Thursday Paint on the edgeWorkshop: If you’re curious about the art of using a knife outside your kitchen, head to this knife painting workshop that is open for all age groups.Time 11.35 am At Shobha’s Art Studio, General Arunkumar Vaidya Nagar, Bandra West. Log on to in.bookmyshow.com Cost Rs 2,000 (all materials included) Friday Pic Courtesy/Instagram Bop to some electroMusic: Experience the electrifying beats of the prolific Russian techno duo, Goom Gum as they debut in the city with an exclusive gig this weekend. Time 9.30 pm At Estella, Nichani Kutir Building, Juhu Road, Chandrabai Nagar, Juhu. Log on to insider.in Entry Rs 2,000 onwards Saturday Walk with your pets Sign up: This monsoon, try a beginner-friendly and pet-friendly hike to a hidden lake, and visit a vegetable farm where you can pluck your choice of vegetables to take back home. Time 7.30 am At Palghar (details shared on registration)Log on to @joinwithme.inCall 8850733138 Sunday Taste of the carnivalEating out: Get a taste of the best of beer and burgers inspired by the Brazilian carnival, Nigeria’s Calabar carnival or the Trinidad and Tobago carnival at this special celebration.Till August 4 Time 12 pm to 11.30 pm At Woodside Inn, Colaba, Andheri and Bandra. Call 7718900099 (Colaba)
04 July,2024 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamOn this day, 162 years ago, mathematician and writer Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson’s pen name) first narrated the story of Alice in Wonderland to the young Alice Liddell and her sisters during a boat ride on the river Thames in London. The narrative went on to become one of the most loved and celebrated classics in literature. The references are everywhere — in theatre, in costumes and fashion, in the Beatles’ songs and in films. We’ve picked some of our favourite finds. WATCHAlice in Wonderland (2010): Tim Burton interprets the classic not as a children’s book but a strange, petrifying adult novel. In this adaptation, Alice returns to the Wonderland following the White Rabbit in a waistcoat but she is no longer seven as she was in the books. The rabbit McTwisp does not have gentle eyes like the animated 1951 Disney version. The oraculum has declared that she will slay the beloved Jabberwock. The Red Queen has sent a search party for her. The world is darker and though Wonderland seems to be acquainted with Alice, Alice does not remember it. The film must be watched for its stunning visuals, and Helena Bonham Carter’s extraordinary performance as the Red Queen.LOG ON TO Disney+ Hotstar Frank Beddor. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons LISTENAll Things Alice by Frank Beddor: In this podcast, Frank Beddor, author of Looking Glass Wars trilogy, interviews creators who have designed video games, written retellings, created artwork, shot documentaries, produced musicals and started the Lewis Carroll Society of North America, inspired by Alice in Wonderland. The adulation for the book seems evident in the episodes, but each creator has an innovative interpretation. Their most recent episode, released in June, was with Emmy Award-winner and playwright Mark Saltzman, who speaks about the creative process behind his take, Alice, Formerly of Wonderland.LOG ON TO Spotify, Apple Podcast READThe Story of Alice: Lewis Carroll and the Secret History of Wonderland: In Robert Douglas-Fairhurst’s exciting exploration of the world of Alice, he sneaks a look into the life of the author as the young entertainer of his family, the Dodgsons, and his peculiarities as a Victorian photographer. He writes about the life of Alice Liddell, her contribution to the masterpiece, and the famous boat ride. The world of Alice in Wonderland is not one that is usually “associate[d] with the Victorians”, he notes. It is “noisy, colourful, brimming with energy” yet the darkness and oddities that make up Alice’s inner life reflect the era’s mood precisely and contribute to the timelessness of the story.AVAILABLE All leading e-stores DID YOU KNOW? In June this year, the image-sharing social media platform Pinterest created an Alice in Wonderland-themed advertisement. Explore Alice’s Wonderland . Take a virtual trip to Wonderland: Alice Curiouser and Curiouser at the V&A MuseumLOG ON TO vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/alice-curiouser-and-curiouser . Make your own Drink Me potion: Heston Blumenthal’s Drink Me RecipeLOG ON TO: Heston’s Feasts on YouTube . Wonderland merchandise: Alice in Wonderland Box Set that includes fun collectibles inspired by the classicLOG ON TO: booksetcstore.com/collections/box-sets
04 July,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThe next time someone tells you that you run, throw, or fight like a girl, give yourself a pat on the back and point them to Swetha Subbiah, a fitness instructor from Bengaluru who is breaking gender barriers on the field with Sisters in Sweat. The female-led sports community founded by Subbiah and professional footballer Tanvie Hans, has been promoting female participation in sports for seven years now. This month, they head to Mumbai to grow the tribe with a two-month-long programme for women who wish to try their hands (and feet) at recreational sports. “We organised a private football game in Bengaluru for a close friend who wanted to dip a toe in sports in 2017. She didn’t lead an active lifestyle, so Tanvie and I designed a session that would make it easier for her,” Subbiah recalls. It’s this 17-member game that kicked off the duo’s journey that now has nearly 10,000 women on board. “By the end of the game, our friends suggested we do this every weekend. Like any good friend would, we obliged,” she chuckles. A swim session in progress; (right) The group at an early morning run at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park With a growing community, the duo branched out to sports like basketball, badminton, rugby, and swimming to cater to their evolving needs. “Between scouting for certified coaches and brainstorming on programmes, our focus was to keep fun at the centre of things. The reason most people don’t take up fitness is that it tends to get monotonous after a while. When an intense session of physical activity feels like hanging out with friends, or sisters, consistency comes naturally,” she elaborates. The Mumbai leg of weekend sessions this month will be no different. With swimming, basketball, running, and football sessions lined up, participants can pick from expert-led beginner or intermediate programmes. “The beginner programme stresses heavily on building a strong foundation in fitness, whereas the intermediate programmes offer women who want to return to the sport from a hiatus, an opportunity to rework on and fine tune their skills,” Subbiah explains. (Right) Tanvie Hans (in green)and Swetha Subbiah The 39-year-old attributes the absence of an advanced batch to the community’s core belief — safety, longevity, and performance — in that order. “Working with beginners is more work than you’d imagine. The right kind of warm-ups and exercises to build your fitness levels and get your body ready to play is vital,” she reveals. To that end, the sessions will be conducted in controlled environments by experts, mostly women, who will keep a watchful eye on each participant’s potential and limits. While the community’s goal is to train women exclusively in a safe environment, the co-founder reminds us that exclusivity must not be mistaken for incompetence. “The focus is on women because there is a huge gap in participation between men and women. Given the chance, they can play skilfully alongside or against male athletes,” she asserts. All said and done, just how much can a programme built to be fun help a participant? More than we might realise, suggests Subbiah. “Women step into a session for various reasons. For some, it’s the only time they get for themselves on a hectic day, and for others, it’s a way to make friends in a new city. A few even walk in to deal with their tumultuous personal lives in a healthy way. Whatever your reason is, you don’t really have to tell us. And as long as we are a community of happy, fit sisters, we won’t ask,” she signs off. ON July 4 onwards (every weekend) AT Venues across Bandra and Andheri. LOG ON TO sistersinsweat.in (for detailed pricing and venues)
04 July,2024 09:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIt is often said that one can gauge a lot about a person by looking at their shoes. And quite on cue, trust Gen-Z to give the adage a fashionable, streetwear spin. The plain looking clogs Clogs, the slip-ons that were once considered ugly, have been promoted to being cool by the current generation. They are durable, comfortable, monsoon-friendly, and in vogue. A current trend of embellishing them with charms allows you to add a touch of personality and style to the slippers. Among many small businesses popping up globally, offering these for sale, this writer’s favourite is a new Indian venture, Quest Sole. From your favourite shows, animals, cartoons, anime and books to famous logos, alphabets, symbols and cool statement pieces, among others, you can purchase up to 100 of these in one go. We ordered a mix of 12 trending designs (Rs 345) — these included our favourite cartoons like Minion and Mr Bean, a hashtag, an anime character, a woman skydiving, football, and more. Wear all, or choose according to the occasion and your mood. The charms are of high quality, easy to pin, and the delivery is quick. The tags add a pop of colour to the monochrome clogs, and can be customised to go along with your outfit and match your personality. Log on to: questsole.comCost Rs 65 onwards (per charm) Also check out Star work differently-shaped PVC shoe charmsLog on to Amazon Cost Rs 349 Luminous dinosaur shoe charmsLog on to ubuy.com.trCost Rs 2,756 Yellow chimesLog on to Nykaa FashionCost Rs 438 3D dragon-style shoe charmsLog on to amazon.in Cost Rs 449 Creative rhinestones bows shoe charmsLog on to etsy.comCost Rs 799 Pinapes, set of 12 (assorted) JibbitzLog on to MyntraCost Rs 1,499
03 July,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiLike the mythical figures dominating her canvases, the late Gogi Saroj Pal embodied many facets for her friends and acquaintances. This weekend, DAG will open a retrospective titled Gogi Saroj Pal: Mythic Femininities with a walkthrough exhibition that offers an insight into this complex artist whose oeuvre influenced Indian modernism. (From left) Kamdhenu, 1995; gouache and metallic paint on paper “For someone who delighted in calling herself a bully, she was a sweet, diminutive and petite woman,” recalls Kishore Singh, senior vice president, DAG. He has shared a close working relationship with the artist since 2011 — when the gallery hosted her solo exhibit Gogi Saroj Pal: The Feminine Unbound. “She had a very genial personality. She would always be the one to reach out, make phone calls, maintain relationships with everyone; from her students to fellow artists and friends,” he points out. Yet, she had a fighting spirit. “She was born into a family of freedom fighters. One of her inspirations was her grandmother who refused to wear a veil as a mark of protest. This strong stance influenced her [Gogi], and she embodied it through her practice,” Singh informs us. Kishore Singh with the artist’s sculpture, I Will Draw My Own Laxman Rekha, in the background While the vast collection on display ranges across six decades of the artist’s work, the highlights remain the artist’s female protagonists — nayikas, kinnaris, hath-yoginis and kamdhenus. “She borrows these mythological figures, and raises questions about patriarchy,” Singh says. While the traditional nayikas in the Kangra, Rajput and Pahari schools of art are portrayed in the context of longing, or in wait for their lovers, Gogi Saroj Pal’s nayikas are ‘self-contented’, he notes. “These figures rarely look out of the image or confront or engage with the viewer. They have an internal gaze.” The Kamdhenu, he says, is another iteration of the idea: “The mythology [of Kamdhenu] is about fulfilling the hunger and needs of nations; nobody asks the Kamdhenu itself what she wanted.” Artist Madhavi Parekh takes in the exhibition at Delhi in April Pal brought to these traditional and cultural stereotypes a sensitive feminism. “For her, feminism was about choices and patriarchy. She believed that nature has devised women in such a way that it has given her certain roles that she cannot escape. What she does therefore, is raise questions,” Singh shares. While the artist had previously approached the subject of the marginalisation in works like the Young Monks series, and of women in the Mandi series, it was the unfortunate passing of her son that moved something. Singh adds, “It is then that she went back to her roots to nurture herself to understand what being a woman is all about. That is when her nayikas, kinnaris and kamdhenus emerge.” Relationship, oil on canvas, 1980 The current retrospective was actually conceptualised while the artist was still living. “Rarely do I get a chance to dedicate two independent exhibitions entirely to a single artist. Gogi Saroj Pal: Mythic Femininities has been in development since the beginning of 2023, and all of us within the organisation wanted Gogi to be the centre of the exhibition when we opened our doors. But the threads of destiny had other plans, and we lost the artist on January 27, hardly two months before the planned inauguration,” shares Ashish Anand, CEO and MD, DAG. The Mumbai retrospective is the second edition following the one in Delhi earlier this year. Gogi Saroj Pal Among the works shown will also be the large sculptures of hath-yoginis and Kalis created in her last decade. In addition to the exhibits, there will be the eponymous book with contributions from authors Roobina Karode, Urvashi Butalia, as well as the late artist’s husband, Ved Nayar and family to be dedicated as an homage. Singh concludes, “She belongs to that early batch of women artists who, as a group, came to the forefront demanding a space in public arenas. Every one of them has a distinctive language, and within them, Gogi took up a unique position as someone whose artworks are recognisable. She brought in elements of modernism with tradition that became a potent voice for Indian art around the world.” From July 6 to August 17; 11 am to 7 pm (except Sundays) AT DAG, The Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder, Colaba.
03 July,2024 09:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarNestled in the heart of a neighbourhood that’s desperately holding on to the last vestiges of its cultural past is Nostalgia, the latest retro-cool kid in Bandra’s vibrant café scene. Located on the Bandstand-end of Hill Road, cheek by jowl beside another Bandra landmark, the Yacht Resto Bar, the café is the creation of the makers of the achingly hip Bandstand Pantry, which is famed in equal parts for its Instagrammable décor and unpredictable service, as well as the droves of unwitting brunch-ers it draws in on weekends. Audio cassette tapes on the walls Our curiosity about whether the café had anything more than its admittedly iconic location and décor in common with its name, we decided to step in for breakfast on a rainy Sunday morning. The café is housed in a beautiful heritage property built in 1914, and has the type of pastel pink, vintage diner-inspired aesthetic that is closer in appeal to Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies movie sets than Bandra’s decidedly Anglo-Portuguese past. However, the bright sunflowers and large picture windows adorned with all manner of vintage memorabilia — including vintage radios, Duke’s brightly coloured glass soda bottles, and old magazines — had us intrigued. Egg mayo sandwich, paneer tikka roll Regulars at Bandra’s Candies and Café Andora will immediately recognise the café’s layout, which is centred around a large glass display case containing the sweet and savoury fare. The menu is inspired by quick bites you might expect to find at the aforementioned eateries, and also mimics the formers’ very affordable (for Bandra) prices. After some discussion, we settled on the egg and mayo sandwich (Rs 95), a paneer tikka roll (Rs 130) and a chocolate croissant (Ra 55), with a chocolate brownie (Rs 95) and Dutch pastry (Rs 115) for dessert. To wash it all down, we opted for the only coffee option on the menu — filter coffee (Rs 40), which was served to us piping hot in a paper cup. Service is quite prompt, which is to be expected considering the food requires no preparation save plating on disposable paper plates. Dutch pastry and Chocolate croissant. Pics/Anindita Paul The sandwich was quite filling; the bread was fresh and soft; our breakfast companion, however, found the scent of vanilla too overwhelming for a delicate dish. The ‘masala’ in the roll was undercooked and a tad too salty, while the chocolate croissant had such a meagre smear of chocolate in it that we had to clarify if it was what we had ordered. For this writer, the biggest disappointment was the lack of variety in coffee, which is an unusual take for a café that finds itself in the epicentre of Bandra’s coffee revolution, and has the quintessential coffee-to-go windows that have become a staple at all recent Bandra establishments. They do make up with additional nostalgic drinks, including Milo, Horlicks and Sulaimani tea, and so we chalked it up to a personal preference. The brownie, as our companion remarked, reminded us of the kind of bakes that our mothers would batch-make for us in sheet pans, while the Dutch pastry was decadent but could have used a bit of soaking syrup in the sponge. The café is quite compact — one large, statement table that is tastefully decorated with vintage cartoons is the focal point, with bar-style seating and smaller tables-for-two tucked away in the corners. The servers are friendly and good-naturedly sport the rather costume-y uniforms, and will readily offer you tiny samples of their desserts. If we were to sum up the top reasons why you should go to Nostalgia, they would undoubtedly be the cutesy, quirky theme, old-fashioned food, and earnest prices. It’s the type of place that’s perfect for a leisurely brunch or a quick coffee break during a shopping trip. And it’s the type of place that brings together the best of old-world and new-world Bandra. NostalgiaAt 29, Hill Road, Bandra West.Time 7 am to 12 amLog on to @nostalgiabombay on Instagram
03 July,2024 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulEvery once in a while, India’s hip-hop community produces something so raw and direct that it is hard not to marvel at it. Delhi-based rapper Kinari’s new album, Kattar Kinnar, is one such production that blends her unfiltered expression of life as a transgender artiste into rap. The holistic quality of the production with technical finesse and diverse elements of House, gaana and ballroom music only adds to it. The artiste is now setting out on a multi-city tour of Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai starting July 7. “This is the first-time people have responded en masse to my music,” shares the 25-year old from Delhi about the album that was released in April. She first broke through on the scene with the EP Queerbops in June 2023. This time around, she set her eyes on a larger goal — to experiment with music and genres. The result is an album that questions hip-hop’s hetero gaze with its direct, assertive lyrics in English and Hindi. This includes breaking out some uncomfortable truths about the transgender community itself. “There is a tendency among people to either disparage or elevate the community. We are either outcasts or absolute angels fighting for our rights. We are neither. We are humans, and have our flaws. And if I do not speak about it, who will?” she states calmly. The 12-song album also marks the rise of her new identity, Kinari — a departure from her earlier name, Finsta. The name is an evolution of the word kinnar, the Hindi term for transgender. “I simply used it to showcase the feminine with Kinari,” she says. An artwork for the album, Kattar Kinnar. Illustration Courtesy/Nonisha Negi While the lyrics of tracks like Baahar, Asli Girlpower or Hijar are in your face and powerful, it is the production that surprises you. With elements of Gaana (in Asli girlpower) or ballroom music (Rockbotom parichit) or folk and mujra (Madhuri), there are signs of a rapper coming into her own. The gaana influence — a folk form that arose from the slums and underbelly of Chennai — is a throwback to her own South Indian heritage. Citing the song, Rock bottom parichit she says, “The polyrhythm style of rapping is common in South India. I used that with House music. Similarly, with Madhuri, I turned to Devdas (2002). I wanted the Indian rhythms to go beyond samples. The melodies [in the album] might be Western, but the rhythm itself is inherently Indian.” Hip-hop accepts you, no matter who you are, as long as you speak the truth of your experience, she tells us. Her upcoming multi-city tour will feature appearances from Mumbai rapper Anjaan, Khabardar Revolt, Shreyas and Vedang, among others. But does that mean the hip-hop community is accepting, or ‘woke’? “We are only into two decades of hip-hop as a genre or industry in India. The social issues faced by the queer or LGBTQiA+ community, or even casteism dates back to a thousand years. To expect this fledgling industry to address it is naïve. As a queer artiste, I have had tough experiences. I have been fans of rappers before who have ended up using queer slurs in their rap. It leaves a bitter aftertaste. So, I now tread carefully,” she says. This also led to the creation of Meetha World, a series of rap gigs, with her manager, Mithran, to be independent. Yet, the rapper will not give in to self-pity. “I would love to say that I am on a crusade, and fighting a cause. No, this is a privilege. I am having fun. To have this opportunity to throw a party is a gift,” she shares. On July 13 At Veranda Underground, Pali Hill, Bandra West.Log on to sortmyscene.com Cost Rs 500 onwards
02 July,2024 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarPearl D’Souza: D’SOUZA is an illustrator whose work reflects themes of gender, mental health, and inclusivity. The natural world inspires her work too. Apart from working on creative projects as a professional, D’Souza indulges in making journals, flipbooks, and zines. She’s organised workshops in Goa and Mumbai, where she speaks about the history of zines and the DIY-culture, and guides participants on how they can make their own zines.LOG ON TO @pearl.dsouza on Instagram Hansika Jethnani: Poet and visual artist Jethnani’s zines explore ideas of migration, shame, ancestry, queerness, legacies of colonialism, and love. In 2018, at the University College of London, Jethnani co-founded Decolonising the Arts Curriculum zine which contains essays, poems, and artwork to open conversations on the way we approach creative and pedagogic practices. She conducts workshops on zine-making online and offline. “I enjoy making zines because there are no rules. Any theme, topic or medium can be [used] — I love the freedom and liberation in that,” she tells us.LOG ON TO: @hansika-jethnani on bazinega.in Himanshu S: Five years ago, Himanshu, along with Aqui Thami, founder of The Sister Library, had organised the first Bombay Zine fest. Himanshu has been making zines for over two decades now. When he began, he used to sell the zines at traffic signals or set up pop-ups on sidewalks. He has created reading spaces in chawls as well as had his work with Thami displayed at the Chemould Prescott Road Art Gallery. His leaflets and zines often contain typewritten pithy statements or tender instructions that read like manifestos. His store of zines on Chapel Road stocks works by artists from all over India.LOG ON TO @reluctantsuperhero on Instagram Kartika Bagodi: One of the most fascinating things about Bagodi’s portfolio is the experimentation with patterns. It’s noticeable in the colourful Very Indian Picnic as well as the intricate Book of Ladakh. Bagodi’s animated zine made during the pandemic is about the experience of the lockdown. It contains poetic lines accompanied with illustrations of the surroundings (trees and homes from the windows, clocks inside houses) as well as all things that gave the artist company.LOG ON TO lockdown-zine on crisprocks.com Riya Behl: Behl’s work is powerful as well as playful. Along with Devashree Somani, this multimedia journalist, runs Zinedabaad Collective to celebrate the culture of zines. Through the collective, she worked on a project which understands how zines can be used for participatory research, advocacy, and community building. As a journalist, she has worked towards amplifying marginalised voices, while as a zine-maker and as a marathon runner, has raised funds to support grassroots organisations doing impactful work.LOG ON TO @riyalising on Instagram Quick guide to make a zine . Fold your paperStep 1: Fold an A4 paper in half lengthwise. Then fold twice again, such that when you open it you have eight equal rectangular boxes made by the paper creases.Step 2: Once you’ve opened the paper, cut a slit in the centre (see the image).Step 3: Fold the paper into half now.Step 4: Pop up the centre and push the end pages towards each other (see the image). Voila! That’s an eight-page mini booklet! References to make a zine. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons . Choose a theme/topic for the zine. Gather your stationery and resource material (old newspapers, old picture books, print-outs of favourite quotes, etc.). Let your creativity flow (write poems, draw sketch-figures, frame your creative manifesto) Check out these zines 1 Bazinega Log on to bazinega.in/product-category/zines 2 Gaysi Family Zine Log on to gaysifamily.com/zine 3 Printed MatterLog on to printedmatter.org/catalog/tables/14688 4 Keke Magazine’s Zine Library LOG ON TO kekemagazine.com/zine-library/ 5 Zines on ArchiveLOG ON TO archive.org/details/zines 6 Papercut Zine Library: LOG ON TO papercutzinelibrary.com/virtual-library (Free membership) SIGN UP . Making Zines and Making Friends by Zinedabaad Collective and Agatsu FoundationAGE GROUP 12 years and aboveON July 7; 2 pm to 4:30pmAT Agatsu Foundation, Pali Hill, Bandra West.REGISTER Agatsu Foundation| agatsufoundation.org/event-details/making-zines-making-friends-with-zinedabaad
02 July,2024 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThe Internet is teeming with facts and theories about nutritious eating. While some are proponents of trending superfoods and elaborate diets, others advocate for simplicity. Dissecting fact from fiction can be challenging in this vast sea of information. There’s a growing conversation about the virtues of balanced, whole-food diets like the time-tested Indian diet. In their podcast, content creator, Raj Shamani and Krish Ashok, author and science communicator dissect some widely-circulated facts about the harmful effects of processed foods, common misconceptions, and debunking certain sides to the Indian diet. The concept of ‘ghar ka khana’ is widespread in India. There is compelling evidence to suggest that diets rich in processed foods, refined grains, excessive fats, and sodium can have detrimental effects on health, shares Ashok. Contrary to a common misconception, refrigerated foods retain their nutritional value, with minimal loss of micro-nutrients over time. The duo assure that refrigerated foods can safely be stored for up to a week, challenging notions that such storage diminishes nutritional benefits. Indian food which is prepared using salt, spices, and sour elements. These naturally preserve foods when properly seasoned. Leftover dishes stored in the refrigerator are healthier alternatives to ordering take-out, maintaining both taste and nutritional integrity. “Your body needs cooked food, but it is untrue that you don’t get nutrition from refrigerated food, claiming it unhealthy,” he explains in the podcast. Shedding light on the myth that food prepared in a microwave oven can lead to cancer, Ashok elaborates, “It emits less radiation than visible light. It doesn’t have the energy to change your DNA, because it is low-energy radiation. Only in India will you come across people who believe that non-ionizing radiation like the microwave can cause cancer, while choosing to not apply sunscreen, believing that sun rays can never harm.” The podcast also discusses how the average urban Indian middle class suffers from over-nutrition, which is an imbalance of nutrients. The typical Indian thali has five to six grams less protein compared to average meals consumed in the West. Less protein in the Indian diet remains a concern. The duo reminds listeners about the perils of consuming Indian spices in excess. Moderation is the key. The average consumption of spices used in our kitchens is acceptable; individuals don’t necessarily need to consume it separately just because it is healthy. “There is nothing like a superfood, or a supervillain in food,” claims Ashok. They sum things up nicely, “People overthink health and nutrition. What matters is the balance in the nutrients and your convenience.” LOG ON TO YouTube
02 July,2024 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka GohilDo you believe in reincarnation? Ask a theist, and you’ll have a long list of theories, each with its own conditions and stipulations. Somewhere between these contrasting beliefs, you’ll find American novelist Andy Weir’s short story The Egg. “In this universe, it’s just you. You reincarnate till you live as every human being who has existed, or will exist,” Weir writes in the story. Today, a young theatre maker from Bihar will aim to simplify Weir’s philosophy with Shunya, a theatre presentation for those who wish to dive deeper into the subject. “I was in a trivial argument with my friends about a trip that we were planning in 2022. Halfway through it, I realised that if every person I interact with is in fact just me in a different timeline, like Weir states, I am arguing with myself,” director Siddharth Raj recalls. While the group laughed it off as a life-imitates-art moment, Raj believes it sparked the idea for an adaptation that people could resonate with. Unlike Weir’s story, where a man finds himself in the company of God, discussing life and death, the adaptation features multiple characters who meet in what looks like the afterlife, to settle scores. “I was struggling to build characters who had interesting backstories to them that could be unveiled as the play progressed,” Raj admits. The search ultimately led the director to two landmark pieces of existing literature — French philosopher-playwright Jean Paul Sartre’s 1944 existentialist play No Exit, and Marathi theatre pioneer Vijay Tendulkar’s 1967 courtroom drama, Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe. Both plays, Raj believes, feature characters that carry the weight of unsettled scores and unfinished conversations. Jean Paul Sartre; (right) Vijay Tendulkar. Pics Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons “In Sartre’s play set in the afterlife, we meet Estelle, a guilt-ridden woman who finds herself having to explain killing her child that she had with a rich older man. In Tendulkar’s feminist courtroom drama, on the other hand, one Ms Benare stands her ground after it is revealed that she’s carrying a child conceived out of an illicit affair. The men, in both stories, are left out of the narrative. In our play, we imagine how things would unfold if the men joined the conversation,” he elaborates. In the play’s debut performance today, these characters will be played by Raj’s contemporaries from Mumbai and Delhi. Siddharth Raj The overarching theme, Raj assures us, remains untouched. Weir’s story concludes with the realisation that the universe is an egg, and only when you have lived every individual’s life, will the egg hatch, leading to your true birth. “The essence of the play remains the same. Through the conversations, the characters come to a mutual understanding, realising that they’re up in arms with themselves,” Raj reveals. Andy Weir; (right) Actors Rohit Anand and Ayushi Gupta at an outdoor run-through of the play Before the director signs off to make his way to a final rehearsal, we take a moment to address the elephant in the room. As intricate and equally intriguing the concept sounds, will the audience truly be able to wrap their mind around it? Raj admits the concern. “I know I am presenting something that might be hard to follow for many. I urge people to focus on the emotion instead of dissecting the story and trying to make sense of it. When you put yourself in the characters’ shoes and feel their emotions with them, everything starts making sense,” he concludes. ON July 2; 9.15 pm AT Veda Factory, Aram Nagar Part 2, Versova, Andheri West. LOG ON TO insider.in ENTRY Rs 200
02 July,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThe warm, gooey comfort of cheese soaking into soft and doughy pizza sounds like a dream come true on a rainy weekend. Since the first Romans cooked up flatbread with olive oil and spices in 997 AD, the bread has been on an evolutionary journey. Recently, the USA-based digital creator Kyle Istook took it a step further by preparing a 12-cheese pizza with a mix of cheddar, provolone, mozzarella cheese, mozzarella pearls, aged cheddar, and ghost pepper cheese, among many other variants. While some feared for the risk of diabetes, others were thrilled at the result. But is there such a thing as too much cheese in pizza? We speak to a chef to understand the key to a good multi-cheese pizza. Keep it simple, and lightAbhishek Pednekar, executive chef, Woodside Inn, Andheri I think it’s a matter of comfort as well as flavour when it comes to multiple cheese toppings on pizza. The choice enhances the flavours as you get to experience different types of cheese in a single pizza. While the trend is going viral, it is not new. Most restaurants and pizzerias have it on their menu. We have had the four-cheese variation for over a decade now. Chef Abhishek Pednekar The key to getting it right is the choice of cheese. Choose according to their palate and texture. It is also important to have the accurate grammage of cheese. Avoid strong flavoured-cheese like blue cheese or gruyère with a distinct and strong taste that will overpower the other toppings. For a good combination, go with the trusted options of mozzarella, cheddar, brie, provolone or emmental. After that, it is all about having fun. The four cheese pizza Quick tip: I recommend a sprinkling of mozzarella, ricotta cheese, cheddar and brie in multiple layers before you bake it at home. Keep the topping simple with a spread of pizza sauce, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Avoid vegetable toppings for such a pizza. The main flavour is that of the cheese. Serve with some fried basil on top. Pizza-hop in the city: Take your pick Woodside InnThis popular destination has been a choice for foodies in the city for a while now. The four-cheese Italian delight is a pick for any night out with friends.AT Shop No.11 and 12, Link Plaza Commercial Complex, MHADA Colony, Andheri West. Also at Pali Hill, Bandra and Wodehouse Road, Colaba.CALL 7968158311COST Rs 795 onwards Queen Margherita’s PizzeriaCheese lovers, this all-cheese pizza comes topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, house made garlic ricotta, and artisanal fior di latte mozzarella. AT Shop no B-12, Kamla Nagar, Chincholi Bunder Road, Malad West.CALL 9930917249COST Rs 375 Vivi Neapolitan Pizzeria Try a traditional quattro formaggi with its four magical cheese of gorgonzola, fontina and parmiggiano and ricotta to add a Neapolitan twist for your palate.AT Teen Haath Naka, opposite Raheja Gardens, Wagle Estate, Thane West. CALL 8828821594COST Rs 1,499 (for 2) Rocket Man Pizza If you are looking to push the boundary, try this aptly named Parmagedon (above) with a bountiful mix of parmesan, mozzarella and cheddar.AT Unit 3A, MAC Ronell’s Bungalow, Pali Hill, Bandra West.CALL 918355950643COST Rs 520 The Game RanchFor those in the eastern suburbs, this ranch serves an overdose of cheese with its four-cheese pizza filled with the delight of gorgonzola, mozzarella, chèvre and parmesan.AT Unit 2, B Wing, Delphi Building, Hiranandani Business Park, Powai.CALL 8976700971COST Rs 665 Francesco’s PizzeriaThis pizzeria crafts their four-cheese thin crust pizza (below) with mozzarella, cheddar, bocconcini, and parmesan.AT Sujan Chadha, Shop No. 7, Darvesh Grand 4th Road, Khar West.CALL 9152761933COST Rs 485 Emma’s Pizza KitchenGet with the millennials with this eponymous pizza topped with buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, EVOO cheese and fior di latte with oregano and their special sauce.AT Plot 19, Sector 30A, Proxima, Vashi. CALL 919321700467COST Rs 599 The Mad PepperoniIf you are feeling brave with dairy, try this delectable five cheese pizza with its fresh cow mozzarella, smoked yellow cheddar, smoked gouda, parmesan and cream cheese. AT Shop no 6, Belapur Sun City, CHS, Sector 15, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai. CALL 9930664041COST Rs 575 Si Nonna’sSourdough lovers, the No 4 (above) pizza on the range of their sourdough pizzas is made with fior di latte mozzarella, ricotta cheese, blue cheese, and aged parmesan cheese. AT B, Kamala Mills Compound, Trade World, Lower Parel. CALL 9136693001COST Rs 650
01 July,2024 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar | Priyanka GohilADVERTISEMENT
