The annual Panguni Car Festival at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli commenced with the traditional flag hoisting ceremony, drawing a large number of devotees. Namperumal, the processional deity, was taken from the sanctum to the flag hoisting mandapam, where special rituals were performed by temple priests. The flag hoisting took place at an auspicious time, marking the beginning of the 11-day festival. During the festival period, Namperumal will be taken out in procession on various vahanams through the temple streets twice daily, in the morning and evening. Key events of the festival include the Namperumal-Uraiyur Kamalavalli Nachiyar Serthi Sevai on March 29, the Namperumal-Ranganayaki Thayar Serthi Sevai on April 1, and the grand Panguni Car Festival (Therottam) on April 2. Temple authorities, including Joint Commissioner Sivarama Kumar, along with priests and staff, have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival. Thousands of devotees are expected to participate in the celebrations over the coming days. The festival, also known as Panguni Uthiram, marks the auspicious celestial wedding of Lord Murugan and Goddess Valli, a significant event in the Tamil Hindu calendar. Thousands of devotees chant "Ranga Ranga" as they pull the decorated chariot of Namperumal through the four Chithirai streets. The festival is observed in the Tamil month of Panguni and is celebrated in honour of the Hindu god Muruga. Devotees make offerings to Lord Muruga with sacrificial feats they believe will keep them away from evil spirits. Panguni Uthiram is a significant Tamil Hindu festival observed during the full moon of the Panguni month, which falls between March 14 and April 13. This festival aligns with the moon's transit through the Uttiram nakshatra (asterism) in the twelfth month of the Tamil calendar, Panguni. It coincides with the Hindu month of Phalguna/Chaitra. Panguni marks the conclusion of the solar Tamil calendar year, ushering in the beginning of the next new Tamil year. Panguni Uthiram is considered auspicious for Tamil Hindus worldwide. The festival is also associated with various mythological events, like the weddings of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, lord Ram and goddess Sita and lord Murugan (Kartikeya) and Devasena. 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.
24 March,2026 03:02 PM IST | Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) | ANIIt's been three months since a ceasefire ended bitter border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand, but signs of combat are cut deep in this 11th-century temple atop a 525-metre cliff in the Dangrek Mountain range. The neighbouring Southeast Asian countries have been fighting over Preah Vihear temple on and off for decades, and that's putting the ancient holy site in danger. Built by the same Khmer Empire that constructed Angkor Wat 160 kilometres southwest, the temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008 and are held as an important cultural relic by Cambodians. But after two rounds of major combat last year, much of the structure is damaged and Cambodian officials say that parts of it may be in danger of collapse. There's lots of wreckage, but no tourists Where tourists once admired the weather-beaten structure's elaborate carvings and a magnificent view over the Cambodian plains, there is now stone debris, artillery craters, and the ashes of burnt vegetation. "The temple has turned quiet, and its beauty looks so sorrowful because of the tragedy," Hem Sinath, archeologist and deputy director-general of the National Authority for Preah Vihear, told Associated Press journalists visiting earlier this month. The site is closed to tourism due to unstable walls and concern about the presence of unexploded ordnance. Areas are roped off and dotted with signs warning of land mines, a hazard Cambodians know well after decades of civil war that ended in the late 1990. Conservation staff, groundskeepers and troops remain stationed in and around the temple, from which Thai soldiers can be seen just across the border. All five of the temple's notable gateway pavilions were damaged, three almost beyond recognition, according to a damage assessment issued in January by Cambodia's Culture Ministry. An ancient northern staircase previously restored by a US-funded conservation project sustained severe hits from repeated bombardment. A statement issued last week by Cambodia's Culture Ministry said the temple had suffered damage in 142 locations during the fighting in July, and at 420 more during heavier and more sustained combat in December. "Experts have predicted that during the upcoming rainy season, some structures on the verge of collapsing could finally fall," Hem Sinath said. No independent outside evaluations of the damage are available. Cambodia charges temple was deliberately attacked Information Minister Neth Pheaktra accused the Thai military of relying on false information to justify incursions and of deliberately damaging the temple. "Preah Vihear temple belongs to all humankind. It is not an enemy of Thailand," he wrote. International law forbids attacks on important historical sites like the temple, but Thailand has argued that Cambodia militarised the temple by installing weapons systems, storing ammunition, and using the site as a base for surveillance equipment, voiding its wartime protection. This included a tall construction crane at the site, which the Thai army attacked after claiming it served as part of a military command and control system. Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree has insisted that Thai forces directed their fire strictly at military targets. Cambodia denies that its military ever used the temple, with its Ministry of Culture writing in a statement that the temple is under civilian control and that any security forces present were there only to protect the cultural heritage site. Each nation blames the other for starting the fighting that flared in July and December. Cambodia has reported that more than 640,000 people were displaced from border regions during the fighting, and almost 37,000 have yet to return to their homes. The temple has been contested for decades The temple, known as Phra Viharn to Thais, has been at the centre of a long-standing boundary dispute since the 1950s. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple and surrounding area of less than five square kilometres belong to Cambodia. The Court reaffirmed this ruling in 2013.For years, it drew visitors from both sides of the border, with many foreign tourists arriving via Thailand before the border was closed.Its designation by UNESCO as a Cambodian heritage site in 2008 rubbed salt into Thai wounds, and heightened nationalism stoked by domestic politics in Thailand contributed to sporadic armed conflict at the temple in 2008 and 2011. Restoration will be a challenge Restoring the temple will be a major challenge. Hem Sinath fears that weakened structures could collapse during the rainy season, which normally begins in late May or early June and continues through October.India, China and the United States have been involved in previous renovation efforts, but funding has been on hold since fighting broke out.Hem Sinath said that new and urgent projects needed to keep the temple from deteriorating further are being hindered by concerns for safety and security while the ceasefire remains fragile."We have a plan; we want to do a repair - the sooner the better, but as you see, it depends on the situation along the border," he said.
24 March,2026 01:16 PM IST | Preah Vihear (Cambodia) | APSinger Ronnie Bowman, best known for co-writing songs recorded by top country stars like Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney and George Strait, is no more. He passed away on Sunday at the age of 64. As per Billboard, Bowman suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident in Ashland City, Tennessee, on Saturday, and unfortunately, the following afternoon, he breathed his last. Mourning his demise, Bowman's family in a statement said, "Ronnie was beloved by so many in our music community, whom he loved so dearly. We are beyond grateful for all of the love & outpouring toward us already. Right now, as we process, we just covet your prayers. We have no words at this time, but thank you and graciously request that you honor our privacy while we try to put our heads around this and grieve." After learning about his death, musician-songwriter-producer John Carter Cash, son of Country Music Hall of Famer Johnny Cash, paid his condolences via a post on Instagram. "All my love goes out to family of @the.ronnie.bowman Ronnie was a friend and an amazing vocalist and musician. Love to all," he posted. Bowman began performing music at age three, first as part of a family band and then joining the bluegrass band Lost & Found. He soon joined The Lonesome River Band, serving as the group's vocalist/bass player from 1990-2001, and performed on the band's album Carrying The Tradition, which was named album of the year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 1991. He recorded four albums as part of The Lonesome River Band and recorded five solo albums, including Cold Virginia Night, which was named album of the year by the IBMA. 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.
24 March,2026 12:05 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIPatna University's historic Wheeler Senate House, the traditional venue of PU's convocation ceremonies, which also played host to Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore in March 1936, turned 100 on Friday. However, the landmark occasion passed like a blip in its centennial journey with no commemorative event scheduled to mark the milestone. "Today is a holiday at Patna University. The Wheeler Senate House building is a pride of the university and the city, but no event is planned to be hosted in the Senate hall for today," a senior official of the 108-year-old university told PTI. The charming senate house with Doric columns framing its entrance was inaugurated on March 20, 1926 by the then-governor of Bihar and Orissa province and Patna University chancellor Sir Henry Wheeler, and named after him. It was built using a generous endowment from Raja Devaki Nandan Prashad Singh of Monghyr (now Munger in Bihar). Sir Henry Wheeler had laid its foundation stone on March 16, 1925, according to archival records. "Before a large and distinguished gathering Sir Henry Wheeler inaugurated today the new building of the Wheeler Senate House presented to Patna University by Raja Devaki Nandan Prashad Singh of Monghyr," reads a report on the inauguration, published in a newspaper in March 1926. An old marble plaque embedded on a wall in the entrance lobby area carries the inscription of the inauguration event. After the opening ceremony, Singh hosted an "at home" for the guests. This iconic landmark in Patna has been a venue for many historic events since its opening. It traditionally hosted innumerable convocation ceremonies of PU before the function was moved out to a larger public auditorium, senate meetings, opening session of the Indian Science Congress in 1933, the All-India Oriental Conference in 1933, and the All-India Library Conference in 1940 and 1964. Besides, several annual general meetings of the Bihar and Orissa Research Society (later Bihar Research Society) in the 1920s and 1930s, annual conferences of medical associations, among other key events, have been held at this capacious hall. But, perhaps one event that lends it a different aura, is the felicitation of Tagore by a citizens' committee on March 17, 1936, during his two-day visit to Patna 90 years ago, as part of his north India tour in aid of Visva-Bharati. The senate house, facing the Ashok Rajpath in Patna, is adjoined to the university office building, also erected in the early 1920s, when PU, established on October 1, 1917, moved to its current location after operating from various sites since its inception. Gopal Chandra Singh (49), a staffer at PU, who has been working at the university office since 2002, says the PU buildings and the Wheeler Senate House stand as a symbol of a glorious chapter in Bihar's modern education history. "There is also a concealed door in the wall facing the dais of the senate hall, which leads to the examination department of the university office and eventually to the VC Office on the first floor. It has not been used for a long time now," he told PTI. The senate hall, a prominent landmark, has enjoyed nearly an uninterrupted legacy in its 100-year journey. However, in 2023 it was renamed 'Jayaprakash Narayan Anushad Bhawan' after socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan. Days before the 106th anniversary of the university, a new plaque was installed on the right side of the senate house's facade stating that it has been renamed after Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as 'JP'. While its name was officially changed in 2023, 'Wheeler Senate House' (in English) embossed on top of the facade of the building wasn't removed until around the 108th anniversary of PU last year, when the old nomenclature on the frontage was erased and replaced with 'Jayaprakash Narayan Anushad Bhawan' (in Hindi) using metallic letter blocks. Many heritage lovers and some members of PU's alumni have criticised the renaming of the historic senate house, saying the move amounts to "erasing history". The senate house building was refurbished a couple of years ago, for which a sum of Rs 2.84 crore was sanctioned. However, a nearly two-km double-decker flyover cutting through the heart of Ashok Rajpath, and inaugurated in June 2025, has eclipsed its glorious facade from public view. A few years ago, the pair of heritage gates of the Wheeler Senate House facing Ashok Rajpath, were replaced with new and tall gates -- christened 'Shatabdi Dwar' -- by the university administration to mark the centenary of PU. But, due to widening of the road to accomodate the double-decker flyover, they were again dismantled and rebuilt later with same design. The then-Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on September 5, 2023 unveiled a plaque embedded on the left side of the facade of the senate house to commemorate the reopening of the renovated hall. In his address on the occasion, Arlekar had suggested renaming the Wheeler Senate House, saying it was a colonial-era name. Citing Tagore's visit to the Wheeler Senate House in 1936, he had suggested that the hall could be named after the Nobel laureate. 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.
24 March,2026 10:42 AM IST | Patna | PTIResearchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are developing next-generation flexible semiconductor devices designed for continuous health monitoring, early disease detection and physiological assessment in demanding environments. The work is being carried out at the HESTECH (Hybrid Electronic Sensor Technologies) Lab, led by Dr Akshay Moudgil, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. The research focuses on soft, flexible and intelligent semiconductor devices capable of monitoring key physiological and biochemical signals from the human body in real time. These wearable sensors are designed to track parameters such as heart rate, muscle activity, body temperature and skin pressure, while remaining comfortable for prolonged use. According to Dr Moudgil, the motivation for this work is to address a critical gap in accessible, continuous health monitoring. He said that many health conditions in India and globally are detected too late because continuous monitoring remains limited outside specialised settings. The goal is to develop semiconductor devices that can continuously monitor body signals comfortably, enabling early detection and timely intervention. A key component of this research is the Organic Electrochemical Transistor (OECT), a class of semiconductor devices suited for interfacing with biological signals and fluids. Unlike conventional rigid electronics, OECT-based platforms enable both electrical and biochemical sensing in flexible formats. The HESTECH Lab is developing low-power wearable sensors using biocompatible hybrid semiconductor materials that can be fabricated on thin, flexible substrates. This makes them ideal for skin-conformal devices that enable continuous, non-invasive monitoring. Dr Moudgil explained that the team is exploring whether a single semiconductor platform can capture both the electrical activity of the body and biochemical signatures linked to disease. Using OECT technology, they are building compact, flexible devices to monitor heart activity, muscle response and disease-related biomarkers. One major application area is early disease screening. The team is developing biochemical sensors capable of detecting clinically relevant biomarkers in biofluids such as saliva, serum and blood. In the future, such portable systems could support point-of-care diagnostics in dental clinics, rural health camps and mobile healthcare units. In parallel, the lab is working on wearable sensors for physical health monitoring, including soft ECG patches for cardiac assessment, EMG sensors for muscle activity tracking and pressure and temperature sensors to detect early signs of pressure ulcers in at-risk patients. The technology also holds significant promise for defence and extreme-environment applications. Flexible semiconductor sensors could be integrated into uniforms or wearable patches to monitor physiological stress indicators, such as cardiac load, dehydration, fatigue, heat stress, and muscle strain, during training or field operations. Dr Moudgil noted that in defence environments, such devices could enable real-time physiological monitoring of personnel, supporting better decision-making, reducing stress-related injuries and enhancing mission readiness. He added that IIT Jodhpur aims to ensure that innovation translates into real-world impact, and semiconductor-based wearable technologies could create a future where health monitoring is continuous, comfortable and intelligent. With continued research and translational development, this technology has the potential to significantly improve access to diagnostics, enable preventive healthcare and deliver advanced monitoring solutions for both civilian and defence applications. 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
24 March,2026 10:12 AM IST | Jaipur | IANSA solo exhibition by artist Shruti Gupta Chandra features a new body of abstract works that chart the artist's journey through intuition, movement, and emotional responsiveness. "Where Does the Mind Stop and the World Begin?" at Triveni Kala Sangam's Shridharani Gallery marks a transition in Chandra's artistic journey, from early figurative realism and detailed anatomical studies to symbolic mindscapes, surreal architectural explorations, and a full embrace of abstraction. In this current series, Chandra rejects structural conventions, light-and-shadow formalism, and compositional predictability, instead forging organic pathways that rupture mainstream image-making. "Time sets boundaries and norms that we have. And I feel that's more in our mind. We set our own boundaries, we set our own limits, and that is something we need to break. And this time, I wanted to break every kind of recognisable form, recognisable colours, and introduce strange colours. If I felt like putting fabric, I did. If I felt like stitching, I did. I didn't follow any rules of light and shade. There were just no rules at all," Chandra told PTI. These "desire paths" become metaphors for freedom, routes carved instinctively across terrain, cutting through prescribed meanings to reveal multiversal configurations. In her latest body of work forms float untethered against luminous white grounds, sometimes voluminous, sometimes flat or amorphous, as while lines, dots, and gestural marks traverse the picture plane in unpredictable rhythms. Working across acrylic, oil, watercolour, pen, pastel, collage, and mixed media, Chandra's practice is informed by over four decades of engagement with both dance and visual art, as it reveals an intrinsic dialogue between movement and mark-making. Curator Ashwani Pai Bahadur said that in the last five years or so, Chandra has moved to techniques in abstraction influenced by music. "Her initial work was influenced by architecture and the human form... Because she is a fully trained Kathak dancer, there is a lot of the rhythm of dance which has now come into this work. There is a lot of movement in some of them. The movement is affected by her work in dance. Now a lot of colour has also come into her work. Colour is a very strong part of her work and in this show, she has moved towards mixed media a lot more than earlier," Bahadur said. The curatorial framework and key thematic insights of the exhibition draw on the accompanying essay by Lina Vincent, an art historian, writer, and curator, whose text reflects on the philosophical, aesthetic, and spiritual dimensions of the practice. The exhibition comes to an end on March 24. 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.
