The Backyard, Topsia, saw an overwhelming turnout as a Pawasana workshop attempted to teach pet lovers the merits of adopting indies
By
Vedant Karia |
Published 08.09.23, 02:15 PM
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Puppies and painting – Pawasana’s inaugural workshop in the city on September 3 was a blend of two of the most therapeutic things known to us. “Painting with these small, beautiful puppies was an amazing experience, and their love was so infectious. I just couldn’t take my eyes off them,” smiled Tanushri Jhunjhunwalla, a graphic designer
Photos: Soumyajit Dey
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The idea behind the workshop was simple: ‘Painting with a cause’. Pawasana brought adorable indie puppies and cats who needed a home to The Backyard in Topsia, and made them the artistic companions of people engaged in painting. “We started India’s first ‘paint for a cause’ in order to remove the judgements people reserve for indies. The idea is to provide a safe and loving environment for them, with a community that helps us spread awareness and promote adoption. All our events double up as adoption drives,” said Annanya Nautiyal and Anwar Khan, founders, Pawasana
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Joydeep Chaturvedi and his fiance Jasmine Chatlani had a blast playing with this little pupper in between brushstrokes. “It was a surreal Sunday, surrounded by artistic vibes and furry friends. The event also greatly educated us to adopt, and not shop for pets. It makes us realise how our indie friends are equally loveable and forever companions.”
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We spotted MasterChef contestant, The Calcutta Calorie owner, and My Kolkata columnist Dyuti Banerjee snuggling with this munchkin! “The setting seemed straight out of my childhood playbooks, with sprinkler fountains, a treehouse, books, and of course, tiny rescue puppers. I picked up the brush after over 20 years and it felt like the summer afternoons of my childhood. The best part was cuddling with the little furry bugs, who promptly fell asleep in my arms as I went about painting a fat cat mandala,” she said. Banerjee, who herself has seven cats and an indie dog, urged people to extend empathy to such adorable animals, and give them a home
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While Pawasana had kept an open theme for the paintings, the puppies’ presence provided overwhelming inspiration, leading to some beautiful ‘pet-friendly’ art
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Love bloomed not just between the puppies, but people too. Himanshu Pugalia, a trader, surprised his girlfriend, Pooja Khairajani, a marketing manager, by booking two seats for the session, knowing her love for dogs. “Painting with puppies and kittens was a great way to bond for us,” he said
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Mohammed Sadique, manager of Pawasana’s Kolkata chapter, was the one who oversaw all the arrangements. “It was amazing to receive 40 registrations for our first time in the city. This event went a long way in familiarising people with indies. We want to ensure that no dogs are left vulnerable on the street, and everyone finds a home,” he signed off
