Kavita’s mother was a cook in a nearby hostel and her father was a farmer. Kavita’s path to bartending was not a conventional one. Introduced to the industry by her spouse Raj Medar, Kavita initially had no idea about bartending or the opportunities it held. “The concept of bartending was completely alien to my family and the people around me. It was something that was ‘out of the box’,” she recalls. Her husband’s encouragement, even before they got married in 2019, to explore bartending as a career choice opened her eyes to a world where few women ventured, especially from rural backgrounds.

Kavita’s commitment bore fruit when she set a world record for performing 110 flips of two bottles while juggling in just a minute, earning her a name in the World Book of Records, 2021. (Express Photo)

Pursuing a commerce degree in Karnataka, Kavita used to come to Pune often, going back home just to appear for her college exams. “I did not know how to converse in English, Hindi or Marathi. Kannada was the only language I could think of,” she notes, highlighting the substantial difficulties she faced in the initial stages. Out of around 25-30 boys in the bartending institute during her time, only one or two female students could be observed. “It was quite difficult. You had to practice one move about 100 times to get it right. I had moments where I gave up and started to think about what I was even doing this for,” says Kavita. She remembers facing multiple injuries on various parts of her body. However, she gradually worked her way up to earn a diploma in bar and beverage management. “I never quit my dream. I had always wanted to do something different and out of the ordinary ever since I was a child,” she asserts, elaborating on what kept her going despite all the challenges.

Kavita’s commitment bore fruit when she set a world record for performing 110 flips of two bottles while juggling in just a minute, earning her a name in the World Book of Records, 2021. This feat not only emphasized her skill but also got her into the limelight, attracting immense media attention and admiration. The award ceremony was to be held in Switzerland in the same year, but her visa could not be issued due to the outbreak of Covid. During a visit to Goa in the same year, officials of the World Book of Records presented her with the award she rightfully deserved. “This was the time my parents back home actually found out what I was doing in Pune. They did not know this earlier!” she smiles, talking about how her parents saw her initial move to Pune as merely pursuing a basic hotel management degree.

Officials of the World Book of Records presented Kavita with an award after she created a world record for performing 110 flips of two bottles while juggling in just a minute. (Express Photo)

Beyond personal achievements, Kavita is an inspiration for women in a largely male-dominated industry. “Initially when I just started working, the audiences noticed that they were not really getting a good service, due to my struggles with confidence,” she recalls. She proudly looks back at all the years of her hard work that has helped her overcome these challenges. “People look at you like you are a celebrity,” she remarks, highlighting the rarity of female flair-bartenders in India and the change she observed in herself as opposed to her initial days.

A mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old child, Kavita balances her career with family responsibilities, demonstrating that professional success and personal fulfillment can coexist. She is now a permanent trainer at the Flair Mania Bartending Institute, conducts guest workshops and performs at events from time to time.

“It’s a pity that so many talented, skilled women stop working after they get married and have children,” Medar notes, looking ahead to share her expertise globally and empower more women to explore unconventional career paths. “I don’t want to just make a name or set records. I want my talents to reach each corner of the world and get the opportunity to teach all kinds of people,” she smiles.