23 March,2026 05:09 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA village in Odisha's Ganjam district has been converted into a solar-powered settlement under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with nearly half of its households installing rooftop panels, officials said. Matikhala village now has around 200 of its 450 households equipped with rooftop solar systems under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, aimed at promoting clean energy adoption and reducing electricity costs. Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan and Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak inaugurated the solar-powered village in the presence of officials of Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPSODL), the implementing discom. Each beneficiary has installed a 1 kW solar system under the scheme, which is expected to lower household electricity expenses while supporting environmentally sustainable energy use, officials said. Under the ULA model launched last year, beneficiaries contribute Rs 5,622 towards the cost of panels, metres and installation. The Ganjam district administration has extended financial support to eligible households, the officials said. The TPSODL is responsible for end-to-end execution of the project, including installation and quality assurance. The company is also providing a five-year warranty on system components and 25 years on solar panels, they said. Beneficiaries are expected to receive uninterrupted power supply at reduced rates, the collector said, urging more residents to adopt rooftop solar systems under the scheme. The district administration is taking proactive steps to expand solar adoption at the panchayat level in coordination with stakeholders, he said. MLA Nayak said the initiative reflects the government's commitment to promoting affordable and clean energy in rural areas, adding that the ULA model would encourage wider adoption due to its low cost. 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.
23 March,2026 05:05 PM IST | Behrampur (Odisha)Hyderabad witnessed an unforgettable evening of soulful melodies, high-energy performances and cherished moments of togetherness as Indian pop-rock band Sanam took to the stage at Nexus Hyderabad Mall for a special live concert. Produced and promoted by TribeVibe Entertainment, the Hyderabad performance of the tour witnessed fans swaying and singing along to chart-topping hits like ‘Gulabi Aankhen’, ‘Lag Ja Gale’, ‘Pehla Nasha’, ‘Sanam Mennu’, ‘Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam’, ‘Ishq Bulaava’ and many more. The band captivated the audience with their signature fusion of melody and emotion, effortlessly bridging generations by blending timeless charm with a contemporary pop-rock sound. Speaking about the show, the band said, “Performing in Hyderabad was an incredible experience. The crowd’s energy, the way everyone sang along and celebrated the music with us made it truly unforgettable. Nights like these remind us of the powerful connection that live music creates between artists and audiences.” Shoven Shah, founder and CEO, TribeVibe Entertainment, shared,“Watching fans sing along in unison was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at TribeVibe. Seeing Sanam the band perform and witnessing the audience connect so deeply - singing every lyric was nothing short of magical. This is exactly the kind of emotion and energy we aim to recreate in every city on this tour. For us, it’s about curating moments that stay with people long after the music fades”. Known for reimagining iconic classics with their signature pop-rock sound while seamlessly blending them with original music, Sanam the Band created a musical journey that cut across generations. Each performance was met with thunderous applause as the audience celebrated every note, lyric and moment on stage. The evening perfectly embodied the spirit of camaraderie and the power of music. The event created a vibrant atmosphere where fans came together, sang along to their favourite tunes and made unforgettable memories.
23 March,2026 04:44 PM IST | Hyderabad | mid-day online correspondentGlobal comedy icon Russell Peters continued the India leg of his RELAX World Tour with a massive, high-energy show in Mumbai on Sunday, March 22. Drawing an audience of over 10,000 fans for an unforgettable night of stand-up at NESCO, the Mumbai show saw him performing to a packed venue. Peters delivered his signature mix of sharp observational humour, quick-witted crowd work and globally resonant cultural commentary. From the moment he stepped on stage, the audience erupted, setting the tone for an evening filled with laughter, spontaneity and razor-sharp punchlines. The evening took an unexpected turn with a surprise on-stage appearance by acclaimed Indian comedian Zakir Khan, who briefly joined Emmy, Gemini and Peabody Award-winning comedian Russell Peters, sending the audience into a frenzy. The moment highlighted a unique cross-cultural synergy, especially given Peters’ previous appearances at Khan’s global events, making this a fitting and reciprocal collaboration on stage. Addressing the crowd with his signature humility, Zakir Khan quipped that he had “just about a minute and a half of English,” but would do his best, drawing laughter and applause. He went on to share that his earliest exposure to stand-up comedy around 2008–2009 came through watching Russell Peters’ videos, crediting him as a major influence. Describing Peters as one of the kindest and most genuine individuals he has met, Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to share the stage, adding an emotional and memorable layer to the evening. Adding to the buzz, the audience featured several popular names including Taapsee Pannu, Viraj Ghelani, Atul Khatri, Divyanka Tripathi, Ruel Varindani, Sneha Kapoor, Punit and Nishit Pathak, Vivek Dahiya, Gaurav Khanna, Eijas Khan who were spotted enjoying the show from the crowd, further amplifying the star power of the evening. Peters opened the set with his trademark irreverence, instantly connecting with the Mumbai audience. He moved seamlessly through themes ranging from interracial relationships and cultural stereotypes to global socio-political observations, all delivered with his signature flair for accents and improvisation. His ability to incorporate hyper-local Mumbai references and nuances added a personalized touch that deeply resonated with the crowd. Known for his strong connection with Indian audiences, the Mumbai show not only matched but elevated the energy seen in Delhi. Russell Peters shares, “Mumbai is something that matters to me, it’s my favourite city. And it actually really matters to me hence I like to perform here often. So we have got Hyderabad Shillong and Kolkata lined up. Kolkata is my mom's city. I’m going there after 15 years hence I’m very excited.” Deepak Choudhary, who is the founder and managing director, EVA Live states, “The overwhelming turnout in Mumbai underscores the growing appetite for world-class comedy experiences in India. We’re proud to have brought two of the most iconic comedy acts together, creating a truly memorable and unprecedented on-stage collaboration.” Following the roaring success in Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi and Bengaluru, Peters will continue touring across India with upcoming shows in cities including Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata. Tickets are available exclusively on District by Zomato.
23 March,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe MIX (A Mumbai Indians Experience), kicked off in spectacular fashion, transforming the venue into a high-energy cultural playground where sport, music and fandom came together in true Mumbai style. The evening roared to life with a grand arrival of the Mumbai Indians players, setting off a wave of excitement across the venue. Fans gathered in huge numbers to catch a glimpse of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga and others, as they interacted with audiences through the day, bringing the #OneFamily spirit alive in a way that goes far beyond the field. The energy seamlessly carried onto the stage, where a power-packed line-up took over. Sugahunny B2B Hamshyre set the pace with a banger start, while Sanju Rathod added a vibrant, crowd-friendly Marathi flavour with hits like ‘Gulabi Sadi’ and ‘Shaky’ and a surprise appearance by Hardik Pandya, keeping fans hooked and singing along throughout, breaking out a few moves too. Divine delivered a commanding performance, turning the crowd into a chorus of voices as fans rapped along to anthems like ‘Mere Gully Mein’, ‘Apna Time Ayega’, ‘Wallah’ and ‘Mirchi’, and even warmed the stage, playing Nucleya‘s ‘Bass Rani’ and their ‘Scene Kya Hai’, before ending with ‘Baazigar’ and ‘Kaam 25’ as the Mumbai Indians squad came up on stage excited to meet their biggest fans before the seasons begins. The audience could not contain their excitement cheering and chanting their favourite players names. As his set began, Divine mentioned how big a fan of Rohit Sharma he is and by the end of it had the legend on stage vibing with him. Nucleya delivered a high-octane finale, making audiences dance to his tunes ‘Long Gawacha’, ‘Bass Rani’ and ‘Take Me There’ along with remixes of Bollywood and regional hits like ‘Choli ke Peechhe’, ‘Mala Jau Dya na Ghari’, ‘Dola Re Dola’ and ‘Thodi Si Daaru’. He revived childhood memories, pushing audiences into nostalgia with ‘Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai’. Taking things up several notches, The MIX redefined the live experience with a stage setup. Breaking the barrier between artist and audience, an exclusive on-stage fan section brought the ultimate superfans right into the heart of the action, close enough to feel every player chant, every beat drop, every cheer and every moment of madness as it unfolded in real time.Fans didn’t just attend - they played, explored and had the best time at The MIX. Across the grounds, energy pulsed through every corner. The gaming truck turned into a battleground of bragging rights, with console clashes and interactive games sparking friendly competition. Just a few steps away, the carnival zone burst with colour, movement and moments as lucky fans walked away flexing exclusive The MIX merch. Style met sport in the most effortless way, as India’s homegrown designers dropped customisable fashion staples that fused cricket culture with streetwear edge. Every corner doubled as a photo-op and the photobooths made sure no standout moment went uncaptured. The Khau Gali (F&B zone) was a full-blown sensory takeover, where the unmistakable flavours of Mumbai met specially curated MIX indulgences. Every bite became part of the experience, turning pit stops into highlights of their own. From the first roar on stage to the final mic drop, Day 1 of The MIX was a high-voltage collision of sport, music and community.
22 March,2026 11:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing a phenomenal opening in Bengaluru, leading sitarist and classical musician Rishab Rikhiram Sharma delivered a mesmerising performance in Mumbai, at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Captivating an audience of over 20,000 people, the evening marking the Mumbai leg of the Sitar for Mental Health India Tour 2026, saw the likes of celebrities such as Mika Singh, Raj Shamani, Tara Sutaria, Mrunal Thakur, Deepika Padukone, Anju Bhavnani, Ritika Bhavnani, Jasleen Royal, Samay Raina, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Nikhil Kamath, Gauri Khan, Maheep Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan, Sayani Gupta, Bhavna Pandey amongst others. The concert opened with a calming guided breathing exercise led by Rishab, accompanied by the gentle hum of the tanpura, inviting the audience into a deeply reflective and mindful space. He then performed a rich repertoire of ragas including Bihaag and Kedar, Tilak Kamod and Shyam Kalyan, seamlessly weaving them into the evocative Raag Tilak Shyam. On stage, Rishab spoke about how this was his sixth concert in the city, and even reminisced how his first show in the city was held in a basement for just 100 people in the suburbs, and now feels surreal to perform in front of thousands of attendees. In middle of the show, he even stepped into the crowd, making sure everyone felt included and part of the experience. A defining highlight of the night was the Mumbai unveiling of ‘SITARA – The Next-Generation Electric Sitar’, India’s first LED sitar, developed in collaboration with his father, master luthier Sanjay Sharma of the renowned Rikhi Ram lineage. Rishab’s expansive setlist bridged classical depth with contemporary familiarity, featuring original compositions like Shankara, Shiv Kailash, Burning Ghat and Roslyn, alongside dynamic sitar interpretations of popular pieces such as Harry Potter x Game of Thrones, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Zara Zara, and Tumhi Dekho Naa, as well as his Himachali folk single Belua. The concert concluded with powerful renditions of Chanakya, Kautilya and Tandavam—his interpretation of the Shiv Tandav Stotram earning a thunderous standing ovation from the crowd. He also sampled a new song Venkateswara as an ode to Lord Krishna. Blending spirituality with innovation, Rishab also saw him be very fashion-forward stage presence was elevated by his UV mehendi art curated by Shantanu Hazarika and a custom embellished ensemble by Shantanu & Nikhil, inspired by Michael Jackson’s military jacket style. The 10-city tour, produced by Team Innovation and District by Zomato, continues its journey across India with upcoming shows in Pune this weekend, followed by Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, before culminating in New Delhi in April.
22 March,2026 10:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
