Cafe Kaffee Kuchh
Here was an activity that may not require fancy dress nor immunity against masala-rich multi-cuisine, I told myself, when an SMS invited me to attend the Second Garage Film Festival at the Cafe Kaffee Kuchh. After a bout of big fat Punjabi weddings and festive parties, it was a well-appointed decision. Mini thought so, too.
The scene at Lajpat Rai Bhavan in Sector 15 on Sunday evening was one of unpretentious casualness, creativity and bonhomie. Volunteers bustled around preparing and serving beverages to shouts of do chai, saat 
coffee and sandwich! How they identified the voices in the dark is a marvel. The crowd swelled even as professional and amateur film-makers went about testing equipment, readying to screen their films. Following which they would engage with the audience and each other for feedback. The themes of the short films were varied; some shoddily presented, some brilliant; some amateur and some technologically superior. Yet they all smacked of activism, the hallmark of youthful earnestness.
The sudden coolness of the evening had us heading straight to the counter for our cuppas during the ‘interval’. Sukhmani, coordinator and minder of cafe that evening filled us in on recent activities while regretting the frequent breakdown in infrastructure (read electric kettle). For the uninitiated, each Sunday a non-profit activity is hosted by this community cafe run entirely by volunteers. For the past couple of years this has served as an alternative space for creative buzz: poetry reading, storytelling, jam sessions, art shows and a delightfully named fair for kids, jhamela.
Sometime during the evening Sukhmani explained the concept of a gift economy inspired 
by her visit to the SEWA Cafe at Ahmedabad. At the end of each session empty envelopes are passed around for contributions for the next event. It is not mandatory but since someone’s generosity has already paid for you previously, you give happily. There are no prices listed and it is entirely up to your wallet. Mini and I rated the time spent with the volunteers and participants of Cafe Kaffee Kuchh as one of the happiest in the recent past. We couldn’t have found a better place to “explore the sublime art of hanging out”.
just the kind of spaces revolutions are born in.
heartening to know that the youth in chandigarh are living the basic principle of eastern philosophies…..Sewa….
kudos to them…..for the attitude and the hanging out spot.
Yes. It was long in the making but I sense it is here to stay…
Is this regular? I would love to attend.
Yes, mostly. Timings have changed to 4-7pm wef today.
Very interesting! Is entry by invitation or what?
There are no invitations as that would negate the very reason for their existence. Activities are on each Sunday between 4-7pm. Do check it out sometime.
Thanks for another brilliant piece….I am surely going to be there the coming Sunday …Hope I am not turned away as being too old….
You will discover it’s a space for everyone.
Sounds like a very interesting place / event. Would like to visit when in Chandigarh.
It is. You should. Save one Sunday for it…