Back-to-back extended weekends: it doesn’t get better than this for those bitten by the travel bug. The city is all bright and bustling, with its many heritage monuments and landmarks, particularly those on the seafront, all decked up with lights. Just go with the flow this weekend.
Tourist Ticker: Peek inside this colonial landmark
There is plenty of heritage to explore in Pondy, but there is one architecturally splendid building which you can admire only from a distance, as its gates remaining closed and heavily guarded, most of the time. The Raj Niwas, the Lieutenant Governor’s residence, a majestic white building with tall gates opposite Bharati Park, is usually out of bounds, except on Republic Day. So take a chance and explore this colonial building, which is a fine example of the marriage of French and Indian architecture. The Aayi Mandapam and the Promenade beachfront are other spots to check out after dusk, when they are floodlit.
What’s new in town?
French-style Bistro in the Tamil Town
Pondy always tries to blend some Parisian element or other into its fabric constantly — be it graffiti, ballet or exotic French dishes. Canteen 18, which opened last weekend, is a sort of a cross between a deli and a bistro and tries to replicate the charm of a Parisian sidewalk café with its checked tablecloths, chalkboard menu and vintage signage. The name is clever wordplay. Yes, it’s a delicatessen but it also sits on Canteen Street (at the corner where Nidarajapayer Street cuts through, to be precise.)
“We were inspired by the cafes in Europe, and we wanted to create a similar space where anyone can grab a quick bite,” says Shantanu, the manager. The deli specialises in gourmet sandwiches, prepared from organic sourdough bread, grilled hot and served with different variations of aioli sauce (a south of France specialty). There’s classic lettuce, tomato, chicken, bacon and artisanal mozzarella cheese fillings.
Being right at the end of a leafy lane, sandwiched between two arterial roads — Mission Street and Ambour Salai — Canteen 18 can be a good place to take in the atmosphere of the Tamil quarter over breakfast. You can choose from pancakes, omelettes, kati rolls and strong Napoli coffee brewed in Italian mokapots. Sweta Mathur, the proprietor, has a batch of red velvet cupcakes and cookies always at hand, for the sweet-toothed.
Only Pondy, despite its French resonances is Pondy. Mosquitoes buzzing in the evenings and stray dogs that seem to find the deli equally inviting can rob the romance of the roadside. Canteen 18 is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., except on Tuesdays.
Shake it up: music and more
Disco, the Italian way: There’s another new spot in town (more on it next week) and it’s the destination for what promises to a roaring night this weekend. Italian musician and composer Alexander Robotnick, known for his special brand of dance music, is here to unleash some serious Saturday night fever at Dis Dis Café, attached to the designer boutique next door. The artist, who has cabaret, musical productions and films in his repertoire, will have company, as along with DJ Kid Crème and DJ Sleepwalker they will hit the high notes from 8 p.m. at the café on Romain Rolland Street.
Live at the lounge: The cocktaillounge on the rooftop at Opus 8 hosts a melodic night on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Tune into an eclectic fusion of tablas, Irish music and Tzigane, an interplay of piano and violin, at Capitaine Marius Xavier Street.
Shopaholic alert:
Boxed cravings: Looking for a lavish gift for a chocoholic friend? Auroville-based Mason Chocolates, steadily finding favour for their line of organic vegan chocolates, has come out with a gift box packed with interesting flavours such as sea salt, orange zest, coconut milk and chilli, and cinnamon.
Pop-up for designers: Meet Pondy’s women designers, artisans and entrepreneurs at their creative best at La Marina on Romain Rolland Street. The newly introduced pop-up fair is spread over Saturday and Sunday, this time. Taste home-made jams and French pastries, model terracotta and hand-made costume jewellery and shop for gourmet food, toys and pottery at the two day sale from 12 noon to 9 p.m.
Salmon and peach: Pink and orange is the flavour of the month in French designer Agathe Lazaro’s January Breeze collection that features cotton camisoles, striped pants and wrappers that are a mix of silk and cotton. The limited edition is available at La Maison Rose, Romain Rolland Street.
Stock up: It’s a good time to stock up on designer jeans, bags and accessories with a year-end sale at the local boutique department store, Casablanca known for its bric-a-brac and brands.
Watch out for:
View from a bicycle seat: Around 60 cyclists will pedal their way from Chennai to Pondy, this Saturday, as part of the Republic Day Heritage Ride organised by Cycling Yogis, a non-profit organisation. The team will explore some of Pondicherry’s prized heritage structures, cycling their way around the cobbled lanes. Be prepared to cheer the team which is passionate about cycling and heritage at any of the city’s churches, temples or colonial buildings. The ride is their way of spreading the message that tourism can be eco-friendly and responsible without hurting the earth and its resources.
When Korea comes calling: Korean choreographers Sin Cha Hong and Young Ah Choi, who are renowned internationally for their dance performances, will present an avant-garde dance production, ‘Libertas’ at the Adishakti Theatre at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Shakespeare Marathon: Say hello to Shylock, Portia and the rest of the gang at the Auroville Theatre Group’s production of Merchant of Venice . The troupe will perform William Shakespeare's ever popular play for three nights on the run this weekend. Catch the play at 8 p.m. at the Auroville Visitor’s Centre.
Spark and sizzle: If you are in Auroville on Sunday, stay on to catch a fire and light spinning performance at 8 p.m. in the Visitor’s Centre. The ‘Big Bang’, written and performed by Auroville teenagers tells the tale of the birth of something from nothing, of creation out of chaos.
Do it yourself:
Jive, flit or fool around: Try out your first Jive moves, learn how to scorch the floor with a tango or learn how to play the fool at the workshops lined up at La Casita, Pondy’s own centre for promotion of Latin American culture and arts. Pack a punch with hip-swinging moves at a Jive class with instructor Sashank from Hyderabad on Saturday at 6.30 p.m. If a playful, flirty partner dance is up your steet, couple for an evening of Argentine tango on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For kids to learn a few tricks, there’s a circus workshop on Monday morning at 10.30 a.m. All workshops are held at the studio at 147 Eshwaran Koil Street. For details, call 7639405194.
Put paper to good use: Does the thought of all the paper you use trouble you? The workshop by Well Papers, who recycle paper to make utility products, is a starting point to assuage any guilt. In three hours, Well Papers staff,who are women from surrounding villages, will teach you to recycle newspaper into pulp and shape into designs of your own. Participation fee is Rs. 500. For details, call 0413- 2622219.
