Pune This Week: Experience magic of galaxy, take part in art symposium and watch theatre

In store this week, an exhibition, titled “Comets, Meteors and Planets” to excite stargazers of the city,an online and offline evento discuss A Passage North, the 2021 Booker Prize winner and more.

Take a look at things to do in Pune this week. (AP)

India’s oldest association of amateur astronomers, Jyotirvidya Parisanstha, has organised an exhibition, titled “Comets, Meteors and Planets” to excite stargazers of the city. Due to COVID protocol, registration is necessary. At Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery, January 7-9. Entry: Free. Contact: jvppune.in

As part of Books, Chai and More, an online and offline event conducted by Sameer Joshi on books, participants will discuss A Passage North, the 2021 Booker Prize winner, which begins with a telephone call informing Krishan that his grandmother’s former care-giver, Rani, has died under unexpected circumstances. The news arrives on the heels of an email from Anjum, an activist Krishnan fell in love with four years earlier, bringing with it the stirring of distant memories and desires. As Krishan makes the long journey by train from Colombo into the war-torn Northern Province for the funeral, he also begins a passage into the soul of an island devastated by violence. A Passage North is a poignant memorial for the missing and the dead, and a meditation on time and consciousness. On January 9, 4 pm to 5.30 pm. Entry: Free. Register on Townscript.

The Marathi play Punha Sahi Re Sahi has been enthralling audiences for more than 15 years, largely due to the dexterity of actor Bharat Jadhav and director Kedar Shinde. The play revolves around a successful businessman who suddenly disappears. His lawyer comes up with three wills and four beneficiaries — a twist with dramatic results. On January 9, 12.30 pm at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, and 5.30 pm at Tilak Smarak Mandir. Entry: Rs 300 onward

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In the play Hashtag Premalap, Siddharth and Suraj are single professionals who are room mates. Siddharth is in love with his college friend Divya but has never had the courage to tell her. Suraj comes up with a plan, leading to a hilarious incidents and an unexpected finale. At Sudarshan Rangmanch on January 8. Entry: Rs 100

India Art Fair is holding its first international online symposium, titled Staging the Contemporary: The Next Generation, in collaboration with Delhi-based insititutins, Ishara Art Foundation and Shiv Nadar University. The symposium, which started January 6, features a new generation of artists, curators, collectives and writers who are working in South Asia. The six panels will discuss topics ranging from the cutting-edge of curatorial techniques to artist-led publications and art writing and criticism today. On January 7 over Zoom. Entry: Free. Contact: https://indiaartfair.in/

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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