Timeless beauty Shriya Pilgaonkar on Smita Patil A seamless blend of indie grit and mainstream grace, Mirzapur beauty Shriya Pilgaonkar continues to establish herself as a formidable talent. This week, she pays homage to an icon from a generation past, selecting the truly legendary Smita Patil as our Timeless Beauty. Shriya Pilgaonkar “I have always deeply admired Smita Patil and all that she stood for. There was something about her that went far beyond beauty as we conventionally understand it. Her authenticity made her the most beautiful. She didn’t perform beauty, she inhabited truth. Her face carried stillness, fire, vulnerability and strength all at once. What made her unique to me is how deeply rooted she felt in the worlds she portrayed. There was no vanity, no artifice, only a rare, almost disarming honesty,” says Shriya. A fitting nod from one stellar performer to the ultimate original. Rest in style, Sir Over a life spanning eight decades and lived at full throttle, Vijaypat Singhania didn’t just leave a legacy when he passed away on March 28 — he left a slipstream of stories that will be told for generations. He touched countless hearts, often in the most unexpected ways, ensuring that even as the titan takes his final flight, the tales of his grit, grace, and grand style will continue to surface. Vijaypat Singhania As a week of mourning draws to a close, this seems as good a time as any to share the story of my own brush with the legend. I was rushing to my seat on a London-Mumbai flight in early October 2022. Trudging down the aerobridge in front of me was an elderly gentleman, walking stick in one hand and several bags in the other — one of which, judging by its distinctive branding, was a generous stash of caviar. He was slow but steady. Decency demanded an offer of assistance. “May I help with your bags?” I asked. He declined, his eyes downcast and focussed. As he shuffled to his seat, I couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t summoned a wheelchair when people half his age — and twice as ‘abled’ — demand them for convenience. The penny didn’t drop until he settled into First Class, diagonally across from me. Surrounded by the city’s power players (notably Vinti and Abhishek Lodha), the avid aviator didn’t need fanfare. He simply ordered a Bloody Mary — perhaps two — and drifted into a serene slumber. It was a masterclass in quiet swagger and grace at any age — a man who preferred to walk his own path, no matter how challenging — caviar bag in hand. Keeping it wheel Sometimes the ultimate validation isn’t a trophy — it’s a quiet nod from the competition. And when a German titan stops mid-vacation just to take notes, an Indian carmaker should definitely take a bow. Anand Mahindra, consider this your moment. Lutz Kothe While Lutz Kothe, Volkswagen’s Head of Marketing, was recently in town from Wolfsburg for a personal holiday, he couldn’t help but notice Mahindra’s eSUVs making waves on Mumbai’s motorways. From the sleek BE 6 to the commanding XEV 9e, Lutz spotted them all — and he wasn’t shy about grilling his local inner circle for the deets on these home-grown beauties. Anand Mahindra Lutz and his lovely wife, Vilde, aren’t just tourists — they are die-hard Indophiles. Having lived here during his tenure as Head of Marketing and PR at VW India, they’ve traversed every inch of our country. With a social circle spanning royalty and captains of industry, when Lutz notices your wheels, you don’t need an official review — you’ve already received a significant stamp of approval. The Gaffer’s ground duty If you thought Matthew Hayden was only in the Gujarat Titans camp to teach the boys how to bully a boundary, think again. The towering Australian legend — and the Titans’ formidable batting coach — just proved he’s still the hardest-working man on the grass, even after the last ball is bowled. Matthew Hayden In a move that’s gone viral for all the right reasons, Hayden was spotted meticulously cleaning up the dugout and surrounding stands post-match last week. While most coaches are busy crunching data or heading for the air-conditioned comfort of the team bus, Hayden was seen topping up trash bags and picking up plastic. It’s the kind of ‘lead by example’ energy that defines the GT dugout. Clearly, Hayden isn’t just coaching footwork, he’s coaching character. In the glitzy, high-stakes circus of the IPL, this titan just reminded everyone that no one is too big for the basics. And, in fact, attending to the basics is really what makes you big.
03 April,2026 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatSkill thrill Hooked on to crochet While introducing the basics of crochet, this workshop designed for children will guide attendees through different crochet techniques to create simple, handcrafted pieces.ON April 13AT Location shared post-registrationREGISTER @littlehivecraftENTRY Rs 2300 onwards It’s the climb Ideal for beginners and kids, head to this guided climbing session that will focus on building-climbing skills and confidence in a safe indoor environment. Ensure you wear the right footwear and have fun.ON April 13; 2 pm to 9 pm AT High Rock Climbing Arena, Supreme Business Park, Powai. CALL 9004614937ENTRY Rs 1490 Do Re Mi Faa... Discover your inner artist with these weekly sessions where participants will be introduced to rhythm, pitch, and harmony, complemented by hands-on experience with instruments.ON Every Wednesday; 3 pm onwardsAT 3 Art House, Govind Dham, Khar West. LOG ON TO @3arthouse ENTRY Rs 999 onwards High on history Blending nature with history, this trek will offer views of the Dabhosa waterfall, one of Maharashtra’s highest waterfall along with a visit to the Shirpamal site linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as he camped here on his way to Surat.ON April 10; every weekendMEETING POINT Sanjay Gandhi National Park bus stop, Borivli East. LOG ON TO mischieftreks.comCALL 7719800777ENTRY Rs 900 Stage and stories Head to NCPA Summer Fiesta as it will bring together theatre and performance through workshops in debate, improv, and ventriloquism with Seema Golchha (above), alongside a line-up of engaging plays.ON April 29AT National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman PointLOG ON TO @ncpamumbaiENTRY Rs 1200 onwards Science is your friend Aimed at sparking curiosity and encouraging STEM learning, these DIY summer sessions will cover aeromodelling, robotics, AI app development, and astronomy through interactive experiments.ON April 23AT Nehru Science Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.CALL 24900518ENTRY Rs 1000 onwards Botany class Discover what plants around you can do at this session. It also introduces participants to plant life through guided walks, structural understanding, and hands-on identification of flowers.ON April 14; 5 pm onwards AT Zen Garden, New Link Cross Road, Dahisar. LOG ON TO @summerscribblesENTRY Rs 1000 onwards Discoveries, all Encouraging self-expression through storytelling and play, The Inside Out Club’s April series focuses on social-emotional learning, guided by therapists Vidhi Desai and Aisha Sharma through movement and art-based activities.ON April 4 onwardsAT Dialogue Mental health, Hope and Care Building, Sanpada. LOG ON TO @academyatdialogueENTRY Rs 1500 (for all 4 sessions) Creative calling Explore your artistic side at Prithvi Theatre’s seasonal programme. The workshops will include mythology-based drama sessions, music and jazz sessions, and expressive arts therapy, encouraging creative exploration.FROM April 15 onwards AT Prithvi Theatre, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu. LOG ON TO @prithvitheatre.org ENTRY Rs 6000 onwards Camps ahoy! Play, learn, grow Designed to nurture creativity and confidence, Seeds of Banyan’s weekly camp will blend play with learning through sensory games, cooking explorations, emotional awareness sessions, and vocal expression, alongside activities like Dorodango, Silambam, and Capoeira.ON April 13 to June 13AT Seeds of Banyan, Unit 5, near Panchvati Hotel, Film City Road, Goregaon East. LOG ON TO @seedsofbanyan CALL 8938909427COST Rs 2000 Adventures all the way Join a four-week summer camp with a sharp focus on creativity, confidence, and movement through play-based activities. The programme includes FitGym sessions for movement and coordination, along with creative art, brain games, music, and science activities.ON April 6 to 10AT Think Nest Early Learning Centre,Bahri Bungalow, Diamond Garden, Chembur. LOG ON TO @thinknext.elcENTRY Revealed on registration Into the wild Celebrating its 50th year, The Nature Club’s summer special camp in Bhudargad, Kolhapur, introduces children to outdoor skills through rappelling, bird watching, rope work, equipment handling, and jungle cooking.ON May 27 to 31PICK-UP POINT Western Express Highway (points depend on registrations)LOG ON TO @thenaturelover_mumbai CALL 9321513070COST Rs 15,500 per person Konkan escape Head to this camp in Sawantwadi to stay in a 100-year-old traditional mud house and experience authentic Konkan village life by interacting with locals and visiting ancient temples. ON April 20 to 24AT Kshitij; Redefining Fun, Naupada, Thane West. LOG ON TO kshitijworld.com for addressCost Rs 10,500
03 April,2026 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareYou’d think a city surrounded by sea would have more marine film festivals than you can count on one hand. Turns out, you couldn’t find one if you tried, until last year, reveals Paresh Pimpale, co-founder of the EcoFolks community. The group debuted the Ocean Film Festival of India in 2025, which made waves in the city for the right reasons. This year, the focus is on conservation, collective action, and ethics. We scoured the schedule to find the best flicks and experiences to catch. ON April 5; 9 am to 3.30 pmAT Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, Byculla.LOG ON TO ecofolks.comENTRY Rs 399 (auditorium ticket); Rs 1599 (auditorium ticket and sailing) Smooth sailing A previous sailing trip in Colaba. PIC COURTESY/AQUASAIL The day-long programming might leave you eager to hit the seas of Mumbai. A 60 to 90-minute-long sailing session awaits participants, led by expert Zia Hajeebhoy of Aquasail. Hop on for a view of Colaba from the Arabian Sea.TIME 3.30 pmAT Aquasail, opposite Royal Yacht Club, Colaba The Guide’s top picks Start them young Teammate in Northeastern Australia. PICS COURTESY/KAL GLANZNIG Can a 23-year-old activist bring sustainable change in the perpetually degrading oceans? Australian environmentalist Kal Glanznig’s Rising Up (2024) documents his journey around the world, meeting changemakers and finding a solution to the plastic menace. As his motto goes, if you want to change the world, begin by changing your world.TIME 12.30 pm Ocean stories PIC COURTESY/WORLD REGISTER OF MARINE SPECIES When nearly three and a half decades of wildlife conservation experience speaks, you’d better listen. Former director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Dr Deepak Apte, who has worked extensively in conservation, and led efforts in coastal policy making, will tap into stories of life at sea. Deepak Apte Fun fact: The expert also has multiple species named after him, including the Nassarius deepakaptei (left).TIME 11.30 am Silver linings A scene from Samudrada Motte. PICS COURTESY/WILD DK ON YOUTUBE If recent developments are turning you pessimistic towards the future of wildlife conservation, sit down to watch this heartwarming tale of a poacher-turned-conservator from Karnataka’s Kundapura. Samudrada Motte (2025) (Kannada: Ocean’s Eggs) is the story of Babu, an elderly farmer forced into turtle poaching by his circumstances. Watch how a meeting with the Forest Survey of India transformed him into a fierce protector of Olive Ridley turtles (above).TIME 10 am
03 April,2026 10:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThane’s cafe culture has largely existed in the shadow of Mumbai’s more established festivals and communities. What began as a steady rise in neighbourhood cafes and weekend caffeine rituals has reached a point where a full-fledged festival is now ready to launch in the form of the first-ever edition of the Gourmet Coffee Fest at Lakeshore Mall. Attendees at a previous edition in Hyderabad. PIC COURTESY/TGCF Durgesh Khandelwal, founder of The Gourmet Coffee Fest, organisers of the festival, shares, “Thane felt like a natural next step; it reflects a growing cafe culture here that hasn’t yet been explored through events, most of which remain centred on mainland Mumbai. The aim is to create space for more such concepts and offer a platform for people to discover emerging brands and engage with coffee in new ways.” Similar editions in other cities have tied in with local coffee communities, and the idea carries through here as well, giving people a way to connect beyond a single visit. On April 4 and 5; 4 pm to 8 pm At Lakeshore Mall, Eastern Express Highway, Service Road, Thane West. Log on to district.in Entry Rs 299 onwards The Guide’s Top 3 things to do Khayal E Bandish will perform at the fest. PIC COURTESY/@Khayal_e_Bandish 1 Cafes across the map: The line-up brings together independent cafes and familiar chains, offering a snapshot of what people are drinking right now. You’ll find Bandra-Khar favourites like The Nook and Dripface alongside Happyy Cupp Cafe and Kaivam, with Third Wave Coffee, Ab Coffee and Starbucks in the mix. 2 Comedy, music, and the rave: The programming moves across moods. Devesh Dixit leads the comedy, while Malang and Khayal E Bandish bring Sufi sets. Almost Pop and Hrivibe keep things lighter with pop hits and popular indie tracks. The coffee rave with DJ Talam closes out the evening on a high, blending electronic music with that unmistakable caffeine buzz. 3 Workshops and keepsakes beyond the cup: Once you’ve had your share of cups, the workshops offer a more hands-on way to engage. Sessions led by members of the Barista Training Academy cover latte art, brewing techniques, and coffee roasting. There’s also a section with coffee-adjacent merchandise, including lifestyle products like candles and charms that you can take home.
03 April,2026 10:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaFood for thought (and Paps) Exiting a studio in the heart of Bandra on Wednesday, Vidya Balan proved that true star power isn’t about the height of your heels, but the depth of your grace. Discovering over a dozen paps waiting for her in the sweltering heat, she didn’t just give them a ‘look’ — she popped into the café next door and bought them lunch! From heritage to haute cuisine Even in modern India, a maharaja’s ability to command a full darbar remains undisputed — a fact Jodhpur’s Gajsingh II proved this past Tuesday. In Mumbai to unveil a pictorial biography titled Bapji, co-authored by Yogi Vaid and Aman Nath, the much-loved maharaja captivated a fawning audience at the NCPA — sharing vibrant anecdotes and answering questions associated with the book, which takes its name from his moniker. From Ila Arun and Mallika Sarabhai to Dolly Thakore and Amish Tripathi, artistes of all ilk filed into the Tata Theatre to meet ‘the king who would be man’ and his lovely wife Hemlata Rajye. Maharaja Gajsingh II Trading one palace for another, the Umaid Bhawan Palace royals retreated to The Taj Mahal Palace in Colaba once the event wound down (meeting friends for a quiet dinner), but for co-authors Aman and Yogi, the city beckoned. Leading a small, sophisticated troupe of their book launch attendees, both writers headed to Flint — Rahul Akerkar’s latest culinary gem — to carry the celebrations late into the evening. Clearly, a history lesson is best served with a side of haute cuisine. Century of laughs Move over, youngsters — the OG Master Blaster just proved that he delivers a ‘doosra’ just as well as he reads one. For April Fool’s Day on Wednesday, Sachin Tendulkar took to Instagram to show that while his son Arjun might be busy picking Yuvraj Singh as his batting idol, the ‘God of Cricket’ still owns the title of ‘Prank King’. Sachin Tendulkar In a hilarious video that quickly went viral, Sachin deployed his doppelgänger to bamboozle a close friend, Faisal. The unsuspecting buddy, thinking he was about to share a heartfelt moment with the legend himself, went in for a full-on ‘jaadu ki jhappi’ with the lookalike — who gave him hell for it. Meanwhile, the real Sachin was lurking in the shadows, camera in hand, documenting the awkward realisation for the entire world to see. It’s official: whether he’s facing Dale Steyn or just a confused friend in a hallway, Sachin’s timing remains absolutely legendary. 100 centuries? Fine. One perfectly executed prank? Priceless. KP clears the air England batsman Kevin Pietersen just bowled a major googly at Mumbai’s social media scene. On March 31, the former cricketer took to X to declare Mumbai’s air the “best I’ve ever experienced,” even giving a shout-out to the local leadership after seeing AQI levels hit a crisp 40. Kevin Pietersen Naturally, Mumbaikars — who usually view ‘clear air’ as a mythical creature — had thoughts. While some posted rare blue-sky selfies in solidarity, the sceptics were out in full force. Accusations flew faster than a 150kmph bouncer, with many claiming it was a “paid post” or simply the result of a lucky sea breeze. KP, never one to back down from a sledging match, fired back with his signature sass. “You think I get paid to post about air quality? Are you f*****g mad?!” he retorted, doubling down by noting he’d actually managed to get a sunburn because the usual smog blanket had finally vanished. Love him or hate him, KP is clearly team #MumbaiBlueSkies! A timeless flex Is it a throwback or a relaunch? Honestly, when you’re Salman Khan, the concept of time is purely decorative. So, when the actor showcased his signature Jacob & Co. The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone watch on March 31, the ‘Bhai-verse’ began buzzing about his latest flex with Jacob Arabo. Salman Khan We, on the other hand, do track time (and social media timelines), so here’s a gentle reminder that this limited-edition stunner actually made its grand debut in March last year. Why it is being showcased again with such renewed energy is anyone’s guess — a little financial year-end sales push, perhaps? Regardless of the timing, the timepiece remains a masterclass in sentimental luxury. A tribute to his father, the legendary Salim Khan, the 43 mm steel piece features those distinct rose gold continents and the ‘SK’ initials that let everyone know exactly who owns the room. And the tricolour tribute is no coincidence either. With its signature turquoise box mirroring Salman’s famous bracelet, this timepiece still feels as fresh as a premiere night at Galaxy Apartments — irrespective of how long it has been on the market. A reminder of his horological clout or just a lean day requiring a repost, one thing is certain: Bhai doesn’t follow the clock; the clock follows him.
02 April,2026 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatQueerness is the opposite of colonisation. Jonathan Taikina Taylor’s sentence echoes, especially in a week where the LGBTQiA+ community regroups to battle the odds against the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill. “Colonisation is about going into a culture and dictating terms, norms and behaviour. Queerness is the opposite. It is the community coming together to create a system which allows for divergence, and creates a system to enable it,” says the director. Taylor along with his co-conspirator, playwright Mahesh Dattani, hope to explore this in their production, The Monk & The Warrior, that will premiere in the city today. Jonathan Taikina Taylor (left) oversees a rehearsal session. PICS COURTESY/SuperGeographics A cross-cultural epic, the production stems from the story of a conqueror, Alexander the Great, meeting an Indian monk. While one seeks to conquer the world, the other is on the path of renouncement. Yet, as Dattani points out for all his fame as a conqueror, the Macedonian Alexander was historically queer, and a monk in ancient India would be no stranger to the subject of desire. “Their roles blur as the play goes on,” he explains. This fluidity is also reflected in the exchange of ideas, journey of the characters, and the movement and music in the play. Taylor reveals that Finnish composer Eero Hämeenniemi worked to create a “tension between the movement and the music.” That approach mirrors the play’s existence in a society, and a world, that is increasingly close-minded. Dattani observes, “The need for war, and the rise of homophobia are connected. One is a negation of the other. Queerness is when you create a culture, or life, or a family that is not the norm. That is what we are all battling for — a peace of our own.” Jonathan Taikina Taylor and Mahesh Dattani Throughout history, people in power have often sought to co-opt the past for one point of view, says the Brooklyn-based Taylor. “That is why it is important to tell stories that include queer people. It is a tricky space we are in, historically and socially, and looking back to our past, and understanding it will truly help.” The artistic director of The SuperGeographics once travelled to India in 2019 to be introduced to a nuanced, and wholesome queer community in India. “I wanted to follow that key and see where it led,” he says. The use of movement, a grand scale, and contrasting music is also his way of going against the norm of realism in contemporary theatre. “The journey of the production resembles the journey of the protagonists in many ways,” admits Dattani. Reflecting on the two protagonists, Taylor observes, “To follow desire is just as beautiful as to following detachment. The freedom to choose is important. That, I think, is the queer lens we are talking about,” he concludes. ON April 2 to 5; 4 pm and 7.30 pm AT Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 500 onwards Choice of self While queerness has been a part of Dattani’s works, including his breakthrough work — On a Muggy Night in Bombay (1998) — this one is different. “It was centred on societal expectations, and the response. The Monk & The Warrior is more interpersonal. They claim it [queerness] for themselves, not as a response to society.”
02 April,2026 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThursdayTextbook comedy Silence will be optional at Bandra bookstore Fictionary when stand-up comedians Raunaq Rajani (below) and Chirag Panjwani find humour between the books as part of the Twice As Good series.TIME 8.30 pmAT Fictionary, National College Lane, Bandra West.LOG ON TO @fictionarybooksENTRY Rs 400 FridayFlea for all PIC COURTESY/@thelilflea Browse through indie apparel and accessories, stop by to savour Japanese Katsu or Galauti Kebab, and groove to the tunes of Indian Ocean and Kavita Seth at the new edition of Lil Flea. ON April 3 to 5; 3 pm to 11 pmAT Jio World Garden, BKC. LOG ON TO thelilflea.comENTRY Rs 449 (weekend pass) SaturdaySing with Hannah PIC COURTESY/@mileycyrus If you’re still not over Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary special, head to this celebration to find your tribe. Sing, dance, and test your wits at this trivia session.TIME 4 pmAT Garnet Plates and Pours, Veera Desai Industrial Estate, Andheri West.LOG ON TO @garnetmumbaiENTRY Rs 200 Back to stage PIC COURTESY/@faizmohammedkhan You’ve loved his stoic on-screen roles, now catch actor Pankaj Tripathi in a whole new avatar in NSD alum Faiz Mohammed Khan’s presentation Lailaaj that follows a fictional local band’s humorous tryst with love and responsibilities.TIME 7.30 pm AT Royal Opera House, Girgaon. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 499 SundayPedal for change A previous edition of the initiative. PIC COURTESY/WHEELS AND BARRELS Start your Sunday by pedalling through Thane for the cause of citizens’ health and holistic fitness. The ride ends with an important lesson in CPR for parents and young cyclists.TIME 7 amMEETING POINT Cadbury Junction, Thane West.CALL 9664231220 (to register) Upside down Pic Courtesy/@naturalistex Naturalists are shining a bat-signal for a unique trip to meet Borivli’s bats. Walk through the Sanjay National Gandhi National Park with an expert from the Naturalist Explorers community to discover the nocturnal mammals’ fascinating lives.TIME 7.30 amMEETING POINT Main Gate, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East. LOG ON TO @naturalistexENTRY Revealed on registration
02 April,2026 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleFlower power You can buy yourself flowers, and paint them too. Join botanist Dr Sweedle Cerejo-Shivkar and artist-naturalist Sefi George on a slow-paced online watercolour session that will teach you to look at flowers like an artist.ON April 5; 5 pm to 7.30 pmLOG ON TO @summer_scribblesENTRY Rs 1000 Beyond the seas A previous beach painting session in Juhu. Pic courtesy/KARANTAVI Feel the summer breeze in your hair on a slow evening on Juhu Beach. Paint what catches your eye on the beach at your own pace with the Karantavi expressive arts community that promises no judgements.ON April 5; 5 pm to 7 pmAT Juhu Beach (full location shared on registration)LOG ON TO @karantaviENTRY Revealed on registration Let it go Pic courtesy/ANG TARANG Pour your heart out in a ‘circle of insight’, dance your stress away, or participate in a movement therapy session at this multidisciplinary wellness session led by the Ang Tarang wellness community.ON April 5; 11.30 amAT Bohemiso Studio, Mahesh Nagar, SV Road, Goregaon West.LOG ON TO @ang_tarangENTRY Revealed on enquiry
02 April,2026 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamEver wonder what your grandparents grooved to on the radio as teenagers? Or about the bands that were playing alongside The Beatles in London in the 1960s? Well, Radiooooo is a time-travel miracle for music lovers. The curation of songs across languages, regions, and time. Pick a country and a decade, and it curates a playlist of the most popular songs from the era. From Ali Akbar Khan’s instrumentals or George Formby’s Auntie Maggie’s Remedy, take your pick. Log on to: Radiooooo on Playstore
01 April,2026 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWhat about kabaddi appeals to you? We were discussing ideas, and the Pratham team suggested kabaddi because they wanted to focus on sports. I’m not a sports person but I got excited because it’s a sport from India; it comes from the villages. I also really like drawing human figures. I thought kabaddi, which is so much about bodies interacting with each other, will be interesting to explore. The vivid illustrations by Kabini Amin captures the local flavour of the game Was it always planned as a wordless picture book? It didn’t start out as an only-picture book. I was struggling to frame a narrative and was going back and forth figuring out what kind of a story this should be. I didn’t want to make it a linear story with a strongly defined protagonist and antagonist. Then I thought the game is so interesting because all you’ve to say is kabaddi, so I decided to work around that. A friend had introduced me to John Sir, a state-level cricket coach and veteran sportsperson. When speaking to him, there were many fun anecdotes that came about. Like when there’s a tournament, people come from different schools and states, and there’s a bit of rivalry. At the end of it, though, you celebrate whoever wins because that’s the spirit of a sport. Another thing I learnt was that before cricket became huge, the India-Pakistan rivalry was commonly witnessed in kabaddi matches. The story built from there, with the scene of the two buses and the children throwing paper planes at each other being a direct reference to that history. Tell us about some of the artistic choices you took.I have to thank Canato Jimo, the art director on this book, who gave me an encouraging push to step out of my comfort zone. We talked about how to bring a local flavour to the art. I really love the screen-printed circus posters with neon colours and black backgrounds. Kabini Amin The ideas for the colours came from there, with pink and yellow as the colours for the teams, and the backgrounds really simple. With the white lines of the court, the images started to look funky, which is what you see in the book. Log on to: prathambooks.org
01 April,2026 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWednesday100 Ways of Representing Mumbai by Students A joint exhibition by the students of the Sir JJ Schools of Art, Architecture, and Design, the curated panels, “are a portrayal of the city through many of its facets, from food to artefacts, locations, and objects,” shared professor Mustansir Dalvi. TILL April 2; 11 am onwardsAT Claude Batley Gallery, Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design, Fort. ThursdayThe Sun Rises in The East by Ronny Sen Catchment Node VII, 2026. Pic Courtesy/Ronny Sen, Tarq Art Gallery The reality of Artificial Intelligence (AI), war, and the conundrum of an unsustainable world in the near future drives this solo showcase by Ronny Sen.TILL April 18, 11 am to 6.30 pm (Tuesday to Saturday) AT Tarq Art Gallery, KK (Navsari) Chambers, AK Nayak Marg, Fort. FridayThe Last Rust by Archana Hande Discarded dumbbells, sieves, knives, and hammers might feel like the byproducts of a yard sale. But for Archana Hande, they carry a deeper significance. The artist turns to her visit to the nomadic Gurjari markets to transform them into totemic symbols with a history of class, caste, and gender.TILL April 25; 10 am to 6 pm (Monday to Saturday) AT Chemould Prescott Road, Queens Mansion, Fort. SaturdayPrimordial by Parvathi Nayar Balance of Trade. Pics Courtesy/ Parvathi Nayar, Muziris Contemporary Marking a return to the city after two decades, Nayar’s rendered graphite compositions flow from the idea of the ‘primordial soup’ of the universe. The work “…is between structure and dissolution, between conscious construction and something more intuitive,” says the writer.TILL May 1; 11 am to 7 pm (except Mondays) AT Muziris Contemporary, Arsiwala Mansion, Colaba. SundayTicket Tika Chaap (Clockwise from above) Textile labels, late 19th-20th Century; (above right) Royal warrior, 19th Century. Pics Courtesy/Dr BDL Museum, MAP Bengaluru Colourful, fascinating, and historically quirky, this show is to be enjoyed at leisure. Presented in collaboration with Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) Bengaluru, and Impart, the exhibition is a treasure trove of the aesthetic, art, and colour. Curators Nathaniel Gaskell and Shrey Maurya bring together the glossy and vividly rendered images on textile tickets that serve as a window into Colonial history, artistic identity, technology, and visual culture.TILL June 7; 10 am to 5.30 pm (except Wednesdays)AT Special Project Space, Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Byculla West.Entry Museum tickets apply Landscape Plays by Heiner Goebbels The Last Painting, 2023. Pic Courtesy/ Heiner Goebbels, Dr BDL Museum, Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan Light, movement, and sound are at the heart of Heiner Goebbels’ Indian debut. In collaboration with the Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai, the conductor takes inspiration from the author Gertrude Stein. “I am especially excited, how the sounds and all the things and objects in the Landscape Plays: monuments, instruments, paintings, and the elements: water, wind, fog and ice — communicate with the precious objects of the museum,” he says. TILL May 31; 10 am to 5.30 pm (except Wednesdays)AT Kamalnayan Bajaj Special Exhibitions Gallery, Dr BDL Museum, Byculla West. ENTRY Museum tickets apply
01 April,2026 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarADVERTISEMENT
