Bombay to Mumbai: A Living HeritageA time-travel journey through Mumbai’s tangible and intangible heritage, where visitors experience history through architecture, voices, rituals, and streetscapes. Exhibit Zones1. ISLAND → METROPOLIS (Pre-Colonial to Colonial)- Koli origins- Portuguese & British layers1. Fort warehouses (opium, cotton ledgers)2. Recreated dockworker’s (19th century)3. Architecture corner 2. PEOPLE & POWER (Social Movements & Migrations)Textile mills & strikesPartition & refugeesAmbedkar & Dalit Mumbai 3. CINEMA, CHAWLS & STREETS (Pop Culture & Daily Life)- Bollywood’s backstage- Chawl life- Street heritage1. Irani café counter 2. Dabbawala 3. Festival immersion 4. VANISHING & REBORN (Endangered + Revived Heritage)- Save our landmarks- DIY heritage- Future traditionsInteractive & Emotional Anchors- Whose Mumbai?- Time capsule- Heritage huntWhy This Works Holistic: Ties buildings + people + culture Emotional: Visitors see their own family’s Mumbai reflected Action-Oriented: Ends with How will YOU preserve heritage? Extensions for Impact1. Pop-up exhibits2. Night museum events3. Augmented realityAs told to Fiona Fernandez
17 May,2025 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona FernandezThink bikers and you might picture tough bearded guys covered in tattoos chugging beers on highways, or perhaps that one time a rash biker cut you off and disappeared in the sea of Mumbai’s traffic jams. Not exactly gentleman-like, if you ask us. That’s set to change this weekend when motorheads suit up head to toe, and glide across South Mumbai on their classic and vintage bikes. Titled the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), the one-day event by motorcycle makers Triumph, is set to see nearly 50 bikers ride to raise awareness about prostate cancer and men’s mental health. Manik Nangia The global movement that originated in Australia in 2012 will make its way to the heritage Fort precinct, much to the excitement of the city’s avid bikers. Among them is a familiar face, actor Amit Sadh. “Biking, for me, is a way of life and a source of strength. Every ride brings a sense of freedom, perspective, and connection, not just with the road, but with people from all walks of life,” shares Sadh, who will bring his prized classic bike to the ride. “The ride encourages open conversations in a typically reserved space,” points out Manik Nangia, Triumph spokesperson and president, pro biking. We learn that the funds raised from the ride will go towards prostate cancer research and men’s mental health through a partnership with the Movember Foundation. “Spanning 105 countries, we have now been able to build a global brotherhood of riders who support each other and speak openly about health. It’s more than a ride. it’s a support system,” he reminds us. Bikers in suits ride past the lanes in Fort. Pics Courtesy/Triumph While we’re breaking into a sweat imagining riding in a full suit in Mumbai’s erratic weather, riders like Ivana Edwards, who grew up riding in the city see it as a welcome change of scenery. “It’s refreshing to see bikers depart from the biking gear and put effort to look dapper,” she chuckles. Mumbaikars seem to approve, we learn. “At our previous editions, people have often stopped by to ask us what the occasion was. It’s always fun to spread the word through such short conversations on the ground,” she reveals. Sadh sums up his excitement leading up to the ride, “There’s something truly special about coming together, sharing our love for motorcycles, and riding to raise awareness for a good cause. What better way to channel our passion than by riding to glory and making a real difference together?” Amit Sadh with his bike ON May 18; 7 amSTARTING POINT Starbucks Reserve, Veer Nariman Road, Horniman Circle, Fort. LOG ON TO gentlemansride.com ENTRY Revealed on request
17 May,2025 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThe Museum of the self How would it be if I treated myself and my world as a museum? How would it be if I looked at grandma’s old account books as precious material for future scholars who would like to know what half a kilo of urad dal cost? How would it be if I took my mother’s diaries as a link in the chain of women’s words, to be handed over to her granddaughter so that they could know each other? How would it be if we named each person in a picture so that memory, that unreliable trickster, would not have to be relied upon? How would it be if we kept diaries and noted down stray thoughts? How would it be if we respected ourselves and made our own museums? How would it be if we kept the letters we received and kept copies of the letters we sent? How would it be if we could see the museum as a faded old colonial artefact that demands hierarchies and categorisation (‘Museum piece’? ‘Should be in a museum’) and rewrote the museum to mean this piece of stone we chose together on a beach, that handkerchief you monogrammed for me, that bookmark I made for you from an invitation card? How would it be if we all took our lives more seriously — and thus extended this respect to others, thus making the museum enterprise a harbinger of human rights? Jerry