As preparations are underway for the grand opening of Swadesh’s new flagship store at Eros in south Mumbai, Nita Ambani, along with her daughter Isha Ambani, and her two daughters-in-law, Shloka and Radhika, came together to perform a traditional pooja ceremony. The auspicious ritual was held ahead of the Swadesh store’s opening on July 25. The ceremony was filled with prayers and blessings, marking a fresh and meaningful beginning for Swadesh. The event celebrated the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship and the timeless values passed down through generations. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swadesh Online (@swadesh_online) The pooja served as a symbolic gesture of respect for tradition and a commitment to Indian culture, aligning with Swadesh’s vision of promoting and preserving the country’s art, textiles, and artisan legacy. "With prayers offered and blessings invoked, this beautiful ritual marks a new beginning for Swadesh and a timeless celebration of Indian tradition and craftsmanship, passed down over generations since time immemorial," an Instagram post on Swadesh's official Instagram account said.
22 July,2025 09:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Om Namah Shivaya,' early morning aarti was performed at Ghaziabad's Dudheshwar Mahadev Temple as devotees gathered in large numbers to mark the second Monday of the holy month of Sawan, one of the most sacred periods dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Hindu calendar. Speaking to ANI, Mahant Girisha Nand Maharaj of Dudheswar Nath Math Mandir said, "On the second Monday of the Shravan month, we send greetings to all devotees and Kanwadis. It is a very auspicious day, and every devotee should worship Lord Shiva for the welfare of all. Those unable to visit temples may simply chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' at home and still receive blessings." He added that devotees coming with devotion and discipline offer bael leaves, dhatura, milk, curd, ghee, honey, and Panchamrit as part of their rituals to Lord Shiva. "The muhurt (timing) today is especially auspicious as it coincides with the divine energy following Shivaratri. We extend our wishes to all," he said. Meanwhile, across Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country, devotees flocked to Shiva temples from the early hours of Monday. In Varanasi's revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Rudrabhishek and Mangala Aarti are performed on the second Monday of the holy month of Sawan. Massive crowds of Kanwariyas and pilgrims began gathering from Sunday night to seek darshan of Baba Vishwanath. Special security arrangements, including deployment of Varanasi Police and Black Commandos, were in place to manage the huge influx of devotees. Ayodhya's Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple saw a large turnout of worshippers, while Delhi's historic Gauri Shankar Temple in Chandni Chowk witnessed devotees lined up to perform Abhishek and offer prayers. Shravan, the fifth month in the Hindu calendar, is considered to be the most auspicious month of the year. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. During this holy month, devotees undertake fasts, offer prayers, chant Shiva mantras, sing devotional bhajans, and perform Rudrabhishek--the ceremonial bathing of the Shiva Lingam. Many devotees observe strict fasts, abstaining from grains and consuming only fruits, milk, and specific foods permitted during fasting. Every Monday (Somwar) of this month is considered especially auspicious and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Tuesdays (Mangalwar) are observed in honour of Goddess Parvati, the divine consort of Shiva. This year, Shravan began on July 11 and will conclude on August 9. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods for devotees of Lord Shiva. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 July,2025 11:08 AM IST | Mumbai | ANISummer may be over but there is still a lot to do for children in Mumbai. While the monsoon season gets underway and takes over the city, there are some experiences indoors that could help them not only learn more but enjoy the experience with the family. Here are two events in Mumbai that can keep them busy this week: Sydney Opera House’s - Meeting Mozart Meeting Mozart is a lively, family-friendly show for children aged five and above, featuring acclaimed pianist Simon Tedeschi assuming the persona of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Joined by string players from the Symphony Orchestra of India and actor/soprano Emily Taylor as Mozart’s wife Constanze, the performance introduces young audiences to his iconic music—from playful tunes like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star variations to grand orchestral works. Along the way, children meet each instrument and discover the magic of classical music in an engaging, interactive hour-long journey. It is written by Simon Tedeschi, Eva Di Cesare and Tim McGarry, directed by Eva Di Cesare and produced by CDP Theatre Producers. Where: NCPA, Nariman PointWhen: July 19 - July 20Time: 4 pm and 6 pm (July 19) and 10 am and 12 noon (July 20)Price: Rs 1,080, Rs 675 and Rs 450 (inclusive of GST) for members; Rs 1,200, Rs 750 and Rs 500 (inclusive of GST) for non-members Museum in Residence: Light Atelier in MumbaiNita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre has launched Museum in Residence: Light Atelier in Mumbai, running from July 19 to August 10. The interactive exhibition invites children aged 4 to 12 years old to discover the magic of light, shadow, and colour through playful, hands-on exploration. Blending elements of art, science, and design, the exhibition celebrates creativity, exploration, and the natural wonder that illuminates every child’s imagination. Light Atelier is part of Dadu’s Museum in Residence initiative, which, focusing on learning-through-play as the pedagogical approach, transforms conventional spaces into immersive, playful learning environments for children. Held in an intentionally crafted space on the same floor as the Infinity Room by Yayoi Kusama, Light Atelier encourages children to imagine, experiment and create as they engage with light sources, reflections, colours, and shadows at seven different open-ended stations. Using simple materials and limitless possibilities, the exhibition inspires children to see the world through a fresh lens. The programme does not require much teacher/parent intervention, instead allowing for free play, risk taking, active learning and trial and error that is essential to childhood development.
19 July,2025 10:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhile Priyanka Chopra started out in Bollywood after being crowned a beauty queen, she has established herself as a global icon that is ruling hearts worldwide today. As the world raises a toast to Bollywood's very own 'Desi Girl' on her 43rd birthday, it is the best time to celebrate the milestones that have shaped her global journey. While most people know of her Bollywood films, not many may have indulged in her Hollywood acts, but not without penning a candid memoir, while making other fearless choices. Whether you are a longtime fan of the former Miss World or just curious about her evolution to an iconic powerhouse, this list is a curated look at some of her most impactful audiobooks and films. Listen UnfinishedIn Unfinished, Priyanka Chopra Jonas offers listeners a raw and intimate glimpse into the moments that shaped her, including her lonely childhood at boarding school, enduring racist bullies in America and grappling with the toxicity she faced in the entertainment industry after winning Miss World. The actress opens up about the sexism she faced early in her career and the deep loss of losing her father, which left her with emotional wounds she had not fully confronted until writing her memoir. Describing the process as cathartic, she said that the words “poured out” of her and helped her reflect on the life behind the spotlight while she wrote her autobiography. Unfinished feels less like a celebrity memoir and more like a letter to her past self where she reclaims her story. Priyanka Chopra: The Incredible Story of a Global Bollywood Star This engaging biography by film journalist Aseem Chhabra traces Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ journey from being a small-town girl to a global icon. It captures her early life, family values and moment-by-moment anecdotes including her unexpected rise to Bollywood stardom. It follows her adventurous leap into her American entertainment space including chronicling her breakthrough in Quantico, her pop-single ventures like Exotic and her debut in Hollywood with Baywatch. Through rich storytelling and vivid details, the audiobook offers an inspiring behind-the-scenes portrait of a determined young woman who keeps redefining success across continents. Service: Audible Also Read: Connie Francis, singer of viral song 'Pretty Little Baby', passes away at 87 Watch Heads of StateFor those who enjoy their action with a side of humour, Heads of State brings it in style. In Heads of State, Priyanka Chopra holds her own as Noelle Bisset, an M16 agent who becomes the mission’s backbone when the U.S. President (John Cena) and U.K. Prime Minister (Idris Elba) are stranded behind enemy lines. As the two rival leaders are forced to face chaos that includes fleeing a deadly arms dealer, Priyanka, as Noelle, steps in with grit and tactical brilliance, anchoring the globe-trotting action-comedy with a commanding prominence. CitadelIf you like your spy thrillers layered with emotional drama, Citadel is one to add to your watchlist. Priyanka Chopra brings both edge and vulnerability as Nadia Sinh, a top spy at a global agency that was wiped out by a criminal network called Manticore. After a failed mission, Nadia and her partner Mason (Richard Madden) lose their memories and go into hiding with new identities. Years later, they are pulled back into action to stop a global threat and rediscover their past, their skills and their complicated relationship. Priyanka brings grit, mystery and charisma to the role - an unmissable watch for the fans! Service: Amazon Prime Video Love Again In Love Again, Priyanka plays Mira Ray, a children’s author grappling with the sudden loss of her fiancé. Still mourning, she begins texting her fiancé’s old number, unaware it now belongs to Rob (Sam Heughan), a journalist struggling with his own heartbreak. As Rob reads through Mira’s heartfelt messages, he’s drawn to her vulnerability and warmth, with their paths eventually unexpectedly crossing. The chemistry between Priyanka and Sam Heughan feels natural and grounded, with Céline Dion’s music adding just the right touch of old-school romance. Perfect for fans of slow, soulful love stories. Service: Netflix SEE PHOTOS: 5 Connie Francis songs beyond 'Pretty Little Baby' you need to know
18 July,2025 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA rare painting of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only oil portrait that the Indian independence leader ever sat for, has sold at auction in the UK for £152,800 ($205,000 or approximately Rs 1.75 crore). The 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton fetched more than twice the estimated price when the auction closed on Tuesday in London, Bonhams auction house has revealed. "Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams' head of sale. She added the painting "was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history". Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. The portrait was created in London -- at a crucial time for India's independence struggle -- and remained in Leighton's collection until her death in 1989. It was then passed down through her family, according to Bonhams. No details were provided about the buyer. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 July,2025 12:32 PM IST | London | AFPLegendary American singer Connie Francis, most popularly known for her song 'Pretty Little Baby' that has been recently going viral on social media, has passed away at 87. The news of her passing was shared by her friend and publicist Ron Roberts in a Facebook post saying, "it is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that i inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night. I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.More details will follow later." With many hits during the 1950s and 1960s, Francis is known for songs such as 'Stupid Cupid', 'Who's Sorry Now?', 'Lipstick On Your Collar', 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool', and 'Never On A Sunday' among others. However, it was her song 'Pretty Little Baby' that became a hit on TikTok in the last one year, almost 63 years after it was first released, and propelled her to instant fame with the current generation, an aspect of her music that she was able to establish during her peak. Among her many musical collaborations, Francis was known for singing songs written by Neil Sedaka, who also performed live with her on quite a few occasions. SEE PHOTOS: 5 Connie Francis songs beyond 'Pretty Little Baby' you need to know Earlier in May, the octogenarian had shared her amusement on Facebook in response to Ron's post, about how her song had gone viral, saying, "Thank you Ron for posting this link. My thanks to TikTok and its members for the wonderful, and oh so unexpected, reception given to my 1961 recording "Pretty Little Baby". The first I learned of it was when Ron called to advise me that I had "a viral hit". Clearly out of touch with present day music statistics terminology, my initial response was to ask: "What's that?" Thank you everyone." Interestingly, growing up to many of her songs, many Mumbaikars had earlier spoken to mid-day about their earliest memories listening to her music, and even how they are the perfect karaoke songs with 'Pretty Little Baby' becoming a recent favourite among Gen-Z and Millennials alike.SEE PHOTOS: From Enrique Iglesias to Travis Scott: International artists performing in India in 2025
17 July,2025 07:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt has been an interesting Wimbledon season with Jannik Sinner clinching the 2025 Men’s Singles title after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Swiatek finally lifting her first Wimbledon title after winning against Amanda Anisimova. While the current generation grinds it out, there’s something magnetic about tennis legends and how they have achieved greatness with their grit, rivalries, and history-making shots. If watching the finals and reading the headlines has left you wanting more, here is a curated list of stories you can dive into. It has not only audiobooks but also unputdownable reads about champions, and must-watch films and documentaries that capture both the glamour and the grind. These picks are as thrilling off-court as the game itself because they not only have the likes of Roger Federer and Serena Williams but more. Even as US Open, the next big Grand Slam is two months away, there is a lot to catch up on in the mean time. Listen Rafa If you’ve ever found yourself spellbound by Rafael Nadal’s sheer grit on court, this is one listen tennis fans shouldn’t miss. The memoir takes you from the clay courts of Majorca to the electric energy of Wimbledon’s Centre Court, capturing his rise as one of the sport’s greatest. It goes beyond the titles and record-smashing wins, an honest, revealing look at his childhood, rivalries, injuries, and what keeps him grounded off court. A must-add for anyone who loves tennis and wants to understand the man behind the champion. Unstoppable Unstoppable is an inside look at what it takes to go from a six-year-old arriving in Florida with USD 700 to winning Wimbledon at 17! In this audiobook, authored and narrated by Maria Sharapova herself, she walks you through her rise from Siberia to Grand Slam glory, touching on fierce rivalries (yes, including Serena Williams), career-threatening injuries, and high-profile controversies. Her relationship with her father, who uprooted everything to back her dream, forms the emotional core of this story. What makes this audiobook especially compelling is how unapologetically candid she sounds: fearless, flawed, and utterly driven. Emma Raducanu It is a gripping, insider account of how an 18-year-old from Kent stunned the world by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier - an unprecedented feat in the sport’s history. Written by Mike Dickson, one of the few British journalists on the ground in New York at the time, the audiobook captures the grit behind Emma Raducanu’s rise. It’s packed with sharp insights and details that tennis fans will truly appreciate. Service: Audible Read Andy Murray: Seventy-SevenAndy Murray: Seventy-Seven is essential reading for anyone who is a tennis fan, especially one with a soft spot for Wimbledon history. Written by Andy Murray himself, this book offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the years leading up to his legendary 2013 Wimbledon win: the first by a British man in 77 years. Through his own words, Andy walks readers through the highs, the lows, injuries, and sheer determination it took to reach the top. From gruelling training sessions to reflections on his mindset, it’s a document of his personal journey. My Life: Queen of the CourtThis one’s hard to pass up. This is Serena Williams’ telling of her rise from Compton’s public courts to becoming world number one - a journey marked by grit and history-making triumphs. The memoir offers a front-row seat to the challenges and victories that shaped her both on and off the court. From her iconic Australian Open win in 2009 to facing personal loss and criticism, Serena shares it all with honesty and fire. It’s an essential listen for anyone who wants to be inspired by relentless ambition. Service: Amazon Watch Borg vs. McEnroeBorg vs McEnroe dives into the legendary rivalry between cool-headed Swedish icon Bjorn Borg (played by Sverrir Gudnason) and fiery American upstart John McEnroe (played by Shia LaBeouf), set against the backdrop of the 1980 Wimbledon final. The film captures not just their clash on court but the intense personal battles behind the scenes. It’s a gripping, stylish drama that balances sports action with character depth. If you love the psychological edge of tennis as much as the game itself, this one’s for you! Federer: Twelve Final Days Twelve Final Days is an unmissable watch. Originally meant as a private home video, the documentary captures Roger Federer’s emotional final days as a professional athlete, with candid moments alongside his family and fiercest rivals: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Directed by Asif Kapadia and co-directed by Joe Sabia, it reveals the man behind the legend. Whether you’ve followed Federer’s career from day one or simply admire greatness in its purest form, this is a quietly moving must-watch for you. Service: Amazon Prime Video
16 July,2025 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid love for global sportsmen like Harry Maguire, Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot coming to Mumbai earlier this year, another global athlete is set to return to the country later this year. Known to be the 'World's Fastest Man', Usain Bolt is all to set to visit the country in September. At a time when sports tourism is on the rise, the Jamaican sprint legend will be in the two cities as a part of 'Dream Icons', an initiative launched by DreamSetGo, a country-based premium bespoke sports experiences and travel platform. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist will be in India for his first multi-city tour to launch the initiative. Bolt’s multi-city tour across Mumbai and Delhi will feature a series of high-profile engagements, including intimate fan experiences and cultural interactions. He will be the first guest of Dream Icons, with more global icons to follow in the coming months.Also Read: After Delhi, Travis Scott to perform in Mumbai; know all the details here Aiming to provide a platform for athletes, one of the centrepieces of the tour will be 'Dream Dash', a nationwide sprint challenge for school students culminating in a final showdown in front of Usain Bolt. This first-of-its-kind event will inspire young athletes by giving them the opportunity to run in the presence of the fastest man on the planet. Daniel Dsouza, co-founder, DreamSetGo, said, “Bringing Usain Bolt to India is a defining moment, not just for DreamSetGo, but for India’s growing position in the global sports economy. It reflects our commitment to building extraordinary, access-led experiences that go beyond spectatorship. With Bolt’s visit launching Dream Icons, we’re bridging aspiration with access, celebrating greatness, inspiring the next generation, and reinforcing India’s readiness to host the world. This is not just a tour; it’s a signal that India is ready to be centrestage in the world of sport.” Usain Bolt shared his excitement ahead of the visit, saying, “I’m excited to return to India. The energy, the people and the passion for sports here is truly unmatched. I have a lot of fans in India and am really looking forward to my visit there later this year.” The release shared by the company says India’s sports tourism market, valued at USD 10.87 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to USD 68.7 billion by 2035. In just the first half of 2024, over 15 million Indians travelled abroad, many planning holidays around major global sporting events. A recent study shows 71 per cent of Indian travellers are willing to travel overseas for sports, reflecting a growing shift toward experience-first travel.
15 July,2025 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter adding a second show in Delhi in April, internationally acclaimed rap superstar Travis Scott is all set to perform in Mumbai this November as he brings his Circus Maximus World Tour to the country, with his debut performance. The Mumbai show is set to take place on Wednesday, November 19 at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. The tickets for Travis Scott’s Mumbai performance will go live on July 19 at 12 noon IST. The Delhi shows are scheduled to place on October 18 and 19 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.Fans can expect him to perform global hits like ‘SICKO MODE’, ‘Goosebumps’, ‘Highest in the room’ and ‘FE!N’, apart from his renowned for his mind-blowing stage productions and sound creating immersive experiences.SEE PHOTOS: From Enrique Iglesias to Travis Scott: International artists performing in India in 2025The ticket booking process will feature a virtual queue with a waiting room that opens at 11 am on July 19, where fans will be allocated a queue position based on automated queue randomisation. Attendees 10 years and above will be permitted entry. All attendees under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket for the same zone. For crowd management and safety reasons, attendees under 16 years are strictly not allowed in the Fan Pit Ground Standing and Silver Ground standing ticket categories. They are welcome in the seated and standing areas of the Platinum Lounge, as well as the Gold and Silver Platform zones. The concert, which was added amid overwhelming demand, will be produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live in collaboration with global producers Live Nation.The latest performance is a part of the global tour in 2025 that will span six countries, kicking off on Saturday, October 11th in Johannesburg, South Africa at FNB Stadium, before continuing with additional stops in Seoul, Korea; Sanya and Hainan, China; Tokyo, Japan; Abu Dhabi, UAE, and New Delhi and Mumbai in India. Scott’s CIRCUS MAXIMUS WORLD TOUR originally kicked off October 2023 and included 76 sold-out stops across North America, Europe, UK, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand throughout 2023 and 2024.IN PHOTOS: Indian musicians who followed in their fathers’ footstepsScott, who is a diamond-certified, Grammy-nominated artist, designer, style icon, actor, producer, entrepreneur, and Cactus Jack CEO and founder's album UTOPIA's global influence is seen with the fact that it was the biggest-selling hip-hop release of 2023, holding strong at No.1 on the Billboard Top 200 for four weeks running, and garnering over 50 billion streams globally.Interestingly, Scott is the latest international artist who is set to visit India after Coldplay, Cigarettes After Sex, Ed Sheeran and Guns N' Roses earlier this year. Around the time that the American rapper performs in India, Indian music concert lovers will also witness the likes of Enrique Iglesias and Passenger in October and November in 2025,
15 July,2025 01:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJob market momentum and economic opportunity are growing in non-metro cities in India, according to a new report on Tuesday. The Cities on the Rise report, by professional network platform LinkedIn, identifies Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Nashik, and Raipur as the fastest-growing non-metro hubs where professional opportunities are accelerating. The report also highlights emerging tier-2 and tier-3 growth pockets – Rajkot, Agra, Madurai, Vadodara, and Jodhpur -- for professionals looking to relocate, tap into new industries, or grow their careers locally. It attributed the success of these emerging cities to central and state government’s push for local development. “Tier-2 and tier-3 cities are at the heart of India’s economic transformation. The influx of GCC investments, the local MSME boom, and the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat are collectively turning smaller cities into serious career hubs,” said Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor. “This means, for many Indians, meaningful career progress no longer demands moving to a big city. Because these 10 rising cities offer real opportunities across industries, functions, and roles -- right where they are,” Banerjee added. Further, the report emphasised the role of technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance companies in moving into tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities and attracting talent. It noted that amidst the boom in data and AI, tech companies are setting up shop across tier-2 and tier-3 cities, fueling local talent activity. Even healthcare and pharma companies are creating opportunities in Vishakhapatnam and Vadodara; while several major banks are accelerating the growth of financial services in Raipur, Agra, and Jodhpur. Business development roles were identified as the top hiring drivers in six out of 10 cities on the rise, including Nashik, Raipur, Rajkot, Agra, Vadodara, and Jodhpur. For professionals in Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Madurai, most job opportunities are emerging in the engineering function. Sales, operations, and education are other key functions where professionals in tier-2 and tier-3 cities can look for jobs. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 July,2025 12:08 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSIf you have been spending enough time on social media, then you have definitely come across the boy dancing on a boat during a race. While it has been floating around for some time, it has now gone completely viral because of how cool he looks while doing it, especially while balancing himself on a moving boat. Generation Z or Gen-Z as they are more popularly called even has a term for it – ‘Aura Farming’. While most people who become celebrities on the Internet are known by their face and name, there are very few who actually know their names, but turns out that Rayyan Arkan Dikha’s popularity is rising and is only going to soar from here on. Here's all you need to know about him and the video that went viral: Who is Rayyan Arkan Dikha?According to various media reports, Rayyan Arkan Dikha is a 11-year-old Indonesian boy from the Kuantan Singingi Regency, who has gone viral for his dance steps on the bow of the moving boat during Pacu Jalur, the annual longboat race in Sumatra in Indonesia.SEE PHOTOS: Devotees offer prayers at Lord Shiva temples on first Monday of Shravan 2025 Dressed in black traditional attire called the Teluk Balanga with a Malay Riau headcloth, and sporting black sunglasses, the child is busy seen moving his hands and dancing. While dancing videos go viral often, it is the ease with which he does it on the racing canoe travelling at high-speed that has made him really popular, giving rise to the term ‘aura farming’ in the process. Owing to his popularity, the Indonesian government has also made him the tourism ambassador of the Riau province, apart from giving him a scholarship. When does the Pacu Jalur race take place?The annual longboat race is a part of the Pacu Jalur (loosely means boat race) festival events that take place among the Minangkabau ethnic community during August every year. It is conducted on the Batang Kuantan river in Sumatra’s Riau in the Southeast Asian country. While the exact date of Dikha’s video isn’t known, it is most likely from the last year but has gained traction in the last month. It is because of the child’s role of the Togak Luan, the person who is responsible to keep the crew energised. While the Indonesian certainly did keep them focussed, he has also caught the eye of many people on the Internet, after the video first went viral on TikTok. What is ‘Aura Farming’? Aura Farming is a Gen-Z term that has gone viral on TikTok and other social media platforms to denote a confident persona that a person projects while doing any activity like in the case of Dikha. It is also one used to describe an aura that people cultivate about themselves that is seen as not only cool but also effortless. SEE PHOTOS: Explore these unique food events in Mumbai this week PopularityWhile the term floats on social media, its long-term effects are yet to be seen, even as Dikha did it without a care in the world, only to become an internet sensation that is also making top athletes take notice. Among them is Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and NFL athlete Travis Kelce apart from Paris Saint Germain footballers, and even F1 driver Alex Albon.
14 July,2025 07:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
