Red and radiant Kicking off the Year of the Horse in style, actress Richa Chadha galloped into the Chinese New Year celebrations at Kuan Kung Temple in Mazagaon. Fans from all communities flocked to catch a glimpse of the Gangs of Wasseypur star and join in the vibrant celebrations on February 16 Home is where the cat is If Aram Nagar screams struggling actors, Bandra is for the belles of the ball. Among its brightest is The Lunchbox star Nimrat Kaur, who has been comfortably ensconced in the same Carter Road building as Kamal Sadanah and Leena Chandavarkar for some years — until recently. With the sea-facing property being redeveloped, Nimrat now finds herself in transition. “I am mid-move as we speak,” she confesses, adding, “New beginnings always come with discomfort and difficulties, but it’s a welcome change.” Nimrat Kaur Not a soul who clings to her comfort zone, Nimrat is packing up and relocating without regret. It helps, of course, that she isn’t moving too far — her new pad is in Bandstand. “I love Bandra! I love the cafés here, I love the culture, and the milieu of people who come from different parts of the country to make this their home. Between the by lanes and the bungalows, it is all so cosy and beautiful.” While she is a self-confessed fan of this suburb’s dazzling Christmas lights, it is something else altogether that has us feeling warm and fuzzy. Nimrat’s 20-year-old feline friend, cattily called Karamchand, is at the centre of this story. “I have planned this entire move basis his comfort. He’s so old, I don’t want to cause him any stress. Once the new house is absolutely ready, he and his couch will be the last things to move.” Sounds purrfect. In time with tradition Rishab Rikhiram Sharma has Gen Z swooning over the sitar, and if that wasn’t flex enough, he has a stamp of approval from the White House too — having performed there during the Joe Biden administration. These days, the Delhi-born sitarist, music producer, and mental health advocate calls New York home, but wears India on his sleeve at every opportunity. Rishab Rikhiram Sharma Quite literally. Despite his eye-catching trishul mehendi, one cannot help but marvel at Rishab’s swadeshi timepiece: a stunner called The One, designed by Gaurav Mehta of Jaipur Watch Company. Featuring an authentic quarter anna coin dating back to the late Thirties, it is adorned with Devanagari numerals that whisper heritage while making a decidedly modern statement. A favourite with our very own Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well (he has a piece from the brand’s Baagh collection), these timepieces are an ode to India — much like Sharma himself, whose music carries the country’s classical soul across continents with algorithm-breaking global resonance. It is that same resonance he now brings to Mumbai on March 20, as part of his ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ India Tour. Music to our ears. From lens to legacy We may be 18 days into February, but it doesn’t feel like the beginning of the year without Dabboo Ratnani’s calendar on my desk. An annual highlight that the celebrity photographer has left us bereft of in recent years, we are delighted to hear it is set to return in 2027. Dabboo Ratnani “The churn of content is non-stop with social media now, so it only makes sense to put something out there if it is decidedly different,” says Dabboo. Currently conceptualising a calendar that shines a spotlight on film talent from across the country, he hopes to have robust representation from Punjab to the South. Trailblazers from the worlds of sport and music may also find their place in these august pages. Having shot MS Dhoni a few months ago and with Sourav Ganguly set to be photographed for a commercial next week, Bollywood darling Dabboo certainly has the requisite access across industries. Expect, then, a calendar not just of faces, but one that captures the country’s cultural pulse. Family ties Vikram Salgaocar’s wedding last week was the talk of the town, with a guest list so long and luminous it could stretch across several columns. Son to Dipti and Dattaraj Salgaocar, and eldest grandchild to late industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani, this family celebration was one for the ages. The proverbial knight in shining armour arrived in a white Rolls Royce, while uncle Mukesh Ambani danced alongside. Shweana and Vikram Salgaocar. Pic/Instagram But even before the baraat and bride Shweana Poy Raiturcar had settled in, days of prior merrymaking were marked by several performances. International artistes and local stars rocked the party, but it was doting grandmother Kokilaben Ambani’s song that stole the show. Blessings never sounded sweeter.
18 February,2026 12:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatConstant notifications popping up on the screen, the distracting, interminable scroll on Instagram, and the impending doom of procrastinated tasks seems to be a common experience. The Minimalist Phone app taps into this very generational problem. The trick is not a restriction, but a change in user display. The app tweaks your colourful user-interface into a basic black-and-white text-based interface. It is almost a throwback to the old DOS screens, with the apps listed in a row. With the freedom to set a time-limit on the use of the apps you choose, or to completely block other notifications, this might be a detox we all need. Log on to: minimalistphone on Google Play and Appstore
18 February,2026 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarFashion is constantly evolving and deeply personal. As trends shift, this hands-on workshop hosted by Shreya Agarwal and Sana Jankharia is turning heads by blending childhood nostalgia with wearable design. If you love Lego, you can now incorporate it into your everyday style. This Lego printing session enables participants to create block prints on tote bags, bandanas, T-shirts and more. “One doesn’t have to be artistic for this; it is just an activity where you quite literally imprint your work and what you like on your choice of fabric,” says host Shreya Agarwal. Shreya Agarwal and Sana Jankharia The process is easy. It uses relief printing, a foundational printmaking technique in which raised, uncarved areas of a surface are inked and pressed onto paper or fabric, while the recessed areas remain blank. “Lego printing began during the pandemic, where people didn’t have access to letterpress and hence Lego blocks came handy,” emphasises Agarwal. Because the materials are lightweight and accessible, the workshop remains enjoyable for beginners. Participant uses a baren tool on the fabric Participants work with a 10x10-inch base plate and a selection of flat square and curved Lego pieces, typically used for building house exteriors or roof tiles. They are encouraged to conceptualise a design in pixel form, after which a bit of basic calculation helps achieve symmetry of the design. Once arranged, the design is coated with printing ink. If printing on paper, the transfer is immediate. For fabric, a baren tool is used to apply pressure to the back of paper during relief printing to transfer ink in order to get the design. Curved tiles are assembled to form a Lego pattern “The workshop is a calm place where you get to print and be creative. Along with that, you’ll enjoy Kashmiri Walnut Cookies and an espresso-based beverage,” Agarwal signs off. ON February 21; 9 am to 11 amAT The Last Supper Room, Mary Lodge, Chapel Road, Ranwar, Bandra West.LOG ON TO @artwalahouseENTRY Rs 1500 (includes all materials)
18 February,2026 09:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareThe typical path for Indian stand-up comedians runs through an engineering college. Hence, the running joke: Get a BE first, and then do what you really want. For 59-year-old Noida resident Manish Tyagi, it included an extra step: Twenty-three years in the Indian Navy. The NIT Jaipur Mechanical Engineering graduate and retired (1989-2012) Commander quit the armed forces in 2012 to chase the stage dream. If you had told him his decision was laughable, he’d have thanked you. This weekend, he brings his unique brand of Hinglish comedy, interspersed with anecdotes from his time in service to a Khar stage. “I was always the jovial officer. I’d read jokes from magazines like Reader’s Digest, and add my own twists before narrating stories to staff onboard our ships,” he recalls. Safe to say, the disciplined officer in him is still alive. “Every venue that I perform in, I report 30 minutes before everyone else on the line-up. They’re always surprised to see me,” he laughs. Former Indian Navy Commander Manish Tyagi. PICS COURTESY/MANISH TYAGI Following his travels across postings in Mumbai, Goa, Lonavala, Visakhapatnam, Secunderabad, and Delhi, the Noida-based comedian has been taking stage as a motivational speaker and comedian for the last decade. “Having commanded platoons, open-mics were smooth sailing for me,” Tyagi admits. He has just one bone to pick with over-enthusiastic tipplers eyeing an easy discount: “They keep asking me, ‘[Naval] Canteen kab jaa rahe ho?’” ON February 22; 6 pmAT Khar Comedy Club, Platinum Avenue, Linking Road, Khar West. LOG ON TO @kharcomedyclub, @knottycommanderENTRY Rs 499 Sea and smile Tyagi’s best bits inspired by his time at sea >> I was out on a day when the rains were lashing down on Gurugram. I took a dig at the flooded roads. The woman with me quickly retorted, “Weren’t you in the Navy?” >> When we were in the Navy, the young ones would often hear this cheeky dig from senior officers: When I was in uniform, you were in liquid form. >> Young aspirants often ask me with a twinkle in their eye whether they should join the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The only correct answer to that is, whichever exam you can crack first. Commander’s guidebook Planning to quit your job to pursue stand-up comedy? Tyagi shares his beginner’s checklist 1 Don’t do it because people tell you you’re funny. Are you really passionate about comedy? 2 Keep the job until you’re able to match your monthly salary through stand-up shows. 3 Network with everyone. Talk to fellow first-timers and veterans alike. 4 Patience is key. Be prepared for long hours in the green room waiting for your spot.
18 February,2026 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleSporting funky accessories can make the Mumbaikar’s commute a tad easier, be it during rush hour in local trains or festive processions. New pairs of Maharashtra-themed socks (Rs 734) are one such example. They match Mumbai’s spirit, with bold prints reflecting the bustle and colour of its streets. Throw in a few designs reflecting the spice of Kolhapur, and the tranquility of skies in the Konkan, and these can be perfect for someone who would like to make a truly desi statement with their clothing. Socks Similarly, handkerchiefs can reveal quirks about a person. If you’d like to add some flair to the monotony of carrying one around, the pocket-sized Maharashtra-themed hanky (Rs 489) might add some spark, with its prints of buses, Friday night parties, and the Dabbawalas of Mumbai. You might want even to use it as a makeshift bandana to beat the heat, and stay prepared as summer approaches Mumbai. Tote bags However, if we speak of everyday commutes, nothing says ‘prepared’ more than knowing what you need to carry during a day in the city, be it during a shopping spree in the local market or a walk on Juhu beach. You can add a touch of the Bambaiya vibe to your style with this Jivachi Mumbai tote canvas bag (R1079), which is flexible and accommodates everything you need. Consider it a helping hand amidst the busy vibes of the city, with prints of Kaali-Peeli taxis, tea and Vada Pav, and metro rides. Log on to: hexafunstyles.com (for all products)
18 February,2026 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshAlthough he does pride in staying fit, and jogging down Marine Drive, we wonder if he might not be slightly tempted by our curation. Specifically, the macaron — not named after the President — a sweet, meringue-filled sandwich pastry that is increasingly a fan favourite. There is also the macaroon, a crispy coconut cookie, often confused for the former. But before the French go ‘Sacre Bleu!’ with our cheekiness, chef Freny Fernandes offers some advice. Chef Freny Fernandes The founder-chef of Freny’s in Bandra learnt the difference during her time as a student in France. “Macaron is made with almond flour, whipped egg whites, and a meringue-like filling. The macaroon is a crispy cookie with a coconut base, but no whipped egg white. Occasionally, you can add chocolate chip, or flavours to the dough itself. In short, macaroons are crisper, while the macarons are rich and smooth,” she explains. At her Bandra food haunt, the chef serves elegant French macarons with their high tea experience. President Emmanuel Macron. Pic/Getty Images With the term almost interchangeable as the dishes grow more popular, the French no longer mind, she says. For those with a sweet tooth, the extra ‘o’ matters little. Here’s a curation to get your pick of macarons or macaroons, as you’d choose. Fire it up Coconut Macaroons AT Theobroma Bakery and Cake Shop, Colaba; Chembur; and BKC (multiple locations) CALL 8182881881 (Colaba) COST Rs 150 onwards Dark Chocolate Macaron Cake; Macaron box AT Le15 Patisserie, Louis Bell Building, Bandra West; Juhu; Breach Candy; Shivaji Park. (multiple locations)CALL 9769077309 COST Rs 1520 (box of 16) Peanut Butter Jelly Macarons AT SMOOR, Versova; Bandra West; Thane; Powai. (multiple locations)COST Rs 114 (per piece) Chocolate Passionfruit Macaron AT Laduree, Level 1, Jio World Plaza, G Block, BKC.CALL 8888888664COST Rs 275 Toasted Coconut Macaroons AT Meemees, Fort; Bandra; Matunga (multiple locations)LOG ON TO meemees.inCOST Rs 270 onwards Vanilla Gold AT Sin The Bakery, Hotel Marine Plaza, Marine Drive. CALL 7045941315 (for pre-orders only) COST Rs 350 (for 5) Heart Macarons AT Toujours Patisserie and Cake Studio, opposite Chitrakoot Grounds, Andheri West.CALL 226730861COST Rs 500 onwards (box of 5) Freny’s High Tea Macarons AT Freny’s All Day Dining and Bar, Silver Pearl Building, Bandra West. CALL 7770014123 Spicy Mandarin Macarons AT Yauatcha, Raheja Tower, BKC. CALL 222222800COST Rs 395
