ThursdayAll about jazz Jazz up your Thursday with Colombian pianist Jesus Molina as he joins guitarist Rock Choi, Alex Polydoroff (bass) and Cain Daniel (drums) for a rare performance in the city. TIME 7.30 pmAT NCPA, Nariman PointLOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 944 onwards FridayLove like a mother A moment from the play. Pic Courtesy/Bookmyshow Stalwart Neena Kulkarni joins Amruta Subhash in this moving Marathi play, Asen Me Nasen Me that takes on the complex relationship between a mother and her daughters. TIME 4 pmAT Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagruha, Vile Parle East.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 400 onwards SaturdayWalk on the green side A scene from the trail. Pic Courtesy/SGNP The official arrival of the monsoon has brought forth a burst of flora and fauna in the city. The Kavesar Nature Trail by Sanjay Gandhi National Park is for those who would like to walk among nature within the city of Mumbai. TIME 8 am to 10.30 amAT Nisarga Parichaya Kendra, Tikuji Ni Wadi, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Manpada, Thane West.CALL 8591382079 (to register)COST Rs 350 SundayMonsoon cravings Pic courtesy/Pause cafe If you have the urge to binge on comfort food in the rains, head over to this café, and indulge in delicacies from a cup of kahwa tea, hot chocolate, or masala chai to hazelnut Gianduja pancakes.TIME 8 am to 11 pmAT Shop No 27, Vora House, A/B, Pali Mala Road, Carter Road, Bandra West.LOG ON TO @pause.mumbai on InstagramCOST Rs 1000 (for two) Round the neighbourhood A moment from the previous session Pic courtesy/NCPA Bindu: More than a Dot is an expressive art workshop for children where they will have to spot circles around them. The workshop also features a storytelling and art session to boot. TIME 2 pm to 4 pmAT 116, first floor, Great Western Building, Chamber of Commerce Lane, Kala Ghoda, Fort. LOG ON TO allevents.inCall 9867899698COST Rs 2000
05 June,2025 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiDespite my limited fashion sense, I hold a soft spot for printed T-shirts. It is a good way to showcase your attitude and interests without having to say them out loud. So, when I spotted the PRDGY Colaba Calling Back print showcasing the city’s kaali-peelis and its architecture, it was an easy decision. The online store has designs that include Swat Kats, Rocky and Tupac, but it is always fun to wear Mumbai on your sleeves. The print feels straight out of a stamp, but what I enjoy the most is the pop of yellow on the parked kaali-peeli oozing coolness beside posh cars. Log on to: prdgy.inCost: Rs 1569
05 June,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarEnmeshed in a crisscross of time zones and countries, it is right before a flight to Amsterdam when we manage to get on a call with city-based director Nihar Palwe and music composer Adith Anande. Fresh from the screening of their film, The Storm, The Calm, The Madness, The Magic at the Cannes Film Festival and a world premiere at the British Film Institute (BFI) Imax, the group is now embarking on a well-deserved, leisurely vacation in European cities. “It has been quite a journey for all of us. When we got to know about the selection, all of us were equally excited and nervous to see the film for the first time,” Palwe tells us as he explains how the three-minute-long flick is one of the films selected in the top eight of Straight 8, a UK-based filmmaking event where people from across the globe submit films shot entirely on a single Super 8mm cartridge. “Ours is the first Indian film to be slotted in the top eight in 25 years since the event’s inception,” the hint of pride in the director’s voice is palpable, and rightly so. To imagine a film being shot without post-production and a blind composition of the soundtrack, one probably needs to travel back to the era of silent filmmaking. The entire film has been shot with a Zenit Quarz 1x8S-2 Super 8 camera “It was a leap of faith for all of us on the team. As the event requires you to send the roll as it is, we collaborated with Harkat Studios to help us in transferring the cartridge to Cine Lab, a massive film laboratory in London, which then developed and processed the frames into the film,” Palwe explains. Shot over a period of two days, the technicalities are much more complex than the duo tells us. With no retakes or playbacks, the work was measured up to the tee to ensure the film stitches well together. “We would have one person record the timing of each click of the camera, which denotes the frames per second, to have a rough idea of the scenes in the film. Then, a day before the final shoot, the team did a dress rehearsal on the location and shot the film with an Instagram filter to get the sequence right, and that was the sole blueprint for me to compose the soundtrack,” Anande reveals. A composer at the city-based collective Bombay Noor, Anande made sure that the soundtrack, which brings together the essence of the film, has a distinct Indian tonality to it. “The film starts with heavy hip-hop, and then transgresses into a sing-song zone, as we near the completion of the story. It was amazing to see people humming the tune after the screening ended,” the Lalbaug resident adds. With actors Pritt Kamani and Aditi Sandhya Sharma leading the cast, the story takes viewers back to 1990s Bombay with the protagonist juggling an existential question, one which is not unknown to to the denizens of this city. “Though the film is more about the internal journey of the lead character and how he finds purpose in chaos, even if it is an imagined idea; the city appears as an important backdrop to his character arc. It is literally the ‘storm’ as mentioned in the title,” Palwe shares. Inspired by Forced Hilarity, a Straight 8 film by English director Edgar Wright and conceived with fellow artistes who share a collective affinity for cinema, the film’s story mirrors the filmmaking process in more ways than one. “In its core, the story is about finding one’s reckoning and an emotional surrender towards life to arrive at one’s purpose — an idea that is extremely close to the challenging yet extremely fulfilling creative process of the film,” he tells us before signing off. LOG ON TO Straight 8 on YouTube
05 June,2025 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaRenee Vyas, senior naturalist, 70 My first spark: I was pursuing a field Botany course at the Bombay Natural History Society in the 2000s, for which I would spend time in the Aarey Forest, Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the coasts of Mumbai. Morning walkers at these spots would often ask us to identify their favourite trees and plants in the area. I realised that many Mumbaikars are unaware of the city’s green wealth, which sparked my journey in science communication. Renee Vyas conducts a nature education session My ideal green weekend: A walkthrough of the Mumbai Zoo followed by the Heritage Garden in Powai. Message for the new generation: Get yourself out there and learn about the diverse flora and fauna of Mumbai. Discuss and ask questions to everyone around you and then make it your mission to spread the knowledge as far as you can. Must reads: Trees of Mumbai by Marselin Almeida and Naresh Chaturvedi, Butterflies of Mumbai by Nelson Rodrigues, The Book of Indian Birds by Dr Salim Ali. The 70-year-old naturalist climbs a tree. PICS COURTESY/RENEE VYAS What keeps me going: At 70, I am just as excited when I come across a pretty butterfly, a spider or a familiar tree. Thanks to the field work, I’m still physically capable of climbing a few trees in Aarey Forest and at Maharashtra Nature Park. A flower basket from Vyas’s recent nature trail Ishaan Prabhudesai, BSc student and trail leader, 19 My first spark: I grew up watching wildlife from around the world on Animal Planet. The question of what Mumbai was hiding was always simmering in my mind. When I headed to a marine walk in Juhu, I spotted my first marine creatures — baby eels, hermit crabs, and horseshoe limpets — I was blown away. I soon started interning with a naturalist collective and now I lead trails to spread the joy among Mumbaikars. Indian pitta. PICS COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS My ideal green weekend: Two visually striking birds — the Indian Pitta known for its nine-coloured plumage, and the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher aka Khandya — can be sighted this season. While the former can be spotted on trails in Karjat, the Khandya is common in the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Message for the older generation: Please stop building vacation homes in areas with lush green covers and taking pride in it. These areas are home to thriving ecosystems that the next generation might never get to see. The White Rumped Shama, common sighting at Matheran Hill. PICs COURTESY/ISHAAN PRABHUDESAI Must reads: Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Richard Grimmet, A Naturalist’s Guide to the Reptiles of India by Indraneil Das and Abhijit Das. What keeps me going: Each trek entails a 4-km walk on an average. It keeps me fit, and inculcates a sense of discipline that a lot of young individuals struggle with. Ishaan Prabhudesai at TS Chanakya wetlands in Navi Mumbai Play your part >> Gift greenGet your hands on the Bombay Natural History Society’s ceramic mugs, water bottles and tote bags sporting Mumbai’s avian icon, William the hornbill. The memorabilia combo is on a special discount this week. TILL June 7AVAILABLE shop.bnhs.orgCOST Rs 699 (three-piece combo) >> Walk the talkA timely talk by Lubaina Rangwala, associate director of the World Resources Institute will reveal the complexities of framing a climate action plan for the Maximum City.ON Today; 11.20 amAT Valecha Hall, Vidyanidhi Marg, Sainath Nagar, Juhu. LOG ON TO @k.r.v.i.aENTRY RSVP mandatory >> Plant a changeBegin your gardening journey by planting your first microgreens (below) at this workshop.ON Today; 9 amAT Maharashtra Nature Park, Sion. CALL 8976451433ENTRY Revealed on request >> Clean sweepThe Sanjay Gandhi National Park is in for a squeaky-clean scrubbing. Join hands with volunteers for a productive morning.ON Today; 7 am to 9 amMEETING POINT NIC Amphitheatre, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali East. >> Get hands-onJoin a series of workshops that will guide you in making DIY planters and shaping clay animal models, followed by a nature-themed treasure hunt.ON Today; 10.30 am onwardsAT Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Fort.LOG ON TO @csmvs ENTRY RSVP mandatory
05 June,2025 08:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleWhen you step into Maikada, the chic and cosy 40-seater bar on the ground floor of Shalimar Hotel, you’ll be handed a small envelope. It holds a pack of six cards. One side of every card has a creative rendition of a landmark — Juhu Beach, Dadar Flower Market, Chor Bazaar, Kala Ghoda, Bandra-Worli Sea Link and finally, Maikada, the bar. Each setting connects to an emotion: Comfort, Chaos, Nostalgia, Inspiration, Impulse, and Pride. Flip them, and you’ll get the hint of flavour profiles: toasty, citrusy, nutty, floral, and spiced notes. Vada pav sliders and Beetroot tostada At the bar, these cards turn into an experiential cocktail menu — City on the Rocks — a spirited homage. For patrons in a playful mood, they are encouraged to go in blind, letting the spirit and ingredients throw a surprise. We signed up for a tasting on a Monday afternoon and gave all of them a try. We begin at chaos in the heart of Dadar market. Horn Ok please (Rs 645) is unapologetically strong, made with vodka, ghati masala-honey cordial and a dash of lime. Bar manager Clyde Periera graciously serves us the cordial, explaining how the mix of masala and honey are worked together at a temperature, making it burst with flavours. We sip it as is, and in the cocktail, it unfurls with the spirit. This is one balanced piece of art. Cutting chai with khari, Horn Ok please is served with a mini vada pav and Aam-chi 36 Aam-chi 36 (R825) packs in a nuanced spice saga of tequila, mango and agave. We alternate our sips between half rim of Mexican tajin and without it. Both cut a balanced piquant punch. Ek cutting rum (Rs 645) offers the comfort of the beach front in the company of our old friend, clarified Old Monk, with flavours of lime, sugar and cardamom. After the two spicy cocktails, this one is a sweet relief. We turn to Lost and found (Rs 695), the most fun cocktail if you’ll savour a sweeter cocktail made with orange-pomegranate shrub, served with a spoonful of pop rocks. Nostalgia served in a tingle right there. The gallop (Rs 825) is made with technique that makes whisky the star amid the flamboyant presence of cacao and hazelnut. Purists, steer clear. Lost and found (right) The gallop After opening a modern-day European roof-top restaurant Café Calma in 2022, third-generation owner Yash Advani reimagined the bar to match modern-day drinking culture two years ago. “In its earlier avatar, Maikada focused on music, but now we have turned it into an intimate 40-seater speakeasy that caters to the audience that chases the next best experience. We wanted to create something truly rooted in Bombay — where the setting, story, and sip come together to evoke a feeling, not just a flavour,” says Advani. The pleasant surprise comes when chef Nitin Kulkarni joins our conversation. One of Mumbai’s seasoned F&B hands, Kulkarni’s contribution to the city’s dining out landscape dates back to his previous roles at Rahul Akerkar’s Indigo, Tote on the Turf, and later at Rishad Nathani’s The Clearing House. Nitin Kulkari and Yash Advani At Maikada, his menu serves us Chicken tikka (Rs 475) with a twist of mango and mustard paste that gives the charcoal grilled meat a sweet and pungent taste after finishing. The beetroot tostada (Rs 425) is like a serve purve, slathered with cream cheese, beetroot and candied orange rinds. The mini vada pav sliders (R395) have the rustic taste of a roadside serve with the pudina chutney and vada. Corn vol au vent (Rs 425) comes on a crunchy savoury puff pastry, and is a bite-sized French appetiser with a cheesy finish. With the cocktail game levelling up in the city, these cocktails depict a mood board of Mumbai, making it an interactive play of heady nostalgia in a glass. Standalone bars have attempted this in the past, turning to the city for inspiration, but there should be no ending to turning the city into a muse, isn’t it? At Maikada, The Shalimar Hotel, Kemps Corner.Time 5 pm to 1.30 amCall 9930141194
04 June,2025 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum PandyaValmik Thapar Land of the Tigers: A Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent: Published in 1997, conservationist and writer Valmik Thapar’s book observes the relative newness of the wildlife legislation in India. Despite the environmental pressures such as wildlife abuse, the diverse flora and fauna in India have survived. Valmik Thapar Thapar discovers the answer for this conundrum in the relationship between nature and humans, and the reverence accorded to the former as a result of our faith and beliefs. We travel with the expert as he acquaints us with the natural history of various corners of the subcontinent — from the Himalayas to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, Lakshadweep, and further up to the Gulf of Gujarat and Pakistan. Living with Tigers: Essential reading for those keen to familiarise themselves with the tiger expert’s work, this is Thapar’s story of observing tigers in Ranthambhore for 40 years. Here we meet Padmini, Genghis, Machli, Broken Tooth and many other big cats whom he studied. Thapar illuminates us with fascinating facts about them. For instance, we learn that Genghis was the first tiger in the world to have mastered the art of killing sambars in water. We also learn about the dying practice of naming tigers, now replaced by numbers (T24, T17, etc.) Indian Wildlife Trilogy: This trilogy consists of an anthology on tigers called Tiger Fire, a compilation on birds called Winged Fire, and another on the rest of the animal kingdom called Wild Fire. In addition to Thapar’s detailed writings, these books include a selection of photographs and writings from naturalists spanning across centuries — from Babur and Akbar’s first encounters with the wildlife to accounts by doyens such as Jim Corbett, Salim Ali, Khushwant Singh, Jaisal and Anjali Singh, K Ulhas Karanth, among others. Sunjoy Monga City Forest: Mumbai’s National Park: Mumbai’s ‘bird man’, wildlife photographer, and naturalist Sunjoy Monga brings to us 200 photographs of the wildlife in the city. He acknowledges how the city’s location and bio-geographical position allow for natural habitats of several species from the plant and animal kingdom to exist. Moreover, he examines the ways in which people interfere with this balance, causing degradation to the city’s national park. Sunjoy Monga. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Birds of Mumbai: Monga’s book is one of the earliest compilations of the birds in the city. Featuring over 350 species, including both resident and migratory birds, this is a crucial handbook for birdwatchers. He classifies our feather friends based on their habitats: wetlands, forests, grass and scrub, and urban areas. With Carl D Silva’s illustrations, Monga provides interesting facts about them, such as their habits, distinct calls, size, status, and descriptions of their plumage. Journey through India’s Last Wild Places: For over 18 months, Monga travelled across the country, tracing what he calls ‘the last wild places’. These include forests, islands, coasts, deserts, grasslands, etc. One cannot create anymore, he observes. We’re introduced to a variety of animals, plants, and landscapes, from the snow leopards of the Trans-Himalayan region to the gaurs of the western ghats. Monga backs his images and text with accounts from experts, and presses on the need for us to understand the importance of every bit of the natural world, not just the major players. Available: Leading bookstores and e-stores
04 June,2025 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThe past few months have been quite the romantic affair with the City of Dreams for this writer. On late night drives, early morning commutes and mid-day errands, the city has leaned in and softly whispered in our ears, ‘Inconvenience is regretted’. The BMC’s audacious self-declared May 31 deadline to get the roads monsoon-ready has come and gone. And while the unpunctuality is no laughing matter, here’s how Mumbaikars are finding a silver lining. JCB jugalbandiMayur Jumani, multi-instrumentalist, Andheri As a musician and a recording artiste, the auditory aspect of the ongoing construction has been the most maddening. Even though I live on the 21st floor of a high-rise, the constant humming of the mega machines would still leak into my recording. I finally stepped out one day to record live sounds of the drills, excavators and cranes. I came back to the studio, and penned an ode to the city titled JCB Hai, Meri Hai Mumbai. The drills and hammers form the percussive foundation of the track. To end it on a high note, I actually headed to a construction site to shoot my music video. I was able to hop on a stationary JCB for a bit. Sitting on the other side now, watching the city from the JCB’s point of view — I felt like the king of the city.Log on to: @mayurjumani on Instagram Dig this teeAjoy Advani, creative consultant, Bandra Ajoy Advani sports the graphic tee. PIC COURTESY/AJOY ADVANI There are possibly more excavators parked in Bandra than cars at this point. My idea was born out of sheer frustration from seeing the same sight day in, day out. I used an image generator to create a visual of a JCB crane with the message ‘I Dig Bandra’. With some help from a friend, we tweaked the image to match Bandra’s lanes. What started as a joke, quickly gathered steam. As an add on, I started sending tiny bits of construction debris that I found lying around, safely sealed in a plastic bag. While the first batch of T-shirts has sold out, I might just consider making another batch.Log on to: @ajoyadvani on Instagram Artificial reliefManoj Omre, visual artist, Andheri A video reimagines Mumbai’s metro pillars; (right) The Hogwarts-themed AI-generated video. PIC COURTESY/MANOJ OMRE A drive from Seven Bungalows to Bandra West now takes me nearly 45 minutes, thanks to the excavated roads. Sitting impatiently in a traffic jam one day, a thought struck my mind. I created a generative AI-assisted video of a Mumbaikar hopping on a broomstick from the Harry Potter series, and zooming past drivers and riders. In another reimagination, I present the possibility of building futuristic portals to fight the traffic menace. Closer to reality, I recently used AI to imagine how vertical green cover on the Metro and flyover pillars can provide respite to commuters. My works have garnered some attention from a few political figures online. Whether it will lead to anything productive, that remains to be seen.Log on to: @manojomre on Instagram Thank you, BMCZervaan Bunshah, actor and content creator, Dadar Parsi Colony Zervaan Bunshah and Erika Packard in the spoof reel. PIC COURTESY/BUNSHAH on Instagram My father is an orthopaedic surgeon. The state of the roads right now is a blessing in disguise for our finances. Jokes apart, the shoddy work has left my neighbourhood flummoxed. You can walk into a restaurant for lunch and by the time you step out, the road will have disappeared; I’m not exaggerating. I’ve found humour through my short-form videos where I turn the issue on its head. In a video with my friend Erika Packard, we stepped out to stage a Mumbai darshan-style tour of digging sites across the city. We caught a few eyeballs, especially with our hands-on approach [which included shots of Bunshah covered in rubble]. But as always, aren’t we all walking a tightrope when it comes to satire? As for my prediction for the completion date, [chuckles hysterically] it’s never happening. Log on to: @bunshah on Instagram
04 June,2025 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleNaruto and this reviewer have the same motto — no ramen, no life. While Naruto has Ichiraku Ramen on the show to down bowls of ramen at, in Mumbai he would probably be slurping at Supa San — and as a loyal shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, we followed suit. When you walk into Supa San, you are bound to spot hints of the manga and anime universe across the space; partitions are adorned with motifs from Naruto; ninjas are printed on cocktail glasses, and there is a permanent pop-up kiosk by The Comic Book Store (from Linking Road). Prawn tempura and Buta gyoza Our favourite is the T-shirt worn by the staff, with a vivid print on the back, that is available on sale. The vibe is playful yet detailed, much like the menu, prepared by chef Hideki Hiwatashi (who has previously worked with Michelin-starred properties) and executive chef Dayamani Singh. They boast of a special selection of sake, among other spirits, and the cocktail menu is by Trisha Koparde, who welcomes us with calpico (Rs 850), a refreshing, smooth shochu highball with vanilla and whey soda. The eatery has anime- and manga-inspired elements We are attending a pre-opening dinner; we notice that the bar is in full capacity, almost making us feel as if we are starring in an episode post a ninja mission. It’s the perfect spot for post-work corporate ninjas of BKC. As we muse while looking at the swanky façades from the glass window, our attendant serves the tamago sando (Rs 490) and ebi tempura (Rs 790) on the table. Eggs are usually ranked at no. 5 on our eating list, and tempura tops the list during a tasting session in a Japanese restaurant. The prawn tempura is textbook Japanese perfection — airy, crisp batter encasing plump prawns. You can hear the crunch. There’s no greasy aftertaste; it’s so good that we skip the dip. They also serve different house-made salts to sprinkle on top.Also Read: Ditch French fries! Here are 5 easy potato recipes Horenso gomae Their veg tempura pales in comparison. A surprise hit for us is the classic egg sandwich which is all about texture — the eggs are silky, almost custard-like, cradled between fluffy slices of lightly toasted bread. It’s delicate and supremely comforting. We are served another comfort dish —buta gyoza (Rs 590). These minced pork dumplings rest on a light spicy sauce, and are juicy and flavourful, each bite bursts with a light zing. Tori karaage hiraki and Calpico Horenso gomae (Rs 390), a cold plate, is a beautiful contrast: this spinach dish with earthy greens in a nutty, slightly sweet sesame sauce, topped with crunchy lotus root crisps goes smooth on the palate, the kind of greens we would want in our diet daily. The tori karaage hiraki bao (Rs 590) also crafts a beautiful contrast of textures. Here, Japanese fried chicken is tucked into a soft steamed bao, with spicy mayo bringing the heat. The chicken is crispy outside, juicy inside, and the bao is pillow-y, making it a satisfying handheld snack. It’s now ramen time, and a massive bowl (we would take a whole day to finish it) of tori shoyu ramen (Rs 990) makes its grand entrance. Picture-perfect and soulful, the bowl is topped with grilled chicken, bamboo shoots, silky soy egg, bean sprouts, pok choy, and springy homemade noodles, all swimming in a shoyu-laced broth that’s deep, savoury, and with lilting notes of soy sauce. The eggs alone are the reason for us to return. We don’t manage to finish the bowl, as we are saving space for Hokkaido milk bread (Rs 590). Supa San isn’t just a meal, it’s a comfort zone with precise flavours. The pricing isn’t low, similar to some of the other restaurants in the same block. But if your idea of happiness includes anime, authentic Japanese flavours and delicious small plates, consider this your summoning jutsu to BKC. TIME 12 pm to 11.30 pmAT Raheja Tower, next to CinCin, G Block, BKC, Bandra East. CALL 7045029920
03 June,2025 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Dhara Vora SabhnaniAnuradha Kumar’s new book Wanderers, Adventurers, Missionaries: Early Americans in India (Speaking Tiger) is a well-researched exploration of Americans who arrived in India from 1700 to 1950. Unlike the English, who were backed by the royal charter and came for the purpose of the (East India) Company trade, the Americans landed up driven by “their own spirit of search,” Kumar notes. Before she began writing about them, she had been working on essays about South Asians in America. “I have lived in the US for several years now. While the history of the interaction between South Asians and Americans is relatively new, there’s been a wealth of research done in recent decades by historians like Vivek Bald, Maia Ramnath, Hugh Johnston and Uzma Quraishi. I read history at university, and I got interested in this history as well.” This made her think of those who had made the journey in reverse: “The early Americans who came to India, at a time even before the United States had come into being,” she explains. Bombay Sorosis. Pic courtesy/The History of the Woman’s Club Movement in America Kumar’s wanderers include medical missionaries, artists and writers, social thinkers and educators, mystics and fortune seekers. They landed in India on camelbacks and horses, crossed rivers, were shipwrecked, and took ferries. “I remember reading about the painter Lockwood de Forest and his wife Meta travelling to Kashmir and Nepal and the terror Lockwood felt when he crossed a wooden drawbridge across a river in Kashmir. It shook so violently that he had to crawl across,” she shares.Also Read: International Booker Prize 2025: Know about Banu Mushtaq, the first Kannada writer to win the prestigious award Daniel Bandmann as Hamlet Kumar knew of some Americans like Ida Scudder, who founded the Vellore Christian Church, and Satyanand Stokes, educator and Gandhi associate, who cultivated apples. “About others, like Bartholomew Burges, who wrote of his travels and failed to correctly predict a comet in the 1780s, I remember digging through old newspapers. Oftentimes, there would be an article that would be a revelation,” she recalls. For example, she found Burges’s book for the American Merchants because he had advertised for it in the Boston newspapers, inviting subscriptions. Meanwhile, accounts of missionaries were easier to locate as they are well archived in US libraries in the form of missives that they sent home. Anuradha Kumar For Kumar some discoveries were happenstance. Kumar heard about doctor and reformer Emma Brainerd-Ryder from Pandita Ramabai’s letters; stumbled upon the physician Clara Swain while searching for books online, and put together scattered writings of the Sanskrit editor Fitzedward Hall. “Once I found a ‘suitable American’, someone who had actually lived in India for a considerable length of time, I looked for everything possible about them.” A considerable time had to be at least three months. These adventurers stationed themselves in cities and towns, including Bombay (present day Mumbai). They contributed in many ways. Brainerd-Ryder, witnessing young child brides in their homes, began the Bombay Sorosis to raise awareness on women’s education, dress reform, and voting rights. She hosted a gathering at Fort’s Alexandra Girls School for young married women. Daniel Bandmann, a Shakespearean actor, impressed by the passion of the locals in the bard’s work, staged Hamlet in the old Gaiety Theatre (now Capitol Cinema), for which young Parsi gentlemen from Grant Medical College auditioned. “Bombay of the 19th and early 20th century was a modern and cosmopolitan city,” Kumar observes. “All kinds of people and all kinds of ideas flourished. Edwin Weeks wrote of the variety of turbans he saw on the streets. There were several societies — the Bombay Geographical Society, the Natural History Society, Associations for Folklore. Bombay held multiple possibilities; it was a haven for the seeker, whether for fortune, or knowledge.” A captivating section is about medical missionaries. It reminds readers about the ways in which women navigated their world and found themselves in other countries. The mid-19th century witnessed the convergence of several movements, the beginnings of feminist ideas, reforms on suffrage, education, and marriage, Kumar recollects. Although the sentiment of the West with its “civilizing mission” was central to the missionaries who arrived in India, “women forged a somewhat different understanding, especially if one looks at this history almost separately, if possible,” Kumar explains. They carried empathy and supported their Indian counterparts. For the author, working on stories such as these was an act in resurrecting ‘lost and forgotten voices’. “I felt then that they had not lived their lives in vain; they had not had adventures that were doomed to be forgotten,” she concludes. Available At leading bookstores and e-storesCost: Rs 599
03 June,2025 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThe news of the passing of Dr Jayant Narlikar on May 20 brought back memories the name carried for many Indian millennials. This writer recalled sitting in front of a second-hand television with hazy reception watching the children’s series, Brahmand in the ’90s. An exploration of the cosmos, written by Narlikar, laid the foundation into scientific inquiry for a generation of young viewers. But before he was a scientist, mathematician and polymath genius, Narlikar was also just a young man with a camera. The big reveal He was among the kindest, most humane people you could have met,” recalls Prakash Magdum, MD, NFDC. Magdum was heading the National Film Archives of India (NFAI) in 2018 when he interacted with Narlikar. Dr Narlikar puts on cricket pads for a net session (right) Dr Narlikar (left) with his colleagues in Cambridge “As the then director, even though our main focus was preservation of films, I was also trying to get some moving images connected to Dr Homi Bhabha. When I mentioned this to Dr Narlikar who was the chief guest at the Science Film Festival we had organised, his answer stumped me. He mentioned that he too had a collection of film reels he had personally shot over the years. “I immediately asked if we could get them to NFAI for preservation. These are what we would categorise as home videos. They were a common practice in America and Europe, not so much in India. Few Indians had access to a portable video camera back then,” Magdum points out. In 2018, Dr Narlikar donated the collection to the NFAI. Dr Narlikar with a colleague on the grounds of Cambridge (right) The reels are presently archived by the NFAI The collection of 41 film reels of Super 8 mm and 8 mm films contains snippets from Narlikar’s early years at the Fitzwilliam College in the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, even a snippet of his famed research partner, Dr Fred Hoyle as well as family moments.SEE PHOTOS: Know about Valmik Thapar's contribution to tiger conservation in India Priceless treasures While the popular perception of film archiving relegates it to the restoration of cinematic works, Magdum believes these personal documentaries are just as important. “They reveal a lot about the people; their small joys, habits and things. One might even call them social documentaries that need to be preserved for the next generation,” he explains. This is made self-evident, when the Punekar speaks of one of the reels from Narlikar’s collection. Dr Narlikar in a moment of levity Among the donated reels, Magdum shares, was a short video from the 1970s where the late professor had recorded his mother, Sumati Narlikar — a Sanskrit scholar well versed in music. “The video shows her playing the esraj. It is a rare musical instrument, and few play it even in the circles of Hindustani classical music,” he shared. Another older picture captures the scientist putting on pads for a batting session at Cambridge. In fact, these rare moments of nostalgia were almost forgotten when the good doctor handed it over. Magdum recalls, “He admitted how he had not seen the film footage in a long time. So, we had the projector brought in and invited Dr Narlikar and his wife, Mangala, to the NFAI campus in Pune to sit down with us.” Over the course of multiple sittings, the couple would point out details that added to the documentation. “Even though his memory was fading, I could see how they enjoyed reliving those moments. It was through their observations that we were able to classify the videos. In the end, I am glad we did it, and very grateful that he agreed,” concludes Magdum, to our agreement. At Law College Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune.Log on to: nfai.nfdcindia.com
03 June,2025 10:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarJungle jive Aadrai jungle is a beautiful, serene forest where you will get to see Kallu waterfalls, Nageshwar Temple, and ancient caves. The jungle trail, by Treks and Trails, will showcase the natural beauty of the Sahyadris. The cost of the trek includes a vegetarian breakfast and lunch, a trekking guide, and first aid.ON June 6 and 7; 9.45 pmMEETING POINT Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East.CALL 8591064044LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 799 (cost without transport) Rs 1499 (cost with transport) Waterfall wonder Nanemachi waterfall. Pic courtesy/Liveb4youdie Situated in the district of Raigad, Nanemachi waterfall is approximately 180 km away from Mumbai. The 400ft waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery. Liveb4youdie is organising the trek to the waterfall, and the cost includes breakfast and lunch, as well as trek expertise and first aid. ON June 14 and 15; 10 pmMEETING POINT Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East.CALL 8369427519LOG ON TO liveb4youdie.comCOST Rs 1599 (with transportation); Rs 999 (without transportation) Ancient trail Korigad Fort. Pic courtesy/Adventure Geek Korigad Fort was built in the 14th century. Besides its rich history, the place is a great escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Organised by Adventure Geek, this trip includes breakfast, lunch, evening high tea and trek expertise. Transportation from Sanjay Gandhi National Park and back, is included in the package. ON June 8 and 15; 6 amMEETING POINT Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East.CALL 9004675388LOG ON TO adventuregeek.inCOST Rs 1349 (with transportation)
02 June,2025 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamADVERTISEMENT
