There has always been a prevalent anxiety in developing countries to try to be decolonised and yet modern. This is where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s principles are most exciting. He had the ability to separate the two,” shares playwright Abhishek Majumdar. The Bengaluru-based theatremaker is currently in Dubai as he delves into the complex socio-political reasonings and genesis of his ongoing production, Kavan: An Ambedkarite opera. Produced by Nalanda Arts Studio and Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch, the play is in its second run in the city starting today at Andheri. Actor Apurva Kadam at the first staging of the play in Juhu last month The production is the result of a journey that began in 2018 when Prithvi Theatre approached Majumdar to restage Prithviraj Kapoor’s plays. While the initial idea did not take off, it set the foundation for a new collaboration. Shahiri on stage “Any collaboration is a time-consuming process, but it is also about understanding each other’s perspectives,” shares 35-year-old Dhammarakshit Randive, one of the founding members of Yalgaar. The stage is not new to members of the Mumbai troupe. Since 2015, they have been at the forefront of raising questions on the stage. “We had designed and performed a musical, Rang Aman, which featured folk fusion and was built around shahiri. This [Kavan] was also a learning experience, and offered us a chance to reach an audience outside our echo chamber,” Randive says. The story, by Sudesh Jadhav, revolved around the life of a shahir. When his father, a shahir passes away, Bejul is confronted with the choice of pursuing the life and its sacrifices, and the cost of walking away. Shaping the narrative Collaboration was the keyword, the duo says. Initially, the project began as workshops between Yalgaar, Majumdar’s Nalanda Arts Studio and Samuho, a queer-feminist theatre from Kolkata. However, it slowly devolved into two productions — one with Yalgaar, and another with Somuho. Dhammarakshit Randive in a moment from the play With the troupe from Yalgaar working on multiple story workshops, the task was finally entrusted to Jadhav. “Ira [Irawati Karnik], myself, and Jocelyn Starke were part of the dramaturges on the draft. My decisions were purely craft-oriented,” he admits. ACOperatic form The term opera, Majumdar points out, is not to be viewed from a European perspective. “We refer to opera in its form here. There are many such as the Peking opera, Bengali opera; even the Harikatha is operatic in form,” he explains. The jalsa form of the Ambedkarite movement was a key influence, although not the only one when MD Pallavi signed on to the project. The composer says, “The music is a mix of many forms since it is a narrative. There is the shahiri music, elements of folk, and elements of rock and rap music. There are ballads, spoken verse poetry and librettos that come through.” With only six people taking on both acting and singing roles, Randive admits it was a challenge for the team used to performing at full strength. Abhishek Majumdar The visuals by Gaurav Singh Nijjer add another layer to the production. With animation, videos and short films — six films were shot by members of the troupe depict Mumbai through their lens — they offer another layer to the carefully constructed production language. Identity and answers This was enabled through the constant inputs from Randive and his team. “Every plot decision in a play is political. The choice of music is political. In such cases, I left the decision to them, for they were the experts on the movement in the room,” Majumdar says. He further notes that Mumbai and its experiences played a key role. “It is a myth that casteism does not exist in urban spaces. It is simply existing in a different form.” The question is also at the heart of many members of the Mumbai-based caste collective. “Yalgaar are honest at exploring themselves. This is what makes theatre rich,” admits Majumdar. With support from the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), the production is planning for an India tour, followed by a performance in Abu Dhabi and later, USA. “It can be scaled up or down according to the stage,” Randive shares. ON Today, 8 pm; March 16, 4 pm and 8 pmAT Rangshila Theatre, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova, Andheri West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 500 onwards
15 March,2025 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWe spent our Holi break yesterday swiping and finding matches on our phone all day. Luckily, things took off, and this Sunday, we are set for a slow date at Juhu Beach. The catch? It’s at 7 am. The bigger catch? We just found out this morning that 12 other people will be joining in. If that sounds odd, it’s because the app in question is Gleo, a gamified social impact platform. And our ‘date’ is with 12 other eco-conscious individuals who have signed up for a beach clean-up initiative. The brainchild of Mumbaikars Siddhant Goyle, Tanisha Bhattacharya, and Karan Patil, the app claims to be the missing link between Gen Z’s spirited intent and real-world impact. “Gen Z accounts for nearly 370 million people in India today. They care about sustainability, conservation and responsible innovation more than ever. They need the right platform, and an incentive to keep at it,” Goyle explains. Tomorrow, a city-wide beach clean-up programme across Juhu, Versova, Mahim, Nerul and four other spots will mark the first step on the journey for the trio. A beach clean-up event shows up in the Playground section (right) A smart shopping activity encourages users to make sustainable fashion choices “We are simply a bridge between existing initiatives and Mumbaikars,” explains Bhattacharya. The trio has collaborated with clean-up organisations, animal welfare groups, and NGOs to develop an innovative listing system. For each event that a participant spots on the app and attends, they receive reward points that can be traded in for discounts from partner brands later. “We are using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as our framework to assess effectiveness. For instance, a beach clean-up that benefits both the environment and the local community is considered a highly significant activity, gaining you more points,” Goyle explains. Bhattacharya highlights that the system benefits organisers as well. “We conducted a pilot run in February with a beach clean-up organisation, where we introduced our app to its members. We learnt from the group that many people usually sign up but a few actually show up on the day of the event. Even with those who do, the challenge is to keep them coming back in the future. That insight led us to creating the rewards that serve as reminders of the impact you create,” she reveals. Siddhant Goyle When we try out the app, it comes across as a no-frills, minimalistic platform without unnecessary distractions. The app opens to the Playground section, where you browse through upcoming events in your area, sorted by impact categories such as health, education, and more. Another section, Small Moves, encourages users to take on personal challenges like shopping sustainably, caring for a houseplant, or even learning a new skill. “Not everyone might want to step out to pick up trash right away. These small wins are a gateway to bigger change,” explains Patil, who oversees everything tech. Karan Patil and Tanisha Bhattacharya For those accustomed to the dopamine rush of social media likes, shares and comments, adjusting to this app might take some patience. Unlike traditional networking platforms, it deliberately avoids the usual social features. “We’d rather let connections happen organically. Step out, meet people, and build real relationships,” says Goel. A well-meaning move, but a daring gamble in a Gen Z dominated audience, if you ask us. With the launch planned, the trio has an ambitious roadmap ahead. Their first milestone is expanding to India’s top 10 cities, followed by an international rollout in the USA to follow. Ten reward points to this brave effort. ON March 16; 7 am to 9.30 am AT Venues across Goregaon, Versova, Juhu, Bandra, Mahim, Girgaon, Marol and Nerul. LOG ON TO @gleogang for more details on the drivesAVAILABLE Gleo on App Store and Play Store
15 March,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleLokmanya Seva Sangh (popularly called Tilak Mandir) stands tall in a lane in Vile Parle. Flanked by shops stocking necessity items and a florist selling season’s best, the institute is now 102 years old. This year marks the 100th anniversary of its Shreedhar Vasudev Phatak Library. Situated on the second floor, it is both a work of wonder and modesty. In a quiet corner, away from the opulence and buzz of a typical suburb, it houses a rich collection of over 85,000 books and magazines for Marathi and English readers. Atul Gokhale From classics to contemporary fiction, poetry, drama, biographies, guides, and cookbooks, readers can find the finest works here. We spotted our favourite Agatha Christies and Toni Morrisons, but we also stumbled upon a rare collection of stories from the legendary Bengali writer Saratchandra Chattopadhyay. Vijaya Kortikar, a member since 1990, frequents the library, all the way from Versova. She tells us, “I once came across an old magazine about Nandi, a prelude in old Marathi dramas. It had the entire history of Nandi. You can find any book on any subject here.” The children’s corner, at the other end, illuminates the space further. One instantly notices stacks of contemporary children’s fiction as well as complete collections of Percy Jacksons, Tintin and Asterix series’, among others. Librarian Manjiri Vaidya at her desk In addition to being a treasury of the old and new, the library also opens space for dialogue. When we catch up with Atul Gokhale, the library’s secretary, he reveals the team’s focus for the centenary year, to keep their community engaged. “We initiated a monthly activity called Lokmanya Vachak Katta, to give space to our readers to share something meaningful that they may have read as members of the library.” In addition to this, they also invite authors to present insights on their books through their programme, Lekhak Tumchya Bhetila. “The whole idea is to propagate the culture of reading. Although most authors who’ve approached us have been from the Marathi literary background, we don’t have that as a thumb-rule. The only rule we have is that their book should be in our library for the attendees to be able to issue it.” The children’s section at the library hosts an expansive collection Gokhale also recalls their ‘Lokmanya Gappa’ events, which have welcomed significant local thinkers and leaders to share their knowledge. “For us, the library is not about book management, but about information dissemination. One can achieve that in different ways,” he says. One of the challenges that stands before him is the digitisation of books. “We don’t have an infrastructure where we can create an option [of making books available online for our readers]. Publishers offer digital books only for sale, not as a library option.” He hopes for a meeting point between publishers and the library in the future. “If they offer digitised versions for library subscription, it won’t eat into their buyer market. In fact, it will take literature to a much larger audience.” A member checks out recently returned books at the counter Despite its challenges, the library has seen a flourishing community that has benefitted from its collection, especially with the advantage of its open-door access policy. It allows one to flip through several books before selecting one. A major highlight of the space is its reference section. Readers needn’t be members to access it. Gokhale recollects how a member, Latif Ansari, located his ancestral village, Mahua Dabar in Uttar Pradesh, while referring to the books here. “The village had been completely destroyed by the British army in 1857. He found its position on the map. In 2011, a plaque was erected there in memory of the 1857 attack, and it mentioned how our library lent a helping hand to Mr Ansari.” The village now has a growing community of residents and industries. One of their life members, Sujata Jog, a journalist, has held the membership for over 40 years. For her, the library has been a storehouse of knowledge. “It’s everything for me. If they don’t have a book, and I suggest it to them — and this is true for all members — they immediately get the book. I mostly issue from their Marathi section; I write in Marathi. I’m happy at the library, especially with very helpful staff and librarian. I spend two-three hours there, like how people spend time watching movies. I remember once I’d wanted a book, and they didn’t have it; they arranged it through another library for me.” As we wrap up, we, too, return satiated like Jog, and reassured that such historically rich sites continue to exist in the city, still radiant and splendid. AT Ram Mandir Road, Vile Parle East. TIME Tuesday to Sunday; 9am to 12 noon and 4pm-7.30 pm Call 02235933131Membership fee Rs 2,800/year Some rare finds >> Three Great Animal Stories by Carr, Durrell, and Kinloch >> Extreme Science: From Cryogenics to Time Travel by Phil Clarke >> The Good Housekeeping Book of the Home by Diana Austen >> Mee Bahurupee by Ashok Saraf >> Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon by Dr Mrudula Dadhe >> Let the Jhelum Smile Again by Anil Athale
15 March,2025 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaOn her way to the airport, makeup artist Bianca Louzado shares her go-to sleep ritual — a blend of magnesium spray, a lavender-infused weighted eye pillow, and a comforting cup of chamomile tea — essential for unwinding after long workdays and odd travel hours. “Chamomile tea is my ultimate relaxation aid,” Louzado says. “It’s perfect for easing insomnia, menopause symptoms, or post-pregnancy recovery. After dinner, I wind down by moisturising my feet and applying magnesium spray to soothe sore muscles and prevent dryness. Frequent travel and long hours strain my eyes, making sleep elusive. That’s where my flaxseed eye pillow, infused with calming lavender, works wonders. It relieves tension, blocks out light, and helps me slip into a deep, restful sleep.” Like Louzado, many Mumbaikars are embracing sleepmaxxing — a viral trend among Gen Z and millennials aimed at optimising sleep for better health and productivity. Popular methods include mouth tape, magnesium, sleep trackers, jaw straps, red light therapy, tart cherry juice, and relaxation supplements. Dr Radhika Banka; Roohi Punjabi and Dr (Col) SP Rai Dr (Col) SP Rai, consultant, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, defines sleepmaxxing as optimising sleep for peak well-being through routine, environment, hygiene, and stress management. The payoff? Better energy, focus, immunity, weight balance, and deeper rest. Bring in the structure Dr Rai recommends calming activities like meditation, deep breathing, and reading under dim light to ease stress, while a warm bath signals sleep readiness. He also stresses a sleep-friendly environment — a cool (15-19°C) dark room with minimal noise and comfortable bedding that supports deeper, more restful sleep. Bianca Louzado wears a sleep mask as part of her routine Dr Radhika Banka, Consultant Respiratory Physician at PD Hinduja Hospital, stresses a consistent bed-time and limiting screen time before sleep. “Avoid screens 30 minutes before bed; if sleep doesn’t come after 20 minutes, get up and do a relaxing activity. Mentally unwinding and removing visible clocks can ease anxiety.” She also recommends a cool, dark room and a pre-bed shower to lower body temperature. While mouth taping — another viral sleepmaxxing hack — is trending to prevent snoring and dry mouth, doctors warn against forcing nasal breathing, as it can be risky. Supplement your sleep Dr Rai also advises caution about sleep supplements, recommending a ‘start low, go slow’ approach. Supplements like melatonin (0.5-3 mg), magnesium (200-400 mg), theanine, and glycine can support sleep by easing stress, relaxing muscles, and regulating body temperature. “Begin with 0.5-1 mg of melatonin or 200 mg of magnesium, increasing only if necessary. Melatonin is most effective 30 to 60 minutes before bed, while magnesium works best one-two hours prior. Melatonin should be used short-term alongside good sleep hygiene. Opt for fast-release melatonin or magnesium glycinate to reduce side effects and avoid long-term use to prevent tolerance, dependency, and disrupted melatonin production. Cycle usage and consult a doctor before prolonged use.” Noise-cancelling earplugs can come in handy for light sleepers For Mahim resident Isha Limaye, Cosmix’s Sleep Like a Baby has been a game-changer. The blend of cinnamon, schisandra, organic turmeric, jatamansi, fennel, coconut milk powder, nutmeg, cardamom, chamomile, beetroot, black pepper, and monk fruit helps her fall asleep faster, improves sleep quality, and reduces morning grogginess. Another option is Sereko’s calming candy tabs, formulated with magnesium lactate, saffron extract, and hydrolysed milk protein to support restorative sleep, balance sleep cycles, and reduce interruptions. Touted as a non-drowsy alternative to traditional sleep aids, clinical studies show they can improve sleep efficiency by 73 per cent, reduce sleep interruptions by 38 per cent, and lower acute mental stress by 21 per cent. Keep the stress out of sleep Bandra-based designer Roohi Punjabi swears by magnesium glycinate but admits screens are her biggest sleep disruptor. “The nights I doom-scroll, sleep is doomed.” She once tried melatonin but found it too strong, and is now opting for pranayama and Yoga Nidra — a 20-minute guided meditation by Lizzy Hill to unwind. Dr Rai underscores that managing stress is key to sleepmaxxing, as it directly impacts sleep quality. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) helps reframe negative sleep patterns, while breathing exercises like box breathing calm the nervous system. Mindfulness, regular physical activity, and limiting stimulants like caffeine and alcohol further support restful sleep,” he explains. He also warns against common sleep mistakes: “Inconsistent sleep schedules confuse the circadian rhythm, blue light from screens suppresses melatonin and heavy meals before bed can cause discomfort. Even napping too long or too late reduces night-time sleepiness.” Eat, work, sleep, repeat Dr Banka highlights that while nutrients like tryptophan (in milk) and melatonin (in cherries) may aid sleep, evidence is limited. Factors like exercise, stress, and smoking also impact sleep. A balanced diet is key as processed foods, irregular meals, and rising caffeine intake can disrupt sleep. Dr Rai adds that almonds, walnuts, bananas, chamomile tea, warm milk, and kiwi support relaxation and melatonin production. Tech matters India’s wearable sleep tracker market, valued at $ (US) 300.5 million in 2023, is projected to reach $ (US) 658.9 million by 2030, reflecting the growing role of technology in sleepmaxxing. Innovations like Loop Dream earplugs, with their closed-loop design and ultra-soft silicone, offer 27 dB noise reduction for a secure, uninterrupted sleep — ideal for side sleepers or those with snoring partners. Red light therapy taps into specific wavelengths to enhance relaxation and align with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. At the same time, InnerGize, a mental health wearable, uses Neuro-Acoustic Vagal Modulation to stimulate the vagus nerve, easing the body into a calmer state. From fine-tuning sleep environments to promoting deeper rest, tech is reshaping how we sleep. Sip up to sleep The Sleepy Girl Mocktail has become a popular bedtime drink in the West. It combines magnesium powder, tart cherry juice, and lemonade. Tart cherries naturally boost melatonin, while magnesium promotes relaxation, making it a soothing choice for better sleep. The Guide suggests discussing new health routines with your doctor before putting it into practice
13 March,2025 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak SiddiqiIt started with me stopping random autorickshaws on the road and asking them “Chaloge, Bhaiya?” I had no clue at any point as to where they were taking me,” Aryaan Misra, co-founder of Desi Studios and the co-host of Desi Crime Podcast, tells us when we broach the topic of his latest digital project, Chaloge Bhaiya? that premieres on YouTube today. Shot as a six-episode series, where Misra takes viewers through multiple auto rides in the city, the series uncovers those unknown addas, eateries and bars frequented by Mumbai’s autorickshaw drivers, or as Misra puts it “Places you wouldn’t find in a food blogger’s list.” So, how did he hop on this idea? “Three years ago, I was working as a producer on investigative crime shows in New York City, and would regularly take the subway. That is when I started thinking about how extensive public transportation is. When I moved to Mumbai about a year ago, I was fascinated by autorickshaws here. They are one of the most cost-efficient and functional modes of commutation we have. The very fact that a Bollywood film star was taken to hospital in an autorickshaw after an attack tells you a lot about how it is one of the biggest equalisers in society,” Misra explains. But the idea was marinating in his head for quite some time, we learn. Misra (right) shares drinks with autorickshaw drivers at a bar “I had this idea in my mind for a long time when I stumbled upon comedian Kareem Rahma’s show, Subway Takes. You could say that I was driven by creative envy, as any good creative should be for being lazy about ideas and not acting on them. It was high time that I worked on my intuition for creating this series,” he adds.Hurtling all across the city, from Andheri to Sakinaka, Chembur and Bandra, Misra discovered quaint haunts and bars by asking just one simple question — “Bhaiya, aap mujhe apni favourite jagah le chaloge?” The meter and the conversation began from thereon. “We would hail autorickshaws from the street and it was amazing how open and interactive all of them would be. This one autorickshaw driver took me to a place called Gupta Tea and Snacks in Powai, where I had a fantastic misal pav. Then one guy took me to a local bar in Vikhroli where he explained the concept of a happy peg to me. After finishing a bottle or two, they collect leftover alcohol droplets in a cup and savour it in the end as a happy peg. I also took several happy pegs with them,” Misra shares, adding that in his conversations one of the most recurring topics of discussion were the perils of the profession. The host shares a meal with an autorickshaw driver in Powai “Almost all auto drivers talked about how they don’t get enough respect in the profession. A Jain auto driver recounted an incident where he was stopped by the cops for a routine check when the officer who saw his driver’s license said, “Your people are businessmen. Why do you drive an auto?” At that moment, he felt as if he had disappointed his ilk. He explained how he feels that he too is a ‘businessman’ who owns his own autorickshaw and works on his own time, but nobody sees it that way,” Misra added. With conversations that ranged from the recent price hike in autorickshaw fares to the gap created by aggregator transport services, the series places its primary focus on the stories of autorickshaw drivers and also, taxi drivers to propel the narrative. “Most of the content on the Internet is in English, which disenfranchises quite a big chunk of our digital content consumers. The show, which is in Hindi, is trying to tell an Indian story with the highest production quality. The food will reel you in but it is the story that will keep you hooked,” he concludes. AVAILABLE ON YouTube
13 March,2025 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaIF you’ve ever wandered into the television aisle of an electronics showroom, hypnotised by the endless rows of massive TV screens playing the same wildlife scene in sync, you’ve walked right into a classic jungle scheme. “In the wild, bright shades help birds stand out from the rest. The shinier and brighter they look, the higher the chances of being noticed by a potential mate,” explains nature education officer Akash Mhadgut. Once Mumbaikars scrub away the last speck of colour after tomorrow’s Holi celebrations, Mhadgut will invite them to the Chenna trail at Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s North Division in Yeoor for a trail titled Colours of Nature: Explained. “Spring is upon us and the flora and fauna on the banks of Chenna River that flows through the national park is thriving with new life. There isn’t a better time to understand the science behind these hues,” the naturalist explains. Vigor’s Sunbird. Pic Courtesy/Vaibhav Haldipur On the banks of the river, the first clues that paint a better picture emerge, literally. “The mineral rich rocks in the region helped early inhabitants derive colours centuries ago. A sulphur-rich rock, for instance, will deposit yellow shades when rubbed on a surface. A rock with high iron or manganese content, on the other hand, gives you a brownish red hue,” he reveals, adding that these methods are also believed to have helped cave paintings in the Kanheri Caves Complex situated southwards. Plain Tiger butterfly. Pic Courtesy/Akash Mhadgut If you’re still bitter about walking into that scheme earlier, it should be some consolation that you’re at least not alone. The male Purple Sunbird is a hardened charmer, after all. “The bird has evolved to show bright yellow or red streaks on its feathers when it is ready to mate. A shiny, bright plumage tells the female he comes from an abundance of resources like food and safe shelter. And thus, they agree to mate,” Mhadgut explains. The Vigor’s Sunbird or Sahyadri Sunbird adopts a similar modus operandi, except the colour of choice is a bright red in this case. Purple Sunbird. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Life in the jungle is not all about painting for leisure and mating, however. For many inhabitants like the moths and butterflies of the forest, colours are a defence mechanism that could save their life. “The bright colours are not simply ornamental. Predators often consider bright colours on insects unpalatable and steer clear of them. On the other hand, many butterflies like the yellow leaf butterfly fade into their surroundings courtesy of their leafy hues,” the naturalist reveals. Akash Mhadgut (centre) leads a previous trail in the forest While the colours are in full bloom for now, Mhadgut points to a worry looming over the purple winged enchanter, the humble leaf butterfly and many more inhabitants. “With their habitats declining owing to deforestation, these species might no longer have the resources to pull it all off,” he warns. But there’s a splash of relief, nonetheless. The expert believes that the species have, and will continue to evolve with the changing conditions to keep the complex play of colours going. In other words, as Jeff Goldblum assured us in Jurassic Park (1993), life finds a way. ON March 16; 4 pm to 6 pmMEETING POINT Kajupada Bus Stop, Ghodbunder Road.CALL 8591382079ENTRY Rs 150 (5 to 12 years); Rs 300 (12 years and above)
13 March,2025 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIt is not every day that you find a pioneer who performed alongside legends of American music such as John Lee Hooker or Frankie Lee walk through the SoBo roads. Alvon Johnson will do just that on Friday when he opens up the Soulful Blues Festival at NCPA. The 73-year-old Blues performer is often called the ‘Ambassador of the Blues’ and made a mark alongside RnB and Blues bands such as The Drifters, The Shirelles and The Coasters. “I decided to start playing the Blues because I knew that it was part of my heritage,” writes Johnson. “The Blues are a cultural vehicle of expression,” he states. Tia Carroll He is not alone to feel that. Thornetta Davis will also be making her debut in Mumbai with a performance at the festival. Crowned Detroit’s Queen of the Blues, Davis is also a ten-time Blues Music award-winner. Dismissing the idea that the genre is built on melancholy, Davis writes, “I know people assume that the music of the Blues is sad. But I will say that my Blues will uplift you.” Davis’ popularity among the younger generation is only rivalled by Tia Carroll who continues to tour with many bands, including Dave Matthews Blues Band in California. Incidentally, this Blues legend once moonlighted as a singer, while keeping a full-time job as an accountant. “I think it was because of my voice that I had customers who would wait to not pay their bills because they wanted me to call them,” she says. Thornetta Davis The three-day performance will see the trio perform the range of their experiences and music to the stage. Then again, Blues is about more than music. Carroll admits it does not matter what the audience is as long as you can read the room. Johnson, who shaped his performances with a touch of flair from comedians such as Renaldo Rey, Robin Harris, and Skillet and Leroy, shares that it is a genre of storytelling. “I am not just standing there, playing the guitar and hollering in the mic. I am performing the song,” he concludes. From March 14 to March 16; 6.30 pm At Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. Log on To ncpamumbai.com Entry Rs 450 onwards (members); Rs 500 onwards (non-members)
12 March,2025 09:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWomen are always for others to find,” states the narrator, a policewoman called Vanitha. If they aren’t where they are supposed to be, a missing person’s case is reported in the police station. The woman who leaves of her own will is caught and brought to the courts, which then declare a judgment giving her free will. “What a joke!” This sentiment is where Jissa Jose’s Kerala Sahitya Akademi shortlisted novel, Mudritha (Harper Perennial), translated from the Malayalam into English by Jayasree Kalathil, begins. A former tour guide-turned-tutor, 30-year-old Aniruddhan, visits the police station to report one such case. A woman named Mudritha has disappeared. He has neither met her, nor has an interest in following-up on the progress of the case. When he was overwhelmed by immense insecurity in his life, she had entered his life, contacting him about a 10-day trip to Odisha with nine other women, and, through her email exchanges, understood him. He believes he owes her this much. No one woman knows the other, but each, carefully curated by Mudritha, is connected by a shared love of travelling and a desperate desire to live an unencumbered life. When the narrative moves from Aniruddhan’s report and notebook pages, which reflect Mudritha’s emails, into the lives of the nine women, Jose’s prose reads like nine short stories. Each chapter takes the reader into the heart of an immediate trigger that had led each woman to Mudritha, as well as a possible ignition to undertake a journey along the banks of the Chitrotpala River. Their stories are peppered with tales of women from puranas, local myths and legends, which succeed in indicating women’s shared desires over centuries. Mudritha’s narrative is the only one that is several pitches hazier than others’, and only reveals itself in parts. Jayasree Kalathil and Jissa Jose Vanitha, who coalesces numerous strands of disparate stories, stands out for her meticulous note-taking and tender familiarity in reaching out to the nine women. Her urgency in trying to piece together each narrative and, through it, Mudritha’s story, points to two achievements of the writer. Jose introduces a policewoman as the core narrator of the novel, a character that rarely gets a voice in Indian fiction. Moreover, Vanitha’s sure-footedness, determination, and her emotional depth in understanding the 10 women, make hers a well-rounded character. Having held a precarious position, she’s faced with microaggressions within the police station. Vanitha works overtime and puts up with her colleague Renji, who on seeing her dark circles, teases her with an assumed affair, completely dismissing her efforts towards an abandoned case. In her translator’s note, Kalathil writes, “Mudritha is the story of Kerala’s women… In the male-dominated space of Malayalam literature, pennezhuthu (women’s writing) has been relegated to women writing about ‘women’s issues’, as though these are not part of the public and political imaginary.” Yet, a novel like Mudritha throws down the gauntlet to the male reader. Jose experiments with form, embedding email exchanges, diary notes, mini-stories, and poems that help create different narrative levels. This enables the reader to actively engage with the novel till the last page. Available At leading bookstores and e-stores Cost Rs 599
12 March,2025 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWhile you might not be able to own an iconic work of his art yet, you can definitely dine on one. If you are a fan of the famed Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh, you might want to head to Andheri. This month-long celebration at Luv and Akash Deshpande’s new haunt, Luv, pays tribute to the old master through creations on the plate. In addition to their show-stopping Starry Night dessert and Van Gogh-inspired coffee art, visitors will take home an artistic postcard recalling the Dutch master’s prized creation. On the big day though, the restaurant will turn into a gallery hosting the works of Aadnya Manerkar and digital artist Ayush Shah, for a day-long exhibition. Till March 30; 12 pm to 11 pm At Luv Restaurant, Sterling Apartments, Sundervan Complex Road, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West. CALL 9920781422
12 March,2025 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWhen architect and designer Rooshad Shroff moved back to Mumbai after living in the US for 10 years (and studying at Harvard’s and Cornell Universities), he did not have much work to do in the initial days of his practice in 2011, and so he started making furniture to keep himself occupied. Around that time, mid-day had featured his first pieces that were displayed at Le Mill’s Wadi Bunder store. Cut to 2025, Shroff has now opened Gallery RooshadSHROFF on the same floor of his Dubash House headquarters in Ballard Estate, to showcase his oeuvre and collaborative results of working with Indian artisans for over a decade. Furniture has always been a passion-led project for Shroff. “When I first started researching different crafts of India to see how we can make them relevant to a modern design language and not just to use as ethnic souvenirs, I realised that there was no reference to craft. And it was all about the numbers game then; nobody wanted to touch those pieces. That pushed me to work with handmade objects and craft because we have access to great crafts that many don’t value,” says Shroff. Handmade objects have always appealed to him and the idea of craft is rooted in every piece he makes. Shroff considers furniture as a testing ground to research different techniques that don’t just culminate to furniture, but also design accents such as surface cladding for his interior projects. As Shroff dedicated more time to his passion, it turned into a business, and people wanted to see his collectable designs. He moved out of his Horniman Circle office-studio space (in the erstwhile Louboutin office) last year, after having outgrown the space. Shroff will only use this gallery to showcase artist-artisan collaborations, and his pieces and not as a pop-up event space he says. “We don’t expect a large footfall. We don’t want a large footfall, but we want the right footfall. Many galleries support design in the West, but India doesn’t really have any design galleries, we have art galleries, but not design,” he says. Shroff beside a creation from his Balance series at the Ballard Estate gallery What’s in store? Shroff doesn’t want the gallery to intimidate design lovers but to make them feel at home; you even ring a doorbell like at a friend’s home. Sunlight bounces off the white walls and white mosaic floors which provide the perfect backdrop for the pieces, a mix of collaborations and his own. Like the Burma teak panels with marble inlay by T Venkanna, or the furniture collaboration with Tanya Goel. Pieces that he is also proud of are the ones that are a result of artist and artisan residency collaboration from Lucknow’s Kalhath Institute (Shroff is on their advisory board) which invites fine artists for residency to explore embroidery as a medium. “Even the artworks are results of a residency. I collect art but didn’t want to just put up frames to divert the viewer’s attention from the crafts on display. This is a space dedicated to and is a celebration of handmade craftsmanship,” he says. Also on display are pieces from his Balance series, which uses onyx and travertine to play with light, sculpture and gravity. “I like to push the boundaries of material through furniture. Then if it sells, it sells. I want it to be the purest form of expressing who I am as a designer and what we kind of stand for, at the threshold of design and art. They are not always the most utilitarian pieces, but collectable designs.” White walls and mosaic flooring provide a bright, blank canvas for the designs in the gallery Shroff has always worked at the grassroots level with artisans for his pieces and has a process. “We never design a collection and then go to the artisan to get it made. We first see what they are capable of doing, identify a craft, go to that cluster, and find an artisan who’s willing to experiment, who has the patience to experiment with me to kind of deviate from what they are doing. That’s how we train them; a lot of our smaller objects are a result of the training sessions. Once they reach a particular standard of quality, we push them to do something which they’re not traditionally capable of doing while maintaining that same quality, to look beyond the ethnic nature of that craft. My marble lights are made by third generation murtikars,” says Shroff, who sources the marble carving work in Jaipur, marble inlays from Agra and embroideries from Mumbai. He believes that the only way to sustain traditional crafts is to make them relevant. “From Hermès to McQueen, and Chanel, everyone gets their pieces worked on in India but the brand’s design identity is so strong that you’ll never think that it’s done by the same needle and thread. Design-led processes change the way in which a craft can be sustained,” he sums up. Gallery RooshadSHROFFAT Third floor, Dubash House, JN Heredia Marg, Ballard Estate. Time Monday to Friday, 11 am to 7 pm; Saturdays, by appointment onlyCall 9833630201
12 March,2025 09:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Dhara Vora SabhnaniWith spring in full bloom and the weather getting warmer, one can already feel the excitement as Holi draws near. While there will be multiple colour-soaked, musical celebrations popping up all across the city, the Mumbai chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is conducting a Holi special walk in Worli Koliwada to celebrate the festival of colours with the indigenous community of the city. “With these walks, the idea is to introduce people to the lesser-known histories and stories of the city so that participants are aware about the people who shaped Mumbai and their contribution to the making of the city. The Koli community originally planted the seed of Bombay as we know today, yet, very few are aware of how the community celebrates Holi, which is why it is important to bring Koli traditions to the fore,” explains Katyayani Agarwal, the convener of INTACH. The food offerings include sweets and legumes; (right) a traditional rangoli Scheduled to start in the evening, the walk will begin at the Golfa Devi temple and take people through the bylanes of the Worli Koliwada. “While most of the country celebrates the festival on the day of purnima (full moon night), the Koli community celebrates it a day before. There are two days of celebrations; Kombad holi and Patlanchi Holi, as it is called in the gaothans. They call it Kombad Holi because as a lore goes, a rooster wakes up everyone in the morning after a full night-long celebration,” Anita Yewale, the host of the walk and co-convener of INTACH Mumbai Chapter explains. The session, which will begin at the temple premises, will discuss the community’s culture and traditions followed by an aarti at 7 pm and a walk through the neighbourhood. “I will be sharing myths and legends attached to Golfa Devi, who is a revered deity of the community. We will also try to bring attention to the issue of how Koliwadas were declared as slums and most importantly, how gaothans are losing space to development,” she adds. A woman arranges a flower rangoli to decorate the neighbourhood The walk will be punctuated with cultural celebrations and a look into the community’s Holi rituals which as Yewale tells us, is a rich process of celebrating Holika (a female demon in Hindu mythology) dahan. “The Kolis usually make a humanoid figure of Holika and deck her up in jewellery and sarees. She is then perched on top of a stick and beautiful rangolis are drawn around her with ingredients like coconut, betel leaves, uncooked rice, turmeric and others offered as part of the pooja. For the cultural celebrations, we will be joined by Koli singer Chintamani Shiwadikar who will serenade us with holi folk songs,” Yewale reveals. With courtyards adorned in flowers, colourful rangolis all around and traditional songs and dance, the festive energy is infectious, Yewale admits. “As a popular saying in the community goes, “Holi re Holi, puranachi poli,” we will also be serving people ghee-laden puranpolis for a sweet touch to the walk,” she concludes. Anita Yewale ON March 12; 6 pm to 9.30 pmMEETING POINT Indian Coast Guard Headquarters, Worli Koliwada. CALL 8087773299 (for registration, limited spots) COST Rs 200 (members of INTACH), R400 (for non-members)
11 March,2025 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaADVERTISEMENT
