American DJ and music producer Sara Landry is coming to India for the first time but it feels like she's always been connected to the country. So imagine her excitement at being able to perform here on the first day of Sunburn 2025, which has moved to Mumbai for the first time since it started 18 years ago in Goa. Among her many accolades, Landry's most recent is being voted as the World's No 1 Hard DJ by the prestigious DJ Mag in their Top 100 DJs 2025 list, for her dominance in hard techno. It is only right then that the Netherlands-based DJ is called the "High Priestess of Hard Techno" because of her palpable beats that showcase a different side of electronic music, and the island city is going to witness it this weekend. Ahead of her performance, mid-day spoke to DJ Sara Landry about her India visit and her latest accolade, but not without diving into the evolution of the genre and her music, and most importantly the rise of female DJs in the world. Here are the excerpts: 1. Is this your first time in India and the city? Yes, it is my first time in India, and I am so excited to be in Mumbai! I’ve heard so many amazing things about the beauty of the city, and the energy of the people and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand. I am so excited to play some 'trippier' psychedelic music and just deliver a beautiful experience to the fans. 2. How have you seen techno music evolve? It’s been incredible to see techno and hard dance grow and reach wider audiences. I know a lot of techno-junkies are grappling with the idea of it emerging from the underground in the way that it has, but I love it. It’s proof of how powerful hard dance is and the fervour, that has resulted is proof of the magic in the music. I never compare genres because there are aspects of every genre of electronic music that I love and pull inspiration from. What I love about this scene is how ever-evolving the many sub-genres are, so I don’t think you can put one above another. The magic of modern technology in music production means that things are constantly changing and evolving and as an artist it's so beautiful to be able to take elements from a variety of hard dance genres and make music that is in its own unique sonic space. 3. During the same time, how have you grown as a music producer ever since you started out? I have grown so much since I started – I mean, my first show was a tiny house party in Texas during SXSW. Music has always been a huge part of my life and who I am, when I was in college at NYU in New York City, I was very much around the scene, but it wasn’t until after I finished school and moved back home to Texas that I decided to make music my career. From that moment I was just heads down, doing my thing – and here we are today! I originally moved from the US to Europe to get used to the energy it took to be touring so much – I was actually first in Berlin, but I just didn’t really vibe there. When I would go to Amsterdam I was always so happy, so I decided to move there – even if I’m not home much because of my touring, I am very glad I get to call it home. 4. You were also recently crowned the No 1 Hard DJ by DJ Mag. What role do you think it plays for female DJs in the world? I am so grateful to be where I am and to have been given this award. As I continue to grow and progress individually, it’s so important for me to continue to foster the incredible community of women in the scene around me as well. The girlies have to stick together! I hope it inspires any female artists to know that it is possible and they can do it too with hard work and determination. 6. In a music industry that is known to be predominantly male, have you seen the rise of female DJs since the time you started out? It’s funny, because we’ve always been here, and we’ve always dominated – but we’ve only recently been getting recognition. There is such a vibrant, talented community of women in electronic music, and we’re not going anywhere anytime soon. I’m incredibly grateful for the talented women who stand around me and am honoured to share the stage with them and support them. Any opportunity I have to dance while my friends play I always take! 7. Having moved to the Netherlands some time ago, how has that shaped your understanding of world music? Harder styles of dance music have deep roots in the Netherlands, so I definitely credit my move to Amsterdam and my collaboration with Dutch promoters for the evolution of my sound. I love the elements of gabber and hardstyle and love including high energy inspiration from these genres in my music. This regional cultural understanding has just served to deepen my belief that music is the universal language that unites us across cultural and linguistic barriers. So my goal when I make music is to make something that can be felt and understood by anyone, regardless of the language they speak or where they are from. 8. With your India visit, are you hoping to collaborate with some Indian DJs - male or female or would you be open to it? I’m always open to collaborating with amazing artists from anywhere, but I always feel like I never have enough time to really get into it! I love Indian sounds and melodies, they are so beautiful! I love Hindi mantras and chants, and that shows up in a lot of my music and the psytrance tracks that I play and it is always transcendental and makes me feel very elevated. 9. What are you currently working on in terms of new music and can fans expect a sneak peak of something new at the festival? I can’t give too much away but I’m always working on new music – fans will just have to wait and see for themselves when I get behind the decks. I’ve been working on a lot of very psychedelic tracks and I’m excited to see how the crowd responds to them. 10. Last but not the least, what are you looking forward to in India beyond the music, in terms of food and culture? I’m very excited to experience the cultural richness and beauty, and very excited to experience the cuisine. I love Indian food and Indian flavours and can’t wait to try as many things as I can. India is such a beautiful place with so much culture and I am so excited to be experiencing it for the first time through the lens of hard dance electronic music.
