The iconic song, The Twist by Chubby Checker went on to rule the top charts worldwide for two consecutive years after its release. The hype over the twist can be credited to the release of the song. The twist has since been incorporated in various dance forms such as the salsa, rock and roll, and the jive. Tracks to groove to the twist are a common section of the playlist at Christian wedding receptions across India. A previous workshop by the dance community Later this week, a dance community called the Latin Twist will host a dance workshop followed by social dancing. The event will feature dances such as salsa, bachata, and kizomba. “We call it a pre-party workshop where participants can get a feel of the moves. They have some time to practice before we kick off the social dancing,” shared Mary Lobo, co-founder, Latin Twist. Chubby Checker The evening will segue into a social mood with the Latin-style salsa, bachata, and the African dance kizomba from Angola. Lobo went on to introduce the sibling duo that hosts these events. “My brother Caesar Lobo (DJ Cza) is the music DJ, while I’m the dance teacher,” she shares. ON January 15; 8 pm onwardsAT AntiSOCIAL, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO @latin_twistENTRY Rs 500 Where to learn >> AT Sumit’s Academy of Dance, Convent Road, YMCA, Colaba.CALL 9870215286LOG ON TO @sumitsacademyofdanceCOST Rs 4,700 (two months) >> AT Savio Dance Academy, JDS Gym, Marol. CALL 982043883 LOG ON TO @saviodanceacademyCOST Rs 3,000 (for one month) >> AT Valentino Victoria Dance Company, Malad.cALL 7021275315LOG ON TO @v.v.d.cCOST Rs 3,000 onwards (solo)
13 January,2025 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Evita RocheThe little things Statement accessories are an excellent way to let your own personal style shine through, even when attending formal ‘dos. Take, for example, Adrien Brody’s oversized pin that added some much-needed drama to an overwise simple three-piece suit. Or Ariana Grande’s opera gloves that added to her couture gown’s vintage flare. Timothée Chalamet too swapped a regular bowtie with a silk scarf, while Coleman Domingo opted for a scarf that he fashioned into an oversized bow. Jeremy Strong too opted for a bucket hat, which raised several eyebrows and instantly caught the attention of attendees and onlookers alike. Statement accessories should be chosen with care, so that they don’t overwhelm your entire look. Proportion matters as does the ease with which you wear the item — don’t overcrowd your look with too many accents and only wear those pieces that you can carry with confidence. Asang Kamble, fashion designer Monochromatic moments Andrew Scott sports a Tiffany blue suit for his monochrome look (right) Kate Winslet dons a cream hue ensemble for the red carpet This year’s red carpet proved that strong monochromatic looks can easily hold their own against old-world glamour. Ayo Edebiri’s all-grey suit, which channelled ’90s power dressing with its boxy fit, was a shining example of how less can be more. The addition of the gold feather-shaped tie necklace broke up the grey and added a focal point for added visual interest. Asang Kamble Kate Winslet also made a sophisticated style statement with her embroidered jacket and pleated slacks in an elegant cream hue. But as Andrew Scott demonstrated by dressing in head-to-toe Tiffany blue, monochromatic looks don’t have to be staid or neutral to be impactful, and they are just as striking on men. When styling monochromatic looks, it’s especially important for the garment to be well-tailored as any imperfections stand out immediately. Keeping the accessories simple to let the outfit shine through is also a good idea. Asang Kamble, fashion designer Bold in gold Demi Moore styles it up in satin and gold Metallics will continue to dominate this year’s festivities, with gold being a popular pick for 2025. Gold works excellently with warm Indian skin tones and can be styled in clean silhouettes that let the fabric be the star of the show. Demi Moore’s satin champagne-gold dress (right) was a great example of how to wear this trend: as a fabric, satin catches the light in a gentle way, while the classic mermaid silhouette highlights your curves. Mihika Bhanot Mindy Kaling’s sequin column dress was another great example of wearing a metallic versus the metallic wearing you. When wearing a metallic piece, stick to sleeker silhouettes and cuts to keep the outfit from overwhelming you. Off-the-shoulder pieces add drama while balancing the outfit, while simple accessories such as a clutch, elegant heels, and understated jewellery accentuate the garment without overpowering it.Mihika Bhanot, personal branding expert & image consultant Reimagine the LBD Miley Cyrus gets bold in black The little black dress [LBD] will continue to be a wardrobe [and red carpet] must-have. This year, though, celebrities demonstrated how even a classic can be reimagined and reinterpreted, to suit your personal aesthetic. Catherine O’Hara’s shimmering hand-embroidered gown was edgy but chic and was accentuated even further by the bold red lip. Miley Cyrus’s take on the LBD was with a bold black gown that featured embellished cut-outs. Instead of jewellery, Cyrus chose a pair of oversized sunglasses to channel her inner rockstar. Disha Selarka Pamela Anderson chose a classic silhouette and added a dose of glamour with diamond jewellery and black gloves. Despite its deceptive moniker, the LBD can be surprisingly versatile, and it will continue to dominate fashion events and red carpets in 2025. When picking your own, don’t be afraid to experiment with silhouettes and fabrics — black is a forgiving canvas. and works well with all skin tones and body types. Disha Selarka, fashion stylist Sustainability is sexy (From left) Viola Davis and Cate Blanchett championed sustainability by re-wearing their red carpet looks Contemporary conversations about fashion are incomplete without acknowledging the impact of the industry on the environment. In this era of social media-inspired fads and micro-trends, it was heartening to see two powerful actors Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis re-wearing their red carpet looks in quick succession. Meghna Ghodawat While Cate wore her flowing cape-style golden gown [which she had worn only a few months ago on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet] as is, Davis styled her black sequinned dress from the 2024 LACMA gala with an eye-catching rainbow cape. Both these looks made a compelling argument for investing in simple and iconic pieces that will continue to resonate with your personal style and that you will readily repeat, again and again. Meghna Ghodawat, luxury stylist
13 January,2025 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulSankranti essentials The old warhorseA Familiar presence in the working-class neighbourhood of Girgaon, the 103-year-old brand serves everything from kharwas to gul poli and the all-time favourite puran poli.AT Panshikar Aahar, shop 52, Mohan Building, JSS Road, Girgaon.CALL 223855723COST Rs 65 (Puran poli, pack of 2); R120 (Karwas, 250gm) Heart of DadarThis family-run store has become a mainstay for its typical a food items from batashe (small sugar balls), puran polis and til gul.AT Godbole Stores, Samruddhi Heights, DL Vaidya Road, Dadar West. CALL 8591727207 All decked upWalk down the lane past Chhabildas Mansion, and you won’t miss the decorations for every occasion, including Sankranti.AT Hardev Art Gallery, Vanmali Hall, Dadar West. CALL 8169616561 Traditions all the wayFor over four decades, Thanekars have flocked to this familiar hub for traditional delicacies like narali paak and gulkand wadi.AT Goras Gruh, Gokhale Road, Naupada, Thane West.CALL 225888677COST Rs 130 (narali paak); Rs 130 (gulkand wadi) For diversityIf you are looking to take the off-beat path, head to this Kalwa outlet that serves a variety of delicacies, including fare from CKP (Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu) kitchens.AT Marudhan Stores, Kharkar House, Kalwa Naka, Thane West.WHATSAPP 9324492722 (for advance orders) For kite enthusiasts Colourful riot in the skyShop from a vast collection of simple and minimalistic paper kites to colourful and vibrant plastic kites.AT RS Kites Centre, Chhitabhai Patel Road, Govind Dalvi Nagar, Kandivli East. CALL 9969848002COST Rs 5 (for paper kites) Lohri on song A plate of gur rewari Munch awayDig into a Makar Sankranti special spread of crunchy gajaks, rajgira chikkis and fusion til ladoos at this Borivli hub.AT Madhuram Sweets and Farsan, LT Road, Gyan Nagar, Mhatre Wadi, Borivli West.CALL 9372392627COST Rs 360 (Jaggery and rose dry fruit til ladoo, 250 gm) Mithai havenThis suburban shop has everything from til laddoos, rewari and gajak to regional specialities like Bathinda chikki and pugga laddoo in a pure ghee preparation.AT Gulati’s Sweets and Snacks, Mahakali Caves Road, Subhash Nagar, Andheri East.CALL 9136077666COST Rs 350 (Gud rewari, 1 kg) Sweets for allFrom sugar-free mawa pedas to sweet gajaks (below) and dry fruit laden til laddoos, this 109-year-old shop has something for everyone.AT Punjabi Ghasitaram Halwai, G Ghasitaram Estate, Jasmine Mill Road, Mahim East. CALL 7400020888 Pongal ready People shop for their Pongal supplies at the Matunga store. Pics Courtesy/Instagram Matunga callingFrom stocking up on the humble rasam powder to veshtis and golu items, since the 1960s this has been the go-to-hub for many Tamils in the city.AT Giri Trading Agency, Modi Niwas, opposite Post Office, Matunga East.CALL 7506975667 One-stop shopWith Dombivli emerging as a hub for South Indians, this humble store is a treasure trove for everything from Tamil calendars to akkaravadisal and sugarcanes for Pongal.AT Varma Stores, 3, Shiv Mandir Road, opposite Dombivli Railway station, Dombivli East.CALL 9820472331 Last-minute findsHead here for everything from dasangam (incense) to your prep for Sakkara Pongal (Sweet Pongal) at this little supermart in this central suburb.AT Aadhiganesh Stores, near Mulund Post Office, Nehru Road, Mulund West.CALL 9321668830 Akkaravadisal delightsIf you are looking for some special Pongal delicacies from puliyogare mixes to appams and akkaravadisals, head over to Mulund to dive into this store’s fresh stock.AT Ratna Supermarket, PK Road, Mulund West.CALL 9326600409 Dharavi reloadedWith the neighbourhood of Dharavi decking up for pongal, this outlet stocks up on traditional Tamil decorative items to get your Pongal celebrations on the way.AT D Selvan Bros, near Kamaraj Memorial School, 90 Feet Road, Dharavi. CALL 9136025528
13 January,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar | Divyasha PandaBombay Catholic Sabha (BCS) Mt Carmel’s Parish Unit is organising a workshop, Do’s and Don’ts of Diabetes Mellitus and the Prevention of Osteoporosis that offers free testing of random blood sugar test and HbA1c. There will also be an interactive session with Dr Vaishali Naik. Freddie Vaz, BCS, Mt Carmel’s Parish Unit said, “These camps are our way to offer a service with spirituality. This is open to members of all communities.” ON January 12, 10.30 am AT Mount Carmel Parish Annexe, Chapel Road, Bandra West. FREE
11 January,2025 09:03 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWe all know that the repercussions of global warming are complex and multifarious. Take for instance, the turbulent cyclones that lash India’s coastline every year, or the unbearable temperatures during the summer months, or the gradual disappearance of certain animal species. While we in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world are struggling to mould our lives around this constantly changing climate, creatures in the frigid environs of the Arctic Circle, like the polar bear, are facing far more challenging issues. (From left) Marshall Escamilla and Lindsay Patterson. Pic Courtesy/Instagram In the most recent episode of Tumble, a science podcast for kids hosted by science journalist Lindsay Patterson and music teacher Marshall Escamilla, the conversation deep-dives into the life of the polar bear with the guest of the episode, Dr Andrew Edward Derocher, a polar bear scientist and professor of biological sciences at University of Alberta talking about his experiences with the furry animal. Right from busting myths, to learning about the bear’s habitat and eating patterns, the podcast breaks down complex concepts into nuggets of information for kids. Andrew Derocher With an introduction to the anatomy of the bear (they are not as cute and cuddly as is common perception), Derocher uses anecdotes to discuss his expeditions to the North Pole, and the impact of rising temperatures on the polar bear’s habitat. He explains how the formation of sea ice is integral for its survival and sustenance — a process that is disrupted by global warming. The hosts also detail how it is difficult for scientists and researchers to predict the animal’s reaction to climate change, given the scale at which the phenomenon is unfolding. The best option, they reveal, is to be mindful of consumption patterns along with a scientific monitoring of these animals to be fully aware of the situation. Imbued with humour, the hosts share crucial insights with a simple approach to resonate with children. There is a bonus interview episode in the Patreon page of the channel where Derocher talks about what happens to polar bears when they move to human towns. Log on to Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts
11 January,2025 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleDadar-based Dr Sanjeev Shevade struggles to pinpoint the exact moment his orthodontics practice gave way to his passion for nature conservation. A classic case of the butterfly effect, we assume. But what he does remember vividly, is growing up in a starkly different Mumbai. “We didn’t only have more open spaces, but the citizens respected and took responsibility for the protection of these spaces,” he recalls. These spaces were home to Shevade’s favourite visitors, butterflies. Amidst shrinking green cover in the city, the second edition of the Butterfly Meet in Chembur organised by Shevade’s Vivant Untamed Earth Foundation and the BMC’s (West) M Ward, will be equal parts nostalgia and future planning. “There are nearly 233 species of butterflies from diverse families in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone. This year, all our activities are centred on conservation of urban habitats for these butterflies. One of the highlights is our first-ever butterfly rally, where groups of children representing these families will educate visitors at Diamond Garden in Chembur,” he reveals. Blue Mormon, the official state butterfly of Maharashtra. Pic Courtesy/Sanjeev Shevade The orthodontist is not alone in this endeavour. Enthusiasts from in and around the city like civil engineer-turned-artist Kishor Thakur, microbiologist Leena Pandharpurkar and architect Apurva Malgaonkar who has crafted an ode to the winged insects using nails and threads, will converge at the event. Young enthusiasts who have a knack for the crafts might want to sign up for the origami workshop by city-based collective Origami Mitra. “Taking the exhibition outdoors this year was a conscious decision taken in pursuit of reaching a wider audience beyond the usual naturalists and enthusiasts,” Shevade remarks. While the fun and games continue, those with a newfound passion for the insects can follow the team to the Alamu Hall near the garden where experts and scientists will dive deeper into timely discussions. Sometimes, the easiest questions are the most difficult to answer. A discussion that caught our eye answers one such question — why talk about butterflies in the first place? Shevade explains, “You might begin by studying butterflies. But they’ll lead you to the flowers they pollinate. Then, you’ll be drawn to the plants that host these flowers, and subsequently the trees. Studying butterflies is never merely about the butterflies.” Sanjeev Shevade Is there hope for young Mumbaikars to see the butterfly population thrive in the city once again, we ask Shevade. “Absolutely. Conservation efforts can be as simple as planting a curry leaf, marigold, or lemon sapling in your backyard. We encourage people to build such micro-habitats across the city, essentially creating a butterfly corridor. Whether butterflies arrive or not also depends on how efficiently we curb climate change. But in any case, having the red carpet rolled out is a good start,” he signs off. Exhibition and activities ON Today and tomorrow; 8.30 am to 5 pm (exhibition); 3.30 pm to 5 pm (activities) AT Diamond Garden, VN Purav Marg, Chembur. CALL 9372956558 ENTRY RSVP mandatory LecturesON Tomorrow; 9 am onwardsAT Alamu Hall, Shree Ahobila Mutt Road, Chembur. CALL 9372956558 ENTRY RSVP mandatory Spot me if you can Keep an eye out for these common species of butterflies in the city and its suburbs Great Orange Tip butterfly. Pic/Nimesh Dave Common Tiger butterfly. Pics/Anurag Ahire Blue Tiger butterfly Common Grass Yellow butterfly
11 January,2025 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KamblePoets are dramatists, self-dramatists,” Jeet Thayil tells us. “We draw into ourselves every possible bit of bombast. We make ourselves grander than we ought to be because we don’t want to disappear. We don’t want to die. We want to live forever. And so, we place ourselves inside a lineage that is very likely imaginary, and connects us not just to Adil Jussawalla, Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, and Eunice DeSouza but to Ovid, Emily Dickinson, and Rimbaud.” After having declared in a volume of collected poems that his 2008 work, These Errors are Correct, will be “the last full-length collection of poems” he’d ever publish, Thayil returned to the artform — fortunately for followers of his work — with his new book, I’ll Have it Here (HarperCollins India). Dedicated to three poets, he admits that he wrote the collection carrying “mostly gratitude” in his heart. The book of poems is divided into three sections. As we read from the first to the last, the vision moves from the smaller details of the larger world to an eye that turns inward into the personal, the intimate. For instance, in the earlier section, in a poem titled Pet Sounds, Thayil glares at the champions of predominantly white music, who looked away from the artists singing from the peripheries: “You saw us only when you drove, /windows up, through certain neighbourhoods.” In another poem titled Lateral Violence Among the Model Minorities, he digs further into the reprehensible behaviour of the “predative” kinds within the oppressed communities, the “good” immigrants, the comfortably ideal minorities. He calls them the “satisfied or competitively middle class/when ranged among the paralysed natives.” This is the kind of poem one wouldn’t find elsewhere because Thayil’s politics does that. It takes a good hard look at the urban realities of the world. The poems become more specific to the Indian context as we read further. Gandhi returns as a house gecko in one. Meanwhile, in a ghazal titled February 2020, Thayil writes about the current political climate of the country, the first shiver of which was felt with the decision of the citizenship amendment law. In another, titled December 2020, he comments on the macabre state of the nation during the pandemic. The year 2020, undoubtedly, stood as the most terrifying year. Plenty of poems in the book carry the theme of impermanence and a sense of loss, so we asked Thayil if they were a result of the fear we’ve felt since then. “I didn’t think of it that way, but now that you mention it... These poems were begun during the pandemic, and I’m sure some kind of existential terror must have seeped through,” he shares. “Impermanence and loss, imminent or otherwise, is a constant theme of art. There’s no way to be alive without being aware of mortality and the passing of time. I think it’s a running thread through the moment we’re living in, that sense of apocalypse or post-apocalypse. Future dread. Survivor’s guilt. Rage against the dying of the light.” Thayil is a risk-taker. Not only does he write against the grain, he is also, daringly, one of the rare contemporary poets who continues to work with traditional poetic forms (the ghazal, sonnet, sestina), modernising them along the way. We wondered then, to a poet whose eyes and ears are so well trained, what comes first — the poem or the form? Thayil believes that it is best to stay away from delving too deeply into the process. “There is a chance, the chemistry, the mystery of the poem will disappear.” He adds, “Let me just say the poem decides the form, not me.” Additionally, his poems are sonically rich, and it is difficult to ignore the collaborative play between Thayil the musician and Thayil the poet. He tells us, “[The two] steal from each other all the time. No apologies. No explanations. Just wanton robbery. But nobody’s complaining. Yet.” In his previous collection, These Errors…, the poet meditated on the power of poetry to make him return to “sanity”. This one, as his last, has the power to salve our bruises, too. It stands as an antithesis to that infamous “brain-rot”, the Oxford word of the year, said to have occurred as a consequence of excessive consumption of presumably “trivial or unchallenging” content. Thayil’s work requires time, a few loud readings even. It is anything but unchallenging, and certainly a far cry from trivial. It speaks truthfully of the times we live in. He believes, “Even if ‘poetry makes nothing happen’ it survives, and always will survive, as a gift of prophecy and prayer. It’s exactly when the climate is fraught that we need the consolations of poetry.” Cost Rs 599Available At leading e-stores and bookstores Thayil’s current favourites . Adil Jussawalla’s Body of Evidence. Sumana Roy’s Provincials: Postcards from the Peripheries. Upamanyu Chatterjee’s Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life. Ranjit Hoskote’s To Break and to Branch: Six Essays on Gieve Patel. Ranbir Sidhu’s Night in Delhi. Shahnaz Habib’s Airplane Mode: A Passive-Aggressive History of Travel
11 January,2025 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaRooted is an oft-misused word in the business of writing. From films to personalities, themes and subjects, the adjective is latched on to describe anything remotely connected to artworks that uphold simple, native vibes. One could never ascribe it to The Tapi Project. While every sound produced by the band emerges from a long tradition of folk music, philosophy and poetry, the Surat-based collective is constantly reinventing themselves through their sound and journeys. As founder and songwriter Yogendra Saniyawala points out during our conversation, “Music is a constantly moving medium, not a stagnant one.” True to their word, the quartet of Saniyawala, vocalist Swati Minaxi, percussionist Gaurav Kapadia and keyboardist Biju Nambiar are in preparation for their upcoming performance at Scotland’s winter folk music festival, Celtic Connections. “Essentially, winter is not a time for big music festivals in the West. Although we have been touring Europe for the last six or seven years, it has mostly been in the summer,” shares Saniyawala. On January 25, they will team up with Aziza Brahim, poet and singer, whose songs speak of the stories of the Saharawi people from the western part of the Sahara Desert. The band in performance in Bengaluru. Pics Courtesy/Instagram These journeys are an important part of their evolution, admits vocalist Swati Minaxi. “Our travels opened up many horizons that influenced the sounds we chose to develop as a band,” says Minaxi, whose sensibilities of handicrafts also shape the band’s look on stage. Saniyawala chimes in, saying, “We came out of Surat, a city of business, and quickly learned that the only way we could be different was to be ourselves. From Swati styling our outfits, to discovering and engaging in different art practices, it informs our music.” Their latest single, Varsaad, is an example. Created in collaboration with Raghu Dixit, the song was actually born during a jamming session between Saniyawala and Minaxi on tour in Japan. “Music for us is not a contrived effort. A song is essentially an expression, and will only come into existence if you are not married to the result,” the vocalist states. Swati Minaxi Their determination to be recognised as a live band has also led them to embrace a life of being on the move. “I remember in 2022, we toured Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. Our tour manager was a Belgian man, who said this wonderful line: ‘Comfort is the beginning of the end’. I suppose we have embraced it. For us, the live performances are where our music comes to life,” reveals Saniyawala. Minaxi shares how the band shares a curiosity towards different art practices. “We just shifted to analogue cameras for recording our shoots and rehearsals. Also, we perform with IEM (In-Ear Monitors). But for Celtic, we will be performing without those. It will be akin to revisiting every song in a different way,” the vocalist points out. The band will also be revisiting their songs in another way. Saniyawala reveals that the collective is working on a larger project with a UK-based orchestra to create a larger soundscape for their existing works. “It is a 15-piece orchestra, and the vision is quite grand in terms of sound and scale. We will also have the conductor Shri Shriram travelling down to India later this year, and working on the project, before the first performance in the UK,” he reveals. With a few more releases planned for later in the year, 2025 promises to be a highly productive one for The Tapi Project. LOG ON TO The Tapi Project on Spotify ON January 25; 7.30 pmAT Òran Mór, Scotland. LOG ON TO celticconnections.com The Scottish winter celebration Founded in 1994, Celtic Connections is widely considered as one of the largest winter music festivals in Scotland to celebrate folk, roots and world music. Held in Glasgow, the festival features over 300 international artistes, with workshops and sessions held between January 16 and February 2, 2025
11 January,2025 08:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThe New Year often sees people hit the gym with a vengeance trying to undo all the wrongs of the past year. This weekend, Madh Marve beach will see a different set of people trying to work out, not just to build their physical health but also their social and mental health. Organised by SAHA, a collective working for the welfare of neurodivergent individuals, the beach workout session is an opportunity to build and foster a new community of neurodivergent individuals across the city. (From left) A volunteer helps a child pet a goat during an earlier session; participants fill out activity sheets “Physical fitness is a key part, and often least addressed, among neurodivergent individuals,” shares co-founder Aarti Parikh. “For many individuals, stepping out can be challenging owing to the constant overload of sensory stimulations in a city like Mumbai. But holistic health requires both mental and physical fitness,” she notes. Starting out as an educator, Parikh found common ground with fellow founders, Jalpa Mehta and Gopal Bhagwat, who share a fondness for sports. SAHA, a term for togetherness, was founded to build a community of, and for, neurodivergent individuals. “Our vision is to build a social community for neurodivergent individuals. We conduct several mixed events to maintain a balance between emotional and physical wellness; from petting sessions to monsoon trails at Mahim Nature Park and the BNHS Conservation Education Centre in Goregaon,” reveals Mehta. Aarti Parikh, Jalpa Mehta and Gopal Bhagwat The session on Sunday seeks to help people learn a few easy workouts, while regaining the comfort of being in an open space with new people. “Apart from physical fitness, what these activities seek to establish and build is an understanding of interacting with new people,” Parikh adds. With sports instructors and qualified professionals at hand, the initiative will also be prepared for individuals who find themselves overwhelmed. “The comfort of the individual is paramount. We always reach out to them beforehand to understand if they have any major anxieties and to learn if they have any issues with mobility. There are no hard and fast rules for our sessions. We do not mind starting late to accommodate our members,” co-founder Bhagwat chimes in. He points out that the early start for the session is an effort to avoid the city’s chaos of the day. The bustle is one reason why working outdoors can be stressful for neurodivergent individuals, admits Parikh. “We ask our participants to dress comfortably and bring along water, as well as sensory resources such as noise cancelling headphones or fidget toys that they prefer. As an alternative, we also bring along a few to help them in case they find themselves overwhelmed,” she notes. “These sessions are steps to build a community, and give neurodivergent individuals an opportunity to experience the world in the same way as a normative individual does,” Mehta concludes. ON January 12; 7 am to 9 amAT Aksa Beach, Marve Road, Aksa Village, Madh. LOG ON TO @saha_togetherness (to register, along with medical requirements)CALL 9137848916 (limited seats)Cost R1,200 (participant and support)
10 January,2025 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarEntrepreneur and storyteller Upasana Makati’s new audio story opens with its visually impaired protagonist Amay’s ode to Mingo, the mango tree in his backyard. “Mingo is a patient listener, but when she’s tired of my bickering, she throws some dry leaves at me,” Amay chuckles. After all, environment is his favourite subject at school, and also the theme for his upcoming birthday party at a Braille-friendly nature park. “Amay and the Braille Trail is not a sob story. Contrary to prevalent belief, individuals with visual impairment can lead a joyful life with the right people and facilities around them,” Makati reminds us. Students at the Valsad coaching centre watch the story during a break Released on World Braille Day (January 4), the story brings to life vivid sensory details like the aroma of grandma’s fresh batata wadas, which the family later tucks into amidst the sounds of songbirds and streams of freshwater flowing through the park. Paired with illustrations by Subodhini Lakhi, it’s enough to keep even an adult listener hooked. But for Arsh Ahuja, a four-year-old listener, it strikes a special chord. “Arsh’s favourite bit is that Amay is just like him. He reads Braille, loves nature, and can recognise everyday sounds. Finding a character that resonates with him, in a positive way at that, is rare,” points out his mother Tanya Ahuja. Arsh and Tanya Ahuja We expect to hear about museums, zoos and amusement parks when we ask the mother-son duo what spots in the city they’d like to see become Braille-friendly soon. Tanya’s response is a timely reality check for the city that is undergoing metamorphosis. “Schools need to be more inclusive and understand that with small accommodations, children with blindness can blend well into their ecosystem,” she notes, adding, “Arsh is growing into an avid foodie. He would love for restaurants to have menus in Braille.” Not far away in Gujarat’s Valsad, educator Avinash Kaur is ensuring the story reaches impressionable audiences in her coaching institute. “I scanned through the English textbooks from grade six to 10, and there is a concerning lack of stories that teach empathy. Amay’s story is a concise, yet gripping way to inculcate that value. While the students seemed to understand the nuances, they are already past their foundational years. Earlier introduction to such stories would have been great help in hindsight,” she shares. Avinash Kaur and Upasana Makati Rest assured, Makati is working towards changing that, one story at a time. In addition to four Braille books that her publishing company White Print has already released, the audio stories are set to become a regular feature. “This story was inspired by my visit to the Aarey Forest years ago where I realised how inaccessible it was for someone with sensory impairment. There is no dearth of such spaces that can do with a Braille revamp. As long as these spaces exist, we’ll create stories to remind people of the work that needs to be done,” she signs off. Log on to White Print on YouTube (for the audio story)whiteprint.in (for the books) AI for an eyeMicrosoft’s Seeing AI app can come in handy for individuals with visual impairment. By simply pointing the camera at objects, the app narrates the surroundings to the user. Available: All app stores
10 January,2025 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleColdplay. Ed Sheeran. Dua Lipa. Mumbai is now a preferred venue for touring music icons. Yet, the city offers an equal opportunity to musicians looking to explore an alternative avenue. The new music initiative, Umbaaro, will host one such experience, Baithak: A classical soirée, that highlights the intimacy of music this weekend at Lower Parel. Guitarist Aniket Gundewar reveals, “Indian classical music is generally an intimate performance art. It is important to understand that the idea of large concerts for classical music is fairly new. A smaller space is more appropriate for this form.” A student of Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye, Gundewar’s use of the electrical guitar as an instrument for Hindustani classical ragas stands out. He describes the style as one that combines the ‘gayaki ang’ and tantkari tantra techniques. “Even as a performer, playing near the audience is a welcome change. Often, we can hardly read the expressions or the reaction of the people who listen,” he shares. Shanaya Shah and Shivangi Buch Gundewar and tabla maestro Alpesh Moharir have shaped the concert to suit a certain flair and tempo of ragas and rhythms. The key is to be playful, fun but intricate in performance, he points out. “I plan to begin the concert with an alaap on the guitar, before slowly segueing into a faster tempo. Alpesh (Moharir) will join me in a jugalbandi of taals, before we finish on a fast tihai,” the guitarist reveals. Umbaaro, co-founded by Shivangi Buch and Shanaya Shah gets its name from the Gujarati term for threshold. The choice of a design and artisan furniture store for the concert was intentional. Buch, an architect by profession, admits that she had always been on the lookout for musical experiences that utilised spaces as part of the experience. “I wanted to start something where music is more than just a sound-based experience, where the space also matters.” For Shah, the idea appealed to her artistic sensibilities. “For us, the venue offers a chance for the artistes to perform amidst hand-crafted looms and furniture, while the artisans are present and working. It adds another layer to the experience, for the musicians as well as the audience,” says Shah. Going forward, the founders will seek out spaces that blend art and heritage, while returning to musical roots. “It is an effort towards cultural revival and a move away from the big concert fervour that is taking over everything,” says Shah. The performance on Sunday will be the first step in that direction. ON January 12; 4.30 pm to 6 pmAT Zeba Design Center, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO@umbaaro on Instagram (to register)CALL 9930586325ENTRY Rs 1,200
10 January,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarADVERTISEMENT
