We are leading increasingly individualistic and lonely lives in the city,” says theatremaker Tanvi Shah. We can’t deny it. This writer, like many others, has possibly seen the inside of an Internet influencer’s home on Instagram more often than their next door neighbour’s. Shah’s two new initiatives under an upcoming theatre company aim to bridge the gap by transforming rooftops and living rooms into stages. The first few sessions of Unplugged Mehfil — a safe space for musicians from varying disciplines to unwind, and Ghargatta — a home performance series, have already paved the way. The recently concluded inaugural sessions at Shah’s Vile Parle pad could’ve easily been mistaken for a musical instrument expo of sorts. Picture this — musician Neil Khopkar’s Appalachian dulcimer playing in tandem with a forgotten age-old folk song from Karnataka sung by Gulbarga-based researcher and singer Shilpa Mudbi. Or harpist Nush Lewis’ plucks reverberating alongside a rendition of Sahir Ludhianvi’s poetry. Among these peculiar sounds, there’s another percussion instrument that is telling its own story — a musician is gently tapping away on Shah’s grandmother’s old wooden cot — a family heirloom — to keep rhythm. (From left) Neil Khopkar plays the Appalachian dulcimer; Shilpa Mudbi sings a folk song from Karnataka; Ria Modak (on guitar) and Meera Desai (on harmonium) at a previous Unplugged Mehfil gathering in Vile Parle Khopkar, who grew up under the tutelage of veteran classical vocalist Neela Bhagwat in Dadar’s Shivaji Park, isn’t a stranger to the concept of baithaks or private performances in homes. “What’s different here, however, is the kind of feedback you receive. Classical baithak audiences can be passive at times — they’ll tell you how much they enjoyed the performance, and that’s about it. But when your audience comprises musicians from across disciplines, there are new ideas, unexpected collaborations and technical learnings that you take home,” he shares. To ensure these nuances aren’t lost in the pursuit of scaling up, Shah invites 20 musicians from the registrations she receives every month to be a part of the gathering. The theatremaker has a way of reimagining the traditional baithaks too. What was once considered a gathering only for patrons who understood the deep nuances of classical music, needs a dose of democratisation, Shah believes. At one of the first Ghargatta gatherings last weekend that was open to attendance by non-artistes, vocalist Shruthi Veena Vishwanath performed poetry written by 13th century female poets of the Warkari (or Varkari) movement such as Janabai and Muktabai. “Many of our audience members had never listened to an abhanga before, let alone these rare ones written by women. These kinds of performances find it hard to find a stage in Mumbai where real estate and stage time both come with a hefty price tag,” she reasons. Tanvi Shah Shah’s efforts to convince Mumbaikars to open their homes to strangers might sound like a shot in the dark to many. But the theatremaker has already started receiving queries about hosting these gatherings from across the city and its suburbs. “I have had my share of big fancy productions as a theatremaker. The goal now is to build an alternate performance culture in the city’s homes with monthly programming,” she shares. The upcoming theatre company, she reveals to us, will be called Jaan. “It’s an endearing title you’ll hear only in the unmatched comfort and warmth of a home. Hopefully, it hasn’t faded so far from memory that we can’t help people remember it,” she signs off. LOG ON TO @provocauteure; @unsharedchildhoods (for schedule) FREE
30 November,2024 07:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleHow I Write (HarperCollins India) is a collection of conversations between seasoned writers, filmmakers, and journalists, on their craft and creative processes. Artists interview artists and enrich the discussion on the challenges faced during the making of their work and the choices that helped them move ahead. Edited and compiled by author and academic Sonia Faleiro, the anthology of interviews was created as part of South Asia Speaks, a mentorship programme that supports emerging writers from South Asia on their journey into writing their first book. Here are five tips from the book that will help all creative thinkers in their journey: 1 Navigate the first draft: The biggest challenge standing between us and our creative projects is our fear of a bad first draft. It’s true for most creative endeavours. The first draft is the toughest. There’s always an itch to make edits along the way. Every creator has experienced this. Kamila Shamsie advises, “Don’t worry about making it [i.e. the first draft] good. There needs to be enough to work with.” Manjushree Thapa echoes her sentiment, especially for work that involves any kind of research: “The research has to stop at some point. You have to recognise ‘What’s enough research?’” It cannot be an excuse for avoiding completion of that first draft. “You have to grit your teeth and get through it.” Pankaj Mishra 2 Gauge the community: There are two ways to think about communities. The first concerns the larger society that we’re a part of. In his interview, Pankaj Mishra insists that if we are approaching a society, we need to learn as much as possible about it. “Read up on those who’ve done the work before you,” he says, adding that we mustn’t restrict ourselves to speaking with people of the community alone. The second way of thinking about community is to acknowledge that we are also a part of a creative community and we need to engage with it and learn from it. Nilanjana S Roy 3 Structure your work: Nilanjana S Roy writes about outlining and structuring one’s work. She explains, “Once I do that [i.e. lay down the structure], the imagination can float around wherever it wants to.” The biggest fear in such situations, she shares, can be that the outline would act as a barrier. On the contrary, it liberates us and allows room for play. Kamila Shamsie and Meena Kandasamy 4 Criticism of your work is not a criticism of you: Meena Kandasamy expresses in her interview that the only thing that we have control over is what goes into our creation before we put it out for the world to see. It’s important then, to be able to kill our darlings. ‘Be proud of [your creation], but don’t be precious,’ she writes. With creative thinkers, there is a tendency to take each feedback as an attack. It’s a natural reaction. Kamila Shamsie expands this thought. She adds that if anger is a response to the feedback we receive, we must return to our draft, especially if the anger emerges not from the person having paid little attention to the work, but from the knowledge that they are “right about something that’s deeply wrong” with the work. Mira Nair 5 Don’t think about the fruits of action: It is easy to think about the success of a creation: the shape and form it can take. This thought is crippling. It can take away from the process of creation. Mira Nair argues that there are several “yardsticks of success” these days — a prize here and there. However, creative thinkers need to move away from thinking about such awards and other faces of success. Instead, they must focus on the work. The thought of success is also messy because, in addition to ruining our journey, it can lead to us making dangerous comparisons with other creators and artists. Also Read: Indian flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar: ‘Youngsters are in a hurry to perform on-stage’ Available At leading bookstores and e-stores
30 November,2024 06:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWalking past the Green Gate of Indira Docks on Ballard Pier, this writer was amused by the contrasting sight. With its steadfast mast, an intricate rigging, and ornately carved broadside, the latest Italian arrival in Mumbai looks like it popped out of a Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Its contoured broadside strikes a contrast against the sharp edges of more modern ships on the dock. Yet, the Nave Amerigo Vespucci has already braved the currents of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans on its way to Mumbai. Sketches of the ship by artist Subhash Bathé Housed alongside the Villaggio Italia — an enclave celebrating Italian culture, art, music and design — the ship’s visit is part of a five-day initiative led by the Italian government to showcase the country’s culture, and further relations with India. The gilded figurehead of Amerigo Vespucci at the bow of the ship We are welcomed by a stage that will host musical performances and screenings. We notice singers already busy in rehearsal. The stage faces an expo pavilion that will house works of art and pieces that highlight Italian design. This writer was taken by the sight of an aqua blue Vespa showcased inside right near its entrance.With the sun climbing, the crowds began to file in and we decided to follow them. We climb into the ship through a wooden drawbridge. “This is perhaps the quieter area of the ship,” laughs Alessandro Cazzato, Lieutenant junior grade, as he welcomes us onboard. Cazzato has been on the ship since it left Genoa on July 1, 2023 on its world tour. As he guides us through the deck, it is hard to not marvel at the intricate but sturdy woodwork that define its hull. Although equipped with modern navigation systems, the ship still retains its classical design The Nave Amerigo Vespucci, as it is officially known, was built in 1931 in the Castellammare di Stabia in Naples, Italy. Termed ‘one of the most beautiful ships in the world’ by the American Navy, it is a full square-rigged vessel that carries 28 sails and 36 kms of natural fibre ropes that bind the rigging and keep the sails in place, the lieutenant informs us. As we stand beneath the mast, it dwarfs us, leading us to wonder what it takes to handle the rigging in the midst of a treacherous sea. No surprise then that the vessel is used as a training ship for navy cadets and young sailors. A view of the guns placed on the deck, with bugles and a cap The journey of the Vespucci began from the port of Genoa, continuing down to Las Palmas in Spain, and Dakar on the coast of Africa, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to circumnavigate South America. “Our proudest moment was to pass Cape Horn, the tip of the South American continent. It is very treacherous for ships, especially a sail ship like ours. We crossed it with sails unfurled,” beamed Cazzato. Having passed Australia and Phuket, the vessel will dock in Mumbai till December 2 before heading home through the Middle East. Lt Cazzato describes the journey of the vessel For a 93-year-old, the Vespucci looks in good shape. Like us, the crowd is mesmerised by the collection of the past that continues to mark the elegant vessel. With three sections — upper, middle and tween — the ship is manned by crew members dressed in all whites guiding the crowds. If you walk past caps placed surreptitiously on hangers above working stations, do not be surprised. A crew member tells us that it is a way to keep them handy for when the captain walks the deck. It is a timely reminder that despite the nature of the visit, the ship is still a part of the Italian Navy. A view of the rigging from the deck of the ship The ship has already caught the attention of crowds beyond. As we step out, we notice artists Subhash Bathé and retired captain Prafulla Udaykar seated by the pavilion. The Pune-based duo has travelled all the way to the city to sketch the ship. “It is hard to get a full view of the ship,” Bathé remarks. We agree. Perhaps, next time we will be so lucky as to take it out to sea. Till December 2; 10 am onwards At Green Gate, Indira Docks, Ballard Pier. Log on to tourvespucci.it (registration mandatory)Free
30 November,2024 06:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarVaulting, dodging, climbing and swerving through tight corners might not be novel challenges for you if you’ve survived the city as a true Mumbaikar. But as athletes and coaches reveal later in this report, a good outdoor session is more about the mind than the body. “When I’m practising an extreme sport, my worldly worries melt away. My focus is channelled into my next leap, my next step, my next big decision,” says skateboarder Advait Raj. We pick our tried-and-tested safe outdoor sporting disciplines across the city and the suburbs to test-drive your adventure thrills. Get a grip A boulderer navigates an inclined climb. Pics/Atul Kamble Bouldering, a simplified version of rock climbing that is practised on artificial walls, has more takers in the city than you’d think. A roofed artificial bouldering wall in Nerul managed by the Girivihar club offers free access and training under experienced coaches. While the International Federation of Sport Climbing-standard wall was imported from China in 2016, the holds and mats were flown in from across Europe for a world-class experience. “Bouldering has long been seen as a competitive sport, but recently, people have realised its value as part of a personal fitness regime. It’s the perfect way to get moving and work on your strength between hectic workdays,” shares boulderer and coach Rohan Gawand. The routes are customisable to allow the coach to build easier or harder routes as you make progress on your journey. Experts suggest using a pair of rock climbing shoes specialised for a better grip to get hold of things faster. At: Shree Math Acharya Renukacharya Udyan, Sector 21, Nerul East. Where the OGs roll The skatepark hosts multiple ledges. PICS/KIRTI SURVE PARADE Don’t fix what ain’t broken, they say. The Carter Road skatepark has been a long-time favourite for skateboarders like 16-year-old collegian Advait Raj for its humble, yet reliable setup since its inauguration in 2020. Most recently, the skatepark has been installed with solar-powered lights and netted fencing that allow skateboarders to safely skate through the breezy, quaint evenings. “This skatepark has survived the test of time, thanks to the community. You’ll see skateboarders clean up after their sessions every single time,” Raj says. With an easy level bowl setup for children and beginners, and railings and ledges and rails for those chasing the high from stunts, this skatepark is a great introduction to not just the sport, but also the culture that keeps it alive. At: Carter Road Skatepark, near the Office of the Additional Commissioner of Police, Bandra West. Parkour by the sea Participants learn the basics of parkour at the outdoor session. PICS/ANURAG AHIRE Vaulting, running and rolling your way through urban landscapes comes with its own risks and rewards. A new outdoor parkour programme overseen by coaches Rishi Prasad and Cyrus Khan in Bandra West might be a good way to start your training until you find your footing. “The modern architecture in Mumbai is extremely conducive to parkour. The newly-renovated section of the Carter Road promenade, near the amphitheatre is a prime location, given its solid surfaces and railings,” the experts reveal, adding that contrary to popular belief, parkour is not only for the athletic bunch. “It is almost like a form of self-expression. It might look like rocket science when you see it in movies and on your television sets, but once you get the basics right, it’s a breeze,” they add. The tougher part, we assume, is to fight the urge to parkour your way through Bandra’s endless traffic jams on your way back. At: Carter Road Amphitheatre, near Union Park, Bandra West.Entry: Rs 300 per session Skate under the over The compact skatepark under the Dattapada Flyover. PICS COURTESY/KUSHAL GAIKWAD The latest addition to a skateboarder’s map of Mumbai is a newly-built skatepark under the Dattapada Flyover in Borivli East. While a similar project that popped up under the Hindmata Flyover in Dadar in 2023 has lost its charm (and functionality), skateboarder Kushal Gaikwad believes the Borivli counterpart will fare better. “Most parts of the park feel well-built. It is naturally not the most spacious park, but a few obstacles like the downrail and ledges are built to perfection despite the space constraints. The monsoons will be a litmus test of its reliability. Nevertheless, I’m happy it will usher in a new skateboarding community here in the northern suburbs,” Gaikwad shares his approval. We are happy to report that during our visit to the park, we met the park’s polite security guard who keeps a close eye on skateboarders’ safety, and a closer eye on miscreants and vandals after dark. At: Pillar No 15, Dattapada Flyover, Tata Power Residential Colony, Borivli East.
29 November,2024 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleWe 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.
29 November,2024 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarI want to ensure the bansuri gets the identity it deserves across the world,” is legendary Indian flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar’s prompt reply when asked about his next goal. This passion for the instrument that has shaped his musical journey over the years shines through in every question he answers. Majumdar, who is known for his jugalbandis with other instrumentalists, will take the stage at a music festival organised by St Xavier’s College’s Indian Music Group this weekend, performing alongside his son, Hrishikesh Majumdar. “I am excited about this father-son jugalbandi. I hope my 24-year-old son’s performance will inspire youngsters to take up music as a career,” he shared. Apart from taking bansuri to the global stage, Majumdar’s efforts to popularise the instrument among the youth, is well-documented. “Youngsters are interested in learning to play the flute. Through the Ronu Majumdar Flute Foundation that I started in February 2022, I am teaching so many children from around the world,” the flautist reveals. However, youngsters’ approach towards acknowledging Indian classical music has changed. “Indian classical music is currently in a phase of change. There was a time when we used to do only alaap for an hour. Now, people have lost patience. To connect better with them, we have had to change the packaging of performances. Younger audiences appreciate the rhythmic jugalbandi. We have taken to fusion music as well. It is essentially classical music, interspersed with interesting beats and lyrics,” Majumdar explains. Majumdar feels it’s necessary to make Indian classical music more interesting for youngsters, to encourage them to pursue this art form. However, he has an important message for them, “Youngsters are running behind success; they seem to care only about how quickly they can take the stage to perform. That’s the wrong attitude. Your guru will tell you when the right time to go on stage is. One needs to have seriousness and devotion towards learning the subject.” Drawing from his love and dedication towards this craft, Majumdar wants to get ‘bansuri’ its due. He remarks, “Sitar and tabla are popular in foreign countries as Indian classical instruments. But when it comes to bansuri, they refer to it as the ‘Indian flute’. That hurts me. When I composed music for the Hollywood film, Primary Colours, I ensured that they mentioned the instrument as ‘Bansuri, the Indian flute’ in the CD. My next goal is to make the Indian flute known as ‘bansuri’ because that’s its identity.” On November 30; 4 pm onwards AT St Xavier’s College, Dhobi Talao, Fort. ENTRY Walk-ins permitted Mumbai and Majumdar Varanasi-born Majumdar was influenced by the musically rich environment of the city, which was home to stalwarts like Kishan Maharaj, Girija Devi and Ustad Bismillah Khan. However, he believes that Mumbai played a huge role in shaping his career in music. “I came to Mumbai in 1973 with my father. He insisted that I learn from a guru who can help master my craft, so I became a disciple of Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao,” he recalls. “My first concert was in Mumbai as a 13-year-old. After the performance, when people said that this kid played like a maestro, I realised that the flute is going to be my life. Mumbai gave me everything I have today. The city is an ocean of music,” he summarised.
28 November,2024 12:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainThursdayMid-week laughs Anirban Dasgupta, Gurleen Pannu and Shashank Chakrabarti push back the week’s trauma with some schadenfreude and self-defeat in their new late-night sets. Time 10 pm onwardsAT The J Spot, Gulmohar Road, Juhu Scheme, Juhu.Log on to in.bookmyshow.comCost Rs 349 onwards FridayBrew ’em up Nothing beats the stress of a work week like a good cuppa joe. Learn the secret to brewing your perfect cuppa at the ongoing Mumbai Coffee Festival, with showcases of latte art, and diverse coffee brews to lift your spirits.Till December 1; (varying Time slots)AT South Sky, Jio World Drive, BKC. Log on to in.bookmyshow.comCost Rs 549 onwards SaturdayRide the line Pics Courtesy/Instagram If this does not get your kids off the couch, nothing will. Help them learn skateboard tricks and skills from professional skateboarders. With equipment provided, it is the perfect outing for kids. Time 11 am onwardsAT Ramhari Kishan Dhote Udyan, near Hinduja Hospital, Mahim. Log on to @skateboardinginMumbai SundayTuck into OG Odia fare Enjoy Odia cuisine such as the mandia guda sherbet and dali bara at this rare pop-up by MasterChef India contestant Biswajit Moharathi at Momo Café. Time 7 pm to 11 pmAT Momo Café, Courtyard By Marriott Mumbai, Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri East.Cost Rs 2,475 onwards (buffet service) Art retail therapy Looking for good art to brighten up your home? This massive exhibition of over 3,500 works of art at the Kalaa Spandan Art Fair has many works on sale. From mandala to Madhubani and mosaic, take your pick from the works on offer. Time 11 am to 7 pmAT Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.
28 November,2024 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarSimple and seasonal, is what Dakiwanri Warjri AKA Daki, one half of Symbai, a Khasi food pop-up, tells us when we ask her to describe the dishes that she and her sister Daphimanroi AKA Daphi usually prepare for their culinary trips in India. “The point of Symbai is to introduce people to traditional Khasi cuisine and some of its quintessential dishes which are simple yet very flavourful,” Daki tells us over a call. The sisters have planned a five-course spread in a limited-seating dining experience with the platform, Mumbai Foodie that will take patrons on a culinary journey to the lofty Khasi hills of Meghalaya, replete with soups, salads, curries and seasonal fruit pickles indigenous to the region. “One of the things that have been a favourite on the menu and people actually look forward to having is the smoked pork. The Khasi people eat it a lot which is why it is on the menu as well. Another one would be chicken cooked in black sesame, a very traditional preparation. There are many sub-tribes within the Khasi area. Bhoi is one such region in the hills where they cook a lot with fermented fish. Drawing inspiration from the region, we have fermented soy, chestnut curry and ash gourd cooked in black sesame for vegetarians as well. The fruit pickles are also coated in a spice mix rather than just brine to pack a punch,” Daki explains. They also have an interesting take on dessert. “We’re not a dessert-eating community but the honey from the hills served with purple yam makes for a great combination. Unlike regular honey, it has a citrusy note to it which makes it even more interesting,” Daki reveals to us. From what started as a fun pop-up for friends in Puducherry in 2022, Symbai has come a long way with the flavours of Khasi food permeating different corners of the country. “We have had pop-ups in Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Puducherry; this is our sixth edition in Mumbai. We wanted to showcase Khasi cuisine to people because there is very little knowledge about it in general. Khasi food is actually one of the simplest and most nutritional meals you can have. It was on our friends’ suggestion that we thought of building a brand around Khasi food. With time, we realised that people actually enjoyed the cuisine. Given that we didn’t even have a name when we started, we received a lot of traction for our pop-up,” Daki tells us. Dakiwanri (left) and Daphimanroi prepare a dish during a pop-up When we ask her for the meaning of Symbai, she says, “It means seed. It’s like we are planting a seed of Khasi cuisine in people’s minds. Also, a seed is the beginning of food, so it made sense. It is quite metaphorical actually. But more than that, I think I liked the word a lot, which is why it got stuck with us,” she laughs before signing off. Log on to: @symbai_pop on Instagram Note: Seats for the pop-up were sold out at the time of going to press. Ja stem (Rice cooked with turmeric) Daki and Daphi have listed out a simple Khasi dish for patrons to try at home. Ingredients >> 250 gm rice>> 3 tbsp lard>> 2 big, grated red onion>> 1 crushed garlic, clove>> 1 thumb ginger (grated)>> 1/2 tsp Lakadong turmeric>> 1/2 tsp wild pepper>> Water (double the quantity of rice)>> Salt to taste MetthodWash the rice and keep it aside. Heat the lard in a pan. Add onions, garlic and turmeric once hot. Fry until slightly brown. Add half cup of water and bring to a boil. Add in the ginger and pepper and let it simmer for five to six minutes. Add water and salt and bring the mix to a boil again. Add in the rice and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is cooked. Need to know >> Khasi cuisine is not very heavy on spices; the cooking is simple, and it leans on seasonal fare.>> Several ingredients in Khasi cuisine are picked locally, and foraged to this day.
28 November,2024 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaDear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen SuggestionsAbhimanyu Lodha, banker, Bandra While her first book, We Should All Be Feminists, merely scratches the surface, this one by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie hits it out of the park with specific, practical suggestions on how to march in the direction of becoming a feminist. Her writing style is approachable, high on storytelling, funny, and relatable. She encourages a conscious approach for combating the subtle ways in which society enforces gender norms. Adichie speaks directly to those seeking to foster a more inclusive world. It was an 8/10 for me. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceShrushti Doshi, student, Bhayandar I wanted to start reading again, and one of my neighbours had the book. Also, there was a reading challenge by Abhi and Niyu (couple-influencers who speak about positive and impactful ideas). They pushed us to read at least 10-20 pages daily, so I joined it, and, since then, have followed through. I didn’t like the initial pages, but after giving it a chance, I read it and loved it, and kind of lived it as well. Vayam RakshamahHarshawardhan Shetty, commercial real estate consultant, Andheri I’m currently trying my hand at 1950s Hindi novels. Acharya Chatursen’s work blew my mind. This book shows a completely different side of Ravana. It’s about his quest to unite various clans under the Raksha community. He portrays Ravana as a complex character with both admirable qualities and flaws. Chatursen’s narrative is so rich with historical, geographical, and mythological elements. It’s an enlightening read for anyone interested in Indian mythology. MetamorphosisKinjal Parekh, marketing professional, Malad I read the book by Franz Kafka particularly to be a part of the Literature Live’s discussion, where it had been selected as Book in Focus this season. There couldn’t have been a better one this year. We as individuals, and as a society, are still struggling to find a place in this world, trying to find meaning in the randomness of events. I saw 16-year-olds participating in the discussion at the fest, which showed how people today are finding pieces of themselves in a century-old book. Eighties Hindi pulp fictionSiddhant Shekhar, writer, Chembur I’m on a Hindi binge at the moment, and reading ’80s pulp fiction, especially by Surendra Mohan Pathak. I had always seen his books at railway stations in my childhood, but my mom always made sure I was herded away from them. Over the years I forgot about it. Recently, I saw a character reading a Surendra Mohan Pathak novel in an episode of Mirzapur, and it reminded me of him. After that I started tracking his books down and reading them off and on. The Giver QuartetCharvi Garg, digital marketer, Versova I’m reading Son by Lois Lowry. She explores complex themes in children’s and young adult literature. Son is the fourth book in the The Giver Quartet. The series revolves around the themes of individuality, freedom, and the importance of experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions. She’s truly a master storyteller and it all comes together so beautifully in the last book. My brother told me about them when I was going through a reading slump years ago. I had read the books then, and would look for their hard covers. Recently, I was gifted those, so I began re-reading the series. Available: At leading bookstores and e-stores
28 November,2024 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaIf it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck, could it possibly be a… bag? As absurd as it may seem, this train of thought may sound a little more coherent if you’re a fashion lover who has been recently confronted with a seemingly endless barrage of statements, or ‘It’ bags on reality television and social media. Shalini Passi carries a duck-shaped bag And, for that, we have none other than art collector Shalini Passi (of Netflix’s Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives fame) and designer brands, including one Italian name that debuted a hyper-realistic, oversized clutch that resembles actual celery stalks, to blame. Passi, on the other hand, boasts an extensive collection of statement clutches, which range in inspiration from a sparkling alien head to a vintage brick phone to a miniature harp. Statement bags have minimal utility If you’re eager to trade in your trusted tote for one of these glittering, sculpted extravagances, the two biggest questions you’ll be posed with are: what can you fit into one of these clutches, and how do you style them? Answering the first of these dilemmas, celebrity stylist Mitali Ambekar says, “An ‘It’ bag is not big on functionality. Such bags are designed to make a statement, and practicality is often relegated to a secondary status. They’re intended to be quirky accessories that can be used to add visual interest to an otherwise predictable look,” she clarifies. Mitali Ambekar The ‘It’ factor To make an It bag the star of your look, experiment with unique shapes and sizes, Ambekar advises. Depending on the occasion, the time of day, or the aesthetic you’re going for, you can take your pick of a mini bag, a hyper-realistic style, colour-blocked design or a diamond encrusted piece. Ambekar suggests keeping a few style basic guidelines in mind: Safa Siddiqui flaunts a quirky dollar bag >> Pair bold shapes with neutral or monochrome outfits in contrasting tones, to make the bag pop. For example, an all-white outfit, a slip dress, or a silk shirt with pants and stiletto heels make a good canvas for almost any statement bag. >> Play with textures by combining glossy bags with matte or textured fabrics, such as tweed and linen. A patent leather bag, for instance, looks great against a woollen coat. >> Colour-blocking is an effective way to make the bag shine. Pair vibrant bags with complementary hues. For instance, pair a cobalt blue bag with an orange outfit. Textured metallic bags add the perfect bling to a party ensemble >> Printed or hyper-realistic bags can instantly elevate solid or monotone outfits. Try and contrast the tones of the clothing to the tones of the bag. The viral lime green celery bag would look great against a lavender outfit. >> Balance shapes by pairing structured bags with relaxed outfits and quirky designs with fitted silhouettes. A flowy A-line skirt with an organza pussy-bow blouse can be styled with a structured geometric bag, to add acontrast against the flowy clothing. >> To highlight a cross-body or belt-style bag; wear it with statement sleeves or a cropped top. >> Keep proportions in mind while styling; smaller bags complement petite frames and oversized designs suit taller figures.
27 November,2024 08:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulThey say the best way to learn something is by getting involved with it and nothing better than an experiential museum to teach the young minds of this generation about the creatures of the prehistoric era. The Museum of Solutions, in collaboration with Get Set Learn, an educational consultancy platform, is bringing an immersive experience called Dinosaurs Among Us, to India. It is an exhibition about palaeontology, conceptualised by the American Museum of Natural History. Tanvi Jindal Shete From role-playing as dinosaurs, to tracing fossil impressions, the exhibition has a host of activities planned for children. But why palaeontology, we ask? “Learning about palaeontology is important because it sparks curiosity in children and helps them to understand the world in a deeper way. By studying dinosaurs and their evolution, they not only learn about prehistoric life but also grasp fundamental scientific concepts of evolution, adaptation, and extinction. These kinds of immersive experiences allow children to engage with complex concepts engagingly and memorably,” Tanvi Jindal Shete, founder of Museum of Solutions, tells us. The fossil sandpit at the museum The exhibition is designed to offer an interactive experience to children, pulling them into the world of palaeontology to understand the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds. “We have a fossil excavation sandpit where children can use real tools to piece together a jigsaw puzzle of the excavated skeletons. There’s also an activity where they will be encouraged to trace fossil impressions of these prehistoric creatures and take them home,” Shete reveals. Children excavate mock bones This edition of Dinosaurs among us has been curated by Dr Akinobu Watanabe, research associate at the American Museum of Natural History and assistant professor of anatomy at New York Institute of Technology. By blending learning with interactive activities, the boundaries of knowledge are made more porous for young minds, making it an indelible personal experience for them, “We hope to inspire children to explore, question, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future” Ameet Zaveri, co-founder of Get Set Learn, explains. The exhibition is open to visitors of all ages while the activities are targeted for children from three years and above. A kid assembles a dinosaur fromexcavated puzzle pieces TILL January 31TIME 10 am to 6 pm (Tuesday to Friday), 10 am to 7 pm (Saturday and Sunday)AT Museum of Solutions, Victoria House, Lower Parel.LOG ON TO bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 399
27 November,2024 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaADVERTISEMENT
