth studio album Uptown Special peaked at number one on the

UK charts earlier this year Guitarist and composer Dhruv Ghanekar’s new project Dhruv Voyage sees him join forces with some of the most exciting sessions musicians in the country’s music scene. His new album Voyage features collaborations with the likes of Raul Midon, Etienne Mbappe and Ila Arun. Dhruv Voyage will perform at the Kolkata, Pune and Bangalore editions of the festival.

is easily going to be the biggest year in the history of the festival,” says Vijay Nair, CEO of Only Much Louder, which organises thefestival.

From critically-acclaimed international artists, to home-grown musical heroes, this year’s lineup has something for every music lover.

Over 100 artists across diverse genres will play on five different stages at the festival this year with renowned artists like AR Rahman, Mark Ronson, Megadeth and Ro-

drigo y Gabriella featuring on the artist list. “Th is is the biggest lineup that we’ve ever had. We’ve been working on putting together a lineup of this scale for months and I am incredibly proud that the programming of the festival in each of the five cities reflects the true spirit of the festival,” adds Vijay.

Pune Wagon Factory hits the live music stage with a mix of originals and covers

ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

A brand new act on the local bandwagon

By Sudheer Gaikwad

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he Pune city musical environment is a very fertile one, with new acts and outfits being a regular feature of the buzzing live concert circuit. The newest to join the bandwagon is Pune Wagon Factory (PWF), which will be playing their second concert this weekend.

The fledgeling band’s spokesman who goes by the stage name of Oghma, says that the name cropped up randomly. About their music, he said, “We like to perform intense music which is not too heavy, being somewhere between grunge and post-grunge.”

Besides Oghma who is the bassist and vocalist, the band features Lyndon on guitar and Masha on drums. There’s nearly a decade of age difference between Lyndon (30) and 21-year-old Masha, with Oghma

dead centre at 25, but the threesome share a striking musical affinity, with Audioslave being their biggest idol, aside from influences as diverse as Foo Fighters, Deep Purple and Pink Floyd. The three met each other only this year through music, of course, but have struck an immediate and lively rapport. “At this stage, it is necessary though to hold down a

job,“ said Oghma, who is a graphic designer, a profession that allows him to get creative with the art work for the band.

The band may be just a few months old but PWF already has six original songs in their playlist, one of which called Dream Child was recorded at the Grace Park Audio last month as a single and posted on Re-

verb Nation, Sound Cloud etc. “The response has been positive, one listener calling the single ‘an inspiring track that he could connect with’,” said Oghma.

The band feels optimistic about the scope for a band like theirs in Pune.

“Earlier it was only blues and metal, but now we are diversifying. We are getting some good response and we

hope it continues,” said Oghma.

Expect to hear covers of John Lennon’s Imagine, Be Yourself (Audioslave), Times Like These (Foo Fighters) along with some Pune Wagon Factory originals at this weekend concert.

Where: The Beer Café, Koregaon Park When: August 22, 9 pm onwards sudheer.gaikwad@goldensparrow.com

FG

TGS LIFE

Brothers

AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

E-Square: University Road: 08:30 AM10:15 AM11:30 AM01:00 PM02:01 PM03:45 PM05:15 PM07:45 PM08:30 PM10:45 PM Cinepolis: Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 09:00 AM09:45 AM10:00 AM11:00 AM12:10 PM01:15 PM02:15 PM03:25 PM04:30 PM05:30

filmygyan

4 PM06:15 PM06:40 PM07:45 PM08:45 PM09:25 PM09:55 PM10:20 PM11:15 PM City Pride: Kothrud: 08:30 AM11:25 AM01:00 PM02:00 PM04:00 PM07:30 PM10:45 PM City Pride: Mangala Cinema: 09:30 AM10:30 AM12:30 PM03:30 PM06:45 PM07:45 PM10:00 PM City Pride: R Deccan: 08:30 AM01:45 PM04:45 PM06:45 PM10:00 PM Vasant Cinema: Budhwar Peth: 10:00 AM01:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM Apollo Theatre: Rasta Peth: 01:00 PM04:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM Neelayam Theatre: Sadashiv Peth: 03:30 PM09:30 PM INOX: Bund Garden Road: 08:30 AM09:00 AM09:55 AM11:35 AM12:15 PM01:00 PM02:45 PM03:30 PM04:15 PM06:00 PM06:45 PM07:30 PM09:15 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM10:45 PM Laxmi Narayan Cinema: Satara Road: 12:30 PM09:30 PM Victory Theatre: Camp, Pune: 10:01 AM01:01 PM04:15 PM07:30 PM10:30 PM City Pride: Satara Road: 09:00 AM11:30 AM02:30 PM04:45 PM07:40 PM10:40 PM BIG Cinemas: Chinchwad: 07:45 AM08:45 AM09:50 AM11:55 AM01:00 PM04:10 PM06:25 PM07:25 PM09:45 PM10:45 PM BIG Cinemas: Kalyani Nagar: 07:00 AM08:55 AM10:00 AM11:55 AM01:00 PM04:10 PM06:25 PM07:25 PM09:45 PM10:45 PM

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TGS LIFE

It’s a bag bag world!

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rom clutches to sling style, totes or hobos, bags play one of the most important parts in a woman’s attire. Whether you want to add fun statement to your overall look or create a classy persona, you defi nitely need a bag to pep up your style quotient wherever you go. Here are some of the latest picks for you to choose from.

AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

SHOPPING

Dholak Sling Bag Play it loud. This dholak bag is for all those moments when you want to make a big impact. We are not responsible if all the men start dancing to your beat.

Where: Happily Unmarried Price: Rs 999

Naughty Queen Orange Hobo Made of exclusive cruelty-free cloth fabric, this tan piece houses an ample spaced compartment for all of one’s essentials.

Accentuated by a woven-through glimmer bow this versatile piece is sure to have heads turning your way.

Where: Baggit Price: Rs 1,850

Book Sling Bag This one is strictly for the book lovers.

Appear chic nerdy with this book cover inspired clutch bag. By the way you can totally judge this by its cover.

Where: Happily Unmarried Price: Rs 1,299

Suede leather clutch with fringes This chic fringed clutch bag can go with any kind of western outfit. Add some more fun to your look by pairing it up with pump shoes of similar colour and a funky jacket.

Where: Zara Price: Rs 2,290

Colourful faces of India tote bag A little chaos and a lot of colour is what this bag is all about. Try on an interesting look by teaming it up with any solid colour kurta of your choice and a pair of denims.

Where: Chumbak Price: Rs 995

Peacock coin pouch This pretty little coin pouch is your must-have on a day when you are wearing an ethnic attire and don’t want to carry a big bag.

Where: Chumbak Price: Rs 495

Yellow Rook Potli Handbag Featuring an interesting design, this will rate you high on the style metre.

You can carry it for daily usages and store all your belongings well.

Where: Lavie Price: Rs 2,790

Animal print bag Add a zing to your look by teaming this funky bag with a pale yellow dress.

Where: Mango Price: Rs 6,790

Multi Colour Baga Handbag Made with soft leather to bring you a touch of sophistication, this bag can be teamed up with your ethnic attire to get the desired look.

Where: Shoppers Shop Price: Rs 3,995

PICS BY ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

INDULGE

Flying High on Flavours He is young, talented and still single. Spending a day with Chef Sagar Bajaj reveals some of his best kept secrets

By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM

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ailing from a hardcore Punjabi family in Delhi, chef Sagar aka Nick’s gastronomical journey began from his home kitchen when he was barely 10 years old. “Like most Punjabi mothers, my mother is a great cook. I remember standing beside her in the kitchen and watching her create sumptuous dishes. Both of us would play

around with old and new dishes when I was in school and my cousins and friends would be our constant guinea pigs.”

After completing a couple of crash courses in Delhi, Nick moved to Australia to pursue his dream of becoming a chef and did his masters from Holmes Institute, Melbourne.

“I lived in Australia for over a decade and worked with international chefs. Their style of cooking is very different from Indian cooks but whenever I served my version of Rogan Josh, which my mom made back home, they would be drooling over it. Indian food is famous for spices and strong flavours, but to cater to the tastebuds of the people in Australia, it was a big challenge to create the right balance of heat and authenticity in my dishes,” explains the 27-year-old.

SPANISH CORN CREPES INGREDIENTS 3 Red bell peppers (roasted) 1 cup American baby corn 1 cup Double thick cream 1 sprig Fresh thyme 1 tbsp Chopped parsley 2 tsp Grated parmesan cheese 1 tsp Chopped garlic 5-6 Sundried tomatoes 1 Orange segment 1/4 cup Plain flour 1 cup Milk 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil Salt, as per taste Chilli flakes, as per taste METHOD Whisk together plain flour and milk until a smooth batter forms. Cook the thin crepes on a non-stick flat pan and set it aside.

For stuffing, heat a pan, add extra virgin olive oil and sauté garlic and red bell peppers along with the baby corn.

Sprinkle fresh thyme and cover with a lid

for 3-4 minutes until bell peppers and corns are caramelised.

Open the lid, add 1/4 cup cream and stir well on high flame.

Now, set aside for a few minutes. Stuff the crepes with the mixture and shallow fry on a flat pan until golden brown and transfer it to a serving plate.

For the topping sauce, heat the pan and sauté the chopped garlic in extra virgin olive oil. Add sundried tomatoes, cream and simmer it for 3-4 minutes.

Now add orange segments, salt and chilli flakes, according to taste. Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley. Pour the sauce over the crepes and serve hot with grilled, or sautéed seasonal vegetables, of your choice.

CHEF RECOMMENDS: For an Indian palette, I prefer adding an extra dash of herbs and heat it up with chilli flakes to pack a punch. To enjoy this melt-in-themouth dish, pair it with a dry white wine.

Nick eventually moved back to Delhi and began his career as a chef at Flying Saucer Café, which launched its fi rst outlet in the capital two years ago. “I was having a tough time initially after working abroad for so many years, but the team here gave me immense support and freedom to experiment. I got an offer to join the new team in Pune and moved here around a year ago. I fell in love with the city instantly. People here are warm and they have a refined taste, which make my job a lot more fun. There’s much scope to experiment here which is what I thrive to do in the kitchen,” Nick adds, as he plates a favorite dish at the rooftop sit out of the restaurant.

It’s not just about creating a classic dish out of a book. A chef ’s job is akin to that of a technician, Nick explains. “Tweaking

the ingredients and flavours according to what your customers would appreciate is a technique that every chef should possess if he wants his customers to keep coming back to the restaurant. Until my customer does not get a chatkhara — the mouthwatering sensation when you eat something delicious — after eating food that I have prepared, I haven’t succeeded at my job.”

When not fl ipping pans in the kitchen, Nick likes to hit the highway on his bike.

“I don’t get much time but whenever I do, I manage to steal a few hours and go road cruising. Sometimes, I even add camping to the quick getaway.”

Sagar Bajaj is the corporate chef at The Flying Saucer Sky Bar, Viman Nagar. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

INGREDIENTS 100gm Massaman curry paste (available at gourmet stores such as Nature’s Basket) 425 ml Coconut cream 250 gm Roasted lamb 5 Bird eye chillies 1 knot (approx 20 gm)Galangal 1 tsp Chopped lemon grass 3 tbsp Refi ned oil/ sesame oil 1 tbsp Soya sauce 1 tbsp Tamarind paste 1 tbsp Oyster sauce 50 gm Palm Sugar To taste Salt To taste White pepper

A handful Basil leaves 4-5 Kafi r lime leaves

MASSAMAN LAMB CURRY

METHOD Heat oil in a Chinese wok or a non-stick pan then add Massaman curry paste, galangal, lemon grass, red bird eye chilly and toss the mix for a minute. Add coconut cream and stir on high heat until everything combines together. Add roasted lamb, soya and oyster sauce and let the gravy simmer. Add palm sugar, tamarind paste, salt and white pepper and simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes.

Finish up with basil and kafir lime leave. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

CHEF RECOMMENDS: This extremely flavourful Thai dish is one of our bestsellers. I have given it my own tangy twist by adding a dash of tamarind, which our clients absolutely love. To up the taste, pick a crisp, chilled glass of beer.

Dumaadum specialises in North Indian cuisine — think creamy Paneer Makhani and Makrana Tangdi Kebab

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raving for authentic North Indian delicacies and don’t want to leave the comforts of your home? Worry no more, as Dumaadum, North Indian Kitchen & Grill delivers the most delectable biryanis, kebabs and curries right at your doorstep.

The dishes here are not just mouthwatering good but promise the freshest ingredients used - which they say is their USP. After serving in the retail industry for many years, this takeaway joint was started

by Rakesh Rajendran around three years ago. “The idea behind starting this kitchen-

are the juicy, fingerlicking kebabs such as the Paneer Tikka, Makrana Tangdi kebab, Chicken Achari and Chicken Lasooni kebab.

The Dal Bukhara is one of the dishes that the owner swears by and is on the top of his most recommended dishes. “A rendition of Delhi’s famous ITC Bukhara restaurant, we too, slow cook the dal over the tandoor overnight which brings out the smoky flavours and makes the dish so delicious,” Rakesh adds.

The menu offers a range of flavoursome and aromatic biryanis like Chicken Matka Dum Biryaniand Chicken Awadhi Dum Biryani which are highly recommended.

For the people on the go, the joint offers a ‘Food-Box’ menu which is a combination of parathas, rice and curries, which and are quite popular amongst office-goers. The outlets are spread across the city covering major localities such as Baner, Kothrud, Model Colony, Salunke Vihar, Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park and others.

advertorial

Call them when you crave for Maa ki daal

TGS LIFE | AUGUST 22, 2015 | PUNE

Besides the quality and taste of the food, this also is quite a pocket-friendly option for those who often love to indulge on food. The melt-in-the-mouth Sitaphal Phirni to round off a sumptuous meal here is definitely something that we vouch for!

Call for delivery: 9028122200 Get in touch: www.dumaadum.com

style outlet was to make home-delivery a trend in the city.

We wanted the customers to have a hassle-free experience where they don’t have to bother reaching for the food, but the other way around. Besides, there is always a fear of quality not being up to the mark, but at Dumaadum, we maintain the best standard to provide our customers with everything made with fresh ingredients,” he says.

A foodie by heart Rakesh loves to experiment with his menu and keeps adding a new dish to the list every now and then.

Among some of their best-selling dishes

YOUR CHOW AROUND TOWN Monsoon Momos at Panash

Get ready to savour the steaming hot little pockets of happiness. Enjoy fillings like Pokchoy and water chestnuts, Cheesy corn and asparagus, Broccoli and cottage cheese for those who prefer vegetarian and Chicken, Lamb, mixed seafood for non-vegetarians.

Relish the authentic flavours of steamy hot momos accompanied by veg and non-veg Thukpa and a wide assortment of dipping sauces!

When: Till August 30 Where: Panash, Four Points by Sheraton, Nagar Road

Latin Fiesta Enjoy a month-long Latin Fiesta at Hard Rock Cafe with foot-tapping music, crafted tequila cocktails and delicious Latin American food. You can perk up your senses with the Tequila Slammer, Liquid Lust, an amazing mix of sweet

When: August 22 Where: Eighty Eight, Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar

and tangy concoction of white wine, cranberry, orange and lime and plenty of tequila cocktails.

Indulge your culinary senses with Char Grilled Tex-Mex Chicken Skewers, the Red Rod Fries,Tijuana Chicken Sub Roll, Spanish-influenced Fire CrackerCrunchy Chicken Tenders and much more. For vegetarians, the Brazilian Barbeque Veg Grill Skewers is a must try.

When: Till September 6 Where: Hard Rock Café, Koregaon Park

Cheesecake and Probiotic Yoghurt Festival

Parottas and varieties of Biriyanis like mutton, chicken, lamb or prawn. From Mangalorean cuisine, you can sample Kori Rotti, Bangude Pulimunchi and Neer dosa.

When: Till August 30 Where: JW Marriott Hotel, Senapati Bapat Road

Baking Master Class Spice Routes of India Experience the journey of southern spices on your platter with authentic Malabari, Chettinad, Manglorean and Coastal Andhra cuisines at Spice Kitchen and Shakahari.

The Malabari cuisines will be the high spot of the festival. Some of the tempting items that will be displayed at the festival are Kallummakkaya curry, Erachi puttu,

Bring out those baking trays and whisking tools! Hyatt Pune brings you a special Baking Master class. Chef Parag Kandarkar, the face behind the designer cakes will let us into his secrets behind the brilliant baked masterpieces. At the Masterclass, baking enthusiasts will learn how to whip up a delicious fruit cake, melt in your mouth cookies, easy and delicate garnishes, cupcakes and cream art.

Gelato Italiano brings to you its Cheesecake and Probiotic Yoghurt Festival to satiate your sweet tooth.

Enjoy a blend of delectable gelato with a twist of rich cheesecake with fruity flavours giving it quite a divine taste.

The cheesecake gelato offers choices from citrusy orange to fruity peach and apricot and luscious strawberry. It is available in two very berry tarty flavours.

The Blueberry yoghurt made of fresh blueberries and Wildberry with a mixture of lush and zesty berry flavours to play with your senses.

When: Till September 30 Where: All Gelato Italiano outlets

AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES

Strike a pose!

SWITCH16 PHOTOGRAPHY

TGS LIFE

It’s hard to have missed the fact that trends in wedding photography are changing.

These days, couples are going the extra mile to get glammed up for pictures they’d hold dear for posterity. Planning a shoot requires quite a bit of thought yet young couples are happy to turn into posers

By Zainab Kantawala

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edding pictures are timeless. They take you back to the happiest times of your life and remind you of a day that means a lot in your life. The pictures can be candid shots or posed, but they capture you and your better half smiling and in love. Th is is exactly why a good photography theme is important for a beautiful wedding album. If you want the memories of the most important day of your life to be oneof-a-kind you need to plan, select a theme that depicts your love story, and, most importantly, select a good photographer to capture your special moments.

In fact, some couples have gone the extra mile to think up some really quirky photography themes for their wedding. Read on to be inspired, or simply borrow, these ideas before they become an ordinary wedding fare. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

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midst nature, surrounded by white sand and an expansive ocean in the backdrop would be a perfect set up for a wedding. It was not all that easy for this couple through. “We always wanted to get married on a white sand beach but our parents didn’t agree with the idea and we got married in the traditional manner. After a year and a half, we saw an empty window in our work schedule and decided to renew our vows in Maldives and get a proper post wedding photo shoot done. Our long-nurtured dream led to this decision,” says Radhika.

The ceremony was conducted as per local traditions at Kuruba Resort, Maldives. The couple wanted everything in a natural environment rather than creating a theme. “We had got an arch done with red flowers at the entrance of the main location, which seemed a great idea for a photo shoot. We were taken to the seaside porch in a golf cart and welcomed by flower girls while a group of boys played dhol in the Maldivian style,” she says.

FEATURES

Alisha and Rishabh Bafna

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hey fi rst met at a formal event, and were introduced to each other through mutual friends. Theirs is a typical fi lmy story.

Changing trends

The Vegas shoot

Bhagyashree and Anand Sawant

rooming in the wild and open road sounds like a perfect theme for a wedding only to some.

Bhagyashree and Anand’s love for speed got them thinking about integrating the theme into their special day. “We are passionate about high powered motorbikes and we were keen to have them in our photo shoot,” says Anand.

Since it was an arranged marriage, the couple went on a

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hen you think of Vegas, the city’s glitzy lights and glamour come to mind.

Ketaki wanted to bring the old world charm of Vegas to her wedding. “Both of us were in Washington DC before the wedding. I had very little, actually no time, to plan the photo shoot but I had bunch of ideas and had been following some people on Pinterest for almost a year before the wedding. I wanted to colour coordinate our outfits with those of the guests, the décor, etc,” adds Ketaki.

She chose vintage and historic locations and shot pictures for an hour. “You need to be prepared beforehand with the poses and coordinate outfits so that no time is wasted during a photo shoot. After all, you only have limited time to get maximum clicks and not every photo captured is going to be prefect so the more you click the better are the chances to land up with a perfect picture,” Ketaki explains.

Understanding the couples’ story is an important aspect that helps decide the theme for the wedding photography. The photographer analyses the situations and then the planning begins. “We focus on their journey, from how they fi rst met, places that connect to their history, where they confessed their love, etc. We decide the theme on the basis of their personal experiences. If it’s an arranged marriage we focus on props, like the wedding ring and placards. We select a playful theme where we can use bubble guns, snow sprays, etc,” says Parag Gopale, a popular wedding photographer.

Speedy affair

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Ketaki and Sachin Rajgire

“On our fi rst meeting both of us knew that it’s not going to work. He asked me about my likes and dislikes, and I told him about my love for cars. Th at buzz word changed everything and has since been the foundation of our relationship and marriage,” says Alisha.

The couple runs a startup, called Kar-Worx and Spa, together. “I knew that I wanted to do our pre-wedding shoot at our workshop since cars form a very important part of our lives. We organised the shoot before sunrise to get the best lighting,” she describes.

Behind the scene

Wedding photography has become an upbeat trend in recent times. Couples now want to ditch traditional shoots, think mehendi-covered hands and tacky post-shoot add-ons, they seek candid moments to be captured instead of posing awkwardly. “Another trend that we have seen is the post-wedding shoot. The newly-weds retake their vows in their wedding attire in enclosed, well equipped locations. Also the ‘old school yet trendy’ is the Vintage theme that couples vouch for. Most times, this just means turning a regular frame into a black and white picture,” says Jeena Haoladar, who set up Switch16 Photography, with her friend Pratik Wadekar.

PARAG GOPALE

Radhika and Achint Gupta

AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

Passion for cars

@kantawalazainab

Capturing the beauty of white sands

TGS LIFE

Love for the game Ashok and Shraddha Damani

A

shok was instantly attracted to Shraddha’s shy nature and when the tennis enthusiast got to know that she is an ace tennis player he was ready to declare his love for her. “She had defeated Sania Mirza at a National level championship and I was very impressed,” says Ashok, beaming with pride.

Shraddha and Ashok wanted their love for tennis to be captured eternally in photographs. “Our photographer friend, Parag Gopale, did a very interesting Love All shoot on the tennis court,” said Ashok, “All the clean background and bright green tennis balls, add an amazing touch of colour.”

pre-wedding date on the bike.

It was their fondness for bikes that brought them closer.

“We love to ride and that is what we do when we aren’t working. Bhagyashree prefers bikes over cars. We wanted to i n c l u d e something that we love to do in our wedding album,” he adds.

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

Coming soon: Honda BR-V SUV Newest Honda breaks cover in Indonesia, expect to see it at Auto Expo 2016

I

f the Renault Duster, Ford E c o S p o r t , Maruti S-Cross or Hyundai Creta don’t catch your fancy, you may want to wait a while longer before you make a buying decision.

C r o w d favou r ite Honda has just shown the BR-V SUV/crossover at the GAIKINDO Indonesia

International Auto Show (GIIAS). Visually, it’s a mixed-bag of Honda elements. The front chrome grille is reminiscent of many current Honda models, including the City. Projector headlamps are seen on the image Honda has released, as well as chromeringed fog lamps. Inside, we will see an interior with shades of the local market City and Jazz, with dual-tone dash and capacitive controls. The BR-V will be a 7-seater.

Follow the shoulder line and you’ll see hints of the Mobilio MPV in the doors. Ground clearance looks good and the wheels are handsome, though we may get a different specification for India.

For Indonesia, the SUV comes with a 1.5-litre iVTEC engine generating 120hp and 145Nm of torque, mated to either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission. For India, we’re likely to see it sold with the 1.5-litre iDTEC diesel motor that’s used across the Honda India range. We hope Honda takes a leaf from the competition’s book and includes standard ABS and airbags, as specified on the Indonesian model.

Ford launches Figo Aspire compact sedan in India starting at Rs 4,89,990

Three engine options, airbags and ABS standard across the range

F

ord has announced the availability of its Figo Aspire compact sedan in India, first seen in the 2014 Auto Expo. While it shares the Figo moniker, the sedan looks nothing like its hatchback stablemate, striking a handsome pose with its Aston-like front grille and well-integrated boot. Coming in under 4m in length, Ford claims a number of firsts for the segment, including the first compact sedan to offer standard driver and passenger airbags across the range, which starts at Rs 4,89,990, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Ford will make the Figo Aspire with three different motors -- an 88PS 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol, a 100PS 1.5 TDCi diesel and a 112PS 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol, only available in one trim with an automatic transmission. Buyers should be comforted by the 10-year, 100,000km warranty on the dualclutch auto. Ford is also claiming respectable efficiency figures for the engines: 18.2kmpl for the 1.2, 17.2kmpl for the 1.5 petrol and 25.8kmpl for the 1.5 diesel.

Ford is piling on the features

with the Aspire. Particularly practical is the MyFord Dock, to charge and sync one’s mobile phone. It also includes SYNC technology with Applink, which allows control of some mobile functions and apps via voice commands through the car’s entertainment system.

Also on offer are claimed classfi rst leather seats, a programmable “MyKey” system that allows owners to program specific driving functions, including limiting top speed -- useful if you have a young driver in the family.

Audi launches updated A6 Matrix sedan Comprehensive update brings Matrix LED headlamps, more power and new entertainment system

T

he arms race in the luxury car segment continues.

Not to be outdone by Mercedes’ slew of big-ticket launches, Audi has announced the availability of the A6 Matrix sedan at Rs 49,50,000 ex-showroom, Mumbai/Delhi. Audi’s updated mid-size sedan is only available

with the 2.0-litre TDI engine, massaged to output 190hp and deliver a claimed five percent more efficiency. The motor is mated to a new 7-speed s Tronic transmission.

In keeping with the intended use, the updated A6 comes with a new infotainment system with a Bose surround-sound speaker setup. Adaptive air suspension and four driving modes allow customers to tailor the drive (or passenger) experience as required.

For the rear passenger, the front passenger seat is conveniently power-adjustable, allowing for more legroom when needed.

Climate control can be tailored to four individual temperature settings for each occupant, all of whom enjoy leather seats. Safety is taken care of by eight airbags.

While not all-new, the updated A6 Matrix does get some cosmetic tweaks in the grille and bumper, and still strikes a purposeful stance, almost aggressive thanks to the new, trick headlamps.

Whether it behaves as such on the road, we will fi nd out soon. Catch the drive

story in next week’s TGS Life.

Enter the do-it-yourself home

Located on the top floor of a four-storey apartment in Viman Nagar, Rupa Rajkhowa’s carefully handcrafted abode is as vibrant and classy as the homemaker herself

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES PICS BY ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR

By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM

T

here are thousands of stories that talk about ways to de-clutter your house.

How you must discard old belongings hiding in your closets and store rooms such as furniture, clothes, chipped artefacts, carton boxes and plastic bottles to give way to the new. Take a close look at Rupa Rajkhowa’s house and it will change your idea of decluttering forever.

As you step out of the lift, greens planted on pots of different sizes and shapes welcome you. Little artefacts that have been created using old furniture pieces also stand besides hoping you’d appreciate them. The wall around the entrance has been beautifully done up using a mix of papier-mâché, adhesive and acrylic paints. “After moving into this house a few years ago, I had a whole lot of wood left over from the old furniture that was of no use any more. But I didn’t feel like throwing it away and started wondering what could be done with them. I just got the acrylic colours and painted whatever idea came to my mind onto the wood-boards,” says Rupa.

Once inside the house you would be surprised to see how carefully Rupa has designed each and every space. A patch work, which Rupa picked up from an e x h i b it i o n of Widow Association of Orissa during her travels, is difficult to miss. It has been pasted ont0 the back of the main door and extended by an abstract painting using acrylics.

The door opens into a little corridor that leads

you to the living room. On the left wall of the corridor is another wall art, depicting a tree and birds, which Rupa created using papier-mâché, M-seal and glue without the use of a paint brush. “There’s nothing that goes in the waste bin in my house. I store everything whether it’s our worn out dupattas, patchwork kurtas, saris or cushion covers, T-shirts, old junk jewellery, stones or beads, broken crockery. I never throw anything out. I constantly keep thinking how I can turn things into something useful and just start working on them,” Rupa adds as she walks us around the house.

The living room has been done up in a traditional baithak style. There’s a Warli mural on the wall as you enter the living room that depicts life in a village. Rupa’s elder daughter

Devyani created the wall art over a period of two months. “A neighbour taught me Warli painting and then I decided to paint the wall instead of putting up a frame. I used a mixture of Geru mitti (red mud) and fevicol as the base to give it an earthy look and then created the scene of a village using different shades of acrylic paint and used the mirror pieces to finish the look.”

Similarly, there’s another wall mural in the master bedroom that has also been painted using poster colours. “I saw this Egyptian painting on a greeting card and thought it would look great if I created a bigger replica of it. It took more around four months to finish it but the result was satisfying,” says Rupa, who is beaming since she’s been told her work looks fantastic. One of the highlights of the house is the door to the bathroom, which has been done up by putting together a collage of kurtas, saris and stoles. The colourful collage has been delicately framed and installed on the door that faces the living room. There’s an old Rajasthani terracotta tandoor, which has been converted into a colourful flower vase using magazine cut-outs and acrylics.

The balcony has been converted into a covered sit-out using fake grass. Th is is where Rupa practices sitar whenever she gets some free time. Numerous recycled items sit out along with her. The fi rst to catch our eyes is the coffee table made using the centre cut-out of her dining table. Another vase standing elsewhere is made using the TV carton which she simply wrapped with tape, adding layers of old dupatta patches and colours. The neck of the vase is an old shuttlecock case pasted on top to keep flowers.

The main window area of the living room has been extended out to create more space where Rupa has set up a divan. The inside of the walls have been given a village mud house look by creating a base out of plaster of Paris, fevicol, water and mud colour and decorated with mirrors.

The kitchen opens up to another balcony that has been covered and turned into a bright dining space with two more wall murals created by the mother and daughter. The old dining table has been redesigned using vibrant cushion patchworks along the borders. The deep red wrap-around skirt and shawl pieces have been converted into upholstery for the chairs.

The tour of the house ends with an equally sumptuous lunch prepared by Rupa, who loves to play host and often organises get-togethers for her family and friends. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE

AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

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TGS LIFE RAHUL RAUT AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES

CITY

celeb chat

Name: Chahat Dalal, Model Three words to describe me: Adventurous, funloving and determined I love my job because: It allow me to meet different people, travel various places. It makes me grow as a person and lets me experiment. I get to explore my creative and fun side as well.

Best advice I’ve received: Love overcomes and conquers all.

When buying something, the first thing that catches my eye is: It’s usually very spontaneous. Anything that screams my style statement along with my comfort level. It’s like love at first sight!

What’s your inner animal? An eagle. Its a bird but I always believe in flying high while having a perfect balance between being fierce and gentle.

The first thing you notice about an attractive person: I find a good sense of humour extremely sexy. That is what defines attractive for me.

The perfect start to a day is: A nice cup of coffee and a long walk with my pet dog.

Your current four-wheeler: Is a Honda Jazz Your fitness regimen: I gym 5 days a week.

Your food indulgence: Being a Punjabi, food is my first love but Chinese from mainland china tops my list.

Books by your bedside: I am a big fan of Sydney Sheldon, so his books are always found by my bedside.

The first site you visit when you fire up your comp: I check my emails or watch documentaries on YouTube.

Your favourite city: Dubai Ideal holiday: An ideal holiday for me would be somewhere I can find a beach and water. I am a total water baby and the sound of waves crashing on the sand is like music for my ears. But most importantly, no holiday is complete without having my loved ones around me.

Repairing bags to make ends meet

BY Salonee Mistry

Before starting her own shop Vasundhara used to work at Pooja Udyog, Navi Peth a company that manufactured bags. It is here that I learnt how ounted on a small stool in her equally to make the sewing machine work, and began small shop on Paud Road, Vasundhara experimenting by stitching clothes for herself, she Shinde (56) makes her living out of told us. After working there for almost 10 years repairing bags. Welcoming every customer with when the place shut down she decided to continue a smile, she patiently listens to their bag problems doing what she had begun to love and opened up and promises them to fi x it all. Living in a one her own shop. bedroom hall kitchen just behind her shop, gives Vasundhara stays with her husband who her more than enough time to do what is a plumber and son who works as a she likes. “Stitching and mending bags marketing executive. Doing a 12 hour makes me happy. Even though I am alone shift in her shop pays her Rs. 700-1000 a in my shop I am much happier here than day which she says is more than enough unekar for someone who does not want much anywhere else,” said Vasundhara.

Coming from a family where she out of life. “My husband does not earn is one of seven children, Vasundhara much and spends whatever he earns on blames her family’s financial conditions for alcohol. My son’s income and mine is enough forcing her to drop out of school after 8th grade to feed us two times a day and save a little for and crushing her dreams. Even though she did the future. What more can I wish for,” said not in particular know what she wanted to do, she Vasundhara modestly as she continued to repair was sure about wanting to study a lot and making the bag at hand. it big no matter what profession she got into. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com @Sal0412

M

Pretty in palazzo!

Shivangi Patil

T

his versatile outfit from the 70s is making a huge comeback from the ramps

to our wardrobes. They are incredibly stylish yet comfortable and with the right styling, can make you look magical. Here are some fun tips by fashion designer Archana Kochhar to style them right • Palazzo pants can be worn with crop tops, tank tops, lace tops and simple shirts.

• They are best suited for spring and summer season. You can wear them for your formal, casual and business trips.

• If teamed well with crop tops, they give a long slim

•

•

•

•

look, highlighting the mid-riff.

Crop tops and palazzos can be teamed and styled with clutches and chunky bracelets and neck pieces.

Lycra crop tops fit beautifully and compliment your upper body. With this a fl ared palazzo in soft flowy fabric will give a sexy yet feminine look.

Avoid wearing long tops with palazzos as it will give a blocky look, and hide all the curves and shape of the body.

For slimmer body frames, opt for lose and airy crop tops to avoid looking too petite. Team this with

•

•

•

straighter palazzos to strike the right balance.

For larger body frames, go for asymmetrical crop tops to show just the right portion of the mid-riff, and go for more fl ared palazzo pants in solid colors.

Color blocking is one of the best techniques to compliment this silhouette, have a solid color crop top with a printed palazzo to break the monotony.

If you choose to wear neutral colors from headto-toe, color block with your accessories and bags.

(As told to Heena Grover Menon)

14

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES

In search of the rarest bird of India A

Manish Hariprasad, creative producer of films like Kai Po Che and No One Killed Jessica, who is an avid birder as well, spends five days in search of a critically endangered avian at a not-sowell-known bird sanctuary in Maharashtra. Does he succeed? Read on to find out

couple of weeks ago, I woke up to a text message from a friend from Solapur. “One GIB might be coming to Nannaj,” it said.

Most people would consider it to be a cryptic message, but there cannot be anything more exhilarating for an amateur birder and wildlife enthusiast. To decode, GIB stands for Great Indian Bustard and Nannaj Bustard Sanctuary is the name of a small, protected area about 20 km outside Solapur, Maharashtra. The reason for the exhilaration is simple, there are only 250 individual Great Indian Bustards left in the wild, making it one of the rarest birds in India.

This grassland near Solapur has been home to about five to ten Great Indian Bustards, which is anyway not a decent number, but the recent years have seen even that number decline.

At first look, the sanctuary resembles a desolate land with no greenery or wildlife activity, just a whole lot of dry grass, a few

Southern Grey Shrike

scattered trees and miles of rocky, uncultivated terrain. The expanse is akin to images of the lovely savannah beamed on the NatGeo channel. A small, locked gate stands guard at the entrance and while the local forest guard is struggling with the key, I read some of the rules written on the wall. The most striking

Black Buck

empty anthill, we decided to scan the areas around the sanctuary in an SUV, hoping to encounter a pack of Indian Wolves that are known to inhabit the landscape.

While the wolves were nowhere to be found, even after four hours of backbreaking 4-wheel drive in slippery clay and rocks, a shadow flew in front of the headlights, and then another. “Nightjar,” the words escaped Yellow Naped my mouth. It’s a prized catch for every birder, Woodpecker because it’s almost impossible to see during the day. Probably the best camouflaged of all birds, you could be standing a foot away from it and you won’t be able to make it out from the branch or ground that it is sitting on. We instruction on the board states ‘No more than put some torchlight on it and such is the bird’s 10 people allowed in the sanctuary’. belief in its camouflage that it did not move Once the gate opens and I start walking one bit. I took some good shots and a video of towards the only permanent hide inside the the bird, a first for me, and decided to leave it sanctuary, the ground ahead comes alive. I in its dark world. was startled to see a stone jump up and settle The second day was pretty much the a few meters away. Ashy-crowned Sparrowsame. I decided to go to a hill nearby, which Larks are small sparrow-sized birds that provided a beautiful 360 degree view of the camouflage beautifully with the ground flat landscape. I was hoping to sight the GIB and stay so still that you don’t notice their but returned with some snapshots of a pair presence till they jump and fly off a few of garden lizards basking in the sun, a meters away. The Sparrow-Lark sets the Red Velvet mite, probably the biggest ground rules for the next five days. If mite, it grows to the size of a Re 1 coin you look hard, every square metre of roaming around looking for a mate, the desolate landscape is littered with Syke’s Larks enjoying a mud bath wild life. and a Brown Rock Chat, that Once I settled inside the hide, and was foraging for insects. I started scanning the landscape with my also saw some Red Wattled binoculars, I saw yet another category Lapwings, commonly of Larks. The Syke’s Larks blended known as the Detective in even better with the red soil. A bird because its call cacophony signalled the presence of a sounds like a cop asking whole bunch of Babblers. They are locally repeatedly, “Did you do called Seven Sisters presumably because of it? Did you do it?” their constant chatter. In fact, they seem to In the afternoon, be the inspiration for some of the characters we decided to visit the in the Angry Bird games. sanctuary again. There A few Common Woodshrikes and was still no sign of a a pair of Small Minivets come to rest Bustard, or Wolves or on an Acacia tree for a brief while any of the fabled creatures Black Winged before heading towards greener associated with the Kite pastures. But the catch of the day bird haven. However, The Indian Nightjar was to come the afternoon soon at night. After observing and turned into a clicking a few other birds, Raptors, or birds of prey, kind including the Yellowof afternoon.

A Black-winged naped Woodpecker and kite, which can hover in one place a Monitor Lizard that high above the ground, so as to get a had taken over an better lock on the ground rodents it feeds on,

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES Birds and Mammals found in Nannaj • Great Indian Bustard • White eyed buzzard • Southern grey shrike • Shikra • Spotted Owlet • Indian Eagle Owl • Bonelli’s eagle • Black winged kite • Falcons and Harriers •Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Lark

Great Indian Bustard

Red Wattled Lapwing

kept the sky alive. A White-eyed Buzzard sat far away on a leafless tree. Also in action was the Southern Grey Shrike, popularly called the Butcher Bird because of the brutal manner in which it stores its food. It feeds on insects, lizards, frogs and even smaller birds. After killing its prey, it impales them on the threeinch long thorns of the Acacia (babool) tree, to snack on them later. Nature is amazing, even if sometime macabre.

Then came the best sight of the afternoon, Bonelli’s Eagle, a huge bird, approximately 2.5 feet long from beak to tail, and there were two of them, an adult and a juvenile, who came to the watering hole to take a quick sip, and a dip. The birds were too far to click a picture but the binoculars came in handy to observe their antics.

As it was getting dark, we decided to frequent another area the wolves are known to frequent. There were four of us, and we decided to form two teams, so that we can cover the two routes wolves generally take.

Cameras ready, we sat hidden behind some bushes battling insects and ticks. After three hours there was no sign of wolves. I decided

Five feet tall Anthill

to click some close-ups of the pregnant CrabSpiders and Spider-Wasps to kill time. Luck wasn’t willing to be by our side and a feeling of despondency was setting in. No Bustard, no wolves to be seen. On the way back, everything that glowed back in the headlights of the SUV looked like wolves eyes. Despair.

Day three and four, however, turned everything around. The morning began with the Yellow-Wattled Lapwings giving us a mega show of their bathing rituals. These had been on my to-snap-list for a very long.

Soon another lifer (a term birders use for something they get to see for the first time in their life) appeared in the form of Indian Courser, followed by an Indian Thick-knee.

All ground dwelling birds that live in arid grasslands. Some Francolins and Quails (the famous Teetar and Bater), the Indian Hare and Blackbucks were also spotted.

We finally decided to head back to the sanctuary, and there it was The Great Indian

Indian Courser

Bustard. It could be seen from the road outside the sanctuary. A huge bird, it is a meter tall.

This one was a male, in its breeding colours – milky white neck feathers, protruding gular pouch, foraging for beetles and seeds in the tall grass. The sight was so phenomenal that I completely forgot I had a camera and I should probably take some pictures. I continued to feast on the rarest of rare sight (more people have seen a Tiger, than a GIB) until night fell.

It was a poignant sight though. A lone male, all ready in its wedding regalia, preening himself and giving mating calls, with no female to look at him or to listen to his calls.

The bright shining lights of the poultry in the background were a stark reminder of what we humans can do to the habitat of other species, for our own means.

This looked like a bird that the next generation will perhaps only hear about, a bit like the Asiatic Cheetah that was seen in our country till 1950. I hope the conservation efforts pay off. Although it seemed unlikely as the locals are vehemently against the sanctuary.

They call it a wasteland and want to convert all

• Syke’s Lark • Rufous tailed Lark • Jungle Babblers • Yellow Naped Woodpecker • Common Woodshrike • Rock Bushchat • Blackbuck • Indian Wolf • Indian Fox

Great Indian Bustard

Yellow Wattled Lapwing

of it into commercial and industrial use.

The next morning was click time. While the GIB remained more than a kilometre away, I managed to get some shots on a Telelens and just when I thought it has been a great trip, came the bonus.

A lone wolf was scouting for black bucks.

It looked exactly like a German Shepherd, but much bigger in size and a non curved bushy tail. It was probably herding the blackbucks towards the other side of the hill where the rest of the pack was waiting. With this lovely sight I decided to leave. By then, I had promised myself that I would return in the winters and spend some more time with the birds.

HOW TO GET TO NANNAJ The best route to take is the Expressway

Monitor Lizard

to Pune and then Pune-Solapur National Highway 9. Just before Solapur, take the Bale Fata exit to Nannaj. The journey takes about seven to eight hours.

BOOKING AND RESERVATION There is no resort at Nannaj and the forest guest house, with four rooms, is a basic but most ideal place to stay, if you want to avoid staying 25 km away in Solapur. Also, the booking is done with Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, Western Region, New PMT Building, Swargate, Shankarshet Road, Pune 411042 Maharashtra; Tel: 00-91-20-4471465 Generally, two of the four rooms are

It is one of the largest flying birds in the world. It stands a meter tall, and wings when opened measure about 2.5 meters.

It is one of the rarest birds, with less than 250 of them remaining. It is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with the status of Critically Endangered, just one step away from being declared extinct.

Th is magnificent bird was once considered for being the National Bird of India. But Peacock won the race and it is said that one of the reasons was the fear of its name being mis-spelt.

However, it did become the state bird of Rajasthan, which has around 125 of the 250 Great India Bustards left in the country. In fact the bird has become extinct in 95 percent of its ranges, including the three sanctuaries, which were designated as protected areas.

While the biggest decline in the number of these birds came in ‘hunting for game’ era, there hasn’t really been a recovery even after the ban on hunting, because of habitat loss. GIB is found in grasslands and the general perception about grasslands is akin to a wasteland.

Most of the grasslands have been converted to commercial, farming or industrial spaces. Even the remaining protected areas have huge human presence around them, which only hampers the growth of the species. Human inhabitation brings in the feral dogs, and crows who do not mind feeding on this bird’s eggs. These birds lay just one egg a year, and every egg lost is a revival opportunity lost.

There are several conservation efforts going on in the country, the best results shown in Rajasthan. Nannaj is another place where till about 10 years back these birds were in decent numbers. With all the effort and some luck, there is still hope for revival of the species. booked for some forest officials so make your reservations before you decide to take the trip.

Seek Mr Mhaske as a guide. He knows pretty much everything about the sanctuary and has been around for two decades. manishhariprasad@gmail.com

TGS LIFE AUGUST 22, 2015 PUNE

Buzz

Arjun works with 'dream' actors

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ollywood actor Arjun Kapoor had a surreal moment on the set of Ki and Ka when he got an opportunity to work with his 'dream' actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan.

The 72-year-old actor and his wife Jaya are making guest appearance in R Balki's upcoming project, where they play themselves.

"Can knock this dream of my bucket list, getting to work with @SrBachchan and Jaya Aunty. Beat you to it @juniorbachchan," Arjun, 30, posted on Twitter along with the pictures of the trio.

The romantic drama stars Kareena Kapoor Khan opposite Arjun.

This is the first time Jaya, 67, and Balki have teamed up for any film. Amitabh has worked with the director before in Cheeni Kum, Paa, Shamitabh.

Deepika Padukone in Sriram Raghavan's next film?

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ollywood filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, who is working on the film adaptation of Vikas Swarup's The Accidental Apprentice, says he would love to have actress Deepika Padukone onboard the project.

"I have not finalised her (Deepika) yet but we would love to work with her. I have just met her and sounded her idea," Raghavan said. "She (Deepika) is a talented actress and we would like to work with her. But till I don't finish my script I can't talk about it (casting)," he said.

When asked whether Deepika liked the idea, Raghavan said, "She has read the book but the book and movie are two different things.

Once my script is ready then I will talk about casting."

However, the Badlapur helmer has not thought of casting other

actors for the film. "I don't think we will go with newcomers not for a main role. I think we will go with a star as that is the requirement," he added. The Johnny Gaddar director is yet to finish writing.

"I am still not fully ready with the script. I had told them (producers) by end of June, that I will finish it but I haven't. We are yet to cast anyone for the film ," he added. According to him, changing a novel into a film is a bit easy. "The good thing is the story is already there...characters are fetched out. It is not like starting all fresh. After that it is a matter of structuring. It is easier to adapt than write your own story." Once Raghavan is done with script he would show it to its author.

"Once I am done with writing the script then I have to meet the author take his feedback and then I can talk about it in detail."

Nargis loses four kilos in a month Actresses can't be friends: Jacqueline ctress Nargis Fakhri has lost four

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kilograms of weight by curbing foods, which she is allergic to.

The Main Tera Hero star, who is known for her hourglass figure, said she used to walk 10,000 steps a day to shed extra weight.

"I lost almost four kilos in one month just by eliminating certain foods that I am allergic to out of my diet. And walking 10,000 steps a day! amazed," she posted on Twitter. The American modelactress made her debut in Bollywood with Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rockstar followed by Madras Cafe and Main Tera Hero. Nargis also had a supporting role in the Hollywood film Spy.

Box-office number is actually a pressure: Akshay

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uperstar Akshay Kumar says he prefers to stay away from the pressure of box office by taking up characters which challenge him as a performer.

"Box-office number is actually a pressure. And that is what I don't want. So, I do a film like Baby, which has a limited audience and there are no songs. Many people warned me against it because songs are an integral part of Hindi cinema.

"It will affect the trade of the film by approximately Rs 4050 crores. But I didn't pay heed to it. I wanted to give something new to my audience. If I will think about box-office collection, I will not be able to do diverse films," he said.

The 47-year-old actor's latest release Brothers has so far earned Rs 36.63 crore at the box office, according to trade analysts.

Akshay considers Brothers as his toughest film thanks to the hardcore action required for certain scenes.

"Brothers was not an easy film to make. We worked hard.

We started prepping for the film five months before the shooting.

We got punches on our faces because the fight sequences in the film are mostly contact fights," he said.

Directed by Karan Malhotra of Agneepath fame, Brothers also stars Sidharth Malhotra, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jackie Shroff and Shefali Shah. It is a remake of 2011 Hollywood film Warrior.

PTI

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rothers star Jacqueline Fernandez feels insecurity is the major factor why actresses cannot be friends with each other in the B-Town.

"If you are insecure then you can't be friends with anyone. I love Sonam (Kapoor) so much is because she is not insecure and not even I am.

She is confident and she is an intelligent girl who has achieved so much in her life till now. I get along well with her," Jacqueline told PTI. The 30-year-old actress, who owns a restaurant in Sri Lanka, plans to open one here.

"I have a restaurant in Sri Lanka and I feel keen to open

up something here in Mumbai and bring Sri Lankan food here in India. I feel we have so much in common but we have a different cuisine and I am sure people will enjoy here," the Murder 2 star said.

"I am passionate about spreading awareness about Sri Lankan food. I know whoever visits my restaurant they have loved the food. I will be able to do something in the future."

Jacqueline, who is one of the stylish actresses in the Hindi filmdom, has no plans of having her own clothing line.

"I will never venture into clothing line that is Sonam's (Sonam Kapoor) department and not mine," she added.