Latest news with #KavyaaMasurkar
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Old Books Deccan: An online store keeping second-hand books alive
Written by Kavyaa Masurkar and Antara Kulkarni In a city where rooms stocking second-hand books are getting replaced by larger chain bookstores, Samir Kalarkop's storehouse, known as Old Books Deccan, remains a haven for bibliophiles wishing to purchase a wide variety of second-hand novels, plays, short-stories, and poetry of various languages, at low prices. Kalarkop spent his childhood around books, with his father opening their own bookstore in 1965. Having built a passion for literature over the next few decades, Kalarkop decided to take over the business in 2002, after graduating college. 'Even without WhatsApp or Facebook at that time, the business of books was strong. So, I believed I could help it grow,' Kalarkop says. In 2013, he took the business online by creating a WhatsApp group for his dedicated readers and posting the new reads he would acquire. 'WhatsApp was just emerging, and I thought I should take advantage of this new tool,' he elaborates. As he began to grow his online community, he noticed a need for a new group, solely dedicated to rare books. 'I would get requests from various people to hold first-editions and other rare books I'd have. I wanted a more systematic approach,' Kalarkop says. Though the auctions originally occurred in his first group, excessive demand necessitated the creation of another group exclusively for bidding wars. These auctions typically last for an hour or two, with members actively bidding in real time. 'I give a fixed time slot, and whoever places the highest bid by the end gets the book. It's thrilling for them — especially when it's a book they have been chasing for years,' Kalarkop explains. The books up for auction are carefully selected — often rare first editions, out-of-print volumes, or historically significant publications, particularly in Marathi. 'If it's a book on Maratha history, or something deeply rooted in local culture, people go after it more aggressively,' he says. For example, titles like Tatyasaheb Kore or regional publications tied to Maharashtra's freedom movement carry deep emotional value. 'These books are more than just literature — they are memory, heritage,' Kalarkop adds. The price range, too, reflects this diversity, with some books available for as low as Rs 30 and rare collector's items sometimes going up to Rs 1,000 or even Rs 1,500. 'I try to keep it accessible. There's something for every kind of reader,' Kalarkop says. Over the years, the audience for his books has also shifted. 'In the beginning, it was mostly older readers or working professionals — people who grew up reading and wanted to revisit that world,' he recalls. 'Now, I'm seeing more and more young people — college students, fresh graduates — who are genuinely interested. That's been rewarding,' he adds. But acquiring these rare finds is no small task. Kalarkop sources his books through an elaborate informal network built over decades. 'I get books from libraries, from people who've finished reading and want to pass them on, from radhiwalas and scrap dealers,' he mentions. Even handcart vendors from nearby villages sometimes bring in hidden treasures. 'Some of my best finds have come wrapped in old newspapers from someone's attic,' he adds. Most of the titles are in Marathi and English, though he occasionally stocks Hindi books too. Kalarkop's physical presence is just as important as his digital one. Though he doesn't run a formal store, Old Books Deccan sets up weekly stalls in Pune's Deccan area. For years, these pop-ups have drawn loyal customers who browse through curated bundles of books placed in old cloth bags and labelled cups — a first-come, first-serve system that has become part of the charm. In a world shifting rapidly toward online bookstores and e-readers, Kalarkop remains committed to keeping second-hand books alive — not just as commodities, but as cultural artefacts. The authors are currently interning at The Indian Express
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Young Edge: How Pune stores are catching up with Labubu doll trend that has taken over social media
Written by Kavyaa Masurkar From cute bag charms to controversial internet icons, the Labubu doll — a sharp-toothed, wide-eyed figure from 'The Monsters' collection by Pop Mart — has taken over Instagram reels with young people in Pune and the world shelling out cash to get their hands on the unusual collectible. Originally designed by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung, Labubu is the main character in the 'The Monsters' series of collectable plush toys, inspired by European and Nordic folklore. The elf-like creature, often a cross between whimsical and eerie, has captured global attention through Pop Mart's blind box culture and its growing collectible toy scene. In India, the trend is making its way into backpacks, keychains, and local toy stores. Influencers and celebrities have fueled this shift, often seen flaunting Labubu dolls on their bags during airport sightings or music festivals. And young people are following suit. Anika Awomi, 24, bought the doll in Thailand for its cuteness appeal. 'It's cute and just another accessory for my collection.' Awomi, who paid 600 Baht (approximately Rs 1,550) for her Labubu doll, stated that she has always been fond of stuffed animals and keychain dolls. 'Even before this became a trend, I had similar cute things on my bag. So it's nothing new for me,' she said. Sachin Kulkarni, who owns KB Toys in Narayan Peth, remarked that while official Labubu dolls are rare, knockoffs or locally manufactured copies are flying off the shelves. 'We source copies from retailers in Mumbai and sell them for Rs 499. It is affordable and just what people are looking for. I've only just started selling them and have already sold 100 pieces in the last two to three days. That's a big jump for us in terms of daily profit,' he said. Meanwhile, more premium collectible stores are riding the wave differently. At Fatcat Collectables in Koregaon Park, instead of selling the Labubu doll itself, a crossover with a popular anime comic book series, 'One Piece' is being sold. 'We have recently launched the 'Monsters X One Piece' collection,' said Hrishikesh Patil, the store manager. 'We had purchased it directly from Pop Mart's official site for about 20 dollars, which we are now selling for above Rs 2,500,' he added. Patil said that this strategy is working well. 'Fans of anime and collectables are excited when their favourite franchises collaborate with Labubu. It's a double win since they not only get to be part of the trend but also stay loyal to their fandom,' he mentioned. He added that in the absence of original Labubu dolls in Pune, official collaborations like these help meet growing demand while keeping authenticity intact. (Kavyaa Masurkar is an intern with The Indian Express)