18 December,2025 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoNoted sculptor Ram Sutar, known for designing the world's tallest statue 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat, passed away late on Wednesday night at his Noida residence, his son said. He was 100 and ailing with age-related illnesses. "It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence," his son Anil Sutar said in a note shared with the press on Thursday. Born in a humble family in Gondur village under the Dhule district of present-day Maharashtra on February 19, 1925, Sutar is known to have been drawn to sculpting from his childhood. A gold medallist from JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar, has to his credit a long list of achievements. The iconic statues of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a meditating pose and of Chhatrapati Shivaji riding a horse on the Parliament premises rank among his finest creations. The Statue of Unity honours Sardar Patel, country's first deputy prime minister and home minister. Sutar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. Recently, Sutar was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest award. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 December,2025 10:01 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIGlobal comedy superstar Russell Peters is bringing his brand-new critically acclaimed Relax World Tour to India for shows in seven cities including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Kolkata. Peters arrives in India fresh off sold-out performances in New York, London, Paris, Sydney, Stockholm, Dubai, Riyadh, Singapore and Toronto. Previously, The Emmy, Gemini and Peabody Award-winning comedian has toured India five times—beginning with his 'Somebody!' Tour in 2007, followed by the 'Notorious' World Tour in 2013, the 'Almost Famous World Tour' in 2015, the 'Deported World Tour' in 2019, and most recently the 'Act Your Age' World Tour in 2024. The 2026 Relax World Tour marks Peter's most expansive tour of India till now, giving fans across the country the chance to experience his all-new material as well as his signature, razor-sharp crowd work. Presented and promoted by BEW Live in association with EVA Live, the Russell Peters Relax World Tour, will kick off in March 2026 as he travels to Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai and Kolkata over a span of one month. Russell Peters states, “I love coming to India. It’s home. It’s my roots and one of my favourite places to visit. Performing here is always an incredible experience – the energy, the food, hospitality and the audiences, who are smart, lively and have supported me from day one. I can’t wait to come back!” Deepak Choudhary, founder and managing director, EVA Live states, “As someone who has seen the evolution of live entertainment and comedy in India, it is truly special to present an artist of Russell Peters’ calibre. His comedy cuts across ages, cultures and generations. His ability to innovate while staying true to the humour people admire makes this massive comedy tour a must-attend experience. Only a few iconic comedians of our time have sustained such incredible relevance and popularity over thirty years. Hosting Russell Peters’ Relax World Tour in India reflects EVA Live’s commitment to delivering world-class and multi-genre live entertainment experiences.” Tickets for all shows will be available exclusively on District by Zomato. A pre-sale will begin on December 15 at 12:30 pm and run for 48 hours, followed by a pre-sale for other users starting December 17 at 12:30 pm for five consecutive days. General ticket sales will open on December 22 at 12:30 pm. Tour date and venueMarch 15, 2026 - New Delhi March 18, 2026 – PuneMarch 20, 2026 – Bengaluru March 22, 2026 – Mumbai March 25, 2026 - HyderabadMarch 27, 2026 - Chennai March 29, 2026 - Kolkata
17 December,2025 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusical comedian Morgan Jay, the viral sensation on the internet, is making his India debut with 'The Goofy Guy World Tour' in November 2026. Bringing his unique brand of high-energy musical comedy to two cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. Jay is a musician and comedian based in Los Angeles, who has made appearances on MTV’s Wild 'n’ Out, NBC, and Comedy Central and was a 2023 Just for Laughs New Face. First-generation American, he takes his musical influences from his Brazilian and Italian background and 90’s upbringing. He got his start in New York where he attended the Tisch School of the Arts while at the same time doing stand-up in the backrooms and bars of the alternative New York comedy scene. Who is Morgan Jay? As an actor, Morgan just wrapped production on Joey Power’s upcoming feature, Love Language, alongside Chloe Grace Moretz and Anthony Ramos and can be seen in Stick opposite Owen Wilson and Marc Maron for Apple TV+ and NBC’s St Denis Medical. Morgan is also the star of J Pinder’s action-comedy Cotton Candy Bubble Gum, which will premiere at SXSW 2025 in the Narrative Spotlight section. Attendees can expect original comedic musical pieces performed live, lightning-fast improvisation, and genuine audience interactions that pull you into the performance. He blurs the lines between standup, concert and theatre, delivering chaotic energy wrapped in infectious enthusiasm. With material spanning relationships to cultural observations, all delivered with musical flair, his shows have become quite popular around the world. Here is a glimpse of his India schedule: Mumbai on November 27 in 2026 at Shanmukhananda AuditoriumBengaluru in November 29 in 2026 at Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts Commenting on his India debut, Morgan Jay said, “India, I have been grateful for the love I have received virtually over the years. And now, I cannot wait to experience the same with you live.” Rahul Ganjoo, CEO, District by Zomato, said, “India's comedy audience has evolved dramatically. They're hungry for fresh, bold experiences that challenge conventions. Morgan Jay delivers exactly that." The app's users can now add the event to their ‘Hotlist’ to mark their calendars and stay updated. The tickets are live from 10 am on December 17, 2025.
