We walk into the buzzing Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation (JNAF). It is the preview of her new exhibition, and Dayanita Singh is already at the centre of the conversation. We see veteran journalist and editor P Sainath in an earnest discussion with her. Around them, multiple photographs adorn the gallery walls with an aesthetic geometry. They are part of Singh’s touring exhibition that opened with Photo Lies in Mumbai on November 21. The exhibition draws from her previous work, Dancing with My Camera that toured Europe with the Frith Street Gallery, London, as well as bringing some new unseen works to India for the first time, Singh reveals. “Since this is a tour, I had to think of a curation to suit every venue. Puja [Vaish] and I settled on this concept around architecture and deception,” she explains. The deception is part of Singh’s questioning of photography as an accepted evidence of truth. An exhibit titled Make Space “Photography, even in documentaries, is deception. I was just having that same debate with Sainath, and he opined that this could be true of photography of power, but not protest,” she reveals. Singh’s non-conforming idea, to this writer, is not dissimilar to the surrealist painter Rene Magritte’s famed Treachery of Images. On being told, she laughs, “You are not entirely wrong. There are 2,000 years of architecture in these images from Pompeii and Ellora, to architects Le Corbusier and Rahul Mehrotra. I have interspersed geography and time. Each of these places [in the photographs] are different in time and geography. The only place they can exist in is here,” she remarks. Many of the montages emerge from Singh’s long nurtured photographic archives of architectural spaces. Places such as Carlos Scarpa’s Brion cemetery blend into Martand Khosla’s Delhi residence; Geoffrey Bawa’s structures amalgamated seamlessly into a photograph of Álvaro Siza’s works. At one point, photographs of Studio Mumbai and the Ellora Caves are cut into each other with a play of light that makes it difficult to point out the oddities. A patron views the Bawa Rocks pillar The artist admits that she worked instinctively when creating these analogue cut-out combinations; “…like a DJ.” Echoing the sentiment in her walkthrough of the exhibition, Singh told visitors, “I love it when my architect friends look at a photograph and say, “Ahh Bawa,” and I get to tell them “Look again.” This show is about slowing down, looking carefully; otherwise you miss the fact that there are pieces of the images moving back and forth.” There is durability in the visions of stone structures in black and white, against the wooden teak frames that interrupt the flow of visitors walking through the gallery. “The frames are shaped by our perception of photographs. These are square frames, and these are 35mm frames,” she points out. There are also pillars of three architects — the Corbu pillar, Bawa Rocks and BV Stairs. Bombay Cinema House Museums (foreground) and Archiviologies Each wall brings out a different aspect. One of the walls hosts painted over images of photographs giving them a ghostly appearance. This novelty is also the reason she chose the venues, including JNAF. Singh shares, “One cannot always rely on commercial galleries. It is not their role to question norms of photography, or architecture. We need spaces that allow such questions or disruptions of order.” The tour will continue across India till April with stops in Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Vadodara. For now, Mumbaikars can walk in and admire the aesthetic beauty between truth and deception. Till February 23; 10.15 am to 6 pmAt JNAF, second floor, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Fort.
