Stories by the doors and windows of Pune Camp Doors and windows of Pune cantonment are a clue to its cosmopolitan culture. New immigrant trader groups came to Pune in early 19 th century to cater to the British military when they set up Pune cantonment or Camp as it is now commonly called. As a result a more cosmopolitan culture developed here. CLUES TILES The tiles embedded in the wall above the doors and windows point to a catholic home.The iron grill door in front of the wooden door is a later addition. An added protection to the ground...
Mandai Pune
In the 18 th and 19 th century the main market in Pune was held in a large open space between Shaniwarwada the capital palace of the Peshwas. In 1886 Reay market was built by the British colonial rulers on a site between Tulsibaugh and Rameshwar temple in Shukrawar Peth on a 4 acre site.After Independence it was renamed Mahatma Phule Mandai. Mandai in Marathi means traditional market. Now mandai is a bustling market packed with 526 stalls selling fruits and vegetables. Onion potato stalls Stall no 14, 15 and 17 are on the outside of the central tower base...
A Crumbling Heritage
Datur Meher Road – Pune Cantonment’s colonial heritage street As rest of Pune evolved this street seems to be frozen in time. It is a street that I pass through almost on a daily basis and it still has a mix of European and Indian architecture largely as it was in the 1910’s and 1920’s. Now it seems to be sagging and ageing quite rapidly. This has led me to document our crumbling heritage through my sketches. Pune cantonment was established by the British military when they set up a base in Pune. Traders from diverse communities supporting the needs...
Tale of two cities in a pandemic
By Farah Irani and Rohit Kulkarni Pune Cantonment sketch diary by Farah Irani Dear Rohit, The Usk talk by Simo Capecchi and her inspiring diary journaling collaboration with Amanda Roelle made me want to sketch my experiences too. Collaborating with you gave me a chance to take up her challenge “2 halves to a story” to chronicle a tale of two cities in India, Pune and Bengaluru and exchange individual experiences through our sketches during this pandemic lockdown. Pune 4 May The unsung heroes of the pandemic lockdown- Our essentials suppliers Dear Rohit, Today I went out for our essential supplies...
Wearing Colored Lenses
Urban sketching workshop, Alta Plaza Park, San Francisco with Farah Saturday July 25, 2020 from 10 am to 1 pm Learn how to use colored paper to create unique on location sketches, with suitable color harmonies using mixed media. For this workshop the colored paper we use for our sketch becomes our lens and not just our canvas. We will learn to use any color paper to sketch on location, stamp it with our individuality and have fun with color. This workshop is designed to bring out the best in everyone wether they have previous sketching experience or not. We...
Wearing Colored Lenses : Workshop Results
MY INSPIRATION Standing on Dastur Meher road in Pune, staring at a giant star hanging in the middle of the street, my hands automatically reached for a bright orange sheet of paper. I just felt like that colour was needed and a white paper wouldn’t allow me to capture the festivity I was seeing. This was the first time I had used Colored paper to sketch and the floodgates had opened. I was very excited about the possibilities that were open to me and I worked on figuring out how to use colour to enhance the scenes I was capturing....
Ganesh Festival at Kasba Peth
Early Sunday morning , the pouring rain almost put an end to my sketching till I found shelter under a makeshift stall of a flower seller opposite Kasba Peth Ganapati’s Mandap. This is the third year in a row Urban sketchers Pune have been invited to share their sketches of the event. The rain was no deterrent to the hordes of devotees who queued up patiently for a view of the Kasba Peth Ganapati idol. They all removed their footwear at the side before entering for a Darshan . Even in the thronging crowds an arm outstretched for a selfie...
Good Luck Irani Style
Good Luck restaurant Estd. 1935 in Deccan area of Pune, India, is a popular Irani cafe. Sunday morning there was an unending queue for breakfast and I believe it is the same everyday of the week. Waiting for a table I got so immersed in sketching that I hardly noticed how many people in the line behind me just skipped past me and went ahead to find their seats. The notices by the management became the focal point of my sketches. FINDING A TABLE Here one is not assigned a table but only a chair so one can sit anywhere...
Wearing Colored Lenses – Urban Sketching Workshop
Ever thought of using colored paper to make your sketches pop? Learn how to use coloured paper to create unique on location sketches with suitable colour harmonies using mixed media. This workshop is designed to raise one’s confidence in using any colour paper for your sketches. Learning goals 1. How to compose a sketch on location using patterns on coloured paper. 2. How to create a focal point using varied mediums and textures 3. How to use a suitable colour harmony in relation to the colour of the paper 4. How to introduce light and luminosity and contrasts to make...