"Aaiye janaab baithiye aaram se, thodi gupshup maarein zara fursat se?" Amrita Bhasin, a former event manager, has tried to give her grandfather's old-world adage about socialising a modern context at Fursat Se cultural cafe. Located in a quaint barsaati in New Delhi's hip Shahpur Jat village, the cafe functions as a community project modelled on the pay-what-you-like scheme, which was first introduced to the city by Hauz Khas Village's Kunzum Travel Cafe.
Once you alight on the cheery terrace, decked with patio furniture, the sunny space opens into two sizable corridors furnished with moodhas (cane stools) and tables, while small bookshelves and framed works by local artists adorn the walls. Behind a beautiful wooden partition screen at the other end is a small kitchenette where one can make chai, coffee and find eatables like biscuits and chips. By the door lies a small drum-shaped piggy bank where people can pay as much as they want for the use of the space, though payments in kind (some have gifted tea leaves and some a refrigerator) are just as welcome.
The cafe has been hosting cultural events, such as theatrical performances, film screenings, book clubs, photography and art exhibitions, slam poetry, open mic jams and workshops and yoga classes, mostly for free. The idea of such a space occurred to Bhasin a year-and-a-half ago when she held meetings for her popular book club, 21 Angels, while struggling to find safe spaces within the city for lengthy cultural meetings without burning a hole in the pocket. The concept then took shape, Bhasin says, "to create a positive space where people feel free to pursue their creative urges."
If you're a skint artist who can't afford to rent space in the city to showcase your work, Fursat Se may just be a godsend. Photography enthusiasts can find work space here, right within the picturesque Shahpur Jat village, while freelance writers can give a free rein to their imagination while lounging on their fluffy cushioned chairs. "It is heartening to see the scope for genuine collaboration between young artists," she adds. Interactive social initiatives also find place in the cafe such as a book swap, free theatre workshop by a local group, a sale of second-hand books, proceeds of which go to Himjoli, a group that is working towards building libraries at a height of 7250 ft in the Pindari Valley in Himachal Pradesh. The space has featured a new comedy group called Cueless Improv, which has entertained the regulars at the cafe during weekends. Food can be ordered in from Cafe Red, located on the ground floor of the premises.
However, if it's a sponsored or commercial project, Bhasin expects some form of a commission. She is still working out a sustainable business model (the cafe hasn't broken even in six months of operations). There is a buzz about the cafe now, making her positive that in another few months the nitty-gritty will sort themselves out. Then, she can realise her dream of taking the Fursat Se model to other cities in the country.
