Rewriting the sound The album cover of Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally The upcoming album is viewed as a natural progression in Styles’ evolving sound. Over time, something about his genre has changed, and that is exactly what keeps his music fresh. Hopefully, something along the lines of a stronger English indie-pop influence can be expected as his voice is well-suited to the genre, which will mark a shift from his previous album, Harry’s House, which leaned heavily into jazz and alternative textures.Aman Khan, 28, entrepreneur, Kandivli Inspired by legends and loss Shivangi Sharma strikes a pose next to the poster for Harry Styles’ Love On Tour His music is rooted in nostalgia and shaped by personal grief. His music taste and inspirations are niche, as he attributes them to the music his mum played around the house while he was growing up. He has openly spoken about being inspired by Shania Twain, Stevie Nicks, and other icons from the 1970s and 80s, including Pink Floyd and David Bowie. When the band split in August 2015, all the musicians began individual journeys, but this will be the first music Styles releases after the sudden and tragic loss of his ex-bandmate and close friend, Liam Payne. The loss was felt widely, especially among Directioners [a term used to describe One Direction fans].Shivangi Sharma, 27, counsellor, Malabar Hill Beyond the boy band A new sound might be on the horizon, as the evolution of the singer signals a clear shift in how audiences perceive his artistry, moving beyond the constraints of his boy-band origins. Earlier, it was classic boy-band music. But, his previous album, Sign of the Times, made people realise that his songs were more about how he perceived the world, rather than traditional love songs. His experimentation with fashion, colour, and gender norms runs parallel to his musical growth, lending the work a certain accessibility that is also layered with depth.Vedant Agarwal, 24, student, Andheri Sound without limits The defining feature of Styles’ next phase is creative freedom and refusal to conform. The singer has always been fearless with sound and storytelling, moving from pop to introspective rock ballads. I’m hoping he pushes a few more boundaries. I also read the album title as a signal of paradox and playfulness, hinting at a project that balances intimacy with bold moments.Dhwanika Parmar, 26, event manager, Andheri
20 January,2026 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareIn journalist Rahul Pandita’s new novel Our Friends in Good Houses (Fourth Estate), Neel and his family have lost their home in Kashmir. Neel’s father copes with the exile and his wife’s ill health by avoiding the thought of loss. However, for years, Neel yearns to “discover a ground” and find a home. Even in his old house, he believes, home felt distant. This perpetual search leads him to collect a few things and memories of people who inspired in him a sense of belonging. Pandita’s writing is meditative in nature. His attention to detail makes it easy for readers to slow down and travel with the protagonist through his memories. We learn about his friendships with the locals, which become central to Neel and the nerve centre of the novel. For instance, a local grocer Lakshman’s good nature and warmth help Neel access the village from where a district collector had been abducted. His presence also supports Neel in gaining trust from the villagers and gathering information as a journalist. Rahul Pandita Poignant moments arrive, however, in the time he spends with such locals. For example, the boat ride he takes after wrapping up his assignment to visit Lakshman acts as a quiet gesture of his gratitude for Lakshman. Similar transient instances of intimacy, whether shared with Gurnaam or Gurupriya at the guerrilla zones, stay with you and make the novel an immersive, heart-rending read. Excerpts from an interview. How did the loss of home and a consequent search for it become central ideas in the book?I think I wanted to sever the idea of homelessness from any event of physical displacement alone. In the modern world, many of us feel afflicted with a certain lack of ground. Also, the idea of home means different things to people. No matter where you are, home is at the heart of who we are. It is our gravitational force. By making it the theme of my novel, I wanted to reach out to people who feel this homelessness and tell them: Hey, you are not alone. Why did you choose a non-linear, fragmentary structure for the novel?Isn’t that how memory works? We cannot put it under the command of linearity. We keep going back and forth between the worlds we have inhabited and continue to inhabit. In that way, I have simply followed the path memory has shown my protagonist, Neel, who, as you know, has just a few similarities with me. What did the process of putting these fragments of memory together look like?The process of writing this novel has, in many ways, helped me make sense of the world I have experienced in the last two-and-a-half decades. It was not pleasant. But life in itself is beautiful. But whether it is or not, at one point I had to stop and start looking inwards. How I processed that is how the novel has taken shape. The story includes multiple forms of violence as well as the narrative of the protagonist’s ailing mother. What were the challenges?There were many. As a conflict reporter, I always left the ‘field’ with a dread in my heart. The dread is about a future pain — that, maybe, when I return next, some people may have already been consumed by violence. That dread has shaped at least one story’s trajectory in the novel, which was the most difficult to write. Available Leading bookstores & e-storesCost: Rs 599
20 January,2026 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini ShahFour Swedish artistes walk onto the stage. One of them raises a mic to her lips and lets out a long, drawn-out sigh. One after another, like clockwork, the women join her — all breathing directly into the mic. Anywhere else in the world, this is an onsite sound engineer’s worst nightmare. Not at Mahalaxmi’s G5A this week. SonoR, a dance-meets-live sound show by French Sweden-based director and choreographer Aloun Marchal throws the concept of background music out of the window. “I grew tired of seeing dance shows where the music is the emotional underlayer and dance is mainly an ornamentation on top of it,” he reasons. Strapped with wireless mics, his performers become their own soundtrack. “The entrance scene is very dear to me. If you listen closely, they sound like the seashore and then like a storm while slowly walking in patterns onstage,” he reveals. We rewind and replay a recording of the show Marchal has shared with us. We hear the seas this time. “It moves me because this is what happens when we get lost in observing a landscape. Sometimes, we can forget about ourselves, and it feels like we are the landscape itself,” he adds. Built and rebuilt over more than five years, the show now features Gilda Stillbäck, Mathilde Rance, Sandra Abouav, and Pauline Reibell, who shape-shift, or sound-shift in this case, into folk singers, monstrous characters, and drummers of each other’s bodies. “In one of the last scenes, the performers play and sing a song using their bodies and voices. It sounds fantastic. In order to reach this level, they have to collaborate extremely tightly,” he shares. Aloun Marchal Earlier this month, the performance made its India debut in Pune, and found some unlikely admirers. “We met a young Indian classical dancer, Sagarika Patwardhan. She seemed to be moved by the feminist expression in the piece. Another percussionist revealed how he translates words into percussive sounds. It’s close to a scene in our production where spoken language becomes the rhythm section of dance,” he reveals. Patwardhan, who documented Marchal’s rehearsals in Pune recalls it as “a hall pass to go berserk. It’s like a ticket to an hour of madness.” As much as the show is about sounds, it is the silence that stayed with us after an online viewing. And while Pune might have been quiet hosts, Mumbai is anything but tranquil these days, we warn the director. “I’ve noticed that it is the traffic that makes things loud in India. But I have to say that I love experiencing chaos because when I stop experiencing it, I enjoy the silence and the rest even more,” he signs off. ON January 21; 7 pmAT G5A Warehouse, Laxmi Mills Estate, Mahalaxmi West.LOG ON TO g5afoundation.orgENTRY Rs 499
20 January,2026 09:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThe middle-class shaped Mumbai’s progressive art culture, and yet, the medium is viewed as the playground of the rich. “You say that today, imagine it in the early 2000s,” shares Maushmi Ganguly. The 48-year-old is a founding member of Team Potential Trust, a 20-year-old art collective that has been quietly cultivating art in suburban Mira Road. Currently, their workshop, Po10Pur Studio plays host to the fifth edition of Ikattha, a month-long exhibition by 10 Indian artists. Breaking through From the outside, the gates of Shanti Garden Society resemble any other residential complex. Approach the ground floor, and you will think again. Two flats, a 1BHK and a 2BHK, have been transformed into studio spaces marked with leftover prints, studio tables, and currently, an ongoing exhibition. Jaydhar Boro’s Quite Ruptures on display at the exhibition Fine Arts alumni of Banaras Hindu University and Santiniketan, Ganguly and her husband, Akhilesh Khumar, moved to the city in the early 2000s. Soon, they discovered that Mumbai’s art world is not easy to break into. Yet, they were not alone in this quandary. “Many artists move to this city and struggle, but they find a common brotherhood,” the co-founder explains. In 2006, the collective was born out of seven such artists — Akhilesh Khumar, Maushmi Ganguly, Annaraya S Hangargi, Mallikarjun S Katke, Kuldip Karegaonkar, Shabari Smitha Guha, and Dhiraj Tiwari (administration) — coming together to create a support system. It took another six years before they named themselves, Po10tial. “We kept showing individually, and collectively across Mumbai. In 2021, we hosted our first annual edition,” Ganguly reveals. Quite apt, the title Ikattha is the Hindustani word for ‘collective’. Changing sensibilities It is one thing for artists to recognise an artist collective, and quite another for the neighbourhood kirana to speak of it. The latter might, in fact, get more word of mouth publicity, Ganguly laughs. “Let alone others, we were not sure of building an artistic practice here. But from the early years, we felt it was our responsibility to communicate our artistic ideas,” she says. Awaken Your Higher Vibration by Shabari Smitha Guha The process of building awareness began with simple outreach programmes that continue to be a part of the studio’s practice. From posting on society groups, inviting people over, to hosting students from schools and colleges in the neighbourhood for art and printmaking workshops, the collective slowly built up a community. Then, there were curious children in the building who would occasionally pop in to watch them set up. (From left) Maushmi Ganguly; artist Sadhana Ganeshan; Akhilesh Kumar; Shabari Smitha Guha and Mallikarjun S Katke This also required sacrifice from the practising artists in the founding group who would set aside their own works for a month to plan for the exhibition. The duration was also chosen because of the location of the studio. “People need time to commute, come and take in these works. Moreover, seven days feels too less for the work put in by the artists,” Ganguly shares. Turn of the season The studio spaces are housed in a residential apartment In a city starved of space, such collectives are essential. “We have 30 artists under the banner. We wanted to offer young artists a platform that we did not have,” she concludes. True to their name, the annual edition showcases works by 10 artists. A print workshop at the studio This year, Nibir Chandra Ghosh’s work builds on the visual experience of the world through prismatic light. Others like Sadhana Ganesan, Suresh Kumar Singha, and Harshal Khatri are names for the future. Beyond the studio though, the neighbourhood carries on with business-like precision. Mumbai and its contradictions live on. TILL February 10; 11.30 am to 6 pmAT Po10pur Studio, Building 6, Shanti Garden Society, Mira Road East. Log On To @po10tialteam
20 January,2026 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWhen American singer Nick Jonas was spotted stepping outside for a break during the 83rd Golden Globes on January 11 in Los Angeles, audiences were quick to identify it as an onslaught of social anxiety. The star later confirmed this on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Given this very real scenario that numerous people face, psychologist Nikhila Deshpande, founder of Italk Therapy, Goregaon, discusses how to navigate social and performance anxiety over a series of situations. Just breathe Social anxiety, constituting the persistent fear of being scrutinised and judged in social situations, often rears its head during social gatherings, particularly small talk. “The best solution is to breathe,” Deshpande emphasises. Jonas was seen stepping outside for a sip of water. Pic courtesy/@velvettsunshine on X “Use the five and seven technique, or the seven and 11 one; the first number denotes inhale counts, and the second denotes exhale counts. Small talk fills one’s head with negative thoughts. When breathing consciously and deeply, you’ll find that you can’t focus on anything self-critical — you concentrate on being present in the moment, calming your parasympathetic nervous system.” She additionally recommends rehearsing answers to questions you might be asked. “Hence, you won’t be hit with a rush of inquisitiveness from strangers.” Positive self-talk Nikhila Deshpande “Let’s say you have a date scheduled, but are filled with hyper-critical thoughts. Simply list down things you love about yourself: Your achievements, aspects of your appearance, compliments you’ve received, and positive memories. Keep repeating these to yourself,” Deshpande suggests. This works almost like memorising for exams, she points out. In a stressful scenario, the brain retains such information well and helps you focus on the good. Admit the issue Social anxiety is not the same as performance anxiety Performance and social anxiety are often conflated; the former arises in situations where one is being observed or evaluated while performing any presentation. What about those who develop anxiety before oral exams, we ask. Deshpande replies, “In such cases, simply convey your social anxiety problem to those interviewing or evaluating you. Examiners are often empathetic, and use casual conversation to familiarise the candidate, creating an atmosphere of comfort.” Practise all you can Practise positive affirmations in the mirror to boost confidence. Representation pics/istock For the very common fear of public speaking, she advises practising a speech as often as possible in front of a mirror, to build confidence. “That way, you won’t ‘go blank’,” she notes. Further, she proposes practising by focusing on a plain wall, without humans and the fear of judgement in sight. “Try making your speech relatable to create an informal vibe and connect with your audience,” she adds. The mental wellness professional mentions that carrying ice or a chilled water bottle on stage can be a great method to relax and find your core again: “Cold sensations automatically induce deep breathing to help you relax. Don’t hesitate to pause for a sip of water either — speakers never lose public attention during this very simple, human act.” Lastly, you can gently press your fingertips to boost your memory and manage the stress of performing as well. Ground yourself For performing artistes, pausing to recollect is never an option. Deshpande advises them to use something to anchor themselves in the moment, “It could be a locket, for instance, or any prop. It is imperative for artistes, like dancers, to have good muscle memory and hence, I cannot stress how important it is to practise your presentation repeatedly.” Despite this, abrupt bouts of anxiety may creep in, for which she suggests taking a clever break: “Use a few generic, standard moves or gestures that allow you to pause in between.” These may range from standing still and lying down to anything that provides a few seconds to re-orient oneself. Deshpande strongly advises against quick-fix solutions. “These strategies, especially for social anxiety, may work in the moment when no other option is available. I must emphasise that, in the long term, only consistent therapy can resolve chronic social anxiety,” she signs off. Case Study: ‘I worked on myself’ Anika Bharwani in performance. Pic courtesy/Aarohi Mehra Anika Bharwani, an indie-pop musician based in Mumbai and Goa, has suffered the grip of performance anxiety for years. “It was common when I started out. It roots down to low self-esteem, lack of belief in yourself, or inadequate experience. I even threw up right before one show due to anxiety.” Bharwani mentions she goes straight to the cure, instead of overthinking the symptoms. “Performance anxiety diminished when I worked on myself outside of the stage: Attending therapy, improving myself, and living life. Now, I feel I belong on stage.” We ask her what’s best to do in the moment, when the grip of anxiety gets real. “Breathe. That’s all one can really do. Take a second to ground yourself, look around, look at the audience or your fellow performers, reminding yourself that you’re safe,” she advises.
19 January,2026 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshOde to Chester Fans will miss the presence of the inimitable former frontman Chester Bennington who passed away in 2017. Here’s how you can wear a tribute to the iconic vocalist Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong of Linkin Park. PIC COURTESY/@linkinpark >> Layer it: Slip into a leather jacket or a woollen overcoat to add depth.Log on to: hm.com >> Button up: Pick a classic half-sleeved black shirt, don’t forget to button up all the way, just like Bennington did.Log on to: vanhuesenindia.in >> Go black: It’s hard to imagine the frontman in anything but a pair of black slim-fit jeans paired with black boots. Log on to: jackjones.in >> Hat tip: Finish the look with the rocker’s favourite felt fedora hat.Log on to: thecraze.in >> Sunglasses on: You probably recognise the iconic framed clear glasses that Bennington wore onstage. Opt for his second favourites, classic wayfarers.Log on to: woggles.in Got your back Do the crowd behind you a favour with this beige oversized T-shirt that features lyrics to the band’s 2000 hit song Crawling on the back.Log on to: souledstore.comCost: Rs 999 Park pride This neon graphic tee features rainbow hues in the original Linkin Park logo. Wear it with pride and save it for the upcoming Pride Parade in the city.Log on to: notorious.comCost: Rs 890 Tote-ally cool Flaunt Linkin Park’s sleek, brand-new logo with this minimalistic tote bag. Pair it with a classic dad hat to complete the look.Log on to: india-store. linkinpark.comCost: Rs 999 Classic LP Stick to the basics with this band logo T-shirt. The design comes in children’s sizes for the young rockers, and in a sweatshirt for those feeling the chills this month.Log on to: thebanyantee.comCost: Rs 799 (t-shirt); Rs 1999 (sweatshirt)
19 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleEver thought about the relationship between trees and ships? Led by researcher and curator Abhishek Khan, the Botany of Ships is a walk that aims to examine how trees enabled shipbuilding, oceanic travel, and global trade, and how these material choices reshaped geopolitics. The walk that will start at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan, uses opium trade and trees as a central case study to trace erstwhile Mumbai’s (then Bombay) trading history. A small Hodi boat on display. Pic courtesy/Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum It will conclude at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad museum where miniature models of ships are on display. This will help explain how the trees and ships are interconnected. “Trees, who we consider to be mute, to be almost inexpressive emotionless beings, have shaped political and economic systems by compelling humans to transport them across continents. For example, tea led the British to China and eventually to opium trade in India, while eucalyptus travelled to India from the Australian subcontinent,” emphasises Khan. Monoon longifolium commonly known as False Ashoka The city’s harbour forms a central part of this narrative. Boats here were largely built from Indian teak, which Khan explains was particularly superior in comparison to English oak. “While English oak ships lasted about 10 years, teak ships could last up to 50 years. He also mentions how shipbuilding in Mumbai was closely tied to the Wadia family. Lowjee Nusserwanjee Wadia, in 1736, emerged as a pioneering shipbuilder for the British East India Company, constructing hundreds of durable ships, including warships such as HMS Cornwallis, which was entirely built from teak wood,” mentions Khan. (From left) HMS Cornwallis; a portrait of Lowjee Nusserwanjee Wadia The walk will also mention small boats like seafaring machwas (traditional, non-motorised, or later motorised, wooden sailing vessels), hodi boats (handcrafted outrigger canoes) and canoes that were made from white silk cotton trees known for being lightweight and buoyant. The walk will wrap up with conversations about mast trees such as Monoon longifolium (False Ashoka), and teak’s use in Warli art, marking a turning point in India’s relationship with its trees. Abhishek Khan ON January 24; 9.30 to 11.30 amAT Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, Lalbaug flyover, Byculla East. LOG ON TO handsjobinc.comENTRY Rs 922 onwards
19 January,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareTHE question of whether social media is driving a mental health crisis among teenagers is one of the most urgent debates in today’s time. In the podcast, Can we really blame social media? A research showdown, host Charlie Yuncken relays two opposing views. Adam Cole argues that scientific evidence does not support the claim that social media is a major cause of teen distress, while co-host Joss Fong believes even small effects can be devastating when nearly every child is exposed to long hours of social media during a vulnerable stage of development. The host and moderator of the podcast, Charlie Yuncken. Pic courtesy/Youtube Is social media the problem? Cole begins by questioning how mental-health data is interpreted. He notes, “That rising rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm partly reflect falling stigma, broader diagnostic standards, and greater access to mental-health services. More teenagers are now being counted than in the past, he argues, which can make the crisis appear larger than it truly is.” He also challenges the idea that the present moment is historically unique. Cole points out that in the 1990s, the suicide rate for girls was only slightly lower than it is today, and for boys it was actually higher. If social media was the main cause of today’s problems, he says, it would be difficult to explain why outcomes were worse decades before smartphones and platforms existed. Cole also highlighted international comparisons. Countries such as New Zealand adopted social media early, and have high usage, yet they do not show the same teen mental-health pattern as seen in the United States of America. This suggests that wider social or cultural factors may matter more than digital platforms alone. Cole’s strongest evidence comes from a Stanford University study from 2025 in which thousands of people were asked to quit Instagram for six weeks. He mentions, “The result was a small improvement in emotional state — only 0.041 standard deviations. In psychology, 0.2 is considered the minimum for a meaningful effect, and 0.4 is considered clinically significant, showing that the Instagram effect was far below both thresholds.” Adam Cole and Joss Fong debate if social media is bad for teenagers or not. Pic courtesy/Youtube Agree to disagree Fong agrees that many studies are flawed but she also says that the data gathered in most researches measure hours spent online by the children, and not what actually happens online. The real harm comes from moments such as their text message being left on, "seen" by their peers, or not getting likes, seeing friends excluded, or finding a crush in someone else’s story.” She concludes by linking this to early exposure saying, “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that 64% of 11- and 12-year-olds already have social-media accounts, even though the minimum age is 13, and by age 13, the children spend an average of four hours daily on social media, making young adolescents especially vulnerable to digital judgement resulting in the rapid decline of their mental health.” To summarise, the debate remains unsettled from both sides. With the data pointing in different directions it is clear that this might just get more complicated in the future. LOG ON TO @howtown on Youtube
18 January,2026 09:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareEvery time someone talks about opera, flashes of Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny to the arias of Richard Wagner flash through this writer’s brain. “Even I had little idea about opera in my teenage years,” admits Frazan Adil Kotwal. The city-born baritone is in town ahead of his debut performance, From Dawn to Dream, on January 21. Presented by Avid Learning in collaboration with the Consulate General of Germany in Mumbai, Royal Opera House, Mumbai, Steinway and Sons, and Furtados, the concert marks a milestone for the singer who began his journey from this city. Accidental discovery Till 2012, Kotwal was just another student enjoying life in Mumbai. Having enrolled for his Bachelors in Mass Media and Journalism degree in Jai Hind College, his choice of music was more Bollywood than Beethoven. “I was very much part of the festival circuit. I would help out, and also participate as a singer at the festivals,” he admits. Frazan Adil Kotwal as Don Giovanni Kotwal’s interest in opera was sparked by an accidental discovery. “It was in 2012 when I attended a production at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA). I had never seen anyone sing with such energy. It was my introduction to opera,” he reveals. Digital education Though he was curious, Kotwal did not know where to learn the form. “Opera is a niche art. There are few singers in India who are qualified to teach it,” he shares. Having never learnt music professionally, Kotwal turned to the internet for help. “I simply Googled ‘How to sing opera’, and started taking YouTube lessons,” he laughs. It was never easy, and often involved a lot of learning and unlearning. Evenings after college would be spent imitating performances, and voice techniques in his room. The decision might have been silly, but it reaffirmed his desire to pursue the art form. Kotwal (standing) rehearses with the orchestra before a performance Easier said than done. After several auditions, he was approved by the State University of Music and Performing Arts at Stuttgart, Germany. “Most people who pursue opera, or even a Bachelor’s degree in music in Europe, have been training for it since their early years,” the former Sewri resident admits. More than song Opera is far more than just singing. At Stuttgart, Kotwal trained in movement, waltz, singing, musicology, history of music and theory, piano, acting, and even sword fighting. “It is an acting performance on stage. You have to understand your body, its movement, and rhythm, all the while singing. Don Giovanni involves three-hours of singing, sword-fighting, acting, dancing, and eventually dying,” he laughs. Despite the challenge, it was the passion that kept him going, he shares. “They say it takes a village, and I was fortunate to have support. It is a matter of pride that young singers can watch me on stage, an Indian boy, perform Mozart’s The Count, and be inspired,” the 32-year-old admits. As he performs alongside Nadine Jo Crasto on the stage of the Royal Opera House, Kotwal will make that transition from the awed youngster to the returning prodigy. ON January 21; 7 pmAT The Royal Opera House, Charni Road East, Girgaon. LOG ON TO royaloperahouse.in (to RSVP)ENTRY FREE
17 January,2026 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarAarey Milk Colony remains one of Mumbai’s few green zones. Eco-tour agency Naturalist Explorers will conduct an immersive evening nature walk, offering some weekend respite from urban chaos. Priyal Soni “We want to change the general perception that nature trails are best suited for mornings; they can be apt for dusk as well,” shares Priyal Soni, the platform’s chief event curator. Participants will be taken around by a naturalist, and through interactive storytelling sessions, will be introduced to Aarey’s ecology, its landscape, and its wildlife, including how it co-exists with humans and tribal communities residing there. “Currently, the season is ideal to spot fauna, ranging from Jumping and Signature Spiders to various butterflies. If lucky, participants can catch a glimpse of the Spotted Owlet,” Soni reveals. Flycatcher; (right) Ashy Drongo A birdwatcher enthusiast herself, the curator points out some interesting species to keep an eye out for: “Examples include the Ashy Drongo, the Coppersmith Barbet, and the Indian Paradise Flycatcher.” She mentions that many of these wildlife species are not exclusive to Aarey, but can be found around the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli. “We want attendees to connect with Aarey’s biodiversity and understand how it contributes to climate change regulation in its own way. Only if people fall in love with it, will they come forward to protect it and adapt to more environmentally-friendly behaviour,” Soni signs off. An expert introduces participants to different natural elements during a previous walk in Aarey Milk Colony ON January 17; 3.45 pm to 5.45 pm MEETING POINT New Zealand Hostel, Aarey Colony, Goregaon. MESSAGE 8976451433 (on WhatsApp) ENTRY Rs 450 onwards
17 January,2026 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshIf your friends jumped off a ledge, would you do it too? For the growing parkour community in Mumbai, the answer to this age-old trick question is a resounding yes. A decade ago, you could count parkour athletes in the city on the fingers of one hand. Today Mumbaikars across the board seem to love the game of jumps, rolls, climbs and vaults. On January 11, nearly 30 of these enthusiasts took over popular South Mumbai spots to compete in Skill City, a multi-city parkour battle organised by the Mumbai Movement Academy (MMA). “The growing interest instils optimism in us for the future,” co-founder Dr Rishi Prasad had told us in conversation about the sport two years ago. A physician who picked up the sport while studying medicine in Russia, Prasad is certified by the UK-based body for coach certification, Art du Deplacement and Parkour Teaching (ADAPT). Assisted by co-founders Cyrus Khan and Krishna Mehta and a growing crew of trainers, here’s how the report card looks two years later. Ritika Mishra aces a balancing act People’s game “In 2019, the sport took off in the age group of 16 to 24 years; mostly collegians,” Prasad reveals. Today, the demographic has shifted. We learn that the age bracket of 28 to 35 years, comprising working professionals and first-time parents, has shown the most interest. The founder attributes this to the growing hunger for thrill amid the gruelling city life. At the contest last weekend, beginners and professionals performed vaults, climbed walls, and showed off flips in a scavenger hunt-style time trial. Ritika Mishra, a 33-year-old businesswoman, took to the sport months ago to get fitter, and also have fun outdoors. “I was terrified of my first jump. I didn’t think I could land it,” she admits. She’s come a long way, with a third-place win at the weekend competition. “Parkour has not only made me physically fitter, but it helps me feel confident in day-to-day movements. For instance, I’m better equipped to rebalance myself in case of a fall or a slip,” she reveals. An essential skill on the roads of this city, if we may add. Athletes climb and vault over railings as part of an exercise. Pics/Ashish Raje There’s another driving force keeping Mishra on her toes. The community faces an evident dearth of female representation at the moment. “I’d love to see more women take the leap. I can assure them, it’s not as difficult as it seems,” she adds. Let’s talk infra We’ve heard of grants for cricket grounds and basketball courts, but how do you build infrastructure for a sport that is practised in public places? The answer lies in inclusive public parks and gardens. “Most equipment in Mumbai’s public gardens today cater to either toddlers, or senior citizens [think air walkers, gym bikes]. We need more workout bars, ramps, and walls. This will help not just parkour, but sports like skateboarding and calisthenics as well,” Prasad suggests. An athlete performs a flip Some venues like the Kamala Nehru Park in Malabar Hill and the Carter Road skatepark are athletes’ favourites, but the city could do better, he believes. Inspiration lies westward, in Europe, where public park designs make considerations for adventure sports and provide safe and solid structures. The next jump While there is no official parkour regulatory body in India, the community has taken upon itself to create a buzzing cross-city collaborative schedule including annual events in Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai. This year, professionals are looking forward to the USA Parkour Cup in March, as well as the Parkour Earth World Championships in the Czech Republic in October. For now, the coaches are heading back to classrooms. “More than 12 schools in Mumbai have shown interest to make parkour an extracurricular activity. We’re confident this number will grow,” Prasad says. Come April, a first-ever inter-school parkour tournament will be organised for these rising stars. No such thing as ‘too cool for school’, these days. Dr Rishi Prasad and Ritika Mishra Learn the sport . Mumbai Movement Academy AT Venues across Santacruz, Juhu, Bandra, Andheri, Kemps CornerLOG ON TO @mumbaimovementacademy . Flow United School of Movement AT Maharana Pratap Circle, opposite GST Bhavan, Mazgaon. LOG ON TO @flowunited.sm Before you leap MMA’s checklist for beginners heading for their first session . Start low: Begin with ground-level exercises and build strength . Clear path: Do not climb/vault/swing into spaces if there is no convenient return path . Check your heart: Parkour is a cardio-intense discipline. Those with cardiac ailments must consult their doctors before beginning their journey . Keep clean: City spaces belong to everyone. Clean any shoe imprints, sweat marks and dust off the surfaces when you leave
17 January,2026 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
