When American singer Nick Jonas was spotted stepping outside for a break during the 83rd Golden Globes on January 11 in Los Angeles, audiences were quick to identify it as an onslaught of social anxiety. The star later confirmed this on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Given this very real scenario that numerous people face, psychologist Nikhila Deshpande, founder of Italk Therapy, Goregaon, discusses how to navigate social and performance anxiety over a series of situations. Just breathe Social anxiety, constituting the persistent fear of being scrutinised and judged in social situations, often rears its head during social gatherings, particularly small talk. “The best solution is to breathe,” Deshpande emphasises. Jonas was seen stepping outside for a sip of water. Pic courtesy/@velvettsunshine on X “Use the five and seven technique, or the seven and 11 one; the first number denotes inhale counts, and the second denotes exhale counts. Small talk fills one’s head with negative thoughts. When breathing consciously and deeply, you’ll find that you can’t focus on anything self-critical — you concentrate on being present in the moment, calming your parasympathetic nervous system.” She additionally recommends rehearsing answers to questions you might be asked. “Hence, you won’t be hit with a rush of inquisitiveness from strangers.” Positive self-talk Nikhila Deshpande “Let’s say you have a date scheduled, but are filled with hyper-critical thoughts. Simply list down things you love about yourself: Your achievements, aspects of your appearance, compliments you’ve received, and positive memories. Keep repeating these to yourself,” Deshpande suggests. This works almost like memorising for exams, she points out. In a stressful scenario, the brain retains such information well and helps you focus on the good. Admit the issue Social anxiety is not the same as performance anxiety Performance and social anxiety are often conflated; the former arises in situations where one is being observed or evaluated while performing any presentation. What about those who develop anxiety before oral exams, we ask. Deshpande replies, “In such cases, simply convey your social anxiety problem to those interviewing or evaluating you. Examiners are often empathetic, and use casual conversation to familiarise the candidate, creating an atmosphere of comfort.” Practise all you can Practise positive affirmations in the mirror to boost confidence. Representation pics/istock For the very common fear of public speaking, she advises practising a speech as often as possible in front of a mirror, to build confidence. “That way, you won’t ‘go blank’,” she notes. Further, she proposes practising by focusing on a plain wall, without humans and the fear of judgement in sight. “Try making your speech relatable to create an informal vibe and connect with your audience,” she adds. The mental wellness professional mentions that carrying ice or a chilled water bottle on stage can be a great method to relax and find your core again: “Cold sensations automatically induce deep breathing to help you relax. Don’t hesitate to pause for a sip of water either — speakers never lose public attention during this very simple, human act.” Lastly, you can gently press your fingertips to boost your memory and manage the stress of performing as well. Ground yourself For performing artistes, pausing to recollect is never an option. Deshpande advises them to use something to anchor themselves in the moment, “It could be a locket, for instance, or any prop. It is imperative for artistes, like dancers, to have good muscle memory and hence, I cannot stress how important it is to practise your presentation repeatedly.” Despite this, abrupt bouts of anxiety may creep in, for which she suggests taking a clever break: “Use a few generic, standard moves or gestures that allow you to pause in between.” These may range from standing still and lying down to anything that provides a few seconds to re-orient oneself. Deshpande strongly advises against quick-fix solutions. “These strategies, especially for social anxiety, may work in the moment when no other option is available. I must emphasise that, in the long term, only consistent therapy can resolve chronic social anxiety,” she signs off. Case Study: ‘I worked on myself’ Anika Bharwani in performance. Pic courtesy/Aarohi Mehra Anika Bharwani, an indie-pop musician based in Mumbai and Goa, has suffered the grip of performance anxiety for years. “It was common when I started out. It roots down to low self-esteem, lack of belief in yourself, or inadequate experience. I even threw up right before one show due to anxiety.” Bharwani mentions she goes straight to the cure, instead of overthinking the symptoms. “Performance anxiety diminished when I worked on myself outside of the stage: Attending therapy, improving myself, and living life. Now, I feel I belong on stage.” We ask her what’s best to do in the moment, when the grip of anxiety gets real. “Breathe. That’s all one can really do. Take a second to ground yourself, look around, look at the audience or your fellow performers, reminding yourself that you’re safe,” she advises.
19 January,2026 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshOde to Chester Fans will miss the presence of the inimitable former frontman Chester Bennington who passed away in 2017. Here’s how you can wear a tribute to the iconic vocalist Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong of Linkin Park. PIC COURTESY/@linkinpark >> Layer it: Slip into a leather jacket or a woollen overcoat to add depth.Log on to: hm.com >> Button up: Pick a classic half-sleeved black shirt, don’t forget to button up all the way, just like Bennington did.Log on to: vanhuesenindia.in >> Go black: It’s hard to imagine the frontman in anything but a pair of black slim-fit jeans paired with black boots. Log on to: jackjones.in >> Hat tip: Finish the look with the rocker’s favourite felt fedora hat.Log on to: thecraze.in >> Sunglasses on: You probably recognise the iconic framed clear glasses that Bennington wore onstage. Opt for his second favourites, classic wayfarers.Log on to: woggles.in Got your back Do the crowd behind you a favour with this beige oversized T-shirt that features lyrics to the band’s 2000 hit song Crawling on the back.Log on to: souledstore.comCost: Rs 999 Park pride This neon graphic tee features rainbow hues in the original Linkin Park logo. Wear it with pride and save it for the upcoming Pride Parade in the city.Log on to: notorious.comCost: Rs 890 Tote-ally cool Flaunt Linkin Park’s sleek, brand-new logo with this minimalistic tote bag. Pair it with a classic dad hat to complete the look.Log on to: india-store. linkinpark.comCost: Rs 999 Classic LP Stick to the basics with this band logo T-shirt. The design comes in children’s sizes for the young rockers, and in a sweatshirt for those feeling the chills this month.Log on to: thebanyantee.comCost: Rs 799 (t-shirt); Rs 1999 (sweatshirt)
19 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleEver thought about the relationship between trees and ships? Led by researcher and curator Abhishek Khan, the Botany of Ships is a walk that aims to examine how trees enabled shipbuilding, oceanic travel, and global trade, and how these material choices reshaped geopolitics. The walk that will start at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan, uses opium trade and trees as a central case study to trace erstwhile Mumbai’s (then Bombay) trading history. A small Hodi boat on display. Pic courtesy/Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum It will conclude at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad museum where miniature models of ships are on display. This will help explain how the trees and ships are interconnected. “Trees, who we consider to be mute, to be almost inexpressive emotionless beings, have shaped political and economic systems by compelling humans to transport them across continents. For example, tea led the British to China and eventually to opium trade in India, while eucalyptus travelled to India from the Australian subcontinent,” emphasises Khan. Monoon longifolium commonly known as False Ashoka The city’s harbour forms a central part of this narrative. Boats here were largely built from Indian teak, which Khan explains was particularly superior in comparison to English oak. “While English oak ships lasted about 10 years, teak ships could last up to 50 years. He also mentions how shipbuilding in Mumbai was closely tied to the Wadia family. Lowjee Nusserwanjee Wadia, in 1736, emerged as a pioneering shipbuilder for the British East India Company, constructing hundreds of durable ships, including warships such as HMS Cornwallis, which was entirely built from teak wood,” mentions Khan. (From left) HMS Cornwallis; a portrait of Lowjee Nusserwanjee Wadia The walk will also mention small boats like seafaring machwas (traditional, non-motorised, or later motorised, wooden sailing vessels), hodi boats (handcrafted outrigger canoes) and canoes that were made from white silk cotton trees known for being lightweight and buoyant. The walk will wrap up with conversations about mast trees such as Monoon longifolium (False Ashoka), and teak’s use in Warli art, marking a turning point in India’s relationship with its trees. Abhishek Khan ON January 24; 9.30 to 11.30 amAT Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, Lalbaug flyover, Byculla East. LOG ON TO handsjobinc.comENTRY Rs 922 onwards
19 January,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareTHE question of whether social media is driving a mental health crisis among teenagers is one of the most urgent debates in today’s time. In the podcast, Can we really blame social media? A research showdown, host Charlie Yuncken relays two opposing views. Adam Cole argues that scientific evidence does not support the claim that social media is a major cause of teen distress, while co-host Joss Fong believes even small effects can be devastating when nearly every child is exposed to long hours of social media during a vulnerable stage of development. The host and moderator of the podcast, Charlie Yuncken. Pic courtesy/Youtube Is social media the problem? Cole begins by questioning how mental-health data is interpreted. He notes, “That rising rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm partly reflect falling stigma, broader diagnostic standards, and greater access to mental-health services. More teenagers are now being counted than in the past, he argues, which can make the crisis appear larger than it truly is.” He also challenges the idea that the present moment is historically unique. Cole points out that in the 1990s, the suicide rate for girls was only slightly lower than it is today, and for boys it was actually higher. If social media was the main cause of today’s problems, he says, it would be difficult to explain why outcomes were worse decades before smartphones and platforms existed. Cole also highlighted international comparisons. Countries such as New Zealand adopted social media early, and have high usage, yet they do not show the same teen mental-health pattern as seen in the United States of America. This suggests that wider social or cultural factors may matter more than digital platforms alone. Cole’s strongest evidence comes from a Stanford University study from 2025 in which thousands of people were asked to quit Instagram for six weeks. He mentions, “The result was a small improvement in emotional state — only 0.041 standard deviations. In psychology, 0.2 is considered the minimum for a meaningful effect, and 0.4 is considered clinically significant, showing that the Instagram effect was far below both thresholds.” Adam Cole and Joss Fong debate if social media is bad for teenagers or not. Pic courtesy/Youtube Agree to disagree Fong agrees that many studies are flawed but she also says that the data gathered in most researches measure hours spent online by the children, and not what actually happens online. The real harm comes from moments such as their text message being left on, "seen" by their peers, or not getting likes, seeing friends excluded, or finding a crush in someone else’s story.” She concludes by linking this to early exposure saying, “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that 64% of 11- and 12-year-olds already have social-media accounts, even though the minimum age is 13, and by age 13, the children spend an average of four hours daily on social media, making young adolescents especially vulnerable to digital judgement resulting in the rapid decline of their mental health.” To summarise, the debate remains unsettled from both sides. With the data pointing in different directions it is clear that this might just get more complicated in the future. LOG ON TO @howtown on Youtube
18 January,2026 09:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareEvery time someone talks about opera, flashes of Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny to the arias of Richard Wagner flash through this writer’s brain. “Even I had little idea about opera in my teenage years,” admits Frazan Adil Kotwal. The city-born baritone is in town ahead of his debut performance, From Dawn to Dream, on January 21. Presented by Avid Learning in collaboration with the Consulate General of Germany in Mumbai, Royal Opera House, Mumbai, Steinway and Sons, and Furtados, the concert marks a milestone for the singer who began his journey from this city. Accidental discovery Till 2012, Kotwal was just another student enjoying life in Mumbai. Having enrolled for his Bachelors in Mass Media and Journalism degree in Jai Hind College, his choice of music was more Bollywood than Beethoven. “I was very much part of the festival circuit. I would help out, and also participate as a singer at the festivals,” he admits. Frazan Adil Kotwal as Don Giovanni Kotwal’s interest in opera was sparked by an accidental discovery. “It was in 2012 when I attended a production at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA). I had never seen anyone sing with such energy. It was my introduction to opera,” he reveals. Digital education Though he was curious, Kotwal did not know where to learn the form. “Opera is a niche art. There are few singers in India who are qualified to teach it,” he shares. Having never learnt music professionally, Kotwal turned to the internet for help. “I simply Googled ‘How to sing opera’, and started taking YouTube lessons,” he laughs. It was never easy, and often involved a lot of learning and unlearning. Evenings after college would be spent imitating performances, and voice techniques in his room. The decision might have been silly, but it reaffirmed his desire to pursue the art form. Kotwal (standing) rehearses with the orchestra before a performance Easier said than done. After several auditions, he was approved by the State University of Music and Performing Arts at Stuttgart, Germany. “Most people who pursue opera, or even a Bachelor’s degree in music in Europe, have been training for it since their early years,” the former Sewri resident admits. More than song Opera is far more than just singing. At Stuttgart, Kotwal trained in movement, waltz, singing, musicology, history of music and theory, piano, acting, and even sword fighting. “It is an acting performance on stage. You have to understand your body, its movement, and rhythm, all the while singing. Don Giovanni involves three-hours of singing, sword-fighting, acting, dancing, and eventually dying,” he laughs. Despite the challenge, it was the passion that kept him going, he shares. “They say it takes a village, and I was fortunate to have support. It is a matter of pride that young singers can watch me on stage, an Indian boy, perform Mozart’s The Count, and be inspired,” the 32-year-old admits. As he performs alongside Nadine Jo Crasto on the stage of the Royal Opera House, Kotwal will make that transition from the awed youngster to the returning prodigy. ON January 21; 7 pmAT The Royal Opera House, Charni Road East, Girgaon. LOG ON TO royaloperahouse.in (to RSVP)ENTRY FREE
17 January,2026 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarAarey Milk Colony remains one of Mumbai’s few green zones. Eco-tour agency Naturalist Explorers will conduct an immersive evening nature walk, offering some weekend respite from urban chaos. Priyal Soni “We want to change the general perception that nature trails are best suited for mornings; they can be apt for dusk as well,” shares Priyal Soni, the platform’s chief event curator. Participants will be taken around by a naturalist, and through interactive storytelling sessions, will be introduced to Aarey’s ecology, its landscape, and its wildlife, including how it co-exists with humans and tribal communities residing there. “Currently, the season is ideal to spot fauna, ranging from Jumping and Signature Spiders to various butterflies. If lucky, participants can catch a glimpse of the Spotted Owlet,” Soni reveals. Flycatcher; (right) Ashy Drongo A birdwatcher enthusiast herself, the curator points out some interesting species to keep an eye out for: “Examples include the Ashy Drongo, the Coppersmith Barbet, and the Indian Paradise Flycatcher.” She mentions that many of these wildlife species are not exclusive to Aarey, but can be found around the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli. “We want attendees to connect with Aarey’s biodiversity and understand how it contributes to climate change regulation in its own way. Only if people fall in love with it, will they come forward to protect it and adapt to more environmentally-friendly behaviour,” Soni signs off. An expert introduces participants to different natural elements during a previous walk in Aarey Milk Colony ON January 17; 3.45 pm to 5.45 pm MEETING POINT New Zealand Hostel, Aarey Colony, Goregaon. MESSAGE 8976451433 (on WhatsApp) ENTRY Rs 450 onwards
17 January,2026 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshIf your friends jumped off a ledge, would you do it too? For the growing parkour community in Mumbai, the answer to this age-old trick question is a resounding yes. A decade ago, you could count parkour athletes in the city on the fingers of one hand. Today Mumbaikars across the board seem to love the game of jumps, rolls, climbs and vaults. On January 11, nearly 30 of these enthusiasts took over popular South Mumbai spots to compete in Skill City, a multi-city parkour battle organised by the Mumbai Movement Academy (MMA). “The growing interest instils optimism in us for the future,” co-founder Dr Rishi Prasad had told us in conversation about the sport two years ago. A physician who picked up the sport while studying medicine in Russia, Prasad is certified by the UK-based body for coach certification, Art du Deplacement and Parkour Teaching (ADAPT). Assisted by co-founders Cyrus Khan and Krishna Mehta and a growing crew of trainers, here’s how the report card looks two years later. Ritika Mishra aces a balancing act People’s game “In 2019, the sport took off in the age group of 16 to 24 years; mostly collegians,” Prasad reveals. Today, the demographic has shifted. We learn that the age bracket of 28 to 35 years, comprising working professionals and first-time parents, has shown the most interest. The founder attributes this to the growing hunger for thrill amid the gruelling city life. At the contest last weekend, beginners and professionals performed vaults, climbed walls, and showed off flips in a scavenger hunt-style time trial. Ritika Mishra, a 33-year-old businesswoman, took to the sport months ago to get fitter, and also have fun outdoors. “I was terrified of my first jump. I didn’t think I could land it,” she admits. She’s come a long way, with a third-place win at the weekend competition. “Parkour has not only made me physically fitter, but it helps me feel confident in day-to-day movements. For instance, I’m better equipped to rebalance myself in case of a fall or a slip,” she reveals. An essential skill on the roads of this city, if we may add. Athletes climb and vault over railings as part of an exercise. Pics/Ashish Raje There’s another driving force keeping Mishra on her toes. The community faces an evident dearth of female representation at the moment. “I’d love to see more women take the leap. I can assure them, it’s not as difficult as it seems,” she adds. Let’s talk infra We’ve heard of grants for cricket grounds and basketball courts, but how do you build infrastructure for a sport that is practised in public places? The answer lies in inclusive public parks and gardens. “Most equipment in Mumbai’s public gardens today cater to either toddlers, or senior citizens [think air walkers, gym bikes]. We need more workout bars, ramps, and walls. This will help not just parkour, but sports like skateboarding and calisthenics as well,” Prasad suggests. An athlete performs a flip Some venues like the Kamala Nehru Park in Malabar Hill and the Carter Road skatepark are athletes’ favourites, but the city could do better, he believes. Inspiration lies westward, in Europe, where public park designs make considerations for adventure sports and provide safe and solid structures. The next jump While there is no official parkour regulatory body in India, the community has taken upon itself to create a buzzing cross-city collaborative schedule including annual events in Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai. This year, professionals are looking forward to the USA Parkour Cup in March, as well as the Parkour Earth World Championships in the Czech Republic in October. For now, the coaches are heading back to classrooms. “More than 12 schools in Mumbai have shown interest to make parkour an extracurricular activity. We’re confident this number will grow,” Prasad says. Come April, a first-ever inter-school parkour tournament will be organised for these rising stars. No such thing as ‘too cool for school’, these days. Dr Rishi Prasad and Ritika Mishra Learn the sport . Mumbai Movement Academy AT Venues across Santacruz, Juhu, Bandra, Andheri, Kemps CornerLOG ON TO @mumbaimovementacademy . Flow United School of Movement AT Maharana Pratap Circle, opposite GST Bhavan, Mazgaon. LOG ON TO @flowunited.sm Before you leap MMA’s checklist for beginners heading for their first session . Start low: Begin with ground-level exercises and build strength . Clear path: Do not climb/vault/swing into spaces if there is no convenient return path . Check your heart: Parkour is a cardio-intense discipline. Those with cardiac ailments must consult their doctors before beginning their journey . Keep clean: City spaces belong to everyone. Clean any shoe imprints, sweat marks and dust off the surfaces when you leave
17 January,2026 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleFor any daily user of the M-indicator app of the city’s suburban railway system, the chats can be a quirky, funny experience. Every once in a while, a message by a friendly commuter warning another about the location of a Ticket Collector on a certain station, will pop up. This is the ‘invisible network’ that artist Ranjit Kandalgaonkar refers to when addressing the functioning of the city. Having lived in Mumbai all of his life, Kandalgaonkar began documenting these little observations of the city’s unspoken rules and the people living within those invisible lines. These find their way into his latest exhibition, cityinflux that opened for the Mumbai Gallery Weekend, earlier this month. Ranjit Kandalgaonkar “cityinflux is an endeavour to document the in-between spaces that appear as an aberrant to the norm, but in fact get legitimised due to the inability of the surroundings to linearise lost but recognisable markers defining the city fabric,” Kandalgaonkar writes. City as muse “It began as daily observations; made when going about your general work. I was interested in civic infrastructure as well as the local trains. When you engage with something over a long period of time, it keeps accruing. You begin to spot anything that aligns, or seems off, or peculiar,” he shares later, over a phone call. Hygiene. Pics Courtesy/Ranjit Kandalgaonkar; Fulcrum Tracked over a timeline of two decades, these aberrations begin to offer an insight into the subliminal structure that holds up the city, and its people. Take, for instance, the walls along railway stations, he observes. “To me, they are a parallel city running along the railway lines. It is not given importance, or even thought of as a true representation. Yet, floating populations, informal labour, gather to these walls,” the artist notes. Between the lines A view of the artwork, rush hour, depicting the crowded local train experience in the city One work, Hygiene, captures the visuals of a boundary wall alongside Borivli railway station — Kandalgaonkar’s regular commute portal. “Over the years, I started observing a number of things like the barbers, or the trees that grow into them. It becomes a sign of the city’s change over the timeline,” he says. Or the piece, rush hour, an instantly recognisable emotion of the mass of people at a railway station turning into a conscious organism as they make their way into the arriving local train. The image of Raatraani is a momentous capture of an autorickshawwallah through the reflection of his rear view mirror. Raatraani and Hsg.Soc.Pvt.Ltd “The cover image is a man jumping between local trains. It was taken at Borivli station’s Foot Over Bridge (FOB). People do that often, as have I, at times. The identity of the city is revealed at this moment. These are the invisible networks that we align our lives around,” Kandalgaonkar observes. These observations first found their way to the website, cityinflux.in, created in early 2009. Still functioning, it carries a tactile rawness that is different from the flashy modern-day portals. Gallerist Ayesha Agarwal adds, “We have seen so much change in the city over the last 20 years, and that is where Kandalgaonkar’s work becomes an important body of work that speaks to the changing and developing city.” With a follow-up exhibition coming up at the gallery in March, it looks like the city’s unspoken secrets are going to find their way to Kala Ghoda. TILL February 14; 11 am to 7 pm AT Fulcrum, 116/23, Great Western Buildings, Chamber of Commerce Street, Kala Ghoda
16 January,2026 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarManifest your way Pic courtesy/happywagon.com This 2026 DIY vision board kit offers over 130 photos to visualise a set of goals, think about your intentions, and design a custom board that reflects yourself authentically, be it for health, confidence, or personal desires. Check out the accompanying Spotify card to help you craft an exclusive playlist of songs.Log on to happywagon.com Cost Rs 1499 Find momentum Pic courtesy/@anupamsuperstore This popular stationery store offers a smart annual planner to help you track daily tasks, goals, and habits in a fun and simple format.At Anupam Stationery Superstore, Mhatre Wadi, Borivli West.Time 9.30 am to 9.30 pm Cost Rs 950 For the tech-savvy Pic courtesy/etsy.com Yearly planners don’t have to be handwritten. Carve out your intentions with a digital vision board kit with Canva templates, which offers 200 curated ‘dream life’ images, with instructions