17 December,2025 12:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Vatican unveiled its Nativity scene Monday, December 15, and lit the 25-metre (82-foot) Christmas tree that towers above it in St Peter's Square as a band, chorus and dancers in traditional costumes from Italy's northernmost South Tyrol province performed. The spruce tree hailed from Italy's German-speaking majority autonomous province on the Austrian border, while the life-size Nativity scene was designed by the Nocera Inferiore-Sarno diocese in the southern Campania province, featuring architectural elements from the region. The deputy governor of South Tyrol, Rosmarie Pamer, underlined that three language groups live together peacefully in South Tyrol: Italian, German and Ladino. "This is not to be taken for granted, but is a great gift and a great fortune," she said. The inauguration of the Nativity scene and tree lighting are part of Christmas season events that also will include a Christmas Eve Mass and the traditional Urbi et Orbi, or 'To the City and the World,' address by the pope on Christmas Day. This holiday season will close the Jubilee Year opened by the late Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV did not attend the evening inauguration of the tree and creche, but earlier in the day denounced the antisemitic violence behind the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney, Australia, during an audience with the donors of the Vatican's Christmas decorations. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 December,2025 09:44 AM IST | Vatican City | APFor 150 tribal students from Arts, Commerce and Science College, Onde, in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, Mumbai became more than just a distant city—it became a classroom beyond textbooks. Organised by the KAASH Foundation, Mumbai, the one-day educational and exposure tour was designed to broaden perspectives and introduce students to academic, cultural, and civic spaces rarely accessible to them. Travelling from Palghar aboard the Flying Ranee Express, the students began their day with a visit to Girgaon Chowpatty, where Mumbai’s coastline offered lessons in history, culture, and urban life. The experience set the tone for a day focused on learning through observation and interaction. A key highlight was their participation in the 20th National Workshop on "Inclusiveness" at the Xavier Institute of Management and Research (XIMR). Discussions on leadership, higher education, and career pathways were led by academic leaders, while interactions with postgraduate students gave participants a relatable view of life beyond undergraduate studies. In the afternoon, the students attended the 21st International Symposium, “Tribal to Global: Connecting Communities and Creating Change”, at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Exposure to international diplomats and senior Indian administrators underscored how local communities connect to global conversations. Speakers encouraged students to pursue education, creativity, and responsible citizenship. The day also featured a cultural performance by the students, warmly received by the audience, reinforcing pride in their identity. A visit to the Gateway of India concluded the tour, leaving students with a lasting impression of Mumbai’s historical legacy. Through initiatives like this, KAASH Foundation continues its work in education, health, skill development, and self-reliance in the Vikramgad region, using exposure as a powerful tool to inspire confidence and ambition among tribal youth.
15 December,2025 09:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCreepy, zany and demonstrably fake content is often called 'slop'. The word's proliferation online, in part thanks to the widespread availability of generative artificial intelligence, landed it Merriam-Webster's 2025 word of the year. "It's such an illustrative word," said Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster's president, in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Monday's announcement. It's part of a transformative technology, AI, and it's something that people have found fascinating, annoying and a little bit ridiculous. 'Slop' was first used in the 1700s to mean soft mud, but it evolved more generally to mean something of little value. The definition has since expanded to mean "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence". In other words, "you know, absurd videos, weird advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks real, junky AI-written digital books," Barlow said.AI video generators like Sora have wowed with their ability to quickly create realistic clips based merely on text prompts. But a flood of these images on social media, including clips depicting celebrities and deceased public figures, has raised worries about misinformation, deepfakes and copyright. Such content has existed online for years, but the tools are more accessible now, and used to political ends by, among other figures, the head of the Pentagon. Last month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a manipulated image of a beloved cartoon turtle, reimagined as a grenade-wielding fighter, to defend US military actions in Venezuela. The Canadian animated show 'Franklin' teaches preschoolers about kindness, empathy and inclusivity, but in Hegseth's hands, its 6-year-old main character became a tool to promote violence. The word 'slop' evokes unpleasant images of mud-caked pigs crowding around a dirty trough, or perhaps a bucket of steaming, fetid stew. Or AI amalgamations of algorithmic biases laden with offensive or nonsensical imagery. For some, the word induces dread. But to Barlow, it brings a sense of hope. The dictionary's president says the spike in searches for the word reflects that people have grown more aware of fake or shoddy content, and desire the inverse. "They want things that are real, they want things that are genuine," he said. "It's almost a defiant word when it comes to AI. When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn't seem so intelligent." To select the word of the year, the dictionary's editors review data about which words have risen in search results and usage. Then they come to a consensus about which word best reflects the span of the year. "We like to think that we are a mirror for people," Barlow said. Over the years, there are words that are consistently looked up, but they're filtered out as the dictionary's editors pick the one that best defines the year at hand.Words like ubiquitous,' paradigm,' albeit,' irregardless,' these are always top lookups because they're words that are on the edge of our lexicon," Barlow said. 'Irregardless' is a word in the dictionary for one reason: It's used. It's been used for decades to mean regardless.' The dictionary has selected one word every year since 2003 to capture and make sense of the current moment. Last year, shortly after the US presidential election and amid the shifting national mood, Merriam-Webster chose the word 'polarisation'. A fresh edition came out last month that adds over 5,000 new words, a rare step that involves fully revising and reimagining one of its most popular dictionaries. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 December,2025 12:39 PM IST | Washington | APA two-day music festival will be organised on December 14 and 15 to commemorate the first death anniversary of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. The tribute event, titled ‘Maestro Forever – A Tribute to Zakir Hussain’, will be hosted at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Nariman Point, and will feature performances and discussions involving over 50 eminent artistes from India and abroad. The festival will take place on December 14 and 15, 2025, from 9 am to 9 pm at the NCPA. Live screenings will be held on both days from 6 pm to 9 pm. Besides the main venue at Nariman Point, live screenings will be arranged at three locations across Mumbai—Prabodhankar Keshav Sitaram Thackeray Theatre in Borivali (West), Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool in Dadar (West), and Anna Bhau Sathe Theatre in Byculla (East). Over 50 acclaimed musicians and collaborators associated with Ustad Zakir Hussain will take part. The list features leading Indian and international artistes such as John McLaughlin, Shankar Mahadevan, Amjad Ali Khan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Louis Banks, Ajay Chakrabarty, Ranjit Barot, V. Selvaganesh, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Sanjay Divecha and Chris Potter, among others. Members of Ustad Zakir Hussain’s family, including his wife Antonia and daughters Anisa and Isabella, will also attend. The programme will feature music concerts, panel discussions, interactive sessions, documentary screenings and a photographic exhibition showcasing key moments from the maestro’s life and career. Civic authorities have extended logistical support for live screenings to facilitate public access to the tribute across multiple locations in Mumbai.
14 December,2025 03:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad captivated thousands of Mumbaikars and fans from all over with a spellbinding performance in the city on Friday, December 12, in the city. Mumbaikars welcomed him with palpable excitement, transforming the night into a heartfelt celebration of emotions, melodies and cherished moments. Taking the stage to thunderous applause, Kuhad delivered his signature mix of tender ballads, indie favourites and crowd-pleasing anthems. With beloved tracks like ‘CO2’, ‘Mulaqat’, ‘All I need’, ‘Teri Hi Hum’, the atmosphere evolved into a sea of swaying lights, soulful sing-alongs and shared nostalgia. Shoven Shah, founder & CEO, TribeVibe Entertainment, added, “Prateek is an artist who can command an entire arena with nothing more than his voice and a guitar that’s the power of his artistry. Mumbai showing up in such impressive numbers reflects both his remarkable reach and the growing appetite for independent music.” After Mumbai, House of McDowell’s Soda Yaari Jam, produced and promoted by TribeVibe Entertainment, will continue its journey across Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati, inviting fans to immerse themselves in an experience of music, food and more. Tickets for all the shows are exclusively available on BookMyShow.
13 December,2025 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRenowned author Ruskin Bond has been admitted to a hospital in Dehradun due to discomfort in his leg. He is currently undergoing treatment under medical supervision. Bond's family members said that one of Ruskin Bond's legs has weakened, causing difficulty in walking. They added that he is expected to be discharged from the hospital in the next few days. Born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, Ruskin Bond is known for his captivating stories. Over several decades, he has written many novels, short stories, essays, and children's books. His writing often reflects the peaceful landscapes of his early years in the hills. Bond published his first novel, titled "The Room on the Roof" at the very young age of 17. The novel won the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957. He is known for his love for nature, small towns, and children. His work collection expands to over 500 short stories, novels, essays, and poems. His style of writing is focused on telling stories of life in small towns, feel-good stories with deep meaning hidden between the lines, evoking nostalgia, etc. Some of Ruskin Bond's most significant works include novels such as "Vagrants in the Valley", "A Flight of Pigeons", "The Blue Umbrella," and, of course, his award-winning debut novel, "The Room on the Roof." He has written countless heartwarming short stories, including "The Night Train at Deoli," "Time Stops at Shamli," and "Delhi Is Not Far." His poems and essays, such as "Rain in the Mountains" and "A Book of Simple Living," have also earned him global recognition. 91-year-old Ruskin Bond has charmed readers of all ages with his beloved characters. His writing is simple, nostalgic, and deeply evocative. He has received many awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Bhushan, the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, and the Padma Shri. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
13 December,2025 12:09 PM IST | Dehradun (Uttarakhand) | ANIArchaeologists in Turkey have uncovered one of the most important finds from Anatolia's early Christian era: a fresco of a Roman-looking Jesus as the "Good Shepherd." The painting was discovered in August in an underground tomb near Iznik, a town in northwestern Turkey that secured its place in Christian history as the place where the Nicene Creed was adopted in AD 325. Pope Leo XIV recently visited the town as part of his first overseas trip. At the time, the region was part of the Roman Empire, and the tomb in the village of Hisardere is believed to date to the third century, a time when Christians still faced widespread persecution. The Good Shepherd fresco depicts a youthful, clean-shaven Jesus dressed in a toga and carrying a goat across his shoulders. Researchers say it is one of the rare instances in Anatolia where Jesus is portrayed with distinctly Roman attributes. Before the cross was widely adopted as Christianity's universal symbol, the Good Shepherd motif played a key role in expressing faith, indicating protection, salvation and divine guidance. Despite its central role in early Christianity, however, only a few examples of the Good Shepherd have been found in Anatolia and the one in Hisardere is the best preserved. Lead archaeologist Gulsen Kutbay described the artwork as possibly the "only example of its kind in Anatolia." The walls and ceiling of the cramped tomb are decorated with bird and plant motifs. Portraits of noble men and women, accompanied by slave attendants, also decorate the walls. Eren Erten Ertem, an archaeologist from Iznik Museum, said the frescoes showed "a transition from late paganism to early Christianity, depicting the deceased being sent off to the afterlife in a positive and fitting manner." The excavation uncovered the skeletons of five individuals, anthropologist Ruken Zeynep Kose said. Because of poor preservation, it was impossible to determine the ages of two of them, but the others were two young adults and a six-month-old infant. Pope Leo XIV visited Iznik last month to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea that produced a creed, or statement of faith, that is still recited by millions of Christians today. Joined by patriarchs and priests from the Eastern and Western churches, Leo prayed that Christians might once again be united. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, presented a tile painting of the Good Shepherd discovery to Leo during his visit. Anatolia witnessed pivotal moments in Christian history: St Paul was born in Tarsus, St John spent his final years in Ephesus and the Virgin Mary may have lived her last days near the same city.
13 December,2025 09:10 AM IST | Iznik (Turkey) | APADVERTISEMENT
