Diary of a Weekend Puneite: Why Osho is no longer Pune’s Pride…

Representative picture of the Osho Resort in Pune (circa 2008)

Trying not to recover from a mid-week break from Pondicherry for the right reasons, and yet the sense of simplicity and spirituality lingers on. The calm of Auroville is almost infectious. Oneness and organic way of life, shapes those who live here. People from 43 nationalities live there. Outreach schools and solar power hold sway. And also create ripple effects on city folks that live around this peaceful epicentre. The halo effect of goodness holds. The spiritual and cultural buzz thrives. The commerce with vegan restaurants, bakeries and homestays flourish! Festivals and community celebrations are all encompassing. People of Pondicherry continue to share that bond with the Auroville commune, many decades after their guiding lights, Sri Aurobindo and The Mother are gone. The sense of pride is palpable as hospitality honchos and travel guides recommend it vociferously.

And not sure if I feel that when I walk through the leafy lanes of my backyard in Koregaon Park. Has Pune lost that multi-sensory connection to the Osho Commune?

Turn back time to the nineties. Love it or hate it – you couldn’t ignore it. It was the highlight of most tourist itineraries, and many secretly wished to give into its mandatory maroon robe and mystical journey – coloured with controversy and conviction. Its Buddha hall played host to spectacular concerts of artists from all over. From Hindustani classical to EDM (even before it made it to the dictionary) added diverse dimension to cultural richness to Pune. I can never forget listening in rapt attention to a lecture-demonstration tailored to give westerners a taste of Odissi dance by Mallika Sarabhai under the starry skies or the amount of volunteers it took to feed the Oshoites as they were known.

The inmates also started a new profitable source of income for the locals – home rentals and organic farming. Made cycling and vegetarianism cooler. Redefined the café concept – read German Bakery. Gave birth to the iconic Nalla Park aka Osho Teerth. The list is long.

And suddenly it all seems to have gone. From the time Osho passed away in 1990, the infighting, the discussion on his will and more has driven the buzz and the positive energy away has gone away. From being a fixture in the media and being a centre for everything cool, cultural and controversial, the Commune has become an isolated, quiet set of buildings! From multiple nationalities to now a few handful, the Commune is no longer attracting those looking to live the Osho way anymore. At one time, his books, quotes and videos were a part of many a shopfront… today, Osho is forgotten in the same sleepy town that he put on the world map and brought attention to!

On another note,
Diwali with much meaning
The Oberoi siblings Nishant and Damini are a chip off the city’s social block. Not surprising given their dad once led the Pride Hotel in its spanking shiny days. Their Diwali card which just reached us says, “In place of your gift, we shared the love with a few families in slums: a hamper of saree, blanket, sweets and grains were gifted; just to make the festival of lights brighter for them.”Sometimes, it’s good to talk about charitable deeds especially as it sets out the perfect example to do more!

Cool new address
19nov_nidhi-02
Roonith Rydle is known to many as the savvy publisher of Pune’s Crème magazine. But the media man has his fingers in many pies. And the last week proved it with a flourish as he brought Goa’s Thalassa to the burbs in Bandra. And what an opening just before demonetisation hit the restaurant business as Vogue to Mumbai’s Little Black Book covered its opening and its Greek fare. And before you ask, we know that Pune is just not on his map! Is it a smart move – we will know soon.

Deli’s your way!
And before you worry, the social media is already raving about Indigo Deli which will open its doors on Monday, November 21 2016 at Phoenix Mall. Like you we can’t wait to get our fix of their tempting desserts and yes, the amazing fluffy omelette.

Nidhi Taparia