13 November,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Satej Shinde
An under-construction building glows with festive lights in Kandivli
Rahul Akerkar, Ranjit Hoskote and Simi Garewal
The Jaipur Literature Festival has officially outgrown its teen years, and will celebrate its 20th edition come January 14. The edition will also feature a Mumbai contingent led by Mumbai's celebrity chef Rahul Akerkar, actor Simi Garewal, poet and cultural theorist Ranjit Hoskote, poet Jeet Thayil, author Kiran Manral, among others on the line-up. The Mumbai preview earlier this week witnessed the launch of Ashwin Sanghi's latest title, The Blind Fury. Sanjoy K Roy, managing director, Teamwork Arts, shared, "What began as a gathering in Jaipur has grown into a global platform for literature, ideas and cultural exchange."
Film star-turned-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's political victory has all the makings of a movie plot. But as tradition goes, the book comes first.
Tarini Kumar and Vasudha Venugopal
Thalapathy (Hachette India), the upcoming title from journalists Vasudha Venugopal and Tarini Kumar will borrow from exclusive interviews, on-ground reportage and first-person accounts to decipher the politician's rise to power. And if the recent appetite for political non-fiction is any indication, you'd do well to get your hands on the title before it flies off shelves.
Streeties of Kalyan relish pet-friendly faral. PICS COURTESY/TPD
Between heartwrenching visuals of strays scrambling for shelter in the chaos of firecrackers, visuals from Kalyan gave us a reason to smile. Thanks to community animal welfare group Team Paw Diaries (TPD), indies were in for a safe and happy Diwali in the true sense. Garlands of fragrant flowers, dog-friendly faral and many wagging tails marked the festival of lights for canines of the neighbourhood. "Don't leave your furry friends out of the festivities, but remember that not all Diwali faral is safe for dogs. Avoid sweets, chocolate, raisins, and fried snacks as a thumb rule,"
the TPD team shared.
An outdoor presentation of Let's Draw in Corsica, France. PICS COURTESY/MaximeTouroute.com; Julia Guerin
French artist Maxime Touroute (below) has fresh designs on Mumbai, and you're a part of it. As part of the Novembre Numérique celebrations at the Theosophy Hall in Churchgate today, Alliance Française de Bombay, with French Institute in India and Ecole Intuit Lab will explore Tourouteâs internationally acclaimed Let's Draw exhibition experience.
Participants watch their doodles become a part of the artwork
The unique exhibit lets visitors scribble their own doodles and messages on their phones, which become a part of a projection-mapped wall in real time.
After presentations in France, Ireland, Denmark, and Colombia, Touroute's canvas is in for a Mumbai makeover. Remember to be mindful of your words, though. Your French won't be pardoned.
