City hosts a pop-up celebrating indie brands and sustainability

What happened when a home turned into a living, breathing celebration of indie creativity? That’s exactly what curator Neel Dutt did with The Maryanne Pop-Up, named after the iconic song Mary Anne by his father, Anjan Dutt, and the result was far more heartfelt than he had imagined. Held over March 14 and 15, the debut edition saw an overwhelming response, with visitors turning up in large numbers to support young, independent brands. “It went better than I expected. I didn’t expect that so many people would turn up and show love to these wonderful brands and young entrepreneurs,” said Neel, adding, “In our own little way, I think the first edition did contribute to the endeavours of these young creative minds.” What stood out most was a growing shift towards conscious living. “I am glad to see that so many people are thinking of the environment. A good amount of people are using sustainable products daily… trying to minimise plastics in their lives,” he shared, while acknowledging, “It’s a long process.”Curated in just a month, the pop-up brought together a mix of new and familiar brands. “I tried to invite some brands who are very new and are doing interesting things… some have been friends for a long time,” he said. Transforming his home into an “eclectic bazaar,” Neel added, “I had a dream to turn my house into this space because I believe in independent arts and indie cinema.” For Neel, the goal went beyond retail. “My main goal was to connect with new people and learn from them… we need to collaborate more and adapt to a more conscious lifestyle.” Swastika Mukherjee, who participated with her brand The Leaf Story, shared, “The pop-up felt deeply human. Leaf Story is about bringing nature into everyday life, from green installations and low-maintenance terrariums to eco-friendly design. Being part of this event gave me a chance to connect with people who value sustainability and conscious living, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have my own stall there.”