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Why only a glimpse?

What does a glimpse reveal of Pune?

What else lays for the patient viewer?

Why only a glimpse?

The traveling salesman gets to spend his working life in places as diverse as Pune and Palamau. He works, barely glancing upon the city.

Palamau and Pune – familiar and similar

When he does manage to look through the window – the city livens up for a brief moment – it is just a whiff – through hotel lobbies, food, streets, shops and people. Barely enough to create an impression.

Its Pune’s turn – in early monsoon season.

Rain laden clouds accompany the traveler trying hard to remove the blinder. He refocuses on the clock.

The white Varkari cap keeps reminding him of his destination.

A glimpse of Pune

The first glance – it is hard to make out the difference from any other place in India – bikes and traffic- yet a bit different.

The ubiquitous Indian traffic in Pune

Punekars at a bus stop

Eating Pune

German Bakery– manages to extract a visit and time.

Omelette and carrot juice – satiates the visitor. He would like to laze around, like the rest of the crowd – work pulls him away.

Can Vada Pav be behind?

Garden Vada Pav located in a nondescript bt-lane draws Punekars in droves. The ‘at your face’ production of vada is testament to its popularity.

The frugal simple Punekar manages to find space to eat its favourite

The nearby covered den provides able accompaniment to the spicy pav

At a walking distance, on the main street is the much touted Kayani Bakery. The aroma of fresh bakery fills the air around East Street and bows away the odour of country liqour

The interiors are filled with the smell of fresh bakery produce

The queue is long and patient

‘Resisting the urge’

Then there’s Budhani – understated yet firm in adding its flavour to Pune.

There’s no way one can miss Budhani in Pune.

Being a Maratha power center- Marathi restaurant stands bold.

Massive chapatis, flaming hot mutton make up a thali. Its mutton all the way. The Kharwas softens the blow of the spices.

The feisty spirit of Maratha shines through everywhere – be it food or on the street

Colostrum is apparently prized food in Pune- what do the calves drink then?

Street food sounds pedestrian – yet its filling and social

Monsoon brings jack fruit with it –

The vendor is kind enough to separate the jackfruit rinds – spares all the effort for the jackfruit lover.

Old Pune

All the food of the city distracts the business traveler.

He drives away- along East Street and old Pune-reveling in old world buildings and the Parsi influence.

The Parsi quirks are obvious.

So are the buildings

Are these what Mumbaikars call – ‘chawls’?

The hallmark architecture of buildings around East Street.

Pune – a cat city

As far as cities go – they can be either dog cities (Kalimpong) or cat cities (Paris)- Pune comes across as a cat city.

Spot the cat entering the Chinese Room.

Or dozing away with its colour coordinated partner

And just like that the city is over for the working man. He scoots to his next destination.

The city gives him memories as a parting gift-

The tambourine man fills up his emotional baggage-and stays on luring the passerby

The heist from Pune-

Pune for the tourist-

Pune dates back to 8th century CE and by 18th century already established itself as the cultural capital of Maratha.

Yet –

Shanivar Wada, The Aga Khan palace, Osho’s ashram – remain unseen

Paithani and Nauvari still untouched.

Bakarwadi remains untasted,

Tutari unheard-

Damodardas Sugandhi – unsmelt

All these remain outside the scope of the busy body. For the time endowed gentleman – these are the ‘must do, must see’ in Pune.

The cats of Pune couldn’t agree more!