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
This weekend in Pune, wildlife festival for kids: Interactive session by ‘Taboda's Birdman', puppet show, short films and more
Written by Kavyaa Masurkar The second edition of the Wildlife Festival for Kids, popularly known as 'Wildfest', will be held at Bougainvillaea Farms in Pune's Erandwane on Saturday, June 14. Organised by Jungle Belles in association with the Nature Walk Charitable Trust, the festival, which will be held from 4 pm to 9 pm, aims to raise awareness among schoolchildren and teenagers about India's rapidly vanishing forests and the importance of wildlife conservation. The Forest Department supports the event, and it will be free of charge for children and their parents. This year's edition is expected to draw attention not only for its educational sessions but also for the presence of Sumedh Waghmare, popularly known as 'Tadoba's Birdman', who will lead an interactive storytelling session titled 'Enchanting Forest Tales'. Waghmare, who can mimic the calls of over 200 birds and animals, rose to fame after his performance was shared on social media by Sachin Tendulkar. 'It is critical to instil awareness in children, they are the future,' said Himangi Vartak, co-founder of Jungle Belles and the main organiser of the event. 'If they are exposed to these ideas early on, they are far more likely to grow into responsible, empathetic individuals who care about wildlife conservation and protection. Events like Wildfest are small but meaningful steps in that direction,' she added. Apart from Waghmare's session, the festival will feature a mix of presentations, exhibits, and hands-on activities. Dr Prachi Mehta, a wildlife scientist known for her work on owls, will speak on 'The World of Owls'. Arpit Mairal, Range Forest Officer at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, will give a presentation on conservation efforts in national parks. Other attractions include a puppet show on human-animal coexistence by Mrudula Kelkar and her team, a wildlife photography exhibition and activity booths offering face painting, food, souvenirs, and more. Several senior officials, including N R Praveen, Chief Conservator of Forest; Shri Tushar Chavan (IFS), Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune Wildlife Division; Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), and Sunil Phulari (IPS), Special Inspector General for Kolhapur, are expected to attend. The evening will conclude with a screening of four short wildlife films curated by Roundglass Sustain, a platform known for its ecological storytelling. The line-up includes 'Corals' (8.56 mins) by Akanksha Sood Singh, 'King Cobra – King for a Reason' (3 mins) by Sandesh Kadur, 'Caves of Meghalaya' (8 mins) by Pradeep Hegde, and 'Indian Wolves' (4 mins) by Advait Dindore. Reflecting on last year's inaugural edition, Vartak noted that this year's festival has been expanded in terms of both scale and variety. 'The core idea remains the same — learning through experience,' she said. 'But this time, we have introduced more elements to engage children through stories, visuals and hands-on activities to make conservation engaging for young minds,' she added. Kavyaa Masurkar is an intern with The Indian Express.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Not for public transport- Part 1: As rain lashes Pune, auto and cab fares bleed citizens dry
By Kavyaa Masurkar & Antara Kulkarni Since the start of the monsoon, commuters in Pune have been grappling with the dual challenge of uncooperative auto rickshaw drivers and soaring fares on app-based platforms. With many drivers either refusing to ply or demanding extra charge and cab aggregators quoting fares significantly higher than meter rates, passengers are left unsure of what a fair fare is and how much they need to pay.. 'It took almost an hour just to book an auto from Pimpri Chinchwad to Lohegaon. When I finally succeeded, the app showed Rs 715 for the ride,' said Trisha Dasgupta, a PR professional. She added, 'It's worrying how expensive and difficult travel has become in Pune. If we have to spend so much and wait so long, how will middle-class people manage? Either we need a personal vehicle or end up spending excessively on rickshaws and cabs.' Sai Bhandarkar, a second-year student at BJ Medical College, shared similar concerns. 'Cab and auto rates vary a lot, especially during the rainy season,' she said. 'Most of the time, we're expected to tip the driver up to 30% of the displayed fare just to get a confirmed ride. Also, if you check the same route more than three times on the app, the price shoots up by around 15%.' Surge pricing has only added to the chaos. With traffic delays, waterlogged roads, and increased demand during peak hours, commuters say that ride-hailing platforms are capitalising on the inconvenience. 'Especially when there's traffic and when many people are looking to book a ride, tend to increase their prices. It shouldn't be happening,' said Dhirendra Kulkarni, a presales professional. Meghna Menon, owner of Zenscrawl, a garment store in Koregaon Park, echoed similar feelings. 'Surge pricing for both autos and cabs has become a regular problem,' she said. 'With the metro network still incomplete, people like me don't have many options. The confusion between meter fares and app pricing only makes things worse. Commuting in Pune has become exhausting, and we're often left at the mercy of apps and drivers who take advantage of the situation.' A media professional talked about how an Uber driver duped her by asking for extra fare for putting on the AC in her cab. 'He said the ruling had just come the evening earlier and showed an old video to convince me. As there were so many new regulations coming up with aggregator vehicles. I believed him and paid an extra Rs 100, only to realise later that I had been duped. Despite raising a complaint, there was no follow-up or refund of the amount. This is what these services have come to.' At present, Uber autorickshaws in Pune ply by meter leaving many passengers already complaining about the higher-than-usual Bhowmick, a sales professional, said that if autos are plying by meters, the concept of surge pricing should not apply in Pune. 'The concept of surge pricing was meant to compensate for the demand – but that should have been there to compensate for the discounted first prices. So why should they be around now,' he said. Traveling in Pune during monsoon has always troublesome but with autorickshaws and cabs hiking their fares, it has become costlier too.