23 November,2024 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWhether as a by-product of elaborate skincare routines becoming increasingly popular, or a broader shift in terms of make-up being used to highlight and accentuate instead of conceal and cover, the growing popularity of skin-focused looks is showing no signs of dimming. From Kiara Advani to Kareena Kapoor Khan to even Disha Patani, Bollywood’s leading ladies have all been sported with make-up that either leaves the skin entirely bare or only adds to its innate luminescence. Kareena Kapoor Khan and (right) Solanki in casual no-make-up looks “Undoubtedly, skin is emerging as the hero of the beauty world. With clients — both women and men — focusing on their skin health and following meticulous skincare routines, they’re eager to show off the results [in the form of radiant, glowing skin] instead of covering it all up in make-up,” notes Dr Manisha Kothari, a dermatologist at Kosmoderma Clinics. Dollie Solanki, a beauty content creator, agrees with this observation: “Whether you’re rocking a classic red lip or going for softer kohl-rimmed eyes, the skin has to be hydrated and glowing for a fresh, dewy finish. To achieve that radiant skin look, it’s important to add in a few extra skincare and skin prep steps before make-up application,” she shares. Subtle but effective Solanki recommends starting a moisturiser that suits your skin type. “Choose a lightweight foundation with a satin or radiant finish, or skip foundation, entirely opt for a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream. For added radiance, you can mix a little strobe cream or liquid highlighter into your foundation. You can also use an illuminating primer before applying your foundation,” she says. Dollie Solanki and Manisha Kothari When it comes to concealers, stick to spot concealing only those areas that need it. A cream or liquid blush and highlighter works better for a ‘lit-from-within’ appearance, instead of powder formulas. Solanki also suggests the ‘blonzing’ technique, which includes mixing blush and bronzer to add definition and colour to your face, without harsh contour lines. “Remember, less is more — apply small quantities of product, gradually building your look up and blending well, so that your make up looks seamless and not cakey,” she warns. Avoid matte and full coverage foundations, and steer clear of ‘baking’ with powder; instead, use subtle touches of powder with a puff or a fluffy brush, only to set the concealer or in areas where the skin tends to get greasy such as the T-zone. Harsh contouring is a strict no-no. Imperfectly perfect While no-base make-up may be a no-brainer if your skin is already youthful, radiant and blemish-free, more mature or acne-prone skin may find the trend slightly more daunting. Yet, Solanki affirms that these looks are meant for all ages and all skin types. “The number one issue that people with mature skin have is their make-up creasing, and product settling into fine lines and wrinkles. To avoid this, ensure that you moisturise your skin well before you apply make-up. Lightly dab off any excess moisturiser with a tissue and use a blurring primer before applying your base make-up. Ensure that you set the concealer in with powder — do not bake — before it starts creasing,” she adds. Acne or pigmentation can be spot-corrected, she continues: “My favourite technique is to blend the concealer on the target area with an eyeshadow brush for precise concealing and then set it with powder. In case of discolouration such as redness due to rosacea, dull and sallow skin, or extremely dark circles under the eyes, colour-correct before adding foundation and concealer.” Ace that base If you still haven’t found a skincare routine that is simple, effective and gives you the perfect canvas for a no-base make-up look, Dr Kothari offers the following suggestions: >> Start with an AM and PM routine. For the AM routine, use a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturiser and a sunscreen. For the PM routine, use a cleanser followed by a serum, sealed in with a moisturiser. >> If you use make-up daily or are exposed to air pollution, include double cleansing in your routine. Double cleansing starts with an oil-based cleanser, which helps to remove the dirt and make-up followed by a water-based cleanser. >> Adequate hydration is essential for skin homeostasis to maintain your skin barrier and for tissue elasticity. Hydration is just not external in the form of moisturisers but also internal. Drink two to three litres of water, and explore supplements containing N-acetyl cysteine, vitamin B3, B6, B9, B12 and D3 and Himalayan pink salt. >> For dry skin, choose a moisturiser containing shea butter, ceramide or glycerine in a cream based or ointment-based formulation. For oily skin, a hyaluronic acid-based oil-free light-weight gel-based moisturiser would be ideal. For combination skin, pick a lightweight gel moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid, glycerine and dimethicone. >> Use a retinol-based serum for ageing concerns. If you are starting out with retinol, try the sandwich technique that involves washing your face with gentle cleanser, applying a moisturiser, topping it with a retinol serum, and then finally sealing the serum in with another layer of moisturiser. This helps your skin to adapt to the molecule, thereby avoiding the irritation and breakouts from retinol.
22 November,2024 10:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulLike most musical families, Srikrishna and Ramkumar Mohan started young under the tutelage of their father Trichur R Mohan, a veteran mridangam player. Like most Indian families, the brothers — now popular as the Trichur Brothers — had to crack a competitive exam nonetheless. The chartered accountants-cum-Carnatic vocalists will now tally their tunes with Hindustani vocalist Anand Bhate among other familiar names like Manganiyar vocalist Kachra Khan and santoor player Rahul Sharma this weekend. We open our conversation by getting a pressing question out of the way — which one of the two professional pursuits could have possibly been tougher to crack? “Even though music ran in the family, it was never imposed on us. Chartered accountancy, on the other hand, was a purely materialistic goal that we had to get out of the way,” Srikrishna laughs. The vocalist remembers waking up to Carnatic tunes playing in the family home and joining the riyaz out of curiosity. “It was possibly this freedom that we were allowed in a structured practice such as Carnatic music, that made it the easier pursuit,” he admits. Srikrishna and Ramkumar Mohan perform in the USA earlier this year Growing up in the 1990s taking inspiration from another maestro — AR Rahman — the duo is evidently not a stickler for orthodoxy. “It shows in our music,” Ramkumar agrees, adding, “We were never trained in the art of presentation. So, when we took the stage, we experimented to find our style.” Today, the duo is recognised for its fresh take on duet singing, where both vocalists harmonise onstage, contrary to the longstanding practice of a relay-style jugalbandi. “We didn’t know we were breaking a tradition. It garnered some criticism from purists initially, but they warmed up to our style with time,” Ramkumar reveals. The brothers will take stage with Pune-based National Award-winning vocalist Anand Bhate, whose memories of training under the great Indian vocalist late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi paint a similar progressive picture. “Panditji’s music spoke not only to the learned who saw music as a structured science, but the layman who didn’t understand the nuances. In many ways, it has shaped my approach to classical music,” he reveals. When Bhate takes stage with the brothers to perform classics from the Bhakti tradition, he hopes his guru’s vision will shine through. Rahul Sharma and Kachra Khan The artistes unanimously acknowledge the importance of furthering the classical art forms among younger listeners. Are cross-genre collaborations and fusion music the only means to this end, we ask. The brothers, who form part of the fusion band Anubhoothi, give us an interesting analogy, “Just like a batsman must be proficient in all formats of cricket to stay relevant today, we must aim to present our traditions in more modern ways to keep them alive.” Bhate, who has observed the scene evolve over the years, adds, “The past five years have been promising. Even at orthodox classical concerts, we are starting to see young faces in the audience.” While the Mohans believe the Maximum City will be a fitting venue for this experimentation, there’s more to the city that’s luring the duo in. Srikrishna explains, “After extensive touring, we can safely declare that no city does pav bhaji like Mumbai. We’re big foodies and we can’t wait to head to one of the streetside stalls where you can see buttery pavs land on platefuls of bhaji up close.” Now that’s a jugalbandi that will never go out of style. ON November 23; 5.30 pm AT Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 500 onwards
22 November,2024 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIs bald the new sexy? Before you answer that, consider the list of celebrities named by a recent study as among the sexiest bald men of 2024. Topping the charts is Prince William, with Dwayne Johnson, Stanley Tucci, Thierry Henry and, of course, Vin Diesel following close at his heels. And, while in India, bald men were typically relegated to villainous roles (Mogambo khush hua, anyone?), the recent crop of balding but hot actors such as Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Bose are challenging that stereotype. If you are conscious about losing hair but can’t be bothered with transplants, weaves and other complicated procedures, experts recommend embracing the change with confidence. “One piece of advice I always give my patients who are losing hair or have embraced being bald is to own it. Baldness can be incredibly stylish and even sexy when you care for yourself well,” says Dr Niketa Sonavane, a celebrity dermatologist and founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics. She, and other experts, break down what your bald but beautiful routine should look like. Dwyvesh Parasnani; Nikita Sonavane and Bony Sasidharan Dare to bare Just because it isn’t covered in hair doesn’t mean you have to stop caring for your scalp, cautions Dr Sonavane. “In fact, it’s especially important to keep your scalp clean and hydrated. Use products that suit your skin type to avoid issues such as flakiness or excess oil. Further protect your scalp from the sun, because it is now fully exposed — the scalp can burn easily and repeated sunburns can lead to premature aging and even skin cancer. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply it if you are outdoors for long periods. You could also consider wearing a cap or other headgear,” she advises. At the same time, invest in a good scalp care routine. Dr Sonavane suggests using a gentle cleanser to wash your scalp daily, especially if you are sweating or spend a lot of time outdoors. Avoid harsh soaps as they can dry your skin out. Exfoliate occasionally to remove dead skin cells, but do not overdo it; once a week is usually enough. “Moisturising your scalp is a must. A good, lightweight moisturiser or an oil-free hydrating lotion works well to prevent dryness and irritation. Look for ingredients such as ceramides or hyaluronic acid, which are great for hydration. If you have an oily scalp, use products that balance oil production without clogging pores,” she adds. The big, bald takeover The balding process has several stages and several interim stages before you simply shave it all off, experts say. “Many of my male clients feel conscious and worried when they begin to bald. Some of them want to carry a hairstyle that covers or conceals the areas where their hair is receding. Some alternatives include hair patches, micropigmentation or hair accessories such as bandanas, scarfs or hats that can complement or even augment their style. Hair fibre is another temporary option to cover small patches. Growing out your facial hair is another great option as it can balance your look,” shares Bony Sasidharan, artistic and education ambassador, Loreal Professionnel. Dwyvesh Parasnani, a hair artist at You Do You Hair Studio, explains that switching up your style as the balding progresses can make the process fun and experimental: “Ask for a tapered or zero fade with a fringe, to camouflage the hair loss. If the balding is quite prominent at the top of your head, you can sport a very trim buzz cut, with a beard as your accessory. For a more experimental look, try a mullet and add cornrows or box braids at the back. You could also try an army buzz or a high-top faded crop.” Radiant from within The correct lifestyle habits can support your scalp health significantly, recommends Dr Nikita Sonavane . Eat a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially zinc, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids. Stay hydrated . Avoid smoking Follow this . Keep your scalp clean, hydrated and protected from the sun. Pay attention to your overall grooming, as a bald head draws attention to your face and neck. Explore beard grooming; a well-kept beard can add balance and style. A buzz cut or a crew cut requires regular maintenance. Plan your hair appointments accordingly. Consult a dermatologist when you notice thinning hair or bald patches: explore options such as PRP therapy, medication or hair transplants if you wish to preserve your hair. Shave your hair for a clean, polished look when your bald spots become prominent and your hair is scanty. Transitioning to this look can be a confidence-booster. If you are unsure about pulling it off a bald pate, start with a short trim and decide accordingly Avoid this . Ignore your scalp’s health: dryness, itchiness, or flakes need to be addressed with proper care or by consulting a dermatologist . Overuse razors or clippers without the correct technique; improper shaving can lead to cuts, ingrown hairs or irritation. Use harsh hair products if you still have some hair left: they can damage the scalp and worsen hair fall. And lastly, do not hesitate to embrace baldness
21 November,2024 11:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulThursday Reel stories, reel soundsMusic: The Revolver Club’s Hi-Fi show offers a chance to explore listening sessions and film screenings, with world-class audio systems.Till November 24 time 1 pm onwards At The Revolver Club, CST Road, 601 Dani Corporate Park, Kalina. Log on to @therevolverclub Entry First-come first-serve basisFree Friday Kids enjoy with the characters. Pic Courtesy/Instagram It’s Baby Shark fever Kids: Dive into the vibrant world of Baby Shark and Pinkfong with an exciting four-day extravaganza. Enjoy live shows, interactive games, engaging workshops, and more in a fun-filled event for families and young fans. Till November 24 time 3 pm onwards At Phoenix Palladium, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. Log on to in. bookmyshow.com Cost Rs 699 onwards Saturday A moment from a previous brush painting session Capture your masterpieceWorkshop: Explore the art of impasto painting with a knife. Participants will learn techniques to create vibrant masterpieces. Time 3 pm to 6 pm At Costa Coffee, Amarkunj Society, Veer Savarkar Marg, Dadar West. Log on to @theblankcanvas2022 Cost Rs 1,600 Sunday Shrek-tacular SundayMuiscal: Spend your morning enjoying Shrek The Musical. Join Shrek, Fiona and Lord Farquaad as they embark on a hilarious journey from Shrek’s swamp to the kingdom of Duloc. This lively adaptation promises a delightful adventure for both the young and the young at heart.Time 11.30 am onwards At Royal Opera House, Mama Parmanand Marg, Opera House, Charni Road. Log On to in.bookmyshow.com Call 9324059522 Cost Rs 400 onwards Nature on show Indian pond heron. Pic Courtesy/Sachin Rane Sign up: Participate in a bird watching trail at the Maharashtra Nature Park. This refreshing walk through the park’s lush greenery, allows nature enthusiasts to observe a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. Time 8.30 am At Maharashtra Nature Park, Sion Bandra Link Road, Dharavi. Log on to @naturalistex Cost Rs 550
