Dear reader, has anyone ever told you your eyes are a work of art? Before you blush, we’re only asking because this writer was recently told so. At the opening day of a three-day pop-up in Bandra, we meet Chennai-based artist Rahul M, who is looking Mumbaikars in the eye, capturing high-res scans of their irises, and turning them into striking digitally juxtaposed artworks using digital photo manipulation. At Candies, where young patrons from possibly every college in the neighbourhood have gathered on a weekday afternoon, there’s more than meets the eye. In a corner, an exhibition of surrealist framed artworks, each featuring a set of irises, are staring right back at us. At the end of this eerie yet fascinating walk is an unusual contraption, akin to something we’ve only ever seen at an optometrist’s clinic before. The writer gets his iris scanned by the photographer. Pics/Nimesh Dave We’re escorted to the setup where we sit eye-to-eye not with an optometrist or ophthalmologist, but a skilled photographer with a specialised camera. On an otherwise lazy afternoon, the photographer gives us a wake-up call: “Open your eyes out wide!” Another assistant swiftly scoots in on cue and shines a soft white light from the side. Click, tap, beep, and our job is done. In a live feed on a laptop, we see the larger-than-life recreation of our iris, the part of the eye that determines the colour of every human being’s eye. In comparison to the blue, green and hazel hues that stumped us at the showcase earlier, our scan comes out in a modest shade of brown. We’re presented a list of designs to choose from. Between Explosion, Infinity, Yin Yang and Asteroid, among other options, we take our pick. The scan appears on the digital workstation Over a chat with Rahul after our experience, we learn that the 22-year-old has recently graduated from a business course in Madhavaram in Chennai. “I have a distinct orange hue in my irises. I started experimenting with the idea during the COVID 19 lockdown and hit the ground running soon. The idea has become a huge hit in South India. This is our first experiment in north India,” he reveals. We’re all for his farsighted vision, although we’re not sure how Mumbaikars will take to being grouped with ‘north India’. As we speak, our scan is then sent to the collective’s visual editor all the way out in Chennai, where he works on clearing up the image, including eliminating the glare from the ambient lights in the room and adding embellishments as per our selection. And while we were keen to see the artwork, like all good things, this too has to wait. After a week-long process, we should have our own artwork in our hands. It will be worth it, Rahul assures us. If beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, there shouldn’t be any room for error. An editor in Chennai enhances the image and adds artistic touches ON Today and tomorrow; 12 pm to 9 pm AT Candies, Pali Hill, Bandra West. LOG ON TO @_irisgraphy_ COST Rs 750 onwards (no registration required)
07 June,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleFacing the Mirror Ashwini Sukthankar Ashwini Sukthankar writes in her hard-hitting introduction: “For Indian lesbians, putting our words into public space has so far meant having to brutally manipulate the dimensions of who we are.” Sukthankar was writing in 1998 about an independent India, which had failed to accept lesbian narratives. The writers would have to alter the gender of their characters or plots to fit in. This essential anthology (Penguin Random House India) allows space for these writers to ‘face the mirror’ and document stories without alteration. The writings include texts scribbled on scraps of paper, extracts from journals, anecdotes transcribed from narrated stories, love letters, translated work, and fiction. Queering India Ruth Vanita Scholarly essays from postcolonial writers find a place in this anthology that offers an understanding of same sex love, desire, and eroticism. Published in 2002 by Routledge, it was the earliest to do so in India. Edited by Ruth Vanita, it unpacks various ideas — from the colonial legacy that introduced terms like ‘unlawful’ and ‘sinful’, to interrogations through fiction and performances on stage, TV, and cinema. For instance, Geeta Patel writes about Deepa Mehta’s film Fire (1996) and the controversies on its release; Rosemary Marangoly George analyses same-sex desire in poet Kamala Das’s work. My Father’s Garden Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s novel (Speaking Tiger Books) is set in three towns in Jharkhand. Written in three parts, it begins with a heartbreak experienced by the young Santhali gay narrator whose lover from college prefers keeping their relationship coveted. To heal from it, he escapes first to Pakur, then to Ghatshila. While in Pakur, he searches for companionship. Although he finds it in the head clerk of the hospital where he works, he is soon disillusioned when he finds out the truth about his new friend. He ultimately returns home where he thinks about his father, his life, and what his love for his garden truly means. Deviants Santanu Bhattacharya In his second novel (Penguin UK), Santanu Bhattacharya explores three generations of gay men within a family — Vivaan, Mambro, and Sukumar. This multi-generational narrative helps the reader trace their individual journeys as well as understand how the legal framework and social milieu vis-à-vis homosexuality have changed over the years in the country. Each character navigates challenges of their time, from colonial laws to loneliness and dating apps, and yearns, most of all, for love and intimacy. The World that Belongs to Us Akhil Katyal and Aditi Angiras Edited by Aditi Angiras and Akhil Katyal, this collection by HarperCollins India, collates more than a 100 fresh voices from various communities in South Asia through queer poems. The term ‘queer’ is allowed to be splintered to include poems which are thematically political as well as non-political, by queer as well as non-queer poets writing as allies. In addition to reading seasoned writers such as Ruth Vanita, Vikram Seth, Kazim Ali, Minal Hajratwala, readers can pore over poems by contemporary new poets writing in various South Asian languages. On the Brink of Belief Kazim Ali Edited by Kazim Ali, this anthology (Penguin Random House India) releases this month. Here, queerness meets faith, myth, and spirit. The book consists of short stories, memoir, poetry, and flash fiction, from 24 South Asian writers, aged 18 to 25 years. It is a culmination of the work undertaken by the writers as part of The Queer Writers’ Room, led by the digital queer culture platform, Queer Muslim Project. Some of the themes in the collection include joy, intergenerational grief, violence and memory, caste and silence, rituals and beliefs, among other things. Available Leading bookstores and e-stores
07 June,2025 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaFrom showcasing individuality to highlighting solidarity to being wielded as a tool of self-expression — fashion has always played a multifaceted and complex role in the LGBTQiA+ community. While the now ubiquitous rainbow is now recognised as an almost universal symbol of pride and unity, both within the community and among allies, it isn’t the only way that clothing is being wielded as a force for change. Growing awareness about gender existing outside the binary has inspired several designers to create garments that subvert traditional gender roles and mould themselves to the myriad identities of their wearers and the values they subscribe to. And as the city rallies together to celebrate Pride Month, we present to you our round-up of interesting indie platforms that you can dip into, to feel the love this June. . Be a fan: An online LGBTQiA+ pride merchandise platform, QueerBazaar is your one-stop shop for pride-themed apparel, accessories, flags and other celebratory paraphernalia. We are partial to this very affordable clack fan, made famous by Lady Gaga’s fans (or shall we say, monsters) at her recent Rio de Janeiro concert. The platform also offers neat lapel pins, beanies, totes and hoodies.COST Rs 300 LOG ON TO lgbtq.in . Flower power hour: Retro and psychedelic in equal parts, Rainbow Monkey offers fashionable yet comfortable and practical clothing for unapologetic maximalists. The bold, bright colours, rainbow-inspired palette, and almost effervescent styling make this platform a riot for those looking to add a playful spark to their wardrobes. The brand is queer-owned. We are all eyes for this ikat-inspired co-ord set, which harkens back to the 1980s rock scene.COST Rs 13,999 LOG ON TO rainbowmonkey.in An art-inspired bodysuit. Pic Courtesy/Vulgar; The Pride is Protest T-shirt. Pic Courtesy/Beunic; Embroidered sweatsuit. Pic Courtesy/Bombaim . Colour outside the lines: Vulgar is dedicated to fluid fashion. It eschews traditional notions of femininity and masculinity to create garments that are fun, fresh and inclusive. With its distinctly futuristic aesthetic, the brand reminds us that fashion is meant to be fun. The garments can also be made-to-measure, and are styled interesting on non-binary models. We adore this quirky bodysuit, which can be layered in several unique ways.COST Rs 8500 LOG ON TO vulgar.co.in . By the people, for the people: BeUnic is a platform that exclusively showcases products created by LGBTQiA+ artists and designers. It also works with NGOs, support groups and queer folk to offer the community all kinds of support — from entrepreneurship to mental health, community events to legal advice. Our pick is this unisex pink tee, which is a powerful reminder of the importance of Pride Month.COST Rs 999 LOG ON TO beunic.in . Art for art’s sake: This designer’s remit is simple — to make art a way of life. Their label is known for its eccentric, electric colours, gender-fluid silhouettes, and queer narratives. From surrealism to Jamini Roy, Bobo Calcutta’s inspirations are many, but the underlying motive is singular — to express uninhibitedly. Our sights are on this embroidered sweatshirt, which showcases the brand’s signature aesthetic.COST Rs 20,500 LOG ON TO bombaim.in Individualistic and expressive Pride is about celebrating individuality – loud, flamboyant, quiet, fierce, and everything in between. It’s a celebration of self-expression sans boundaries. Your clothes should say what words sometimes can’t,” explains fashion designer Aanchal Bubber-Mehta. Follow her tips to use fashion to express yourself: Aanchal Bubber-Mehta; Harshavardhan Rai . Fluid silhouettes and deconstructed tailoring: Oversized blazers, exaggerated shoulders, cinched waists, asymmetric shirting, draped dhotis, and kaftans for all. These silhouettes celebrate the body as a canvas of possibility, not limitation. . Bold colours and unexpected prints: Think vibrant, clashing palettes — burnt orange with electric blue, mustard with lilac. Mix pinstripes and Madras checks. Combine softness with sharpness. Pair a quiet brown waistcoat with oversized orange pants. . Pattern play: Traditionally masculine pinstripes are making a comeback, for everyone. Try them in cobalt blue with white stripes. Match a tailored waistcoat and pants with a contrasting printed shirt underneath. . Accessories without boundaries: From delicate necklaces with sneakers, to rainbow manicures or animal motif pendants expressing your inner wilding, don’t get limited by traditional notions of masculine and feminine. Try oversized mesh hoops, bright cuffs, or contrast heels that further blur the lines. Style your hair by either wearing it long with soft waves, or a short buzzed cut. . Fabrics that play: Translucent layers, mesh tops, sheer saris and organza overlays, invite sensuality and power. Fashion designer Harshavardhan Rai offers a tip: “While shopping, ignore labels that tell you who the pieces are designed for. Shop from the men’s and women’s sections, and pick pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable. Celebrate textiles, fabrics and our bodies.”
07 June,2025 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulSummer vacations are about to end, and what better way to use the remaining time than to enroll your children in a fun stitching workshop? At these sessions, participants will be taught the arts of stitching, crochet, punch needle, and macramé at Lil Stitchers’ Summer Club by The Hab by Usha. The workshop is designed for five consecutive days and two hours each day. Amaara Sangam, the brand head of the organisation, explains how the workshop will help children. She says, “In a screen-dominated world, stitching offers a calming, mindful way to engage the senses. As kids sew, crochet, or explore new textures, they strengthen their dexterity, focus, and ability to follow complex tasks. It nurtures self-expression and helps them find joy in the process, not just the outcome.” Amaara Sangam; (right) A young participant designs an embroidery at a workshop In the time of AI and automatic machines, children often forget the importance of handmade items. The workshop teaches them more than just stitching. Sangam says, “As they engage with handcrafting methods and materials, they develop a respect for handmade items and the time, thought, and love behind them, shifting their perceptions about how they view everyday objects. It fosters a quiet sense of value in what they create, give and receive. They will learn how to use a sewing machine and machine embroidery in addition to macramé, punch needle, and crochet.” She adds, “Beyond their crafted keepsakes, the children take home a meaningful sense of accomplishment, thrilled in the knowledge that they can create beautiful things using their skills — a creative badge they are likely to wear with pride. It also gently sensitises them that what’s made with love carries meaning and how special it can be to give or receive what you have created from scratch.” ON June 9 to June 27 (Monday to Friday); 11.30 am to 1.30 pmAT G-1, No 444, Corporate Lounge, road no 7, Linking Road, Khar West.CALL 7777026367LOG ON TO allevents.inCOST Rs 4999
06 June,2025 10:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal Sancheti1 Which footwear brand is introduced early on in the series, as Carrie Bradshaw’s benchmark for style? . Jimmy Choo. Manolo Blahnik. Dolce & Gabbana 2 Sex and the City was based on a newspaper column and book written by which author? . Zadie Smith. Alice Walker. Candace Bushnell 3 Which cocktail was made iconic by the four friends, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda?. Sex on the Beach. Pina Colada. Cosmopolitan 4 Where did Charlotte’s first husband Trey propose to her?. At the opera. In front of Tiffany’s. At Central Park 5 What was the name of the hip restaurant where Samantha’s boyfriend, Smith Jerrod first appears on the show as an attendant?. Raw. Balthazar. Joe’s Pub 6 Miranda had a judgmental, kind nanny called Magda. Which country did she hail from?. Germany. Slovakia. Ukraine 7 Which New York location was the venue where Big hosted his engagement party with then-girlfriend Natasha?. The Plaza Hotel. New York Public Library. Columbus Circle
06 June,2025 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWhat defined 1970s Bombay (as it was known then)? Political tensions, cultural growth, inflation, and a film industry headed by adrenaline-fuelled ‘angry young men’? Yes, we have ticked a few important boxes here, but can you visualise a love story blossoming between two girls during such a charged era? Luckily for us, the thought wasn’t too far-fetched for the writer and directors of Jhumkewali, a play by city-based theatre group Haus of Bhaus. Originally penned as a short story by London-based writer Ami Bhansali and later adapted into a play directed by Nidhi Krishna and Mekhala Singhal, the 45-minutes long play will take the stage at a city venue today. The play revolves around two women in 1970s Bombay Playing out in the charming corridors of Sophia College for Women, quiet corners of Parsi cafés, local trains, andpacked paan tapris — the city takes on a very important role in the simmering love between the two protagonists, Bindu and Rekha. “There is already a sense of nostalgia built into the idea of Bombay. It is in bits and pieces all around us, from the checkered tablecloth of cafes to a ride in the ladies’ compartment of the local train. We have tried to emulate all these elements in the play,” Singhal shares. Ami Bhansali; Mekhala Singhal But it is not only about the silent romance of these spots, it is also about straddling spatial grids as Bhansali adds, “When one thinks of going to college or coming-of-age in the city, areas like a paan tapri can become a special place for many of us. Bombay is not a city with a lot of third spaces for young people, especially young women. So, for me, a big part of the story was about finding small moments of love and intimacy in public spaces, or in spaces where you wouldn’t usually expect it.” Misra and Dhawan in a moment from the play. Pics Courtesy/Keyuri Bhogale As a missing jhumka sparks the connection between the characters, we wonder how the dynamics of a sapphic relationship would have played out in an era of where queer identities were viewed through harsh lenses of discrimination. “In our research, we noticed that a lot of popular or commonly told stories about queer narratives are mostly focused on gay men. These stories of queerness were often confined to private homes, mostly the elite class who had the privilege of being ‘out’, or of hosting other queer people without any fear. Though the situation has changed, much of it is still true. In the play we have tried to imagine the experience of being queer for someone who is from Mumbai, comes from a middle-class setting and has an otherwise ‘normal’ life,” the writer explains. In India, at least, the idea of love often boils down from a personal choice to that of a political act where all your identities intersect to play a big role in who you can choose as your partner. “There are a lot of contemporary discussions around the LGBTQiA+ community happening now, but even 10 years ago, the scene was very different. It was almost impossible to be publicly queer. In the few stories and experiences that one might have heard, the dominant sentiment is how difficult the lives of queer individuals have been. While that is true, it also massively overlooks the joy of being queer itself,” Singhal points out. As the creative brains behind the play plan on developing the story further, the essence of the play, rooted in the beauty and the conflicts of the era, remains the same. “We would love to believe that there were people whose experiences were like those of our characters, that our play isn’t too far off in imagining a world situated in a by-gone era where a girl loves another so much that she puts herself out there and ‘invents’ something that people would do for years to come,” Bhansali sums up. ON June 6; 5.30 pm AT Auditorium, Godrej One, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli. LOG ON TO @hausofbhaus on Instagram (to register)FREE
06 June,2025 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaThursdayAll about jazz Jazz up your Thursday with Colombian pianist Jesus Molina as he joins guitarist Rock Choi, Alex Polydoroff (bass) and Cain Daniel (drums) for a rare performance in the city. TIME 7.30 pmAT NCPA, Nariman PointLOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 944 onwards FridayLove like a mother A moment from the play. Pic Courtesy/Bookmyshow Stalwart Neena Kulkarni joins Amruta Subhash in this moving Marathi play, Asen Me Nasen Me that takes on the complex relationship between a mother and her daughters. TIME 4 pmAT Deenanath Mangeshkar Natyagruha, Vile Parle East.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 400 onwards SaturdayWalk on the green side A scene from the trail. Pic Courtesy/SGNP The official arrival of the monsoon has brought forth a burst of flora and fauna in the city. The Kavesar Nature Trail by Sanjay Gandhi National Park is for those who would like to walk among nature within the city of Mumbai. TIME 8 am to 10.30 amAT Nisarga Parichaya Kendra, Tikuji Ni Wadi, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Manpada, Thane West.CALL 8591382079 (to register)COST Rs 350 SundayMonsoon cravings Pic courtesy/Pause cafe If you have the urge to binge on comfort food in the rains, head over to this café, and indulge in delicacies from a cup of kahwa tea, hot chocolate, or masala chai to hazelnut Gianduja pancakes.TIME 8 am to 11 pmAT Shop No 27, Vora House, A/B, Pali Mala Road, Carter Road, Bandra West.LOG ON TO @pause.mumbai on InstagramCOST Rs 1000 (for two) Round the neighbourhood A moment from the previous session Pic courtesy/NCPA Bindu: More than a Dot is an expressive art workshop for children where they will have to spot circles around them. The workshop also features a storytelling and art session to boot. TIME 2 pm to 4 pmAT 116, first floor, Great Western Building, Chamber of Commerce Lane, Kala Ghoda, Fort. LOG ON TO allevents.inCall 9867899698COST Rs 2000
05 June,2025 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiDespite my limited fashion sense, I hold a soft spot for printed T-shirts. It is a good way to showcase your attitude and interests without having to say them out loud. So, when I spotted the PRDGY Colaba Calling Back print showcasing the city’s kaali-peelis and its architecture, it was an easy decision. The online store has designs that include Swat Kats, Rocky and Tupac, but it is always fun to wear Mumbai on your sleeves. The print feels straight out of a stamp, but what I enjoy the most is the pop of yellow on the parked kaali-peeli oozing coolness beside posh cars. Log on to: prdgy.inCost: Rs 1569
05 June,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarEnmeshed in a crisscross of time zones and countries, it is right before a flight to Amsterdam when we manage to get on a call with city-based director Nihar Palwe and music composer Adith Anande. Fresh from the screening of their film, The Storm, The Calm, The Madness, The Magic at the Cannes Film Festival and a world premiere at the British Film Institute (BFI) Imax, the group is now embarking on a well-deserved, leisurely vacation in European cities. “It has been quite a journey for all of us. When we got to know about the selection, all of us were equally excited and nervous to see the film for the first time,” Palwe tells us as he explains how the three-minute-long flick is one of the films selected in the top eight of Straight 8, a UK-based filmmaking event where people from across the globe submit films shot entirely on a single Super 8mm cartridge. “Ours is the first Indian film to be slotted in the top eight in 25 years since the event’s inception,” the hint of pride in the director’s voice is palpable, and rightly so. To imagine a film being shot without post-production and a blind composition of the soundtrack, one probably needs to travel back to the era of silent filmmaking. The entire film has been shot with a Zenit Quarz 1x8S-2 Super 8 camera “It was a leap of faith for all of us on the team. As the event requires you to send the roll as it is, we collaborated with Harkat Studios to help us in transferring the cartridge to Cine Lab, a massive film laboratory in London, which then developed and processed the frames into the film,” Palwe explains. Shot over a period of two days, the technicalities are much more complex than the duo tells us. With no retakes or playbacks, the work was measured up to the tee to ensure the film stitches well together. “We would have one person record the timing of each click of the camera, which denotes the frames per second, to have a rough idea of the scenes in the film. Then, a day before the final shoot, the team did a dress rehearsal on the location and shot the film with an Instagram filter to get the sequence right, and that was the sole blueprint for me to compose the soundtrack,” Anande reveals. A composer at the city-based collective Bombay Noor, Anande made sure that the soundtrack, which brings together the essence of the film, has a distinct Indian tonality to it. “The film starts with heavy hip-hop, and then transgresses into a sing-song zone, as we near the completion of the story. It was amazing to see people humming the tune after the screening ended,” the Lalbaug resident adds. With actors Pritt Kamani and Aditi Sandhya Sharma leading the cast, the story takes viewers back to 1990s Bombay with the protagonist juggling an existential question, one which is not unknown to to the denizens of this city. “Though the film is more about the internal journey of the lead character and how he finds purpose in chaos, even if it is an imagined idea; the city appears as an important backdrop to his character arc. It is literally the ‘storm’ as mentioned in the title,” Palwe shares. Inspired by Forced Hilarity, a Straight 8 film by English director Edgar Wright and conceived with fellow artistes who share a collective affinity for cinema, the film’s story mirrors the filmmaking process in more ways than one. “In its core, the story is about finding one’s reckoning and an emotional surrender towards life to arrive at one’s purpose — an idea that is extremely close to the challenging yet extremely fulfilling creative process of the film,” he tells us before signing off. LOG ON TO Straight 8 on YouTube
05 June,2025 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaRenee Vyas, senior naturalist, 70 My first spark: I was pursuing a field Botany course at the Bombay Natural History Society in the 2000s, for which I would spend time in the Aarey Forest, Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the coasts of Mumbai. Morning walkers at these spots would often ask us to identify their favourite trees and plants in the area. I realised that many Mumbaikars are unaware of the city’s green wealth, which sparked my journey in science communication. Renee Vyas conducts a nature education session My ideal green weekend: A walkthrough of the Mumbai Zoo followed by the Heritage Garden in Powai. Message for the new generation: Get yourself out there and learn about the diverse flora and fauna of Mumbai. Discuss and ask questions to everyone around you and then make it your mission to spread the knowledge as far as you can. Must reads: Trees of Mumbai by Marselin Almeida and Naresh Chaturvedi, Butterflies of Mumbai by Nelson Rodrigues, The Book of Indian Birds by Dr Salim Ali. The 70-year-old naturalist climbs a tree. PICS COURTESY/RENEE VYAS What keeps me going: At 70, I am just as excited when I come across a pretty butterfly, a spider or a familiar tree. Thanks to the field work, I’m still physically capable of climbing a few trees in Aarey Forest and at Maharashtra Nature Park. A flower basket from Vyas’s recent nature trail Ishaan Prabhudesai, BSc student and trail leader, 19 My first spark: I grew up watching wildlife from around the world on Animal Planet. The question of what Mumbai was hiding was always simmering in my mind. When I headed to a marine walk in Juhu, I spotted my first marine creatures — baby eels, hermit crabs, and horseshoe limpets — I was blown away. I soon started interning with a naturalist collective and now I lead trails to spread the joy among Mumbaikars. Indian pitta. PICS COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS My ideal green weekend: Two visually striking birds — the Indian Pitta known for its nine-coloured plumage, and the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher aka Khandya — can be sighted this season. While the former can be spotted on trails in Karjat, the Khandya is common in the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Message for the older generation: Please stop building vacation homes in areas with lush green covers and taking pride in it. These areas are home to thriving ecosystems that the next generation might never get to see. The White Rumped Shama, common sighting at Matheran Hill. PICs COURTESY/ISHAAN PRABHUDESAI Must reads: Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Richard Grimmet, A Naturalist’s Guide to the Reptiles of India by Indraneil Das and Abhijit Das. What keeps me going: Each trek entails a 4-km walk on an average. It keeps me fit, and inculcates a sense of discipline that a lot of young individuals struggle with. Ishaan Prabhudesai at TS Chanakya wetlands in Navi Mumbai Play your part >> Gift greenGet your hands on the Bombay Natural History Society’s ceramic mugs, water bottles and tote bags sporting Mumbai’s avian icon, William the hornbill. The memorabilia combo is on a special discount this week. TILL June 7AVAILABLE shop.bnhs.orgCOST Rs 699 (three-piece combo) >> Walk the talkA timely talk by Lubaina Rangwala, associate director of the World Resources Institute will reveal the complexities of framing a climate action plan for the Maximum City.ON Today; 11.20 amAT Valecha Hall, Vidyanidhi Marg, Sainath Nagar, Juhu. LOG ON TO @k.r.v.i.aENTRY RSVP mandatory >> Plant a changeBegin your gardening journey by planting your first microgreens (below) at this workshop.ON Today; 9 amAT Maharashtra Nature Park, Sion. CALL 8976451433ENTRY Revealed on request >> Clean sweepThe Sanjay Gandhi National Park is in for a squeaky-clean scrubbing. Join hands with volunteers for a productive morning.ON Today; 7 am to 9 amMEETING POINT NIC Amphitheatre, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali East. >> Get hands-onJoin a series of workshops that will guide you in making DIY planters and shaping clay animal models, followed by a nature-themed treasure hunt.ON Today; 10.30 am onwardsAT Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Fort.LOG ON TO @csmvs ENTRY RSVP mandatory
05 June,2025 08:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleWhen you step into Maikada, the chic and cosy 40-seater bar on the ground floor of Shalimar Hotel, you’ll be handed a small envelope. It holds a pack of six cards. One side of every card has a creative rendition of a landmark — Juhu Beach, Dadar Flower Market, Chor Bazaar, Kala Ghoda, Bandra-Worli Sea Link and finally, Maikada, the bar. Each setting connects to an emotion: Comfort, Chaos, Nostalgia, Inspiration, Impulse, and Pride. Flip them, and you’ll get the hint of flavour profiles: toasty, citrusy, nutty, floral, and spiced notes. Vada pav sliders and Beetroot tostada At the bar, these cards turn into an experiential cocktail menu — City on the Rocks — a spirited homage. For patrons in a playful mood, they are encouraged to go in blind, letting the spirit and ingredients throw a surprise. We signed up for a tasting on a Monday afternoon and gave all of them a try. We begin at chaos in the heart of Dadar market. Horn Ok please (Rs 645) is unapologetically strong, made with vodka, ghati masala-honey cordial and a dash of lime. Bar manager Clyde Periera graciously serves us the cordial, explaining how the mix of masala and honey are worked together at a temperature, making it burst with flavours. We sip it as is, and in the cocktail, it unfurls with the spirit. This is one balanced piece of art. Cutting chai with khari, Horn Ok please is served with a mini vada pav and Aam-chi 36 Aam-chi 36 (R825) packs in a nuanced spice saga of tequila, mango and agave. We alternate our sips between half rim of Mexican tajin and without it. Both cut a balanced piquant punch. Ek cutting rum (Rs 645) offers the comfort of the beach front in the company of our old friend, clarified Old Monk, with flavours of lime, sugar and cardamom. After the two spicy cocktails, this one is a sweet relief. We turn to Lost and found (Rs 695), the most fun cocktail if you’ll savour a sweeter cocktail made with orange-pomegranate shrub, served with a spoonful of pop rocks. Nostalgia served in a tingle right there. The gallop (Rs 825) is made with technique that makes whisky the star amid the flamboyant presence of cacao and hazelnut. Purists, steer clear. Lost and found (right) The gallop After opening a modern-day European roof-top restaurant Café Calma in 2022, third-generation owner Yash Advani reimagined the bar to match modern-day drinking culture two years ago. “In its earlier avatar, Maikada focused on music, but now we have turned it into an intimate 40-seater speakeasy that caters to the audience that chases the next best experience. We wanted to create something truly rooted in Bombay — where the setting, story, and sip come together to evoke a feeling, not just a flavour,” says Advani. The pleasant surprise comes when chef Nitin Kulkarni joins our conversation. One of Mumbai’s seasoned F&B hands, Kulkarni’s contribution to the city’s dining out landscape dates back to his previous roles at Rahul Akerkar’s Indigo, Tote on the Turf, and later at Rishad Nathani’s The Clearing House. Nitin Kulkari and Yash Advani At Maikada, his menu serves us Chicken tikka (Rs 475) with a twist of mango and mustard paste that gives the charcoal grilled meat a sweet and pungent taste after finishing. The beetroot tostada (Rs 425) is like a serve purve, slathered with cream cheese, beetroot and candied orange rinds. The mini vada pav sliders (R395) have the rustic taste of a roadside serve with the pudina chutney and vada. Corn vol au vent (Rs 425) comes on a crunchy savoury puff pastry, and is a bite-sized French appetiser with a cheesy finish. With the cocktail game levelling up in the city, these cocktails depict a mood board of Mumbai, making it an interactive play of heady nostalgia in a glass. Standalone bars have attempted this in the past, turning to the city for inspiration, but there should be no ending to turning the city into a muse, isn’t it? At Maikada, The Shalimar Hotel, Kemps Corner.Time 5 pm to 1.30 amCall 9930141194
04 June,2025 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum PandyaADVERTISEMENT
