Looking back in time, running definitely adds quality to life and it is truly never too late to start,” says Kaushik Panchal, founder of Runners Academy. At the age of 54, with more than 22 years of distance running behind him, Panchal speaks from experience, both as a runner and as a coach. As they age, people experience a sudden shift in the pace of life. Fatigue and stress become a part of their daily routine. Ruby Kanchgar leads the group in stretching exercises At the age of 33, Panchal was hit by the realisation that this was not a practical way to go about life. It was also compounded by the fact that he suffered from perpetual back ache, accompanied with issues of obesity and severe acidity. That is when, the businessman decided to change, one step at a time, no pun intended. Founded in 2015, Runners Academy in Borivli, now trains runners across five centres in Mumbai, many of them over 40 and senior citizens. The discipline of endurance Panchal insists, “Consistency in training is the most important aspect.” New runners at the academy train four to five days a week for two to three months, allowing endurance and strength to build gradually. The training plans are customised — considering factors such as age, fitness levels, previous injuries, and more importantly, the profession of the individuals. The group performs hip rotation exercises to ensure better mobility Sunday long runs form the core of the group’s marathon preparation. The community often changes locations to break routine and maintain motivation. “Warm-ups are treated as the holy grail, these include a head-to-toe warm up, giving your body a wake-up call,” reveals Panchal. Pre-run drills help avoid sudden jerks during the run The running coach insists on dynamic movements before each run, including foot gymnastics and running ABC drills. The latter are a set of fundamental running exercises — A-Skips, B-Skips/bounding, and C-Skips/butt kicks — designed to improve running form, efficiency, coordination, and speed by focusing on high knees, powerful leg drives, and quick foot turnover, making runners faster and reducing injury risk. These are paired with a slow jog or walk to ease the body into motion. Injury is avoidable Addressing the inevitable question, Panchal highlights, “Injuries are often the result of avoidable mistakes. Common problems such as stress fractures, plantar fasciitis (a common cause of heel pain, resulting from irritation and inflammation), and knee pain usually come from worn-out shoes, running on hard surfaces, skipping warm-ups, or increasing mileage too quickly. Lack of strength training and vitamin deficiencies also play a role.” His solution is simple: Structured training, gradual progression, and fewer back-to-back races. Runners at the Autism Awareness Marathon at Kandivli East in 2019 Strength training, yoga, and cross-training are built into the academy’s weekly schedules. “Running should never be an everyday activity, as you need the same amount of days to recover,” says Panchal. Three to four running days are balanced with strength work and flexibility training. Community is central to the academy. “Group training helps runners to stay motivated during plateaus and missed sessions. We travel together for races across India, including events such as the Pondicherry and Ladakh marathons.” A group of runners participate in a yoga session before warm-up A regular with the group, Dr Harshita Satam Ingole, 39, shares, “Running marathons was not something I thought I would enjoy. Regular long-distance training has improved my cardiovascular capacity and overall muscular resilience. The Sunday endurance run is something I especially look forward to.” Nutrition, hydration, and mindset Contrary to popular perception, Panchal suggests managing nutrition is easy. “It is equally important to focus on pre and post-run nutrition. For pre-running, keep it simple. Fruits like bananas, oranges, dates, and dry fruits, nothing too heavy. After a run, it is essential to have a protein-rich meal, within two hours.” This includes hydration, too. Drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes a day before the run will do wonders. Kaushik Panchal After long runs, runners are advised to walk to bring their heart rate down gradually and stretch. A quick nap and an ice-cold shower also help, as does foam rolling. Panchal concludes by saying, “With the right training regimen, and consistent discipline, running almost feels like a high. It becomes a habit you love.” At L-101, Dattapada Road, Food Corporation of India Warehouse, Borivli East. Log on to@runners_academy Call 9821026416 Do’s and Don’ts Do’s1. Consult a physician before taking up running2. Do your warm-ups. Spend 10-15 minutes before every run.3. Start slowly with walk-jog Don’ts1. Do not run everyday2. Do not skip sleep and recovery3. Don’t skip 3:1 ratio (3 portions of protein and one of carbohydrates pre and post-meal respectively)
31 December,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareAt one point during the anti-CAA NRC protests in Mumbai’s Nagpada in 2020, uniformed policemen stopped Dhammarakshit Randive and his cultural collective Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch (YSM) in their tracks. ‘No dafs (handheld drums) allowed’, was the diktat. “That day, we thumped beats on our own bodies, some of us tried to mimic the beats with our mouths [beatboxing]. The protest songs never stopped,” he recalls. Six years from this tryst, the group will recreate the atmosphere at a Lower Parel venue for Mumbaikars willing to lend an ear. A moment from a previous edition of Amhi Kon. PICS COURTESY/AKLESH SUTAR, YSM Amhi Kon, a showcase of protest poetry, socially aware hip-hop, and folk traditions will pan the spotlight onto pressing matters — deforestation, caste-based violence, class divide, tribal rights. Led by city-based collective Swadesi Movement, recognised for spearheading the cause of deforestation and tribal displacement in Aarey Forest through their song The Warli Revolt in 2019, the showcase is a “bridge between the urban Mumbaikar and the voices of people who have a different culture and lived experiences to share,” says rapper Aklesh Sutar of Swadesi Movement. Loud and clear On stage this weekend will be members of Swadesi Movement, YSM, and Tappori’s Paradise, a collective of rappers, b-boys, graffiti artists, and DJs from across the city. Attendees can also expect to hear two unreleased tracks from Swadesi’s repertoire: Luxury, a reminder for Mumbaikars that the most prized luxury is the green cover that is slowly diminishing; and Waqt, a reflection on the relentless march of time. A b-boying act from hip-hop crew Tappori’s Paradise. PIC COURTESY/Gaurav Trivedi, @TAPPORIsPARADISE on Instagram The YSM troupe will present the folk tradition of Ambedkarite jalsa shahiri, a celebration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s teachings through the popular folk music of Maharashtra. We’re told that the group is now experimenting to include the electric guitar and give the folk tradition a rock twist. “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was clear in his belief that social and cultural reform will precede economic and political reform. Our songs also draw inspiration from the poems of late Namdeo Dhasal, who led the Dalit Panther movement from the chawls of this city,” Randive reveals. Personal, political, and poignant Namdeo Dhasal. PIC COURTESY/NAMDEO DHASAL FOUNDATION (right) Narendra Dabholkar. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Keeping the fire of cultural revolt burning is equally personal for the activist. Growing up in Satara district, Randive crossed paths with Devdatta Dabholkar, who would go on to introduce the young activist to his brother, and late social activist and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. “I worked closely with rationalists like the Dabholkars and Govind Pansare, who was killed in 2015. The truth that the Indian Constitution is paramount is ingrained deep in my mind. Wherever the Constitution is under threat, we [YSM] will be ready to voice its dissent,” he says. Aklesh Sutar Will there be takers for these strong words at the Lower Parel venue that is known for its eclectic gigs and late-night parties that trickle into the wee hours? “It might make some Mumbaikars uncomfortable; the great part is, that’s exactly what we want. Then again, you can’t really blame the Mumbaikar — after an unforgiving workday and long commutes, he wants something easy on the senses. Perhaps that is why Mumbai loves to let loose and dance,” he says. With the dafs in hand this time, we’re sure they’ll make you dance alright. ON January 4; 9 pm AT antiSocial, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO skillboxes.comENTRY Rs 499
31 December,2025 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleFew exhibitions can claim to be a culmination of a decade of work. On January 6, the city-based collective Art Heart will host their first exhibition of artists at the Jehangir Art Gallery to highlight a decade-long commitment to the visual arts. “We conceptualised Art Heart in 2015. One of our main objectives was to offer new artists a platform. To that end, we would often host artist camps to welcome, and encourage new ideas,” shares Vandana Lund, founding member. The exhibition is a natural progression of the practice, she adds. “The camp location in Kolvan is distinctly different. We invite artists from across the country to participate, and there are no stipulations made. We do not demand a theme, a number of canvases or a deadline. It is this freedom that contributes to the ideas that follow,” she states. Untitled by Smitha GS, acrylic on canvas. Pics Courtesy/ArtHeart This explains the origins of the curation that will open to Mumbaikars on Tuesday. “The title of the work, Texture of Thought, emerged as a result of these aesthetic practices. The freedom and the scenic nature of the camp often let people slowly examine the true nature of their thoughts. It is difficult for us to truly understand it unless we are in such a space. For instance, an urban Mumbaikar only knows the effect of silence and slowing down once you step out of the city. It was the same for the artists,” the founding member adds. Little Magician by Monica Ghule The curation will include selective works from over 100 artists who have participated in the camps. “We had to carefully choose to highlight as many artists as we could. It is not every day that you get a chance to showcase work at Jehangir [Art Gallery],” the curator shares. Art, however, is only one part of the equation, we learn. Vandana Lund The exhibition will be held to support the Abled Disabled All People Together (ADAPT), formerly Spastics Society of India. “A part of the revenue from the sales of the artworks will go to fund the ADAPT cause,” shares Vandana. That gives us some texture for thought. FROM January 6 to 12; 11 am to 7 pm AT Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
31 December,2025 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarToday is the day when the realisation dawns upon everyone: A New Year is upon us, and the resolutions that have been put off all this while, need to be acted upon. Instead of getting wrapped up in the anxiety, the trick is to keep it simple and practical. City-based psychologist and psychotherapist, Meghna Karia has some tips to help you approach the new year. Understand the issue Many people share the anxiety about lacking the discipline to keep to their resolutions. Unfortunately, this anxiety eventually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Often, the inability to act on resolutions can be attributed to various lows. Experiencing delays in receiving rewards, especially for long-time objectives such as saving money or building a healthier physique can cause a decline in motivation; the inclination to show up slowly fades away.” Meghna Karia The other culprit is unrealistic goals. “Popular trends like new diets on the Internet can be tempting; but foregoing your favourite things for an extended period of time is not easy. Everyday fatigue adds to the challenge,” she describes. Intentions, not resolutions Karia emphasises that the best way to address this problem is to set intentions which can be more effective. “An intention is more specific and directs the brain towards what is more important. Things that matter the most can have a clear intent without pressure,” she tells us. Show up consistently, but always have a backup plan in place Instead of following a new diet, redefine it through its intention — taking care of your health. “A resolution may induce mental overload and guilt, locking you into a strict plan. The lack of flexibility in your plan may also demotivate you,” she explains. Karia further suggests going by the ‘few minutes’ idea, and starting tasks which requires only a few minutes of your day to start. “This will automatically help you form a habit, and show up regularly for yourself.” Face your setbacks Setting a night time routine can help build discipline “Create a setback plan. This ensures that you’re prepared for a resolution or schedule not working out as intended,” Karia advises. This setback plan should allow the individual a space to feel secure and content. This could require re-adjusting your daily routine, to adapt to an alternative plan. “It’s also important to celebrate small milestones. For instance, showing up to any physical exercise for half an hour a day consistently for a couple of weeks needs to be celebrated as a win,” Karia reminds us. Make a vision board Use vision boards to visualise your goals and progress A useful method of concretising your New Year’s intentions is by having a vision board — a visual representation of your objectives — of habits you’d like to build, places to travel, and more. The psychotherapist advises, “Having something to look at everyday helps the brain retain the focus, and prompts action. However, these goals must be doable with day-to-day steps. Check if you’re adding any meaning to your intention: Finding meaning drives motivation.” She proposes reaffirming these intentions with positive phrases. More importantly, track your progress, whether through a habit tracker, a log book, or a template. “You can also add prompts, pictures of yourself, anything to remind you of how far you’ve come,” adds Karia. Lastly, find activators in daily life — concrete cues that spark action such as catching up with a friend at the gym, or working towards a major entrance exam. Daily routine Karia also underlines the importance of setting a daily routine. “Morning and night time rituals can motivate you to stick to the routine, gradually taking you closer to your intentions. Begin the day by hydrating yourself, practising grounding techniques, exercising gently, journaling, or getting some sunlight; wind down in the evening with a warm shower, dimming the lights, reading a book, or sipping a warm beverage to slow down your mind, inducing natural sleep,” Karia signs off. It is the little things that enable you to achieve the larger goal after all.
31 December,2025 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshTitle: Rukmini Aunty and R K Narayan Fan Club Author: Sita BhaskarGenre: FictionPublisher: Penguin Random House IndiaCost: Rs 399 A group of curious women lean from the window of Rukmini’s meditation room in yoga poses. They are peering at the dilapidated house on Vivekananda Road, opposite Rukmini and Sesha’s abode in Mysore. The house in question is where the beloved writer RK Narayan lived, and wrote his best works. His fan club comprising women from the neighbourhood have taken upon themselves to find a way to restore it. Sita Bhaskar’s new novel Rukmini Aunty and the RK Narayan Fan Club (Penguin India) takes readers into a small neighbourhood in Mysore, and explores questions of heritage and literary culture through humour and a sense of nostalgia for the twentieth century writer’s world. RK Narayan Booker Prize-winning novelist Hilary Mantel, in an essay about Narayan titled ‘Real Magicians’, had said, “He respects his characters, respects their created natures. This is why he can make jokes about them and stay friends with them.” Bhaskar’s characters pay homage to this familiarity with the peculiar habits of the ordinary world that Narayan created. Often her minor characters, the families in the neighbourhood, make appearances from Narayan’s oeuvre: Swami from Swami and Friends, the reluctant godman and Bharatnatayam dancer from The Guide as characters in a young filmmaker’s film, and a boy called Nitya whose parents had vowed to have his hair shaven, borrowed from the short story ‘Nitya’. The MCC (an abbreviation from Swami and Friends) too returns cheekily, this time as the Mysore City Corporation. However, it is in the world that exists outside of the borrowed stories where Bhaskar pays a greater tribute. She offers her readers characters like Rukmini Aunty, Sesha Uncle, and the fan club members, who display middle-class sensibilities of contemporary India. They have relatives in America, pursue yoga and meditation classes, encounter day-to-day bureaucracy, find information on Instagram reels, and stand on the cusp of modernity while trying to hold on to the last threads of family traditions. An illustrated cover of the book. Illustration Courtesy/Mohith O Like Narayan’s prose, these characteristics are best demonstrated through dialogues between the characters rather than descriptions. One laughs with them and adores them. Several chapters also give the illusion of being self-contained, but the stories come alive best when they are brought together for a single purpose — to be weighed up at the fan club meetings. Although constructed at a different time from Narayan, Bhaskar’s world makes one believe it could easily be Narayan’s, were he alive and writing today.
30 December,2025 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWe were all wrong,” admits Dr Geoffrey Hinton in conversation with podcaster Nayeema Raza. It’s not every day that you hear this admission from a Nobel Prize awardee. Long before he became the Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics for his work on machine learning in 2024, Hinton joined Google Brain in 2012 (the AI arm of Google). He would later resign in 2023 citing the growing risks of AI for humanity. Hence, his admission in the podcast: That he, along with many like him, were wrong in predicting how soon Artificial Intelligence (AI) would become a tangible threat. Throughout the 30-minute podcast, Raza throws oversimplified questions at the Nobel Laureate. Understandably so — the podcast titled Smart Girl Dumb Questions pitches questions that many of us have pondered upon, but never asked out loud. “Is there anything humans can do better than AI?” she asks. Hinton admits, “Absolutely nothing.” To its credit, the podcast steers clear of conspiracy theories (except a short detour to take shots at Tesla and X owner Elon Musk’s vested interests). That begs the bigger question, what can AI do to us in 2026? Hinton lays out two major threats. Warfare, he says, will be starkly different. AI models will dictate whom and when to attack, leaving little room for emotions in war. Orchestrating cyberattacks, on the other hand, will become as easy as clicking a button. The biggest concern, he believes, is AI growing apathetic. “AI wants two things: To know more, and to have more control,” Hinton notes. “At one point when your child is struggling to tie his shoelaces, you’d lose patience and take over. That’s where we’re at with AI. Control might soon change hands,” he reveals. The expert’s solution to the quandary is unique: Teach AI to develop maternal instincts. Injecting empathy into the technology, he believes, is the only way it will care for humans when it eventually takes the wheel. Hinton admits he does not know the ‘how’ behind it yet. While we wish the podcaster and the guest took a breather to focus on the positive impact AI could have in areas like healthcare, education, and STEM research, we’ll cut them some slack given Dr Hinton’s long standing stance: “We must act urgently, and act loud in the face of AI.” There may be some good news though, the guest hints. “No superpower in world politics wants another to become an AI superpower. In that sense, whenever one of them figures out how to disarm AI, they’ll surely announce it to the world,” he laughs. Raza plays a good host, creating enough room for the academician to walk in and out of humorous detours with ease. Raza ends the podcast with a question that has the internet divided: Should you say thanks and please to your chatbot, lest you end up in its bad books once it figures out world domination? “Even if you’re rude to your personal AI assistant, it will be smart, and more importantly benevolent enough to know you didn’t mean it that way,” he signs off. Omnipresent, all-knowing, and now supposedly a benevolent figure that sees us as its children — that rings a bell. LOG ON TO Smart Girl Dumb Questions on YouTube
30 December,2025 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThey say the jungle truly comes alive as the day wanes. The Twilight Nature Trail by Naturalist Explorers was started to explore this very facet of the natural world. The trail offers evening nature walks through the city’s largest urban forest — Aarey. Masira Shaikh, nature and cultural curator, says, “Most nature trails are scheduled early in the morning, and many people are not keen to wake up early on a weekend. That is why we start our trails by 4 pm.” But that is not the only reason. Shaikh adds, “Insects are usually more active, birds are easily spotted, and the temperature of the forest is comparatively more pleasant; especially during the post-monsoon season.” Attendees standing under an exotic Rain tree The trail will pass through Vanicha Pada, one of 27 tribal hamlets within the forest during its two-kilometre-long sojourn. The group, led by the experts, will often stop to observe plants closely, listen to stories, and learn about the creatures of the forest. “Native trees sit alongside plantations introduced when the land was taken over by the government. The difference is easy to spot. Plantations stand in neat rows, while the forest grows freely, with vines, overlapping branches, and is home to more birds,” replied Shaikh. A child squeezing a Tanoli berry to demonstrate that it could be used as a natural colour. Pics courtesy/Naturalist Explorers There are exotic species as well, such as the Rat Poison tree, scientifically known as Gliricidia (as its seeds, bark, and leaves contain toxins used traditionally as rodenticides), alongside native plants that attract butterflies and birds. There are jackfruits, mango, papaya, coconut, and hibiscus as well as some medicinal plants that also grow near fruit trees planted by the community. Warli painting on the walls of tribal hutment in Vanicha Pada “We will also pass houses made with mud and bricks, and some painted with Warli art. Most residents here are Warli tribals, with smaller numbers of Katkari and Konkana tribal groups as well,” explained Shaikh. She also mentions how a small shrine built around a sacred rock marks a spiritual stop on the trail. The residents also believe the spirit of the protector is inside the rock. Participants will also be familiarised with the fact that nature worship runs deep here. “Big cats, forests, and farming cycles are part of daily belief; however, climate change has disrupted this balance especially with unseasonal rain that destroyed nearly half the rice crop,” says Shaikh. A fruit of Sterculia tree The walk curator concludes by saying, “This nature trail is not just a walk, it is more of a cultural dive into the cultural aspects of Aarey Colony and a peek into the life of the communities that live around.” Masira Shaikh shows children a Bagworm Moth Case on a previous nature trail TILL January 17; 3.45 pm onwardsMEETING POINT New Zealand Hostel, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon.LOG ON TO urbanaut.in ENTRY Rs 450 onwards
29 December,2025 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareEleanor Oliphant is Completely FineDebarati Aich, senior manager in operational excellence, Malad This is Gail Honeyman’s debut novel and I came upon it through the online platform, Goodreads. I was surprised by the unexpected wit and humour in her writing while addressing poignant subjects like loneliness and mental health. I thoroughly enjoyed how unpredictable the book was till the end. Eleanor felt so real that, even without relating to her, I could empathise with her completely. If You TellSrijan Dubey, screenwriter, Andheri This year I read a genre I never have before — true crime. The first book that I read was Gregg Olsen’s. I was caught completely off guard. I’ve read the crime fiction greats, but was not prepared for the visceral and deeply unsettling contents of this book, bolstered by the fact that it is true to real life events. I’ve also started reading some philosophy with Peter van Inwagen’s Metaphysics. In the coming year, I hope to continue with it, and hopefully gather courage to pick up a true crime book again. Invisible WomenMonika Sharma, film professional, Andheri West I have been reading and re-reading Caroline Criado-Perez’s book. You think you know from lived experience the inequity that comes with being a woman. This book startles you. In my varied discussions with friends who think that the world isn’t all that bad for women, I keep sharing pages from that book. I insist that they give it a read for a data-driven approach that showcases the reality. No Easy DayAryaman Veer Pathania, student of Bombay International School, Worli The book follows the life of the navy seal Matt Bissonette — his selection into Seal Team 6, his journey of training with them, and his role in Operation Neptune Spear, the one which killed Osama Bin Laden. Bissonette has written it under his pen name Mark Owen. Since it’s a memoir, the account is deeply personal and detailed. It is a gripping story told authentically, and the narrative style keeps you on the edge of your seat. Mother Mary Comes to MeSriparna Basu Mullick, editorial consultant, Goregaon Arundhati Roy’s memoir was recommended as part of a book club; I’m so glad I picked it up. It’s a great read and an interesting perspective on how all of Roy’s characters are well-rounded. She tells us who someone is, and in many ways shows us why they are that way. It is reminiscent of life for each of us. We may be quick to judge people, but isn’t it essential to know why someone is the way they are? Citizen by DescentNikita Kotecha, writer, Chembur This is a series of autobiographical essays by Kritika Arya that explore the realities of mental health, being a third culture child, and discovering identity, belonging and safety within multiple physical, mental and psychological spaces. 11 illustrators from all over the world make the book a visual treat. As someone who is a third culture kid herself, I have never felt like I belong anywhere. This book made me feel like someone understood me.Available At all leading bookstores and e-stores
29 December,2025 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWhether Indian Classical music is on your playlist or not, it’s been hard to ignore Purbayan Chatterjee, and the unmistakable presence of his sitar this year. Following international jam sessions with the likes of Dream Theater, Steven Wilson, and Snarky Puppy, the globe-trotting maestro will now turn homeward, opening 2026 in Mumbai. Guy Bernfeld The concert, Sitar Stories, brings together an ensemble featuring Mark Lettieri, the five-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist and core member of Snarky Puppy, alongside Pandit Yogesh Samsi, Grammy-nominated musician Varijashree Venugopal, Stephen Devassy, and Shravan Samsi. For Mumbaikars, the concert offers an exclusive peek into Chatterjee’s upcoming album with Lettieri, Feathered Creatures. Excerpts from the interview. What is the origin story behind The Sitar Stories?In 2024, I released an album titled Sitar Stories which followed the instrument’s journey across time. From playing my father’s Surbahar (bass sitar) that I brought to Mumbai from Kolkata, to jamming with young musicians on the e-sitar, Pandit Samsi laid the rhythmic foundation for the album on the tabla. More recently, I’ve been working with Mark Lettieri on a new album [after an onstage collaboration with Snarky Puppy in 2023] that marks a foray into electronica. I’ve become close friends with these musicians over time. This first performance of the year sits at the cusp where the two albums converge. Mark Lettieri of Snarky Puppy (left) jams with Purbayan Chatterjee Tell us about the upcoming album, Feathered CreaturesWe’ve dived headfirst into Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and electronica. The first single will be out in April 2026 through Snarky Puppy’s label GroundUP Music. When you hear snippets of it at the Mumbai show, you’ll notice the distinct grand cinematic production, and Lettieri’s jazzy riffs shine through. I’m excited to see how younger audiences like this fusion of genres. It will speak directly to the Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences in a language they are already familiar with. Come 2027, we plan to tour with the album across the USA. Fusion seems to be the buzzword no one can get enough of. What makes a good fusion track, in your opinion? It’s true that fusion has become everybody’s go-to. That’s partly because we’re growing dissatisfied with a limited range of frequencies, at a time when music is more accessible than ever. For instance, when I’m in Spain listening to flamenco, or watching Guy Bernfeld lay down a groovy bassline, my instinct is to respond with the sitar. That genuine impulse is at the heart of good fusion. It has to be a call-and-response conversation that works both ways, as opposed to a one-sided, forced effort. Varijashree Venugopal and Stephen Devassy The West’s fascination with the sitar is not new; it drew The Beatles to India. With the way international artistes have brought the instrument onstage in 2025, are we looking at a new wave? Sitar is definitely having a moment of resurgence in the mainstream music space. If The Beatles’ visit in 1968 was a watershed moment for the instrument, what we’re seeing now is light seeping through a new crack beginning to emerge. It is a cue for me, and younger sitarists, to ride that wave. After my student Megha Rawoot collaborated with Ed Sheeran earlier this year, I also started an ongoing email correspondence with him. He’s keen on knowing more about Indian Classical music. Closer to home, Arijit Singh is also embracing the sitar. He’s an exceptional instrumentalist. 2026 looks exciting, to say the least. ON January 3; 7.30 pmAT The Grand Theatre, NMACC, Bandra Kurla Complex.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 1500
29 December,2025 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAs the year draws to a close, it might be time to pause and reflect on the grim reality faced by many Indians even today: Struggles of ordinary individuals, from mental illness and disabilities, to pain and personal loss continues to be stigmatised, with limited avenue for people to express their problems safely. However, storytelling as a medium has always been an outlet for their expression. Mumbai-based mental health professional Kashmira Adil Kakalia’s book, Abled Tales (Notion Press) provides a peek into such lives encountered by the author over the course of her career. The book mentions the value of gratitude journalling, a practice the author incorporates into her therapy sessions “In 30 years of my practice as a narrative therapist and special educator with people across age groups, I have witnessed the complex, layered circumstances of those living with the stigma of their mental health issues, emotional pain, and disability amongst other struggles,” Kakalia recalls. The book contains over 20 chapters, each narrating the challenges faced by children she worked with on an individual, familial, institutional, and social level. The names are understandably altered, but the language is simple and straightforward. “I wanted to humanise these struggles for the reader, rather than making these anecdotes heavy with technical jargon,” she explains. That being said, the book does come with an interactive note on terminology at the very beginning, encouraging readers to put aside their linguistic biases when reading about disabilities. “I’ve seen it often with many youngsters I worked with: They would describe themselves using words like ‘stupid’, ‘useless’, and ‘incapable’, often after hearing others say similar things or being picked on for their differences,” Kakalia tells us. One of the chapters describes a teenager’s struggles with mathematics in school; she is notably mentioned saying that she could only see ‘numbers in space’ One chapter spells out the story of a child with dyslexia, and the various sessions Kakalia undertook to improve her coordination, writing, and directionality. Likewise, another section deals with a young girl lacking self-esteem, leading her to daydream, and scribble in her school notebooks as a form of emotional expression; notably, her parents found it hard to accept she needed help. “Acceptance is a crucial theme in my book,” Kakalia emphasises. “A recurring pattern has been the families’ inability to accept something that requires addressal and support, all due to the prevalent fear in Indian society of ‘What will other people say?’ Anyone facing such unseen challenges requires motivation and empathy, and to have their small wins celebrated.” Kashmira Adil Kakalia We ask Kakalia if, as a specialist, anything has surprised her about the collective experiences she came across. “Of course, the surprise was to see the children who were once nervous and lonely in their struggles, grow up into well-settled and capable adults, who have built upon their skills and made something of themselves.” Her message, she points out, is how ordinary people can showcase immense resilience in the face of extraordinary circumstances. “Resilience doesn’t always look the same. For instance, someone being able to identify if they are suffering from an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and subsequently seeking help for it, is also a form of resilience,” she says. “My aim is to create more awareness about these problems, so that people may take inspiration from these tales, and learn to believe in themselves and others. Everyone deserves respect, regardless of ability,” she signs off. Available Amazon, FlipkartCost Rs 355 (paperback, on Amazon)
27 December,2025 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshThe idea struck during a house party that went on till 4 am,” says musician Abhishek Mishra. Usually, any story that opens with those words automatically has our nod. But Mishra needs a few more, at least 300, to bring his vision of a mega music jam to fruition in Mumbai. “You don’t have to be a great singer to show up and have fun,” he says. With that out of the way, we’re all ears. Abhishek Mishra When the clock strikes four this evening, participants will settle into their spots and watch eight open mic acts take stage to set the ball rolling. The mic will then turn to the audience who will battle it out in quirky musical games. “People often need a push to start singing. A prompt, a friend singing along, or an incentive,” Mishra points out. One of the games will have them decipher popular Bollywood tunes translated to English. The heart of the gathering is a group singalong where amateurs, professionals, first-timers, all join in to sing their hearts out in unison. A keyboardist, guitarist and percussionist will set the tone for the night. Vocalist Aditi Singh will join the jam The set list for the night includes hits by Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Kailash Kher, and the talk of the town right now — Sunidhi Chauhan. “We want Mumbaikars from all walks of life and across age groups to feel at home. As a ground rule, we do not pick out people and put them in the spot to sing. They’re free to find their sweet spot in the crowd,” the founder reveals. Like any good party, this one ends with dance — a whole lot of it. “It’s the end of the year. That’s as good a reason as any to dance our worries away,” Mishra says. As the Eagles foretold in their perennially overplayed hit Hotel California, ‘some dance to remember, some dance to forget’. What’s your pick? ON December 27; 4 pmAT antiSocial, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO district.inENTRY Rs 499 Tongue twisters Mishra shares a peek into a few riddles from the night. Can you guess the popular Bollywood hits behind these humorous, literal English translations?1) The bride’s friend is a silken thread, she blushes secretly2) The madman speaks the truth, don’t ever fall in love 3) Now that we’ve started walking, these roads walk with us 4) Walk with me till the horizon Answers 1) Banno Ki Saheli, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) 2) Sach Keh Raha Hai Deewana, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001) 3) Hum Jo Chalne Lage, Jab We Met (2012) 4) Falak Tak Chal, Tashan (2008)
27 December,2025 10:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
