Catch Santa if you can

The GUIDE catches up with the Santa Brigade who are all set to spread the Yuletide spirit in the city It's that time of the year when Christmas trees magically sprout in the city, and there are stockings and mistletoe aplenty. And yes, the Santa Brigade works overtime. Headed by Hyacinth Arya, a team of 70 Santas (53 of them women) comprise the brigade. She sends her Santas all over the city, sometimes accompanied by elves and pixies to entertain kids and Puneites in general.This time their focus is on the silver theme and Chinese d ufffdcor. I'm just back from China and I noticed that between the Christmas colours ufffd red and green, they use a lot of 'red' which is vibrant and beautiful, she says. As Christmas approaches, Arya's role is dispatching Santas to the city's schools, malls and offices. She realised early on that that for this prestigious job, training is vital. To be a Santa is quite a responsibility and Santa stand-ins had to create a benchmark. Hence, her brigade insists on no shabby costumes, beard or whiskers falling off, grubby gloves or a huge paunch. The amazing part is that many of my Santas are non-Christians, which just goes to show how they also believe that Santa Clause (Santarine) must spread joy, happiness and love, she adds.The brigade will be performing at Crossword, Mom and Me, Residency Club, Ishanya Mall, as well as resorts and offices closer to Christmas and on December 25. But a week prior to that they head to schools with the Green Santa, an eco-friendly Santa, who conveys the message of going green and planting more trees. We also follow-up on the previously planted trees and their health and progress and we also award the nurturing children, who form part of the healthy tree family, she elaborates. Bhaktawar Batliwala, a full-time working professional who doubles up as a Santa admits that the brigade is a happy lot. I love being Santa for the joy it brings to so many children and adults. Catch the Santa Brigade at Residency Club on December 23 at 5.30 pm, Crossword at ICC, Senapati Bapat Road and Sohrab Hall on December 24, 5.30 pm onwards, Ishanya Mall on December 24, 5.30 pm. Santa will be riding a buggy down MG Road on December 24, from 6 pm to 8 pm and on December 25 in the evening from 7 pm to 8 pm. Santa will also be at Hotel Pride on December 24 and 25, where youu00a0 can join in the carol singing and interact with Santa.