In a detour from our usual spotlight fair, we shine the light on fashion brand Karleo. Karleo doesn’t run out of a big store with a massive facade. They are a homegrown brand born out of a desire to build something new in the Indian context.

Founded by partners in crime, Karan Berry and Leon Vaz, Karleo brings together unique talents to design exquisite wedding gowns that tell the story of the brides who wear them to walk down the aisle.

Once again we are indulging our love of food with this month’s spotlight on Abhiram and his podi, pickle, chutney and other 'touching' items home business - Podi Nan Maga. Read on to know how Abhiram went from cooking with his grandma to bringing her flavours to people in Europe and America.

Oh, and get ready to make everyone cry with joy with the season special rasam recipe at the end!

This month we shine the Spotlight on YETO - a boutique farmstay located in Uran that specializes in intimate dining experiences. Curated and created by Gaurav Shah, research consultant, home chef and musician, Yeto represents the dream of having a space for oneself that is also an invitation for everyone to come experience. It is home for Gaurav, his spouse and five-year old, as well as 2 dogs, 3 cats and over 40 fruiting trees. And it is a site for rest and human connection. Connection that takes the form of honest conversation, exchanging passions and learning from one another.

Read on to know more about Gaurav, farm-to-table dining and how YOU can book a stay at YETO.

Cinema is more than just a part of our cultural identity. It shapes and informs our understanding of the world, thereby shaping and empowering our ability to change the world we live in. This month we shine the Spotlight on a film production studio that hopes to leverage this very power of cinema to make it easier for us to practise our rights and duties.

So come along to know more about Civic Studios, founded in 2019 by Anushka Shah and find out how they are building a global community of creators and storytellers for social impact through media.

February’s spotlight features Ukulele with Luv, an initiative by Pune-based musician and music teacher Luv Mahtani. What started out as a one-of-a-kind ukelele class five years ago has now evolved into an active community for people of all ages to bond over music and the joy of performance.

We bring you snippets from a conversation between Luv Mahtani and Sanjana Arun about the birth of Ukulele With Love, their collective experiences surrounding music, performing arts, and the experiences and nuances of teaching.

This month’s spotlight is on Aashwin Heritage, a Pune-based company dedicated to history, art, culture and of course heritage walks. History major and major supporter of heritage walks - Nisha Syed dives into their mission, activities and the philosophy of founder Ashwin Chitale.

And don’t miss the details on the big surprise event - the Gothic Pune Heritage Walk we are doing in February in collaboration with Aashwin Heritage. This one’s for all you history, culture and chai buffs as well as those of you looking for new and interesting ways to spend your Saturday mornings or that pesky V-day weekend!

Bread is a love language on its own and our last spotlight of 2022, Sanjana Arun digs into her first love - bread with one of Pune’s most delectable home-grown artisanal breadmakers - Gauri’s ThoroughBreads.

Join us on this discovery of baguettes, bagels, boules and braided breads and discover anew the ingenuity in manipulating dough - an inherently intricate activity intended to fill loved ones’ stomachs as one of the finest examples of being human.

One of the best things about being alive in these times is coming across some amazing people who consistently find new ways to bring meaning and purpose to their lives. This month's spotlight gives us the chance to bring you the story of Elijah De Souza - entrepreneur, endurance cyclist, farmer a lover of books who spreads joy every day with the Booktique Goa - an eco-conscious lending library.

Read on to learn the story behind this lovely initiative. And of course, subscribe to the library to enjoy over 3000 books that will be delivered to your doorstep, anywhere in India.

This September, Odds & Ends shines the spotlight on Sundooq - a homegrown business that believes food is a powerful vehicle to share stories not often heard. Founded by Virkein Dhar, Sundooq creates ready-to-cook curry mixes and versatile-use chutney mixes, inspired by heirloom recipes from regional Indian kitchens and delivers them straight to your home. Read on to know more about this beautiful initiative, find a recipe to delight your stomach and heart and of course, a cool little discount for our readers when they order these sumptious delights.