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This is an archive article published on June 4, 2021

This weekend in Pune, travel back to 1984, solve a murder mystery or do some magic

The Book Club Pune features Haruki Murakami’s novel while Raah reaches out to children and Ekattha focuses on art

This weekend in Pune, travel back to 1984, solve a murder mystery or do some magicAuthor Haruki Murakami and the cover of his book 1Q84.

The Book Club Pune is all set to feature 1Q84, a Haruki Murakami novel set in 1984 in Tokyo. A young woman, Aomame, follows a taxi driver’s enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 (the Q is for ‘question mark), and her destiny is tied with that of an aspiring writer named Tengo. The presenter of the event is Sheena Shahani. On June 6, 6.30 pm, on Zoom. Contact: http://www.gyaanadab.org

Flowers, leaves, natural dyes, paint and a few other materials are all you need to create handmade paper at home. An online workshop at Studio Artzone takes you through the process and gives you support through a WhatsApp group. The workshop is through a recorded video to which you have a lifetime’s access. On June 6, 4 pm. Contact: 9822254472 (WhatsApp only)

Raah: A Literacy and Cultural Centre is conducting a workshop in magic with magician Akshaya. It is designed for children above six years and aims to improve their creativity, productivity and social and communication skills. The children will be taught five magic tricks that can be done at home and performed with little practice. On June 5, 4 pm -6 pm. Donor pass: Rs 300.

The syllabus at the Ekattha Art Hour comprises 13 art forms while Ekattha Advance features intense sessions in five art forms and four artists. The former is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 pm-5 pm; and the latter is on Saturdays and Sundays, 3 pm -5 pm. Charges for Ekattha Art Hour: Rs 189; for Ekattha Advance: Rs 789. Contact: 9922490501

The play, Unusual Suspect, is an immersive murder mystery that unfolds online. A group of friends has come together on a video call for their college reunion. Things get hairy when they’re unwillingly roped in to solve a murder of their friend. You now have to race against time to make sure that you’re not the next victim of the murderer. The play involves solving puzzles, random tasks and your skills to protect yourself and find the murderer. On June5 onward on Zoom. Tickets: Rs 249 on BookMyShow

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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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