Pinto, author, poet, translator Ancient Wisdom and Modern Cities: A Journey Through Time My dream has always been for our country to have a dedicated museum for its ancient Indus Valley/Harappan Civilisation, as countries with ancient history like Egypt have built. If the museum was to be in Mumbai, I would then build a connection between ancient wisdom and modern cities, a journey through time. The exploration begins with an exquisite replica of Mohenjo-Daro’s Great Bath, revealing how ancient engineers designed sophisticated water systems, orderly streets, resulting in thriving communities — principles that remain relevant today. In the “Convergence Gallery”, Harappan urban plans are juxtaposed with present-day maps of Mumbai. The exhibition draws compelling parallels in spatial organisation — gridded streets, market nodes, and water management systems demonstrating how ancient principles of urban design persist across time. The final section looks forward, envisioning a future Mumbai shaped by both inherited wisdom and emerging ideas. It presents architecture not merely as form, but as continuity — where every built layer responds to a historical one beneath it. Walking out of the museum, Mumbai’s chaos appears less chaotic — more like a city still being crafted by its past. Brinda Somaya, founder and principal architect-Somaya Sampat, urban conservationist Museum of Mumbai My first choice would be ‘Mumbai’; it should be a contemporary museum. The experience should be immersive and digitalised to appeal to the younger generation. Fun topics of discussion should be around communities, food, Bollywood, sports, the skyline, maritime history among others. Brinda Miller, honorary chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association, honorary festival director, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, artist Mumbai Time Machine This would be a walk-through museum, with visitors entering through a portal that opens into diorama after diorama, revealing the biosphere of a diverse wonderland that existed before the advent of Homo sapiens. As visitors move forward down millennia the city keeps shape shifting into multiple versions of scapes crafted by generations of humans. Somewhere in the middle, we pass through dioramas revealing the impact of the decline of both biodiversity and climatic meltdowns. Humans become decreasingly visible in the now dystopian cityscapes through which we pass. As we move on, varied life forms begin to reclaim spaces now empty of humans... and as we exit, we discover that we have walked through a circular, diverse wonderland. We exit the museum diorama through the same diorama where our journey began. Bittu Sahgal, environmentalist, founder-Sanctuary Nature Foundation
17 May,2025 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona FernandezAs you explore the inner streets of old Parel, you are bound to come across some of the city’s biggest hospitals and medical institutes, such as KEM Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, and Wadia Hospital. Naturally, the area is home to many shops selling medical instruments, natal care items, and medical books. Tucked in the bylanes of Acharya Donde Marg, opposite Wadia Hospital, Parel East, we stumble upon a 70-year-old bookshop that has been catering to doctors and students for three generations. Early chapters National Book Depot of Parel was started on April 24 in 1955 at Rakhangi Mahal by Padamshibhai Saubhayachand Shah. The bookstore was in this address till 1991, after which they shifted to a shop in the same neighbourhood. As a result of its proximity to significant public health institutes, the 70-year-old space is a favourite among medical students, teachers, and doctors. It is run by the third generation of the Shah family, Vaidehi Shah, who, along with her father, Rajendra Shah, guide customers to buy the most relevant and suitable books for their specific needs. They act as suppliers, distributors, as well as publishers of medical books, as this writer notices while at the bookstore. The bookshop stands tall in Parel; (right) Forensic Medicine & Jurisprudence, one of the bestselling books Vaidehi recalls how the bookstore had played a major role in the professional lives of medical students and doctors for decades. “We can say that we make doctors. There are customers my grandfather attended to, then, the next generation was attended by my father, and now I attend to the needs of their children, who are also in the same field.” Challenges galore On an average, the store’s footfalls were between 80 and 100 customers a day, but the numbers were hit in the COVID-19 years. Another connecting factor has been the increase in information and material available online leading to students’ and doctors’ relying on online purchases. Vaidehi explains the consequences and how they are dealing with it. She says, “There is a drastic drop in sales of books because of the pandemic as people have been ordering books online. There is also the issue of piracy. Paper quality is sometimes bad, and images are not clear. In some cases, you order a four-volume book and you end up receiving only three. Due to these problems, readers approach us. They don’t feel cheated here, which has always been our unique selling point.” The father-daughter duo at the 70-year-old bookshop Way forward Talking about reading trends, he says, “Earlier, people would come to browse the book, read it, and if they liked they would buy it. That pattern has changed. They are not interested in knowledge. Students, in particular, want to merely pass their exams. For example, if you have a headache, earlier there would be an entire description as to why it is happening. But now they just tell you what medicines you need to take.” The father-daughter duo is positive that the bookshop will still play an important role in encouraging future generations of doctors. “Although there’s an impact due to online platforms, many still prefer reading physical books, and enjoy the experience of a real copy as well as the feel of paper. This could also be due to screen fatigue. Traditional reading is always better than reading on a screen,” Vaidehi reassures us before getting back to her guiding a customer. AT Rakhangi Mahal, Acharya Donde Marg, opposite Wadia Children’s Hospital, Parel East.TIME 11 am to 7 pm Did you know Dr CB Purandare, the famous gynaecologist, once visited the store with his grandson. He had such faith in owner Rajendra Shah that whichever book Shah recommended, he picked. He believed that Shah knew the latest books because he interacted with doctors, teachers, and students Top finds 1. PJ Mehta’s Practical Medicine by Dr Nihar Mehta2. Satish Khadilkar: Neurology Simplified3. Singhal’s Forensic Medicine, Jurisprudence & Toxicology4. Patel General Practice and Prescriber5. Jagadish Sunkum: Manual of ENT
17 May,2025 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiYou have to forget who you were to redefine who you are,” states Arvind Kumar Upadhyay. The 69-year-old ‘struggler’ was once a regular presence in the boardroom of textile corporations. Now, he joins fellow Gen-Z actors from Versova in auditions. Upadhyay’s journey and second innings will be among the many that will find centrestage at the Suno Sunao Sunday Mano open mic, for people above the age of 55, in Bandra this Sunday. The event is helmed by Do With Lit and Gen S Life, a platform aimed at enabling self-dependence among senior citizens online and offline. Meenakshi Menon, founder, Gen S Life, shares, “The general perception is that older citizens are a burden. You stop contributing. This is completely false. As seniors, we need to recognise that the narrative needs to change.” A moment from a previous event A serial entrepreneur, 66-year-old Menon experienced this narrative in close quarters. “It was in 2023, when I stepped into a high-end electronics store to buy an iPhone. The salesperson, though kind and perhaps not knowing better, suggested that I should buy something less technologically complicated.” It was a reminder of how people on the wrong side of 50 often find themselves patronised. “As a society, we are all guilty of this. We often tell our parents ‘Be careful. Slow down.’ You are coming from a place of love, yet, your words slowly chip away at their confidence.” This, combined with the awareness of vulnerabilities and social perceptions further prevents many seniors from enjoying life. “Yet, we have no EMIs, no responsibilities or even inhibitions, sometimes. But we need to learn to live life again,” she declares. Arvind Kumar Upadhyay during a rehearsal Few manage to do it with ease. Take Dr Jashodhara Purkayastha. An MPhil and PhD, the former teacher signed up to sing at the open mic through Instagram. “For four decades, my world had revolved around teaching and academics. I now do things that make me happy,” shares the 68-year-old Mira Road resident who has recently pulled her husband into her singing adventures. Upadhyay agrees. He adds, “To keep yourself young, you need to be busy at your own joys. I remember the hesitation in my mind when I first signed on for an acting class. But I realised quickly that I cannot hang on to my CEO past and expect to learn new things,” he shares. Kailash Koppikar at a performance It will be a new adventure too for Kailash Koppikar. The 58-year-old public relations professional has been working on his stand-up sets since January this year, though always for a younger audience. Having opened for familiar names like Punit Pania and Akash Mehta, Koppikar admits, “I would often be among the oldest performers on stage. It was not easy, but you need to muster up courage. You need to believe that you have more to offer. I have been backstage, and most comics treat me as one of their own,” he admits. Menon hopes that more such events will restructure a change in perception. “These social barriers need to be broken, It is important to build activities and avenues that are specifically designed for this generation in order for that to happen.” Swapan Purkayastha with wife, Jashodhara ON May 18; 4.30 pm AT Jashn Studios, Off Linking Road, Bandra West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 349
16 May,2025 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarIt's been 100 years since The Great Gatsby was first published, but the echoes of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal classic still ring loud and clear — whether in terms of its exploration of the quintessential American dream or its exquisite portrayal of the Roaring Twenties. Indeed, the Jazz Age novel has inspired designers across the ages, including Ralph Lauren, Joseph Altuzarra and Miuccia Prada, while leaving a lasting imprint on the very definition of ‘dressing the part’. “What makes The Great Gatsby such a lingering influence on the world of fashion can be attributed, in part, to how cleverly it depicts fashion as an expression of both individual personality and social status. The 1920s were also a transformative time. Women had gradually begun to eschew the corseted, overly structured and columnal silhouettes of the 1910s in favour of looser clothing that revealed their arms and legs. This was also a period marked by important social change — women were entering the workforce, and had earned the right to vote. The spirit of emancipation reflected in their wardrobes, which became more androgynous. And then, there was the unmistakable rise of flapper fashion, which has its roots in jazz music and dance,” shares Niti Gupta, luxury fashion curator and founder of The AFRA World. She and celebrity stylist Mitali Ambekar share how these trends can be reimagined and woven into more contemporary sensibilities. Skip formality with suits with wider styled lapels. Pic Courtesy/@mohit Rai on Instagram; (right) Leonardo DiCaprio’s streamlined casual suit defined his role as Jay Gatsby. Pic Courtesy/Perioddrama style on Instagram Past meets the present “Channelling Gatsby in 2025 is all about balancing vintage charm with modern minimalism. It is less about recreating history and more about reimagining it to fit the modern aesthetic,” notes Ambekar. She recommends pairing statement pieces with modern basics to incorporate the best of both worlds. A good way to go about this is with a timeless little black dress (also a 1920s phenomenon), which you can update with a fringe or beading, or wide-leg trousers paired with a silk blouse. While feathers may have been a hallmark of the ’20s, a more contemporary invocation is with feathered trims. You could also wear pieces with tonal sequins and incorporate drop waists into your more structured looks. “A big part of the roaring Twenties glamour was in the fabrics, which embodied the movement and the showmanship of jazz music and dance — velvet, lace, satin and metallic, all evoke the glamourous playfulness of the times,” Ambekar suggests. Khushi Kapoor sports a shimmer dress; The feathered trims and shimmering sequins are hallmarks of 1920s fashion. Pic Courtesy/Babeyond official on Instagram; Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan. Pic Courtesy/Perioddramastyle on Instagram Dress it up While the flapper dress is an immediate go-to when referencing Gatsby chic, Gupta recommends mixing it up with other ‘20s hallmarks. “The flapper dress is characterised as having a knee-length skirt and loose fit, which allowed for more freedom of movement. These dresses are often made from lightweight materials such as chiffon or silk. A draped dress with tassels is another fun way to embody the decade. The movement that comes from the beading on the sleeves and skirt make it a party must-have. A lace sheath dress is both versatile and flattering, while a shimmering sequin dress is equal parts fun and head-turning,” she suggests. Hemlines that end just above the knee, looser silhouettes and dropped waists are the way to go in terms of fit. A cloche and a bejewelled headband (above) can stylise the look without making it feel costume-like. Pic Courtesy/Shalini Passi on Instagram; (right) ↑ Parul Gulati’s sequins recall the signature movement of the Flapper attire. Pic Courtesy/gulati06 on Instagram A dash of sophistication The ’20s were as refreshing for men as for women, with suits becoming less formal and more relaxed. The pinstriped suit rose in popularity, worn with shorter jackets and wider lapels, says Ambekar. Silk was also a coveted fabric, especially as an indicator of wealth and status. A silk shirt is an easy way to add sophistication to your outfit and can be paired with suspenders for a retro throwback. Don’t forget to throw on a silk tie — a slightly narrower width of 2-2.5 inches is perfectly indicative of the era. For even more flare, swap your regular tie with a bowtie, especially when dressing for a formal event. Mitali Ambekar and Niti Gupta All in the details Art Deco earrings, a beaded clutch or headband and a cloche hat can transport you back in time, without making your outfit seem too costume-like, says Ambekar. She also recommends updating your make-up with brushed brows, soft matte lips and slicked back hair or soft waves. Of course, the super-short bob that’s all the rage these days was the look to go for in the Jazz Age. If you can’t commit to lopping your mane off, Ambekar offers a faux bob style. For your final touch, replace your strappy sandals with T-straps, Mary Janes, slingbacks and pumps — these styles were typically favoured for evening wear, especially for the kind of parties hosted by Jay Gatsby, Gupta signs off.
16 May,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulChasing childhood idols Prasanna Singh, 51 software engineer Axl Rose - RightBass guitar - Wrong1987 - RightNot sure - Wrong1985 - Right3/5 AS someone into a lot of hard rock and metal, Guns N’ Roses was a band I grew up listening to. It was one of the most popular bands of their generation. This is my one great opportunity to see them live. Although, Axl and Slash have visited in the past, it is not the same as having all of them play together. The music, particularly the old albums, still resonates with me. I have most of their albums on CDs Yes, some of us still have CDs [laughs]. From Appetite for Destruction, Use Your Illusion I and II, although I was not too keen on the Spaghetti Incident. Chinese Democracy is good but it is not their best. An open-air concert in Mumbai in May is never too enticing. But a GnR concert with Slash, Duff Mckagan together is an opportunity I could not miss. My GnR picks. Used to love her. You could be mine. Nightrain. Rocket Queen. Mr Brownstone. Yesterdays Beyond generational divide Avrinil Nandi, 27 product developer Axl Rose - RightRhythm guitar - RightNot sure - WrongSweet Child O’Mine - Right1985 - Right4/5 MY first initiation into Guns N’ Roses was during my college days. We had a band at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Andheri, and had just roped in a new guitarist. We would listen to rock, but were more Hotel California than hard rock. He [the guitarist] introduced us to Slash’s wild Sweet Child O’ Mine solo, and we were blown away. I liked the crunch in Axl [Rose’s] voice, a la BB King. I tried modelling my voice around it, exploring high octaves. I always thought they were far ahead of their time. My favourite remains Appetite for Destruction. I think it was one of those pure music moments. Chinese Democracy and Use your Illusion are better produced, but this one had every member going all out. Though I am not big on concerts, I secured my tickets for this one the minute they were released. My GnR picks. This I love. Chinese Democracy. 14 years. Estranged. Locomotive. Prostitute. Coma Also Catch A rare listening session brings the authentic vinyl sounds of the band’s iconic 1987 album, Appetite for Destruction, plus a fun voting for your favourite album in the lead up to the concert. ON Today; 4.30 pmAT Adagio 72, 4, Postal Colony Road, Chembur.LOG ON TO @adagio72 on Instagram (To RSVP)
15 May,2025 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThursday Screen timeScreening: Victoria by Sivaranjini J talks about the problems faced by a young beautician, Victoria, after she elopes with her boyfriend.TIME 7.30 pmAT G-5/A, Laxmi Mills Estate, Shakti Mills Lane, Mahalaxmi West. LOG ON TO district.inENTRY Rs 249 Friday Pic Courtesy/Ferry Ki Sawari Easy breezyTour: Cool down this summer with this breezy idea. Ferry ki Sawari, a Vasai-based ferry tour service, offers rides for anybody who wants to enjoy a boat ride. ON Monday to Sunday, 5 pm to 6 pm, 6 pm to 7 pm, 7 pm to 8 pm AT Vasai Ro-Ro Ferry, Police Colony, Naigaon West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com Pic Courtesy/Asia Society India Centre Reshaping society Talk: Asia Society India Centre is organising an evening with Aruna Roy (below) in conversation with Paula Mariwala. They will talk about how individuals can change and reshape society and what role empathy plays. TIME 6.30 pm AT 3rd floor, Queens Mansion, Ghanshyam Talwatkar Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort. LOG ON TO @asiasocietyic Shilonda Trail at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Pic Courtesy/SGNP Walk with natureTrail: Take a break from the scorching summer, and be a part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s serene nature trail at Shilonda. TIME 6.45 am MEETING POINT Cycle stand, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East. CALL 7738778789ENTRY Rs 450 Saturday Pic courtesy/Lalit Parimoo on Instagram Parents’ decision Theatre: The Father is a play about the conflict between two parents over the education choice of their child. It is written and directed by Lalit Parimoo.TIME 7.30 pmAT Chaubara, Veda Factory, Aram Nagar Part 2, Machlimar, Versova, Andheri West.