18 February,2026 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarFinding Your Dream Home in Dubai Just Got Easier with this startup Dubai's real estate market is unlike any other in the world. It is a landscape of towering architectural marvels, luxurious waterfront villas, and bustling urban communities. For anyone looking to buy, sell, or rent property, it is a place of immense opportunity. However, the sheer energy and scale of the market can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the first and most crucial step: finding a reliable real estate professional to guide you. The search for the right broker can often feel like a job in itself. You might spend hours scrolling through social media, asking for recommendations in community groups, or sifting through countless property listings, each represented by a different agent. With so many professionals to choose from, how can you be sure you are partnering with someone who is not only qualified but also trustworthy and perfectly aligned with your specific needs? This common challenge is precisely what a new, innovative platform aims to solve. A recently launched online directory called TopRealtors.ae is set to streamline the process, bringing much needed clarity and simplicity to anyone navigating the Dubai property scene. The Challenge of Navigating a Crowded Market Before we explore the solution, it is important to understand the problem it addresses. The Dubai real estate market is incredibly dynamic, with a large number of agents and agencies competing for business. While this competition can be healthy, it presents a few key difficulties for potential clients. Firstly, there is the issue of information overload. The sheer volume of agents can be paralyzing. According to industry insights, the number of real estate agents in Dubai is substantial, which can make the process of choosing one feel like finding a needle in a haystack. This abundance of choice, ironically, often leads to confusion rather than clarity. How do you vet them? How do you know who specializes in the neighborhood you are interested in, like Dubai Marina or Arabian Ranches? Secondly, establishing trust is a major hurdle. Your property journey, whether you are a first time buyer or a seasoned investor, involves significant financial decisions. Placing your trust in a broker is a leap of faith. You need someone who is transparent, knowledgeable, and has your best interests at heart. Without a centralized, credible source of information, verifying an agent’s credentials and track record can be a difficult and time consuming task. Finally, efficiency is a concern. Your time is valuable. The traditional process of finding and interviewing multiple agents takes time away from your work, family, and other commitments. What should be an exciting experience can quickly become a draining one. A Modern Solution for a Modern City In a city known for its forward thinking and technological adoption, it was only a matter of time before a digital solution emerged to tackle these challenges head on. This is wherenew platform, a comprehensive directory of the Top Real estate brokers in dubai, is making a significant impact. This website was built with one primary goal: to connect property seekers with verified, professional, and reputable real estate agents in a seamless and user friendly way. Unlike a simple list of names and numbers, this directory functions as a powerful tool for both clients and agents. It provides a level of detail and transparency that has been sorely needed in the market. By centralizing information and integrating user focused features, it empowers you to make an informed decision with confidence. What Makes This New Directory Stand Out? Several key features set this platform apart and position it as an essential tool for anyone involved in Dubai real estate. If you are looking for ways to improve your property search, here are the resources you should be using. The Premier Directory: TopRealtors.ae At the top of the list is this new, purpose built directory. Think of it as your personal consultant for finding the perfect agent. The platform is designed around the user experience, focusing on simplicity and trust. Verified Professionals: Every agent listed on the site undergoes a verification process. This simple but critical step provides immense peace of mind. You know you are dealing with a licensed and active professional, eliminating the risk of encountering unqualified or untrustworthy individuals. Detailed Profiles: This is where the directory truly shines. You can view in depth profiles for each agent. These profiles go far beyond a name and a photo. They include crucial details like the agent’s specialization (e.g., luxury villas, commercial properties, off plan projects), the areas they have the most experience in, the languages they speak, and their years of experience in the Dubai market. This allows you to find an expert who is a perfect match for your unique requirements. Are you a Russian speaker looking for an apartment in Downtown Dubai? You can filter for that. Are you an investor looking for an agent with a proven track record in Emaar projects? You can find that too. Client Reviews and Ratings: The platform integrates a review and rating system, allowing past clients to share their experiences. This peer to peer feedback is invaluable. It offers real world insights into an agent's professionalism, communication skills, and effectiveness. Reading authentic reviews can help you gauge what it is like to work with a particular agent, adding another layer of confidence to your decision. Advanced Search and Filtering: The website’s powerful search functionality saves you an incredible amount of time. You can filter agents based on location, property type, specialty, brokerage, and even language. This targeted approach means you are no longer aimlessly browsing. Instead, you are presented with a curated list of agents who are best equipped to help you. Official Government Resources While a directory connects you with agents, it's also wise to be familiar with official resources. Websites for the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate regulatory Agency (RERA) provide regulatory information, and a broker's RERA registration is a keyindicator of their legitimacy. A good directory often complements this by pre-verifying agents, saving you the step. Networking and Word of Mouth The classic method of asking friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations is stillvaluable. Personal referrals come with a built in layer of trust. However, your network’s experience might be limited to a specific area or property type. This is where a comprehensive directory can supplement personal advice, giving you a much wider pool of qualified professionals to consider. Who Benefits from This New Platform? The launch of a centralized broker directory is good news for everyone in the property ecosystem. For First Time Buyers and Renters: The real estate process can be intimidating for newcomers. This platform demystifies the first step. It provides a safe and easy way to find a friendly, patient, and knowledgeable agent who can guide them through every stage, from viewing properties to signing contracts. For Seasoned Investors: Investors require agents with a deep understanding of market trends, ROI potential, and specific investment strategies. The directory’s detailed profiles and specialization filters allow investors to quickly identify and connect with agents who possess the niche expertise they need to maximize their portfolio's performance. For Sellers: Choosing the right agent to sell your property is critical. You need someone with a strong marketing plan and a proven sales record in your area. The ability to review an agent's past performance and specializations helps sellers partner with someone who can achieve the best possible price for their home. Looking Ahead: The Future of Property Search in Dubai The launch of TopRealtors.ae signals a broader shift in the real estate industry towards greater transparency, efficiency, and user empowerment. Technology is breaking down old barriers and making complex markets more accessible. By leveraging a platform that prioritizes verified information and user experience, you are not just finding an agent, you are gaining a trusted partner for your property journey. In a city built on vision and excellence, the process of finding your perfect property should be an exciting adventure, not a stressful task. With the right tools now at your fingertips, you can move forward with the confidence and clarity needed to turn your Dubai real estate dreams into reality. The search just got a whole lot simpler.
17 February,2026 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KamblePitch perfect Despite belting out her cheers for Team India the night before, Raveena Tandon was back on cue at a Bandra recording studio on February 16. Clearly, the show — and the vocal cords — must go on. (Wo)manifesto The juiciest gossip is always traded in hushed tones — ironically, the same quiet whispers reserved for subjects like puberty, periods, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Enter society darling Mallika Timblo, who is turning that whisper into a rallying cry. Through her wellness startup, Terrapy, she is bringing candour, clarity, and much-needed volume to conversations women have long been told to keep quiet. As those who know her will tell you, entrepreneurship runs in her blood. Dad Dilip Kulkarni was the trailblazer behind Skypak Couriers (remember those incredible Skypak Man ads?), and Mallika certainly seems to have inherited his chutzpah. That said, her startup wasn’t born from the urge to build a business — it emerged from a deeply personal reckoning with her own health. “I began experiencing perimenopause symptoms at 36 and felt confused and isolated about what was happening to my body,” Mallika tells us. Out of that turbulence came a clear conviction: women’s wellbeing must be sustainable and science-led — not trend-driven, and never treated as taboo. While the brand offers products that address concerns including fertility issues, period cramps, and sleep disturbances, the greater goal isn’t to push a packet — it’s to shine a spotlight on these subjects, so that no woman struggles alone. And in amplifying what was once whispered, Timblo isn’t just building a brand, she’s helping rewrite the conversation altogether. Dance Master Still reeling from the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup action at the Premadasa on Sunday, we find plenty of excitement along the sidelines as well. While film stars like Arjun Rampal and veteran Anil Kapoor shared their post-match enthusiasm across an assortment of apps, it is the antics of Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri that have captured our attention. Shastri was seen wearing a red sequinned suit and equally flashy fur coat in a recent ad for Google Gemini, prompting Sanjana Ganesan to suggest starting a petition to get him to wear the outfit to a coin toss as well. While that vision is a tad worrisome, we’re waiting with bated breath for Gavaskar’s promised spectacle: the little master told Suryakumar Yadav that he would break into a jig on March 8 if India lifts the T20 World Cup. Bhangra, ballet, or breakdance — it hardly matters, as long as we have reason to dance! Soul Sisters On Mahashivratri, the OG society-girl squad traded its cocktail dresses for kurta pajamas, and flew to Bangalore for a soul refresh. We spotted Queenie Singh and daughter Tiara Dhody with Roja star Madhoo, and the ever-gorgeous Prerna Goel, sitting enthralled in an audience of hundreds as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led the celebrations at his Bangalore ashram. As we hear it, this was really a birthday celebration for Rhea Pillai, who plays Art of Living instructor and disciple with equal alacrity. A more intimate pooja marked Rhea’s big day on Monday, with her nearest and dearest in attendance. From heartbreaks to high jinks, these ladies have survived every storm together for years — proving, once and for all, that the old adage needs a rewrite: the ladies who pray together, slay together. Legacy in ink Anyone who has lost a parent knows how hard it is to sift through their belongings. Some days, just thinking about them is trial enough. Kudos to Jamie Alter, who is bravely navigating this journey, and plans to release a biography of his actor father, Tom Alter, in 2027 — marking a decade since his demise in 2017. “Publishers approached me as early as 2019,” Jamie confesses, “but you have to be in the right head space to do something like this.” Then COVID arrived and everything went quiet, so it wasn’t until last year that Jamie actually put pen to paper. “With a career spanning over four decades, there is plenty to say about my father,” Jamie adds, explaining that this biography is far more than a recounting of milestones. “It’s a memoir that also explores my relationship with him, so I guess you could call it a tribute.” Sharing a gem from its pages, Jamie says: “Few know that after he graduated from Woodstock, my father studied at Yale. Within a year, he dropped out. This was during the draft and the Vietnam War. He didn’t want to go to war for a country he felt no strong connection to. Not long after, he surrendered his American passport.” With this book, grief turns to storytelling — preserving both legacy and love for posterity.
17 February,2026 01:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatKerala Media Academy’s new documentary Media Woman: Ammu Joseph’s Passionate Journey (2026), directed by Shiny Benjamin, was released earlier this month on YouTube. It dives into seasoned journalist Ammu Joseph’s painstaking effort to bring together women in media under one collective called Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI). The film sheds a gentle but daring light on the power of solidarity and sisterhood. We hear several members of the initiative speak about the evolution of the initiative. Supriya Unni, a senior journalist from Bengaluru, echoes Joseph’s ethos, revealing, “In NWMI, there is no hierarchy. There is absolute freedom for everybody.” Meanwhile, a journalist from Kerala, Sarita Varma, mentions how the collective salvaged ‘the spirit of journalism’. A glimpse of Eve’s Weekly. Pics courtesy/Kerala Media Academy on Youtube The documentary shows how wide Joseph spread her wings. The seed for the effort was sown in 2000, with meetings in Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Shillong. We learn, though, that its mentorship over the years led to about 800 women joining the initiative — offering financial assistance for cancer treatment to a member, accompanying another to the court for a case, or simply listening to each other’s stories. A striking moment arrives in the documentation of Joseph’s inspiring journey as an editor. She shaped the way women readers consumed information in commercial women’s magazines, like Mumbai-based popular magazine for women, Eve’s Weekly, by adding a feminist perspective to the pieces. For example, the cooking pages were transformed into quick recipes for working women. A heartwarming exchange between Joseph and her husband in the film does not go unnoticed. Log on to: YouTube
17 February,2026 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaFans of Indian Classical dance are in for a treat, as the Samved Society for Performing Arts brings back the Pandit Durgalal Festival for its 36th edition. It is organised by Kathak exponent, Vidushi Uma Dogra in honour of her guru, the late Pandit Durga Lal, a renowned artiste of the Jaipur Gharana, which emphasises intricate footwork and dynamic spins and compositions. Pooja Pant performs a Thaat pose, with graceful movement of the limbs and neck, often performed during a Tarana. Pic courtesy/sejas mistry “The aim of this festival has always been to provide a platform to share Indian cultural heritage through the art of classical dance. A highlight is that we have never repeated the artistes featured, unless hosting the festival in another location,” Dogra, founder-director of Samved Society, shares with us. Late Pandit Durga Lal. File pic We later catch up with the two Mumbai-based performers in the line-up. Kathak dancer Pooja Pant says, “I practise all three Gharanas: Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras. While I will perform with my group, I also have solo pieces. On the performance list are a Dhrupad (a form of Indian Classical music) composition, a traditional Taal (rhythmic beats), and a bhajan. I have also choreographed a new Tarana (a piece featuring fast, graceful movements).” Vidushi Uma Dogra showcases a pose named ‘Radha’ Bharatanatyam artiste Meera Sreenarayanan will present her solo work, Harini-Radiant with the Ultimate Nectar. She elaborates, “It has a metaphysical concept of a bee witnessing the journey of Goddess Lakshmi, from her origin to reaching her full power.” She signs off, “This piece portrays a spectrum of emotions, from longing to the search for an infinite truth, where the bee is a parallel to the individual soul seeking salvation, hence making the bee an esoteric motif.” ON February 20; 7.30 pmAT Veer Savarkar Auditorium, Shivaji Park, Dadar West. REGISTER 9819387077 (Gpay)ENTRY Rs 250 and Rs 400 (donor passes)
17 February,2026 09:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshMirza Ghalib once said, “Do not go by the lines on the palm of the hand, as luck is bestowed even on those who do not have a hand.” February 16 marked the 157th death anniversary of the celebrated Urdu and Persian poet Mirza Ghalib. A tribute performance titled, ‘Ghalib Hamein Na Ched’ will revisit his life and legacy through poetry, narration, and live ghazal renditions. “The night will focus on Ghalib’s life through the shadows of his poetry, and will include moments when the poet found himself at a crossroads between his life and his writings,” says narrator Sameer Samant. While Ghalib is widely revered for his literary genius, few are aware of the personal struggles he endured. Caught between questions of identity and expression, he often found himself at an emotional and intellectual crossroads that gave birth to some of his most profound works during the Mughal era. A sculpted bust of Mirza Ghalib at a previous tribute event The evening will feature a team of performers, including Prasad Athalye as narrator, along with singers Shounak Kulkarni and Anjali Marathe, supported by accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists. Through narration, dramatised sequences, and music, the programme will explore the poet’s inner world. The performance will also imagine how Ghalib may have felt during pivotal moments of his life. One such episode highlights his humiliation when he was asked to leave the court of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as members of the court failed to understand the meaning of his ghazal. Another segment will revisit the aftermath of the Uprising of 1857, when Delhi was devastated and looted, leaving the poet with little more than his verses and his solitude. These episodes will come together in a poetic presentation, with performers stepping into brief character roles and delivering dialogues.To conclude the evening, ghazals like Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi, Koi Umeed Bar Nahi Aati, and Rahiye Ab Aisi Jagah Chal Kar Jahaan Koi Na Ho, among others will be sung to honour a few moments of his life. ON February 18; 7.30 pm AT Ravindra Natya Mandir, ground floor, PL Deshpande Auditorium, Prabhadevi CALL 9867332549 ENTRY Rs 400
17 February,2026 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareADVERTISEMENT
