Small Talk

Auspicious beginnings
The launch of Sayaji Hotel,on Saturday,was a star-studded affair,which saw a breathtaking performance by dancers of the Daksha Seth Dance Academy. The event saw noted Bollywood actress Isha Sharvani perform various dance forms like the traditional Ganesh Vandana and the much appreciated Dakini,which is based on Kalaripayattu-a martial art form from Kerala.

In addition the launch also saw another dance performance by Sharvani in which she performed whilst suspended on ropes,which was a form of rope mallakhamb according to Daksha Seth,of the dance academy.

Speaking about the launch Sajjid Dhannani,managing director Sayaji Hotels says,”After establishing our presence in cities like Indore and Baroda we decided to reach out to Pune because of its close proximity to Mumbai and also because of the recent rapid growth of the city. In addition to offering high end amenities like pick up and drop in Audi cars for all our guests,one of the first things that we are doing is the fact that all the rooms will be connected via a I-Touch console wherein all the guests can avail various amenities of the hotel at the flick of a button. It is the first hotel in the world to make use of the I-Touch technology to provide amenities.”

“At Sayaji we hope to bring a novel dining as well as staying experience for our guests and hope that we live true to all our promises,” he adds.

Woofing on
While the denizens of the city sweated it out in the hot sun there was a community that was enjoying strutting around a poolside joint wearing the latest in summer/Hawaiian beach wear. The venue was ‘The Pawsh’ in Pashan and the models-Canine representatives of all the various kinds. The Hawaiian dog party that was organised by The Paws Pack on Saturday evening saw a mélange of woofers — right from the well built Rottweilers and German Shepherds to the delicately boned poodles,and flat nosed pugs. “We began around two and a half years back as an organisation that takes care of stray dogs and puppies and puts them up for adoption gradually we also got this place which we have christened as ‘The Pawsh’,which is actually now a state-of-the-art hostel for the dogs,” says Shweta Shahde one of the founder members of The Paws Pack. Shruti Srinath another one of the founders says,“For the event we have various prizes lined up for the dogs which includes — best dressed male and female dogs,the Dennis the Menace award for the naughtiest dog,the Albert Einstein for the most well behaved and sober dog and the Aqua Baby Award for the dog that splashes around the most in the pool. In addition the paw prints of all the dogs have been taken on certificates which will be later given out to their owners.”

In addition to the strutting around the dogs were also treated to some extreme doggy cuisine which comprised of apple and cinnamon muffins,chicken chips and mutton flavoured bones to chew on.

Legend rediscovered
As a part of the celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of veteran Marathi actor late Rajabhau Paranjpe,a book titled- Raja Paranjpe,a monologue will be launched today at the National Film Archives of India (NFAI). Written by Chandrashekhar Joshi,film research officer,FTII,the book in over 120 pages unveils the important aspects of Raja Paranjpe’s film career. “Raja Paranjpe’s contribution to Marathi cinema is irreplaceable. He was a great actor and a skilled director. Out of the 80 films that he was associated with during his film career,almost 27 were directed by him,” says Joshi talking about the legendary actor. The book,divided in three sections consists of a bio-sketch of Rajabhau’s life. It also includes critical assessment of his work followed by his filmography that boasts of blockbuster Marathi films such as Jagachya Pathiwar,Suwasini,Pedgaonche Shahane and so on. The last section titled focus also includes two articles written by Raja paranjpe for a couple of film magazines. The book will be launched today at 6 pm by the hands of veteran Marathi actress Sulochana and Rajdutt at NFAI. “Rajabhau Paranjpe was a visionary actor and director and I am hopeful that the book will bring forth the lesser known facets of his life inspiring many,” says Joshi.