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 300 Sunday Pic Courtesy/Small World Mend the brokenWorkshop: The Japanese Kintsugi workshop by Small World will teach you how to join back broken vases and pots using golden joinery techniques.TIME 1 pm AT Shop 2A, Vasvani Chambers, Birla Opus Paint Studio, Dr Annie Besant Road, Municipal Colony, Worli. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 899 Pic Courtesy/Lalgudi Krishnan on Instagram Melodious eveningMusic: Sway to a musical evening as music maestros Lalgudi Gopala Jayaraman Radhakrishnan and Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan play the violin. The session will also have dialogues with the artists. TIME 5 pmAT 241- Urvashi Building, Petit Hall, Nepean Sea Road.CALL 9819907310FREE Pic Courtesy/Medium-Sized Improv on Instagram Just for laughsComedy: Turn your Sunday into a laughter riot with comedy collective Medium-Sized Improv’s performance of improv comedy. TIME 8 pmAT Godrej Dance Theatre, 196, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point.LOG ON TO ncpamumbai.comENTRY Rs 450 (members) Rs 500 (non-members)
15 May,2025 11:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiRemember the good old days when three-metre tall elephants with straight tusks walked around us? You wouldn’t, unless you’re a secret time traveller from the Pleistocene era in the late Ice Age. While these elephants of the Stegodon ganesa species went extinct nearly 20,000 years ago, a forearm fossil of the species will find temporary abode at education platform India Study Centre’s upcoming experiential exhibition. Archaeologist Dr Prateek Chakraborty from Deccan College, Pune is just one of the experts urging Mumbaikars to come witness these rare markers of the planet’s history this weekend. Fossils of the extinct Indian hippopotamus. Pics Courtesy/Paleontology laboratory, deccan college Dating back to thousands, if not millions of years ago, these fossils are not just dusty artifacts reserved for academicians, says Chakraborty. For instance, did you know that cuddly and equally ferocious wild hippopotami once thrived in India? “The ones you see in zoos and sanctuaries today are native African species. The Pleistocene era hippopotamus that lived in the Indian subcontinent went extinct between 22,000 and 15,000 years ago. It looked considerably distinct,” he reveals. Just how distinct? The exhibition has a rare fossil of its jaw on display to help you join the dots. Fossils of a stegodon, the predecessor to the modern elephant Vikram Rao, a city-based engineer and collector, will contribute to more than one third of the exhibits on display, and he’s coming slinging guns. The highlights from Rao’s vast weaponry collection are the double edged khanda swords of the erstwhile Rajput warriors. So dear were the khanda swords to the Rajputs, that they were annually revered and found a place even in countless royal rituals. Rao’s extensive collection of maps and lithographs from the East India Company archives will piece together the complete picture of the Colonial era. A collection of minerals, including (centre) a wulfenite specimen Not all tales told at the exhibition are as old as time, though. Rao remembers frolicking in the lanes of Chimbai village in Bandra nearly 45 years ago. “I was all of 14 years old when I chanced upon a stone that piqued my interest. I brought it home and preserved it. It was only when I deep-dived into archaeology less than a decade ago, that I realised it was a memorial stone from hundreds of years ago,” he chuckles, adding, “I’m looking forward to answering all the questions people have about these stories.” Vikram Rao guides visitors at a previous showcase These larger than life fossils, battle axes, and World War 2 samurai katanas might dwarf the exhibition’s target audience — children. But those who fancy stones, like the young Rao, won’t be complaining. Dr Praveen Henriques, a veteran geology professor from St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), and his team of postgraduate students, will decode any rocks, stones and minerals you bring to their table at the showcase. Prateek Chakraborty While the collaborative effort by the experts is laudable in itself, we think credit is due to the young volunteers playing their part. Dr Henriques’ students will find friends in Mumbai University Geography Department’s Dr Aparna Phadke’s team of student volunteers helping visitors read marine maps and topographical charts through a vintage stereoscope. While we’ve never looked into one, Phadke says the device presents 3D images that simplify the mysteries of geography. Perhaps if we look long enough, we will finally find what this city has been excavating for, all this while. Khanda swords ON May 16, 17, 18; 10 am to 7 pmAT Prabodhankar Thackeray Sports Complex, Navpada, Vile Parle East. LOG ON TO @instucen on Instagram (for more details)ENTRY Rs 50 (free for children below 10 years old) A stereoscope. Pic Courtesy/Aparna Phadke
15 May,2025 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleHaving moved four homes in my two-year-long stay in Mumbai has made me realise that interior décor has to be practical and sustainable rather than pretty. But that doesn’t mean compromising on your aesthetic. Fitting into this thought is this website’s metal posters. Made from stainless steel, the package comes with a wall protector panel, a strong magnet and the metal poster that can be easily assembled. LOG ON TO metalpop.in
15 May,2025 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaBlack grouse and the lek When it is mating season for the black grouse males, they gather in a flock at fixed spots between March and June and wait for the first light. This phenomenon is called a lek. At the break of dawn, the males dance and sing for hours, preparing for the females to arrive. When the females do, frequently from their neighbouring flocks, they leap into the air with what Ridley calls a ‘flutter-jump’. This is accompanied by a call that sounds like a “Tshu-wee”; it’s between a sneeze, a hiss, a squawk, and a screech. In the dark, these black grouse males are identifiable through their white bottoms, which resemble chrysanthemums. Riddle of the ruffs Ruff. Pics Courtesy/Youtube Ruffs are birds found across Eurasia. Ridley spots them in Arctic Norway. They look rather Elizabethan because of the ruff of feathers around their necks that act like ornaments. Ridley notices that each male ruff is distinct; no two wear the same outfit. Their feathers can vary in colour; they can have different patterns (flecked, plain, striped). Their head tufts can be of a different colour and pattern as well. Additionally, they have wattles around their eyes and beaks that can be shades of red, yellow, or orange, setting them apart from their fellow ruffs. Peacock displays Peacock plumage. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Ridley visited North India to confirm peacock behaviour and patterns. He notes that in peafowls, males display when a female approaches, but they do not follow it when it leaves. Females enjoy their freedom and wander about. Males are territorial among themselves, and stick to their own patches and spots. During displaying hours, when a peacock observes a peahen approaching, it makes an alcove in a bush and faces away to conceal a part of itself. When the peahen is close enough, it puts on a show by turning around and displaying all its feathers in full glory. Curlews and composers Long billed curlew. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons To Ridley’s ears, curlews sound like trained western classical singers during their mating season. They sing complex songs, and their crescendos are joyous. Ridley compares their call to genius composer Beethoven’s phrases. A curlew’s ode to joy begins with a slow single chord like that of a cello. It then rises and speeds up till the chords break into a “rich bubbling trill”. Much like humans, curlews prefer pure notes over squawks and harmonies over disharmonies. They are nature’s composers and share ideas of beauty in music with humans. Matt Ridley Shape-shifting lophorinas Vogelkop Superb Lophorina. Pic Courtesy/Youtube The super-black feathers of the Superb Lophorinas contain deep, curved cavities that capture all light and release none of it. With no reflected light, the male appears as though it vanished within its feathers during the display. We can only see two little dots (its eyes) and a fluorescent blue-green smile. It bounces back and forth on its log, to impress the female, with loud clicks. Available: At all leading bookstores and e-stores Cost: Rs 599
14 May,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaADVERTISEMENT
