With their soulful lyrics woven into rock rhythms, Agnee has been one of the pioneers of the Indian rock scene. As the Pune-based outfit returns to the city for a weekend gig, we connect with lead vocalist Mohan Kannan and guitarist Kaustubh Dhavale AKA Koco for their plans while in Mumbai. LISTEN Mohan Kannan: I couldn’t miss listening to Chamkila. The song, Vida karo, has been everywhere on social media. I haven’t yet sat down and listened to it entirely, but that is on my list. Kaustubh Dhavale: I am currently grooving to the new EP, Mirage, by Plini. The other album I love is Reborn by Infected Mushroom. If you are in the mood for some progressive rock, I recommend Pineapple Thief’s studio album, Your Wilderness. CHILLMK: I am more of a homebody. My house is my happy place, and is open to all my friends. I tend to call them home after a gig or when they are in town.KD: I love to party. When I lived in Mumbai, WTF in Andheri was my go-to destination. I still go out when I find the time. My 23-year-old son keeps telling me I need to slow down, but I don’t think so. EATMK: I love South Indian. I cook, albeit rarely. My mum taught me to make rasam and bisi bele bath. Tanjore Tiffin Room is one of my favourites. It is either this or Punjabi fare like chole bhature on a day off. KD: In Versova, I stayed near the fishing village. We had a regular fish seller who would deliver fresh fish every day. I miss this in Pune, and plan to check things out while I am here. I love Tanjore Tiffin Room’s food, especially their Kerala parotta and mutton curry. TIMEPASSMK: My addiction is now Sudoku. Not the ordinary puzzles but the variant ones. It feels like an achievement. KD: I am a biker; I love the road. Though, I avoid doing a lot of off-roading now. ON May 11; 8 pm AT Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 999 onwards
09 May,2024 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThursday Drama overloadTheatre: Witness two typical lovers struggle with a not-so-typical classic Bollywood romance in The Jubilee Theatre Company’s presentation of their popular satirical musical play, Golden Jubilee. Time 6 pm and 9 pm At Prithvi Theatre, Juhu. Log on to in.bookmyshow.com Entry Rs 500 onwards Friday Pics Courtesy/Instagram All about the bassMusic: This one’s for the bass-heads. Step into a night dedicated to new-age drum n’ bass music spun live by DJs Fragment and Ksaya (above) among other electronic bass wizards. Time 7 pm At Raasta Bombay, Rohan Plaza, 5th Road, Khar West. Log on to sortmyscene.com Entry RSVP mandatoryFree Saturday Gift a laughComedy: Catch city-based comedian Joel D’Souza, known for his dry-wit humour and anti-jokes, at the inaugural show of his first-ever solo show, Gift. Expect comic dissections and observations of the gifting culture in India from D’Souza’s perspective. Time 8.30 pm At Cat Café Studio, Harminder Singh Road, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova. Log on to in.bookmyshow.com Entry Rs 300 Freshly baked memoriesWorkshop: Learn the ABCs of baking and join forces to bake fresh sourdough pizzas and layered mousses with your mother at this Mother’s Day special workshop.Time 2 pm At The Bread Bar, Shah Industrial Estate, Deonar, Chembur. Log on to @thebreadbar_ (for details) Get groovingDance: Lose your inhibitions and explore the world of ecstatic dance, a free-form movement that offers benefits such as stress relief and improved mind-body connections. The guided session promises a judgement-free space for participants of all ages. Time 5 pm At Integral Space, Janata Estate, Lower Parel. Log on to @theintegralspacemumbai Entry Rs 350 Sunday Cheer onScreening: Catch English Premier League title contenders and table-toppers Arsenal battle it out against Manchester United at the theatre of dreams, Old Trafford. The official screening will include a curated menu of tapas and drinks for fans. Time 7.45 pm At One Aura, Sahar Plaza Midas II, JB Nagar, Andheri East. Log on to @arsenal.mumbai Cost Rs 500 onwards (per head) Pics courtesy/Instagram Seek a sightTrail: Unleash the explorer in you at a bird walk hosted by the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Keep an eye out for birds like the rufous woodpecker (above), Vigors’ sunbird and the crested serpent eagle. Time 4 pm meeting point Entry Gate, Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Call 8591382079 Entry Rs 300 A photograph from the collection Art that speaksExhibition: Get a peek into poignant scenes from the political landscape of Bangladesh from the 1980s at renowned photojournalist Shahidul Alam’s new exhibition, Signed But Not Burnt. TILL May 22 At Sakshi Art Gallery, 3rd Pasta Lane, Colaba. Free
09 May,2024 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAs a millennial who grew up on the early versions of Dragonball Z on television who chased cousins on overseas trips for copies of Shonen Jump, the anime fandom among Gen-Zers feels good. But easy access to manga is still a challenge, especially when you are banned from buying copies anymore. For me, the Manga plus app is my go to solution. The app has a vast collection of series across genres, authors and styles, including popular ones like One Piece, and Dragonball Z. It certainly makes for easy reading on the commute. Log on to Manga Plus on Playstore
09 May,2024 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarLetters unravel what other forms of writing cannot. They are windows into our inner lives, revealing our fears, intimacies and vulnerabilities. Keeping with this sentiment, The Bose Legacy, a cine-theatrical experience by the Playpen Performing Arts Trust, brings to us letters of Subhas Chandra Bose from prisons of Madras and Calcutta, along with those written by his brother Sarat Chandra Bose, addressed to the latter’s son, Amiya Nath Bose. These have been sourced from Amiya’s daughter, Madhuri Bose’s compilation in her book, The Bose Brothers and the Indian Independence, and are dated between 1930 and ’55. Speaking of how correspondence turned to dialogue, Nikhil Katara, who wrote the cine-play with Himali Kothari, tells us, “Initially, we had put these together as a performed reading, but slowly, it started taking the shape of a play.” While the play was staged at several venues, during the pandemic, the team found it difficult to take it forward. They, therefore, decided to turn it into a cinematic experience rather than a theatrical one. “In 2020, we shot the performance as a cine-play, using all the tools and devices that a film uses. The film was then used as an opening show in Kolkata to commemorate. Nikhil Katara and Himali Kothari Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary”. Since then, the cine-play has travelled to several places, including a recent screening at the Nehru Centre in London. What one hears the characters utter is not fiction at all, Katara reiterates. These are all words of the Bose brothers. “Some parts of it are not even linked to the national struggle. For instance, [the Bose brothers] would write from the cell asking Amiya which college he’d like to join.” One will find small, personal stories like these. “They were concerned about the young boy growing up in [a changing] India. The historical and the personal are closely-knit in this play,” adds Katara. This Friday, the cine-play will be screened on the terrace of the G5A Warehouse, followed by a short Q&A session with members of the unit. Katara leaves us with a little note, asking us to look out for the Bose family anthem, Dhana Dhanya, sung by Santanu Ghatak, one of the actors in the film. ON May 10; 8 pm AT G5A Warehouse, Laxmi Mills Estate, Mahalaxmi West. LOG ON TO insider.in ENTRY Rs 399
09 May,2024 09:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaIrrespective of whether you enjoy travelling for the ‘feels’ or the Instagram reels, you’ll need a handy make-up kit that can help you to put together basic to somewhat glamorous looks on the go. And, for most make-up lovers, this can prove to be an exercise in frustration — how much is too much, how much is just enough, how do you ensure that your make-up endures the rigours of your travel and what if you forget to pack an essential item? We reached out to two experts to help simplify the process. Drishya Bhagyanath Plan and prep “I’ve put together a simple kit with the essentials, which I carry with me whenever I travel. I add or edit out from this depending on the specifics of my holiday plans,” explains stylist and image consultant, Disha Selarka. Her basic kit comprises a primer, a base product (foundation, BB or CC cream), a compact to set the base, mascara and eyeliner, a small palette that has eyeshadow, blush and a highlighter, lipstick and lip gloss. Besides these, she also packs in a perfume for the day and one for the evenings. Pack basics like a highlighter and an eyeliner Temperature check Make sure to account for the weather of the destination you are travelling to, emphasises make-up artist Drishya Bhagyanath. For sun-kissed beaches, don’t forget a setting spray that will lock your make-up in place. Carry bronzy products to accentuate your tan; check for waterproof versions of your usual products. For colder climates, choose hydrating products that will help your skin retain moisture. Multitasking heroes Instead of packing a product for each step of your make-up process, look for multi-use products to save space. For instance, a lip and cheek tint can replace your traditional lipstick and blush, while a compact foundation can eliminate the mess of a liquid foundation and concealer, and the stress of carrying loose powder, says Bhagyanath. She adds that contour and highlighter sticks are relatively fuss-free, while an eye pencil that can be used as both an eyeliner and kajal can further ease your packing woes. Use a lip and cheek tint for convenient and quick fixes The vacay checklist . Keep a mini kit in your handbag, which will be allowed in your hand luggage and check in the more comprehensive make-up kit. Having a mini kit on hand helps with touch-ups during and after your travel, and before reaching your destination. You can also use the kit to touch up throughout the trip. This kit can include a compact, blush, lipstick and perfume. Carry a sunscreen that suits your skin type . Regardless of your destination, always carry sunscreen and your basic skincare with you. . Stick to products you use every day, while travelling. This is not the time to experiment with new products or more elaborate looks. A compact can come in handy for touch-ups on the go . Have a hero product that you can quickly throw on to instantly elevate your look (and mood). This could be a kajal, eyeliner, lipstick or blush. It can also be your go-to product that you apply even when you don’t want to apply any makeup. . Use travel-sized versions of your favourite products or transfer smaller quantities into travel-sized containers. . Minimal and simpler looks are easier to perfect on the go and less likely to go wrong. They wear much better than looks with too many layers. By Disha Selarka
09 May,2024 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulJazz evenings Open your Thursday evening with a session that explores three musicians playing with rhythms at will. This weekday concert brings vocalist Dominique Cerejo to the fore with Rajesh Punjabi of The Bombay Jazz Club as they serenade the audience with jazz standards, while adding some of their own to the mix. With keys taken over by Rahul Wadhwani, expect an evening of fun and freedom.On Today; 10 pm At Bonobo, Kenilworth Plaza, off Linking Road, Bandra West.Call 9619930030 Let’s get real This Sunday a gig with Sunil Kumar Gurjar AKA Rahgir Live promises to touch your soul. Known for songs that give the listeners a reality check, he is back in the city with another tour. This time, he will belt out unreleased songs as well. On May 12; 7 pmAt Hotel Rangsharda, Bandra West. Log on to in.bookmyshow.com Cost Rs 499
08 May,2024 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamIndia's social movements have always been interlinked with the arts. It is no surprise then that one of the earliest legal cases of censorship was placed on a theatrical production that almost spurred civil unrest in Bengal in the late 1800s. For Amatya Goradia, writer-director of the play 1876, it was the captivating blend of history, drama and a resonance in current society that drew him to the story. The play will premiere the first show of its opening leg in Andheri today. Amatya Goradia “As a writer, I am always on the lookout for stories. A year ago, I was reading up on court cases that emerged from the urge to write a legal drama. I was curious about laws that cover the arts; it’s how I learnt about the Dramatic Performances Act (DPA) of 1876,” 32-year-old Goradia explains. An alumnus of Mithibai College, he grew up watching rehearsals and reading sessions of Gujarati theatre from his father, theatremaker Jayant Goradia. His first break was at the Thespo Festival in 2013 with another historical play, EQ, based on the life and times of Albert Einstein. The history of the 1876 act, he shares, is a microcosm of the state of Bengal during the late 19th century. The trigger to it all was Dinabandhu Mitra’s work, Nil Darpan. “It was a simple play that laid bare the oppression of the Indigo Commission on the farmers of Bengal. It was direct, and scathing on the government,” he reveals. Naturally, the play formed the core of his upcoming production. Goradia instructs actors While Nil Darpan was in production in 1861, it caught the attention of the British colonists only after it was reportedly translated into English by illustrious Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt, and published by Reverend James Long. Staged during the Indigo Revolt, it created a stir that resulted in Long’s imprisonment, and eventually, to founding of the first commercial theatre company in India, National Theatre in 1872. “In fact, the first commercial production by the National Theatre was Nil Darpan — almost a repartee to the British Empire,” says the director. “It is even more relevant when you remember that over the years, many theatre makers such as Vijay Tendulkar, and even lokshahirs such as Namdeo Dhasal have faced cases and imprisonments. Any theatre or performance that provokes the audience to react or act, political or apolitical, against power is often charged by law,” he points out. Dinabandhu Mitra. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Finding the story was the beginning. “It was tough work to source details, since little was available in terms of data or background. I explored the nature of the case, and its resonance with current society rather than history through the production,” he shares, adding, “The history featured in this play emerges through the stagecraft — costumes, characters and the diction. Since it’s set in Bengal, we worked on our diction, so we could include Bengali in the dialogues,” he reveals. The play debuts today. Goradia is confident of a good run, “We are hoping to return to Prithvi in June this year, before taking it to other venues. The idea is to keep performing as much as we can, and wherever we can.” On Today, 9 pm; Tomorrow; 6 pm and 9 pmAt Veda Kunba Theatre, Four Bungalows, Andheri West.Log on to in.bookmyshow.comCost Rs 250 onwards
08 May,2024 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar>> Bond through beats: Introduce your children to the hip-hop world as they learn the basics of beatboxing from the talented artistes of the Indian Beatbox School. The session will end with a parent-child jamming session.On May 11; 4 pm to 6 pmAt Hullabaloo Children’s Studio, Juhu. Age group 4 years and above Message 9653410559 (to sign up) Cost Rs 850 (for a child and its parent) >> All in one: Learn 11 art forms in this workshop from making clay houses and Jharokha frames to danglers, key holders and other creations. Brush up techniques like mirroring, creating pearl strings, 3-D outlining, among others.On May 14 to May 17, May 20 to May 23, May 27 to May 30; 2 pm to 4 pm At 1203, Daffodil, A-wing, Vasant Park, Kalyan West.Log on to @thecraftic_pallaviMessage 9004917540Cost Rs 2,200 >> Develop soft skills: Make the most of your children’s vacations and get them to sharpen their soft skills with trainer Sameen Khan. The sessions will focus on communication, creativity and teamwork.On May 26 to May 31; 2 pm to 5 pm At Azeem Heights, Sector 34 C, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.Age group 6 to 12 yearsMessage 9321696882 (to register)Cost Rs 1,000 >> Science is fun: This workshop includes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) experiments for your little munchkins. Expect bubble sculpting, making thaumatropes (optical toy with a disk), slime war, and aerodynamics.On May 29 to June 3; 10 am to 11 amAt Playseum, Linking Road, Santacruz West. Age group 3 to 6 yearsMessage 9930300595Cost Rs 500 >> A for Acting: Here’s a perfect plan for kids to brush up their acting skills. They will learn improv, creative thinking and ideation. On May 15 to May 18At St Andrew’s College for Philosophy and Performing Arts, Bandra West. Age group 10 to 13 yearsMessage 9920824403Cost Rs 2,000 PICS COURTESY/INSTAGRAM >> Let the music play: Add drama to the holidays and sign your children up for this musical theatre workshop by Rachna’s Funclub. From classical to contemporary hits, your children will learn and prepare a show for you to watch. On May 14At Maker Arcade, Cuffe Parade.Age 5 to 8 yearsLog on to @playydate_Message 8591409386Cost Rs 4,999
08 May,2024 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiBabus of Nayanjore This is a story about the landlords of Nayanjore, “the Babus”, who lived extravagant lives before the floods washed away their wealth. Kailas Babu, the protagonist, who is the last descendant of the lot, travels to Calcutta, having lost all of his landed property. However, he carries with him his ancestral pride and his heirloom. The narrator elaborately lists what the latter included: “a silver cruet for sprinkling scented water, a filigree box for otto-of-roses, a small gold salver, a costly ancient shawl, and the old-fashioned ceremonial dress and ancestral turban”. Babus of Nayanjore deals with class conflicts and the ideas of being self-made versus inheriting ancestral property. From Stories from Tagore, translated by Charles Freer Andrews. Misplaced Hope/Forlorn Hope (Bengali: Durasha) After arriving in Darjeeling, the narrator, “a freshly bloomed Bengali Englishman”, finds the urge to go for a walk down the Calcutta Road. During his walk, as little drizzles of rain and clouds of fog envelope the town, he comes across a weeping woman, who reveals herself to be the daughter of Ghulam Kader Khan of Badraon. She has a story to share. Her story casts light on the austerity of Brahmanism and the extent to which she went, following Kesharlal, a Hindu Brahmin, until she realised that it wasn’t so much a path that showed the right way of living but a mere habit, a practice. From Selections from Galpaguchchha, translated by RK Chattopadhyay The Two Sisters (Bengali: Dui Bon) The Two Sisters deals with ideas of human frailty, desire, and the complications within certain marriages, that often leave a sour taste in everyone’s mouths. The story revolves around the life of Shashanka and his wife Sharmila. An unexpected turn of events takes place when her sister, Urmimala arrives to stay with them. The story is reflective of the representation of ‘the woman’ that came to be drawn by men in the period of nationalism in 1930s and ’40s India. The opening lines are telling, when the narrator says, “There are two kinds of women, or so I’ve heard some pundits say.” While this is written as a novella, it reads like a short story because of its pace. From Two Sisters, translated by Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee A Wife’s Letter (Bengali: Streer Patra) This epistolary story, as the title suggests, is a letter written by a wife after 15 years of being married. She confesses about how she felt within the house in which she lived with her husband. She also opens up about writing poetry in secrecy, which helped her all these years. Recognising her own intelligence, she fights for her independence. When Bindu, her sister-in-law’s sister comes to stay with them, she begins to witness similar events unfolding which snatch Bindu’s freedoms too. The story was adapted into a Bengali film by Purpendru Pant in 1972. One may identify the role of the protagonist portrayed by Madhavi Mukherjee, who played the better-known Charulata in Satyajit Ray’s film. From Selections from Galpaguchchha, translated by RK Chattopadhyay Hungry Stones (Bengali: Kshudhita Pashan) Tagore’s ghost stories are not always the first choice of his readers when they read his writings. But such stories make for some of the most interesting finds. Hungry Stones captures a brief moment in the life of a collector of cotton duties, who goes to stay in a house which was the former palace of Emperor Mahmud Shah II. He’s given a warning by the clerk “Pass the day there, if you like… but never stay the night.” Soon, he is enchanted by its spell and the spirits of its past residents, some anguished souls who left curses behind. In 1991, the story was turned into a film adaptation by Gulzar. He called the film “Lekin…” (“But…”), a word uttered ever so frequently on recognising a moment of doubt. From Selections from Galpaguchchha, translated by RK Chattopadhyay LOG ON TO e-bookstores Artful masterpieces Face of a woman, inspired by Kadambari Devi, ink on paper, on display at National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi Apart from being a poet and a writer, Tagore was also a painter. Having grown up in a family of artists, he learnt how to paint but his style was unlike that of his nephews Abanindranath and Gaganendranath Tagore who led the Bengal School of Art. He never wished to name his paintings, urging the viewers to read them as they liked. His early art often entailed shapes of imagined animals, “a probable animal” as he would call these. His later portraits, however, were some of the most melancholic ones, reflecting his own grief over the death of those he loved and lost. What’s so beautiful is that he founded Visva-Bharati University, which would be a “seat of learning”, a space for creative ideas to flow freely and flourish. Kala Bhavan, the fine art institute, continues to see passionate art students pursue their dreams. . A Quick View: Clip from Sotheby’s YouTube video on Tagore’s Paintings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBYu0dFhRjk . A Detailed Lecture on his Art: Clip from Smithsonian Education on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYriVkYlFHg
07 May,2024 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaAs we step into Atul Bachhav’s 3D scanning studio tucked away in an inconspicuous alley in Malad on a busy evening, we realise we might have dropped by at an inconvenient hour. Inside, Bachhav is in the middle of what looks like a workout session, holding a pose in full gym gear, complete with a sweatband and running shoes. A hand taps on our shoulder from behind, we turn, it’s Bachhav, the founder of Ideazzzz Creative Studio, and a creative director with over two decades of experience in graphics and animation. What we were greeted by at the door is a miniature resin clone of the founder; one of the many that sit on the front desk to market the studio’s new service — 3D printed life-like miniatures. Call it eerie, call it creative, or call it genius; for now, it’s time to witness how these miniatures come to life in three working days. 1 The subject steps into the 360-degree camera set up illuminated by LED strips. The proprietary set-up comprises 95 cameras — nine DSLRs that capture the head and neck area, and smaller digital cameras that capture the subject’s body from all angles. The founder directs, “capture!”. In a single click, the scan is complete. 2 Following a 15-minute compilation process, the scanned images are now presented as a rough consolidated 3D model on a computer. This software was developed in-house by the studio to get quick previews of the scan. We learn that in cases where the subject moves during the capture, leading to an unsatisfactory 3D model, the scan must be repeated. 3 Using a visual reference, the rough model is worked upon by a trained technician in a process called re-topology. The 3D model is smoothened and any stray artefacts are removed to produce a cleaner model (right). To simplify this process, the studio recommends wearing basic outfits and holding back on accessories that might have dangling elements. 4 The digital model is sent to a portable 3D printer that prints the model layer-by-layer using a resin-based compound. Fifteen long hours, and 4,548 0.5 mm thin layers later, the nine-inch-long model is ready for further processing. 5 To harden the soft and flexible resin model that is prone to breakage at this point, a process called UV curing follows. Ten minutes of basking in UV light inside a portable chamber, and the model is ready. 6 The model, along with a reference video, is sent to local painters who use acrylic paints to replicate the finer details. We learn that these artists belong to the same communities that paint Ganesh idols during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the city. A few final touches, and you have a mini version that will last as long as a year on your desk. Three Ds to remember Miniatures at the studio . Do not wipe the models with strong cleaning solutions. A clean dry cloth works best.. Do not expose the model to high temperatures at places like car dashboards. Keep them in cool and dry environments for a longer life.. Do not tug on parts of the model; resin models can fall apart when subjected to strain. Atul Bachhav AT Inf Ideazzzz Creative, Lotus Business Park, off Swami Vivekananda Road, opposite Dal Mill Compound, Malad West.CALL 9867071434 (for queries)COST Rs 15,000 onwards (prices differ by model size and complexity)
07 May,2024 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleScoring an impressive 98.5 per cent in her Class 10 board exams to emerge as the topper in one of India’s largest states should have been a proud and joyous moment for 15-year-old Prachi Nigam. However, when the Uttar Pradesh native’s photograph appeared alongside her accomplishments on social media, she was subject to relentless and brutal trolling on account of her appearance, with much of the hate directed towards her facial hair. Since then, Nigam has hit back at the trolls stating that she does not let the negativity affect her and is choosing, instead, to focus on her academics. However, the incident has sparked several conversations about how vulnerable teens can come into the crosshairs of appearance-based judgment and scrutiny, as they grapple with the physical and emotional changes that accompany puberty. An uncomfortable transition “Puberty is a phase defined by rapid physical and emotional development. Physically, adolescent boys and girls experience accelerated growth in their height, weight and muscle mass. This is also when their bodies develop secondary sexual characteristics, including the development of breasts in girls, the growth of facial and body hair in both boys and girls, and changes in voice pitch. Boys typically develop broader shoulders and a more muscular physique, while girls develop wider hips and a more defined waistline. Further, girls start menstruating as their reproductive systems mature, and many boys and girls develop acne and oily skin,” shares Dr Nandita Palshetkar, obstetrician and gynaecologist. A personal care company ended up creating an inadvertent controversy with their campaign for Nigam. Pic Courtesy/Shantanu Deshpande on LinkedIn During puberty, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the gonads (testes in boys and ovaries in girls) to produce sex hormones. These hormones are responsible for many physical and emotional changes, explains Dr Nazneen Ladak, a psychiatrist. The child’s prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and risk assessment, is still developing, which can influence his or her emotional and social behaviour. “Hormonal fluctuations can potentially exacerbate tendencies toward depression and anxiety, while the ongoing brain development can result in increased impulsiveness and emotional outbursts. This emotional roller coaster can be confusing and overwhelming for teenagers,” she adds. Prachi Nigam. Pic Courtesy/YouTube At the same time, changes in hormone levels can lead to mood swings, increased emotional sensitivity and irritability. All of these can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health. Children may feel self-conscious about their changing bodies, especially if they feel that they do not meet society’s standards of what is considered beautiful. This, when combined with peer pressure and societal xpectations, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, says Palshetkar. “Children who are uncomfortable or unhappy with their changing appearance may withdraw from social situations, and isolate themselves from their peers. They may also be subjected to bullying and teasing, which can have long-lasting psychological effects,” she points out. Dr Nazneen Ladak Help them cope “In her interviews, Nigam demonstrates a calm clarity about the medical reasons for her facial hair. Such fact-based awareness can form a strong foundation for a healthy body image, experts say. “One way parents can help their child to cope with this tumultuous phase is to share books or resources that explain the process in a straightforward, reassuring manner. Consider engaging in activities that promote learning, such as attending workshops or health classes together,” says Ladak. Additionally, here are some other strategies you can try, to make the transition easier: The menstruation cycle for girls begins in their adolescence, and adds to their anxiety and self-consciousness >>Body neutrality over body positivity: While body positivity seeks acceptance for and celebration of all body types, it can inadvertently accord undue importance to one’s appearance, says Dr Nahid Dave, a psychiatrist at Thought Matters. She recommends adopting a body-neutral attitude that prioritises what the body can do rather than what it looks like. “Body neutrality stresses on the fact that an individual’s value is not determined by how they look or feel about their appearance. On the other hand, body positivity can sometimes achieve the opposite of what the movement set out to do, as it places undue pressure on people to celebrate their appearance, even when this celebration feels inauthentic. Body neutrality is thus a more pragmatic and realistic approach,” she clarifies. Dr Nandita Palshetkar >>Reinforce achievements, not appearance: Ladak recommends emphasising qualities and achievements that aren’t related to physical appearance. “Encourage your child’s talents and interests, which can provide a solid foundation for self-esteem,” she says. Similarly, Dave advises that parents steer clear of obsessing too much about their own appearance, and seeking validation from others in the form of compliments. “It’s important for parents to develop a healthy relationship with their bodies so that they can model the same to their children,” she elaborates. >>Don’t overcompensate: One approach that people use to try and shield their children from bullying or criticism is to become a ‘helicopter parent’ version of themselves. They embed themselves very deeply into their child’s activities and social life in a bid to protect them from pain and disappointment. This approach can lead to children feeling extremely ill-prepared to cope with the challenges they face in their later years. “Learn to listen to your child and acknowledge what they are going through. If they are being bullied, ask your child what they want you to do, to help. Although this is an uncomfortable time, it can also teach your child valuable coping skills and resilience,” Dave explains. Dr Nahid Dave >>Be realistic: In recent times, the concept of ‘pretty privilege’ has gained a lot of traction on social media. It means that people who are perceived as being good looking or better groomed automatically receive preferential treatment and are perceived as being more competent. “If your child is at the receiving end of such biases, you can help your child to cope by firstly, accepting that such biases exist, but also emphasising to your child that this perceived advantage is very temporary and that being talented, consistent and hard-working will open doors for them in the long term. If your child is old enough, you can also explain how societal standards of what is considered desirable keep changing to highlight the fleeting nature of such superficial judgments,” Dave signs off.
06 May,2024 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulADVERTISEMENT
