NINAD'S POTTERY

Ninad Gidwani’s home- cum- workshop and dog shelter is a place, like its owner, of many interests. The engineer turned ceramic artist carefully designs, moulds, bakes and paints his wide collection of pots in this old bungalow tucked away in a corner of the Camp area.

Flower vases, tea lights ( designed to use just a few drops of oil), water fountains and his latest innovation, ceramic cook ware fight for space in this little, tin- roofed store. Gidwani’s products are designed keeping in mind ‘ the science of ceramics.’ So, the ceramic ware is made using eco- friendly materials. Also available is a wooden lumbar support chair that is specially designed to ease pressure on the back if you have to work long hours.

Adding to the natural flavour are the pans that are coated with natural minerals baked at 1,300° C.

Gidwani’s products and methods are non- polluting; he even uses heat from the chimney to heat an overhead water tank.

The biggest joy of shopping here however, is the sight of the potters’ wheel and baking kilns which give you a glimpse into the creativity that goes into the making of every little plate.

From tea lights that cost Rs 50 onwards to pots that go up to Rs 1000, Ninad’s pottery has something for every shopper. He’s introduced dinner sets in vibrant hues; there are non- boiling aroma oil diffusers that promise more efficiency of the oils and vases in different styles, shapes and colours. Sticking to his motto of “sit, eat and live scientifically”, Gidwani’s products fol- low strict scientific principles.

So, if the cooking pots are flame- safe and release small quantities of natural minerals like zinc and magnesium into the food, the diyas follow the principals of buoyancy and float on water.

His latest range includes oil lamps that can burn for 12 hours with just a tablespoon of oil and pretty, ceramic tea light hold- ers and eco- friendly artefacts. The fountains and artefacts like Buddha faces and large ceramic planters are perfect for the outdoors and have found their way into several homes and resorts across Pune.

WHERE Bungalow 12 A, Stavley road, Camp

COSTTealights starts at Rs 50 and pots go up to Rs 1,000

TEL 9225526324; ninadspottery. com