21 November,2024 08:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaAs a five-year-old, this writer would often be treated to stories about the cosmos just before going to bed. Tales of celestial heroes and villains, cosmic bravery and betrayals would fill the mind before sleep took control. There is no doubt that the solar system has been a constant source of fascination for humans and this weekend’s edition of Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum’s Read With Me session exactly feeds into that. Devasher’s exhibition at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Pics Courtesy/Rohini Devasher Featuring a story about the Sun and the Moon by author Jayme Sandberg and narrated by educator Priya Aga, the session draws inspiration from Rohini Devasher’s ongoing exhibition at the museum, One Hundred Thousand Suns, to narrate an endearing tale of friendship in the backdrop of an eclipse. “It is a read aloud session for children between the age group of 7 to 14 years, and is deeply related to Devasher’s show. It seeks to initiate a dialogue on how we sometimes feel eclipsed in our friendships, which can lead to feelings of self-doubt. We want to create a safe space for children to have these kinds of conversations. The idea is for them to walk away feeling a bit more confident about themselves after the session,” Aga shares with us over a call. Patrons will be introduced to the exhibition first, after which Aga will begin the storytelling session with the audience. Driven by 10 years of research as an amateur astronomer and an eclipse chaser, Devasher’s exhibition provides the perfect precursor to Aga’s session. “The exhibition features artworks, interviews, videos and photographs that I have collected over many years. My work borrows from the portraits taken by the Kodaikanal solar observatory since 1901 and images from NASA along with my own research material. Though I have missed the opportunity of witnessing a solar eclipse, I can still say that it is a life changing experience. There are so many ways we read into the sky and project our feelings, desires and thoughts into it and have it reflected back to us. It is honestly so fascinating,” Devasher tells us. The session will build on Devasher’s cosmic explorations to situate the story, “It is about enabling a sort of community conversation. Children always bring a fresh perspective to things and what better than stories to talk about important ideas,” Aga tells us before signing off. Priya Aga during a previous session in January ON November 23; 4 to 5 pmAT Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Rani Baug, Byculla West.LOG ON TO @bdlmuseum on InstagramFREE Priya Aga- Priya Aga with children at a previous storytelling session Rohini Devasher and Priya Aga
21 November,2024 08:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaSomewhere along the rocky winding roads of the East Khasi Hills in Shillong, we find ourselves cruising between two armoured jeeps in the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s convoy. In the dense fog of the hills, lit only by the strobing red-and-blue beacon lights, the convoy is picking up speed by the minute to track down bandits — the chart-topping kind, of course. It is British electronic music group Clean Bandit, known for hits like Rockabye Baby and Symphony, who are gearing to take stage at the two-day long Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival that was also host to old-school icons like Akon and Boney M. Confetti fills the air at the festival Backstage before the performance, frontman Jack Patterson is unusually calm for a man who will be juggling four instruments, including a keytar and an electronic flute, in just about a minute. “We love experimenting with new instruments. In the studio you can record and layer your sounds. On stage, we must find new ways to recreate it,” he shares when we reunite after their audio-visual spectacle onstage. Rather Be, the track that got the Shillong crowd cheering the loudest, he reveals, was recorded using Queen frontman late Freddie Mercury’s old Fazioli grand piano housed by Metropolis Studios in London, and later layered with modern sounds. “I wanted to bring my big instruments to Shillong, but they didn’t let me,” laughs Patterson, who further reveals that he has fondly named his cat after his favourite keyboard, the Roland Jupiter. Jack Patterson in performance. Pics Courtesy/Instagram; Devashish Kamble The last time the Grammy Award-winning group was in India in 2019, they collaborated with musician Benny Dayal for a track in Mumbai. “Collaborating with Benny was a delight. But we want to come back for a longer stay to explore the music here in India. I feel like we have only scratched the surface,” Patterson admits. Grace Chatto, the group’s strings maestro, tells us that it’s noteworthy considering Patterson doesn’t listen to music outside the studio at all. “We’re in the studio all day. Jack practically lives in the studio. When we’re out, a bit of silence feels good,” Chatto explains. Just a day earlier, Boney M’s Maizie Williams had assured her fans she’d be back in the country on New Year’s Eve after her performance. Chatto plays the keytar during a previous performance The British band has evolved since their last visit to the country. The founding trio of Patterson, brother Luke, and Chatto now tour with violinist Molly Fletcher, and vocalists Kirsten Joy and Yasmin Green in what Chatto calls “a truly magical experience onstage”. After releasing their single Cry Baby in August this year, the duo is ready for a genre revamp. “We recently returned from a trip to South Africa. We’re deeply influenced by trance and reggaeton music right now,” they reveal, adding that fans can expect new Afrobeat collaborations that are already in the works to release even sooner. The Japan Arena at the festival hosted workshops and stalls like an origami corner where participants tried their hand at the ancient craft After bidding the duo adieu, and grooving to Dutch-Moroccan DJ R3hab’s closing set for the day while sampling local gin made using distilled rainwater from Cherrapunji at one of the many pop-ups at the festival, we hop into our jeep to head back. The fog has thickened since our earlier ride, but the rush has dissolved into a calm — the bandits must have left. But if they are ones to keep their promises, they will be back. Maizie Williams performs as part of Boney M’s farewell tour Log on to: Clean Bandit on Spotify Sound Czech We catch up with Czech guitarist Brian Bajak and Slovakia-based bassist Lukas Gasparix of metal band Korn SK for a candid chat after their raging metal set. The band has had an adventurous (and rather metal) day — after losing their guitars in transit from Europe, the band was left without guitars at the sound check. “This is probably the first time a metal band rehearsed without guitars. Lukas Gasparix and Brian Bajak But the locals were extremely kind. Some of them offered to lend their own guitars just so we could put on a show,” Bajak tells us. The miraculous arrival of the guitars an hour before the show called for a little celebration in the green room. About the experience performing in northeast India for the first time, Gasparix says it was a pleasant surprise. “In Europe, we play in venues that all look the same. We have been in awe of India’s natural beauty since we landed. As for the crowd, we weren’t ready for how loud they got at times,” he signs off. Log on to: Korn SK on Spotify
20 November,2024 09:06 AM IST | Shillong | Devashish KambleFor Amitesh Shrivastava, no number of years in Mumbai will rid him of the deep-rooted earthiness of his hometown of Khairagarh in Chhattisgarh. “I grew up there, sometimes taking cows out to graze with friends,” he shares. This, the artist notes, has covered his ideas with an earthiness that only he can recognise. It is this little burrow of his own mind into which he hopes to invite the visitors to his latest exhibition, The Rabbit Hole, this month. The exhibition marks the fourth solo show for Shrivastava with the Project 88 Gallery in Colaba. Having opened on November 12, the artist also exhibited at the recently concluded Art Mumbai showcase. This latest series features 11 works that are an evolution of his ‘painterliness’, Shrivastava remarks. “Painterliness is not an action, or a style. It is a gesture that is born of the subconscious. I would say it is an expression that is the result of the many inputs and information that are constantly flooding your mind,” the artist explains. Familiar Path, acrylic on canvas. Pics Courtesy/Amitesh Shrivastava, Project 88, Anil Rane “I do not set out with a pre-established notion when I create,” Shrivastava points out. We point out that his explanation sounds quite similar to the English poet John Keats’ description of poetry as a ‘spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions,’ and the alumni of the Baroda school of art is amused. “It is quite close,” he admits, “and unavoidable in a city like Mumbai.” Having lived in the city for the past decade, its chaos, music and rhythms have become a part of his creative process. “You cannot have a solitary thought in Mumbai. You walk through the streets and there are sights, sounds, conversations and ideas constantly entering your consciousness. When I step into my studio, I often walk in with an idea that has been coloured with this additional information. For me, the process of creation is a process of digging into this burrow to discover the rabbit,” he says. This is the ‘Rabbit’s Hole’ of his work; and like Lewis Carroll’s adventurous Alice, one does not always find the expected. Quite like the English author, the artist too seeks to explore the dissonances of his own pastoral and global influences. Twirling, acrylic on canvas, by Shrivastava The work is also a step into the global awareness of Shrivastava’s work. There is dexterity to the abstraction; an expression that feels at once international and familiar. “All of my work is informed by my love for the landscape. Like the women of my village who would cake the bottom of their cooking pots with cow dung to prevent it from getting burned, my works are steeped in my native vision and its colours,” he admits. This can be most evident in the earthy colours of browns and reds that flow into his abstractions. Yet the theme is not the subject, he emphasises. “My art is an internal conversation about the things I live, experience and interact with. What intrigues me is when a visitor finds it familiar as well. Drop in, and perhaps we could explore what it says to you,” he concludes. Perhaps, we just might. TILL December 31; 11 am to 7 pm (Tuesday to Saturday) AT Project 88, Ground Floor, BMP Building, Colaba. Also Read: Explore the colours of Sri Lanka’s wild at this exhibit in Mumbai
20 November,2024 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThe first edition of Crafty Bugs Atelier’s Evolution summit will bring a diverse panel to discuss issues related to children and parenting, with a focus on mental and physical wellbeing of children. “We want to address critical issues in parenting and equip children with behavioural traits such as mindfulness and stress management which help them navigate the world better,” Chinki Sainani, co-founder of Crafty Bugs shared. On: November 21; 6 pm onwardsAt: Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir Auditorium, Bandra West. Log on to: @craftybugsatelier on Instagram
20 November,2024 08:45 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamThere is nothing more comforting than a winter day spent in a cosy cafe, perusing zines over classic treats. That’s exactly what the Bombay Zine Fest is promising this weekend. “We want more and more people to experience the possibilities of independent publishing, as well as get the chance to interact with zine makers from different places in the world,” Himanshu Shetty, the co-founder of Bombay Underground along with Aqui Thami, tells us. Zines, short for ‘fanzines,’ are independently published, typically non-professional works of art. Historically linked to counterculture movements, they provide a platform of expression to the underrepresented and marginalized. “We have been making zines for nearly 25 years now. For Aqui and me, we have always enjoyed and worked towards creating more spaces that allow different kinds of voices to be heard,” Shetty explains. Aqui Thami and Himanshu Shetty For Thami, it is also about the independent community they are building, “Zines give you full artistic control. There are different ways in which zines circulate; they are not always up for sale, they can be exchanged also. Zine-making also gives freedom of creation to artists and propels a movement. And it is more than needed today because of how surveilled we are.” The eighth edition of the fest will have more than 100 artists and nearly 300 zines along with a huge array of printed goodies and a zine sharing session on Saturday. A zine created by members of the Dharavi Art Room “We have artists participating from different parts of the country as well as interested platforms and people from the UK, USA and a few European collectives like the Synchronise Witches Press and Anarchy Collective. Apart from that we have our own works, new stuff from participants and some from our community space, Dharavi Art Room as well,” Shetty shares before signing off. ON November 22; 3 pm to 9 pm, November 23 and 24; 12:30 pm to 9 pm. AT Candies, Pali Hill, Bandra West.LOG ON TO @bombayzinefestENTRY Rs 150
20 November,2024 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaAuthor and historian William Dalrymple is on the move. He’s wrapped up a studio shoot in Bandra, and has a lecture to deliver at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Fort. He stops for a conversation with us, and, in that moment, he has all our attention. His energy and excitement are infectious. “As a kid, my interests were archaeology and ancient history; I would spend all my school holidays digging on archaeological excavations. When I went to Cambridge, I studied archaeology initially, before changing to history. My 18-year-old self will be very surprised, as I ended up writing about the 18th and 19th centuries rather than ancient history,” he reveals. He recalls how, having first arrived in India 40 years ago in 1984, the first places he visited were the stupas at Sanchi and the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, guided by his original interest. A chaityagriha at Bhaja caves near Pune “Having started the Company quartet [The Anarchy, White Mughal, Return of the King, and The Last Mughal], I got so absorbed in the period [of the 18th Century] that it took 20 years to write the four books.” He’s now moved on to exploring other subjects, which he admits, as an adult, he hasn’t been a specialist in. His latest book, The Golden Road (Bloomsbury), is his journey into unearthing a forgotten story of the ancient past. It’s a historian’s perspective on how Indian ideas — Indic philosophy, culture, and scientific discoveries — spread across the world through its sea and overland routes, and influenced other countries. The façade of Cave 10 at Ajanta Dalrymple offers a detailed study, first, of the early days of Buddhism and its rise in regions west of India during the period of Ashoka, and then, of its diffusion into various parts in Southeast and East Asia. Such details are drawn primarily through its carriers and bearers. The characters make the text: Shakyamuni, Ashoka, the Yavanas, the Yuezhi, the Nalanda monks, the Chinese empress Wu Zetian, and the Pallavas. Dalrymple writes like a novelist but there is no fiction in his work. It’s backed by his reading of existing scholarship on the ancient world and his study of wall paintings, art history, and numismatics. “India has an extraordinary story to tell,” he says. The number of footnotes in the book is testimony to his effort to tell the story as it is, “to give a straightforward, neutral, and factual account that’s not a sort of chest thumping work of nationalism.” His amazement does not preclude his laying down of the facts. A mural of Buddha in Cave 10 at Ajanta; Illustrated figures of Ajanta Cave paintings; Stone elephant at the Pancha Rathas of Mahabalipuram; Buddhist rock-cut façades at Bedsa Caves near Pune. Pics Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Ancient India lacks enough manuscripts, he shares. “Anyone who deals with ancient history has to scrape around at a much more varied set of sources.” For instance, we learn that the earliest phase of Buddhism, 450-250BCE, had no inscriptions. “It’s only with Ashoka [and his edicts] that we start to get epigraphic evidence of the religion.” This is fairly different from the work that the colonial period demands, where, he believes, one is truly spoiled for choice. “There are so many good letters and diaries. There are 30 miles of records in London, and a comparable amount in the National Library in Delhi.” As for ancient history, he reveals, “For great swathes of this period, you’re in the dark. And then suddenly, you come across lucky survival, and the lights go on, as with Xuanzang (Hsüan-tsang). Suddenly, you have not just Xuanzang, but his biographer, and a whole world associated with his protégé. And then you dive into another darkness again.” In searching for the light, Dalrymple arrives at his thesis on India’s position as “a crucial economic fulcrum and civilisational engine... one of the main motors of global trade and cultural transmission in early world history… on par with China.” He argues that what we know as the Silk Road today is, in fact, a modern idea. “One of the things that happens with historians is that they pick up and echo each other.” Several ideas dominate; these are not necessarily facts. “The Silk Road seems to be a very good example of how, for various reasons, a half-truth has become an established fact. Now the Silk Road (trade routes connecting China and the Far East with the rest of the world) certainly existed in the 13th Century when Marco Polo used it. But whether it existed in any tangible sense in the classical period is highly questionable.” Yet today, two shows in London speak about the Silk Road and reinstate a stance that is actually a myth. Dalrymple believes that ancient China and Greece have been very good at telling their stories. But India has suffered in comparison with the two. Two sections in the book stand out: his exploration of the spread of literary texts (outside of the epics), such as the philosopher Dandin’s The Mirror of Poetry (Kavyadarsha), and his inclusion of astronomical and mathematical discoveries by Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta. Few know of the origin of zero outside of India; yet fewer know that what the West calls “the Arabic number system” actually began in India. The startling dispersal of Indic ideas was “a relay race”. They began in Pataliputra, moved to Mount Abu, Sindh and Baghdad, were translated by Al Khwarizmi, entered Spain, and reached Italy through Fibonacci, “two generations later, Leonardo da Vinci was reading this material.” In the end, Dalrymple’s work nudges us to think about what we can learn from ancient India — not the hierarchies but alternative philosophies, its culture and scientific discoveries, its scholarship, poetics, and critical inquiries. Dalrymple’s reccos for site visits . Ajanta Caves. Early Buddhist cave monasteries outside Pune: Bhaja, Bedsa, and Karla. Pallava temples in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) and sites around Kanchipuram
19 November,2024 07:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaADVERTISEMENT
