TUCK IN:
Puducherry is home to a significant number of Malayalis, given that Mahe is one of the enclaves of the union territory. You may not find an Onam Sadya easily this weekend, but a few signature Kerala dishes make an appearance in most menus offering Indian food. Crisp appams, beef fry and spicy fish curries are more popular at restaurants here. Ente Nadu on Muthumariamman Koil Street in the Tamil Quarter may have stark interiors and limited choices, but is perhaps the only exclusive Kerala restaurant in the city boasting of traditional favourites. For a contemporary twist on classic Kerala food in a fine dining experience, try the Palais de Mahe on Bussy Street.
WHAT TO DO
IN PONDY:
Pipe up at these spots: The laidback vibe the city wears with pride- save for a few hours on Saturday or Sunday night- can swiftly lull you to falling in pace. But if you’d like to throw a few hours of verve into the mix, dial it up at one of these places. Two DJs, one from Kolkata and the other from Mumbai promise to bring the endless energy of their cities to Pondy this Saturday night. Deep Brown and Likwid have a juicy list lined up we hear, replete with house, rock and funky grooves.Catch them at Umami Kitchen on Labourdonnais Street. If Bollywood is more up your alley, put on your dancing shoes and head to Ocean Spray on ECR Road. The night is dedicated to Bachchan men’s greatest hits. Asian House on the South Boulevard welcomes the Full Moon with high spirits at its ‘Cosmic Dance Experience’. Gear up for a night of EDM with German DJ Gof .
Conquer the waves: Always wanted to own your own boat and cruise around the world? Well, while you wait for that dream to come true, you can prep for it in Pondy on Saturdays. The Pondicherry Sailing Association (PSA) has been introducing high sea enthusiasts to sailing for some time now. From this weekend, there are new sessions on Saturdays from 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. Also open to kids, if you’d like them to start early.
Sailing sessions are held at the quiet Thengathittu Harbour, in the backwaters or the sea, for skilled learners. Understand the physics behind sailing, hone perception skills and learn how to manage your boat. The PSA lists safety measures on its website like life jackets and accompanying instructor on motorboats. Call 096774 18078 for details.
Run like the wind : One of South India’s largest medical intercollegiate festivals kicks off this weekend. Spandan, JIPMER’s annual gala gets off to a literal run with a marathon on Sunday morning. ‘Endurance 3.0’covers the distance from the medical college to the Gandhi Thidal on the Promenade. The organizing team announced its events in style with a flash mob on the beach earlier this week. While literary, artistic and musical events are galore, singer Benny Dayal performs midweek on Wednesday at the JIPMER auditorium. Visithttp://www.jipmerspandan.com/2015/ for details.IN AUROVILLE
IN AUROVILLE
See art set afire: Pitanga at Auroville has an art exhibition with a flaming heart up at its centre. Titled, ‘U’, the exhibit is explained as ‘Agni-art’, an amalgam created by fire and water. Take a look at Elena Akhmetshina’s works that will be showcased till September 5. The collection explores the themes of spontaneity, unity of man and animal and advaita- the different states of being.
Follow the making of the Matrimandir: Few people are not intrigued by the golden orb that beckons people to Auroville. To the outside world, the Matrimandir is Auroville’s most recognizable symbol. The Cinema Paradiso at Auroville will screens a one-hour film ‘The Matrimandir’ on Friday evening at 5 p.m at the Town Hall. The film traces its evolution from an idea to an icon. The movie details the precise calculations and drawings of architect PieroCicionesi, who spent quarter of a century working on the design and construction of the Matrimandir, including the inner chamber, without any electronic device.
Grow a green thumb at the Botanical Gardens: The lushest part of Auroville is perhaps its Botanical Garden filled with exotic plants, familiar trees and striking flowers. This weekend, the Garden celebrates its 15th anniversary with a line-up of activities to warm the gardener or nature lover in you. Take the guided tour of the gardens at 2 p.m on Saturday, explore the neatly laid out gardens and enjoy walking through a maze at the heart of the garden. Follow clues and hunt for treasure with other children and adults amidst the undergrowth at 3 p.m .Stop by to chat with the brothers who run the garden at 4 p.m. You can also take home saplings from their nursery.
HEADS UP: NEXT WEEKEND
Fly a kite: High-rise buildings, restrictions in metros have all kicked the pleasurable past time of kite-flying out of our daily lives. Next weekend, the Puducherry International Kite Festival gives you a license to thrill. Relive all those childhood memories of feeling unstoppable with a kite in your hand at the second edition of the fest organized by the Tourism Department at the wind-swept Uppalam Port. Supported by the Kochi-based Kite Life Foundation, last year’s edition saw professional teams flying gigantic kites of interesting shapes and sizes. Watch the pros battle it out in the skies, carry your own kite and watch how high it soars or view an exhibition of prize-winning kites. Kids can also pick up kite-making skills at a workshop and compete in rangoli and poetry contests.