on how to download and use, to create your unique theme and aesthetic.Log on to etsy.com Cost Rs 719 One for the girls Pic courtesy/amazon.in You might want to check out this vision board kit, which ticks all the right boxes, from images, elements, and affirmative quotes, to tips on your career, love, fitness, travel or finance goals, and importantly, self-love. Personalise the board with blank notes, and pin the sheet on your room walls, or include them in journals to creatively plan your pursuits.Log on to Funk You Store on amazon.inCost Rs 399 Peacefully professional Pic courtesy/thepikoshop.com No fuss needed with this two-planner bundle from a Mumbai-based stationery brand, which guides users (especially students, entrepreneurs, and professionals) to prioritise clarity, routine, and calm productivity. Offering a flexible start and pause options, the clean, minimal layout will help you focus.Log on to thepikoshop.com Cost Rs 1599 Aim for goodness Pic courtesy/thejuneshop.com Bring something new to your year with this limited-edition undated planner for ‘good intentions’. Aimed for those focusing on mental well-being and productivity, this colourfully illustrated monthly divider is designed with routine suggestions, habit, health, and period trackers, and a colouring spread, amongst others. Log on to thejuneshop.com Cost Rs 2199 Visualise with colours Pic courtesy/brownliving.in This vision board kit in bold sunset shades includes a guided journal, and three picture booklets with images drawing from different categories — spirituality and health, relationships and lifestyle, and passion and career. You cannot go wrong with their useful motivational stickers and spirited quotes.Log on to brownliving.in Cost Rs 2640 Simply straightforward Pic courtesy/ doodlecollection.com Goals don’t need to be complicated and layered. Keep things simple with this dateless productivity planner to help you stay organised and focused on your intentions. It includes activity prompts to prioritise tasks, monthly planners for effective goal setting, and additions, from a pocket-sized meal planner to printed motivational quote pin-up cards.Log on to doodlecollection.com Cost Rs 498 No more worries Pic courtesy/inkarto.com If you identify with the famous Walt Disney hit song Hakuna Matata, don’t miss this All-in-One yearly planner. Apart from the quote and cheerful art, it has vibrant stickers, ‘Season of My Life’ and vision board options, and an interesting ‘No Negative Self-Talk’ challenge. Log on to inkarto.com Cost Rs 1299
16 January,2026 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshComedy is not an easy business. Ask Daizy Maan. For the last two weeks, the Melbourne-based writer-comedian has been travelling across the length of the country. “It has been great. We opened in Mumbai, and it was my first-time doing comedy in the city. It was quite fun discovering the jokes that land, and why they work,” she admits. Maan has been to India before though. Born and raised in Melbourne, amidst a conservative Punjabi family, the journey to become a comedian forms the basis of her show, Brown Women Comedy. With the final leg in Mumbai wrapping up with a show in Khar on January 16, the producer talks us through her journey. Comedy was not high on the 31-year old’s plans. “I did not start taking comedy seriously till about five years ago. Even then, the first two years were spent producing shows,” she admits. But living in Melbourne, the art was an inevitable part of her experience with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Kru Harale, Supriya Joshi and Devanshi Shah It was during one of these festival runs in 2022 that Maan realised the absence of diaspora representation at the festival despite Indians being a large minority in Australia. “I went around attending gigs. We realised there were only three Indian women performing solo shows, as shown by a research made by Australian South Asian Centre on the lack of ethnic diversity on stage. It made me wonder if there were others of my ilk,” she laughs. That laid the foundations for the set, Brown Women Comedy. A pind in Melbourne The ‘Brown’ in the title was an identifier beyond skin tone. “I grew up in a very Punjabi home in Melbourne. My parents migrated to Australia in the 1990s, but culturally it felt like growing up in a pind [village] in Ludhiana,” the comedienne recalls. Despite her humour, Maan did not grow up idolising comedians. As the Boroondara Young Citizen of the Year in 2015, a delegate for Australia India Youth Dialogue, one would think Maan was the ideal child. “Comedy was never an obvious aspiration. The huour comes from that gap, from explaining one world to another,” she says. Finding rebels As producer, Maan used this idea to apply for funding to the Centre for Australia India Relations (CAIR), that enabled them to bring the show to stage. The show is now supported by the Australian Consulate in India, and Kommune. On Friday, the Australia-based duo of Maan and Kru Harale will join the Indian talents of Supriya Joshi and Devanshi Shah. “We first began in April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with a set featuring Niv Prakasam and Ramya Ramapriya. The audience loved the show back home,” Maan shares. The sight of women cackling to jokes that were taboo in most Asian-Australian households only affirmed her decision to take it on tour. “I was a little hesitant about the title Brown Women Comedy in India. But then, our comedy was never about colour, but about perspective; something in contrast to the mainstream.” she says. Yet, there is a common thread that ties the squad. “You have to look at what it means to be a woman in India. Female comedians here thrive on picking up taboo subjects, and use humour to address them,” she points out. The perfect riposte, she concludes. One has to concur. ON January 16; 8 pmAT The Habitat, 1st floor, Hotel Unicontinental, Khar West.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 599 onwards
15 January,2026 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThursdayRaw truths on stage Catch this quirky, darkly humorous musical satire, The Greatest Show on Earth. The story of a media professional involving herself in a suicide attempt uses movement, and choral speaking and song to condemn a rigid capitalist system.Time 8 pm onwardsAt Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu. Log on to in.bookmyshow.comEntry Rs 710 FridayA mindful meal Pic Courtesy/The Silver Train Experience a Royal Harvest Thali for Makar Sankranti, uniting Maratha, Rajput, and Punjabi palace philosophies, amongst others, at one table.Time 12 pm to 11.30 pm At The Silver Train, Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel. Log on to @thesilvertrainrestaurant.Cost Rs 1500 onwards (vegetarian); Rs 1750 onwards (non-vegetarian) SaturdayHunting through Bandra Pic Courtesy/Harsh Nil Join an immersive treasure hunt along the streets, hosted by Instagram community Lost Childhood Found, complete with clues, riddles, and the thrill of teamwork with new people. Time 4 pm onwardsAt Bandra (exact location shared post registration)Log on to @lostchildhoodfoundEntry Rs 333 per person (till January 16); Rs 369 per person (on January 17, till noon) Softness speaks out Pic Courtesy/Instagram Take some time out for an intimate, solo poetry evening, The Soft Girl Speaks Up, led by city-based performance poet and storyteller, Dhruvi Shah (right), who will share personal, honest stories.Time 6 pm to 7 pmAt Kitaabghar Reading Room & Bookshop, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West. Log on to @dhruvithewriter (to register)Entry Pay as you like SundayMedley of genres Pic Courtesy/ @mousumidatta_music Enjoy a fusion of melodies at this performance by singer Mousumi Datta (left), in a contemporary jazz show infused with Indian Classical music, funk, and traditional Bengali tunes. Time 10 am to 12 pm AT The Nest, Simla Nagar, Malabar Hill. Log on to allevents.in/mumbai Entry Rs 550 onwards Get your hands dirty Pic Courtesy/Roots Nature Club This immersive hands-on workshop by Roots Nature Club will introduce your children (ages 7-13) to the environment, using outdoor learning methods to teach much-needed observation skills. Time 7.30 am to 9.30 amAt Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East. Call 9820613334Entry Rs 3800 (plus GST) Meet Mumbai’s shore treasures Pics Courtesy/Wildnest Don’t miss this intertidal shore walk by wildlife and travel platform Wildnest, showcasing the range of marine biodiversity lying hidden in the city. Expect to spot crabs, sea sponges, or even a Dwarf Coral Star (inset).Time 4 pm (Carter Road); 3.45 pm (Juhu Koliwada shore)At Carter Road, Bandra; Juhu Koliwada shoreCall 9967056674 (to register)Entry Rs 700 (adults); Rs 500 (children, ages 4-10)
15 January,2026 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshADVERTISEMENT
