From the coastComing in: January Siciliana, the latest offering from Speciality Restaurants Limited, opens at Palladium, and celebrates the Italian art of slow living. Here, meals linger, conversation flows, and dining feels joyful and unhurried. Inspired by Sicily’s coastal soul, the restaurant had a soft launch in December 2025 and brings together honest flavours, rustic warmth, and a spirit of generous hospitality. The menu stays true to classic Italian techniques of slow simmering, light sautéing, and the liberal use of olive oil and fresh herbs, allowing quality ingredients and simple preparations to shine in comforting, flavour-forward dishes. Serving nostalgiaComing in: January 6 Roxanne’s-Bar & All Day Diner by Peninsula Redpine Hotel in Andheri East promises a retro nostalgia-themed bar and diner. It brings together the comfort of a classic diner with the energy of a contemporary cocktail bar. The space blends Art Deco accents and familiar warmth with a global, immigrant-inspired menu that draws from Modern American, Asian and Continental influences, including a dedicated robata-grilled selection. Truly AsiaComing in: January After eight years of building Gong in Pune, bringing it to Bandra feels personal for Avik Chatterjee (inset), executive director, Innovation and New Formats, Speciality Restaurants Limited. “Gong has grown into one of the city’s most loved contemporary Asian restaurants, and Mumbai — especially Bandra — has always been the natural next chapter. The restaurant is inspired by Tokyo’s high-octane dining and nightlife culture, and we’re excited to reinterpret that energy for Mumbai. Alongside Gong, we’re also introducing a small, distinctive cocktail bar focused on creative drinks and tapas — designed as a space to unwind, linger, and enjoy the night,” he reveals. Melbourne to Mumbai, via ItalyComing in: January Inspired by Melbourne’s iconic Lygon Street and its culture of Italian cafés and trattorias, the team behind The Berliner Bar and Bombay Brioche brings that same relaxed, refined energy to Bandra. Lygon Street will focus on slowing down, sharing well-crafted food, and connecting over good wine. The menu features fresh, artisanal pasta made daily, a thoughtfully curated wine and cheese selection with single-serve platters, and comforting signatures, such as pistachio affogato. Chef-founder Sneha Upadhyay shares, “Lygon Street was where I first felt at home in Melbourne, and where my love for food and café culture began. This is our tribute to that warmth and spirit — reimagined in our own way, with classic Italian flavours and desserts that echo an old-world, 1980s charm.” Japanese bowls and moreComing in: January First-time restaurateurs and friends Raunak Moolchandani and Digvijay Pawar will open Nōdo, a modern Japanese restaurant in Andheri West. It is built around comfort, not complexity — bringing everyday Japanese food to the forefront. The spotlight is on satisfying bowls and familiar flavours. Brewery in the hillsComing in: 2026 There’s yet another reason to drive down to Lonavala. Wild Waters Microbrewery & Kitchen, one of biggest microbrewery restaurants in Asia will open at Mumbaikars’ preferred hill station. It offers global cuisine led by chef Shantanu Gupte, and brought in by Formax Hospitality LLP. We hear it seats 2000 people in a 40,000 square-feet space! Classy Italian affairComing in: January end-early February Born from a shared dream and brought to life by chef Harshita Bhatia (below left), founder-executive chef, and Ankita Bhatia, founder-experience curator (below right), Adelina will be located in Bandra, and is where food can become an expression of feeling, where every detail is shaped by warmth. A passion project defined by perseverance, creativity, and a deep-rooted love for hospitality, it invites guests to slow down, savour, and truly connect. Coffee and community Coming in: January Source Coffee & Commune, a Mumbai-based café and community-led space, by JSM Group, will head to Thane. The space will focus on specialty coffee and curated all-day food. It is designed to encourage slow living and mindful experiences — offering patrons a place to work, unwind, and connect.
01 January,2026 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum Pandya | Nasrin Modak SiddiqiAll-star nightComing in: January 31 Grammy-nominated American drummer Billy Kilson will bring January to a close with his signature groove and swing on the Mumbai stage. Keep up with his tempo as the drummer joins the talented duo of Grammy-winning pianist, composer, arranger and producer Geoffrey Keezer and American jazz double bassist Essiet Okon on his Mumbai debut at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). Beyond the cityComing in: January Housed within a historic chapel in the hills of Khandala, Abbey 301 will turn into a versatile hub dedicated to both performing and visual arts. Founded by duo Krish and Kamini Kotak, it will host live music and theatre shows, as well as artist residencies. Goethe goes to Malabar HillExpected in: Mid-2026 Goethe-Institut, Mumbai is currently located inside CSMVS in Fort After a prolonged search since 2022, the Goethe Institut will move out of Kala Ghoda, to Malabar Hill. “We had been on the lookout for a new place that would fit our needs. Unfortunately, we could not find one in Kala Ghoda. The new place will bring together the library and education centre in one building. Its vast open space and high ceilings also allow us to host a new gallery, a key part of the Institut’s programming,” director Bjorn Ketels revealed. Art of healingComing in: May The festival will spotlight art forms like clowning. PIC COURTESY/TMAHF The city will receive a healing touch in 2026 with The Mumbai Arts and Health Festival (TMAHF) that kicks off in Bandra and Andheri. With clowning artistes, medical experts, as well as visual creators, expect therapy wrapped in laughter for Mumbaikars. Laugh with LouisComing in: March LOUIS CK. PIC COURTESY/LOUIS CK Think you can take a joke? Watch Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian Louis CK bring his unmistakable brand of dark, dry-wit humour to Mumbai for the first time. After the success of his specials Sorry and Sincerely, the comedian will premiere his solo show Ridiculous at Shanmukhananda Hall, Sion. Ticket to historyComing in: March A ticket from the collection. PIC COURTESY/MAP.ORG After its run in Bengaluru, the Ticket, Tika, Chhaap exhibition will make its way to the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in March. Curated by Nathaniel Gaskell and Shrey Maurya, the collection of photographs, paintings, and printed ephemera that offer a window into the Colonial tradition of the textile ticket. A gift to rememberComing in: Mid-2026 Sandhya Gokhale In November 2025, playwright Sandhya Gokhale opted to create a play, Silhouettes, to celebrate the 75th birthday of actor Amol Palekar. The work, a moving triptych on feminism, catharsis, and personal triumph, will make its way to the stage this year. To be or not to be?Coming in: January 17, 18 Writer-director Vinay Kumar inverses the view of the Bard’s most famous work by outlining Hamlet’s toxic masculinity in A Woman Or Not To Be by the Pondicherry-based Adishakti Theatre Group at Prithvi Theatre. Nimmy Joseph’s young princess Hamlet and her conundrum of revenge exposes the patriarchal trap. Say it out loudComing in: February Swanand Kirkire. PIC COURTESY/SWANAND KIRKIRE The art of spoken word storytelling and poetry returns with Spoken Fest, Asia’s largest spoken word festival. It features the talents of lyricist Swanand Kirkire, actor Sheeba Chadha, poet Waseem Barelvi, and writer Shantanu Anand, among other artistes. Artistic migrationComing in: January-February A work by Mithu Sen. Pic Courtesy/Artist, Chemould Prescott Road Mithu Sen will open a new exhibition of mixed-media works about the ability to see clearly, What Do Birds Dream At Dusk?, at the Chemould Prescott Road.
01 January,2026 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWalk like a Girl: A MemoirPrabal Gurung (HarperCollins) This is sensitive storytelling about a queer boy who grew up in Nepal and India, and came to New York to pursue his dreams in fashion. Gurung bares his soul in this tell-all that tracks his inspirational, meteoric rise, dressing American icons like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.Expected: TBA Aamchi Mumbai Gulzar, translator: Rakhshanda Jalil (HarperCollins India) With 30 short stories and 70 poems in a bilingual edition, the legendary poet, lyricist, and filmmaker pays a fitting tribute to Mumbai. Since the 1950s, when he first arrived in the city, he has written about the struggles and hopes of the city-dwellers in his films and poems with profundity. Expected: February Love Sex India: The Agents of Ishq AnthologyEdited by Paromita Vohra (Westland Books) The anthology consists of real-life stories about the experiences of love and sex while living in India. Powerful, intimate, and honest, the stories range from cheeky first-date tales to those about heartbreaks, tender friendships, exploitation, queerness, and thrilling kinks.Expected: January Biting Off More Than I Can Chew Rahul Akerkar (HarperCollins) One of Mumbai and India’s most celebrated and inspirational chef-restaurateurs opens the melting pot of his life’s adventures in this ambitious memoir. It’s an insightful story about India’s food and drink landscape as much as it’s Akerkar’s bold, uninhibited life in and outside the kitchen.Expected: TBA First Person Rituparno Ghosh, translator: Arunava Sinha (Simon & Schuster India) One of the earliest openly queer filmmakers in India, Ghosh introduced nuanced ideas of freedom of choice and identity in his films. He wrote a weekly Sunday column for the Bengali magazine Robbar. An English translation of his memoir, comprising the column pieces, will be out in 2026. Expected: October Light and Thread Han Kang, translated by Maya West, e. yaewon, and Paige Aniyah Morris (Penguin) Since her 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature win, this is Kang’s first title. The collection includes her Nobel Lecture, where she expresses reliving moments of wonder. In the essays, poems, diary notes, and photographs, she traces the connections between her exterior and interior worlds further.Expected: March Absolute Jafar Sarnath Banerjee (HarperCollins) An Indo-Pakistan romance that withstands years of toxic nationalism, only to emerge in a third region, Europe, this is easily one of Banerjee’s most personal works that is rich in detail, humanity, wit and imagination. Expected: January Abandoning a Cat Haruki Murakami (Penguin) The master storyteller is back with this meditation on memory, where he recalls his equation with his father, and the arrival of a cat into the scenario. He also delves into the reasons behind the distance between father and son, in classic Murakami styleExpected: September Kishori Amonkar Shailaja Khanna (Westland Books/ekada) An Indian classical vocalist of the Jaipur Gharana, Amonkar was most revered for her khayals, alongside her performances of thumris and bhajans. Music critic Khanna has put together the legendary singer’s first ever biography, introducing readers to her quiet magnetism and her unique way of thinking about art and life. Expected: Third/Last quarter The Longevity CodePullela Gopichand and Sophia Pathai (Penguin) An evidence-based reframe of how we think about aging, performance, and resilience that blends cutting-edge science with elite coaching wisdom to deliver a personal, practical, and transformative guide to living stronger, longer, and with more clarity and purpose.Expected: TBA We, The People of IndiaTM Krishna (Westland Books) Carnatic singer and author TM Krishna will release his third book to open his account for 2026. “The book looks at the formative symbols of our secular Republic in an aesthetic, historic, and contemporary context,” Krishna revealed. Expected: January Also check out >> The Godrej Story by Anand Kumar (Westland)>> Of Least Concern by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra (Westland)>> Not Quite Family by Khaled Mohamed (HarperCollins)>> Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif (Penguin)>> The Steps by Sylvester Stallone (Hachette)>> Wahid Shaikh vs The State by Wahid Shaikh with Amrit BLS (Roli) Children’s corner >> Unlocking the Animal World by Ingrid Newkirk (HarperCollins)>> Magnificent Murals - Buddhist Art of Ajanta by Ashwin Prabhu (Tulika)>> Death Comes to Matheran by Shabnam Minwala (HarperCollins)>> Under Pressure: Freddie Mercury by Shyamala S (Niyogi Books)
01 January,2026 08:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona Fernandez | Nandini VarmaLooking back in time, running definitely adds quality to life and it is truly never too late to start,” says Kaushik Panchal, founder of Runners Academy. At the age of 54, with more than 22 years of distance running behind him, Panchal speaks from experience, both as a runner and as a coach. As they age, people experience a sudden shift in the pace of life. Fatigue and stress become a part of their daily routine. Ruby Kanchgar leads the group in stretching exercises At the age of 33, Panchal was hit by the realisation that this was not a practical way to go about life. It was also compounded by the fact that he suffered from perpetual back ache, accompanied with issues of obesity and severe acidity. That is when, the businessman decided to change, one step at a time, no pun intended. Founded in 2015, Runners Academy in Borivli, now trains runners across five centres in Mumbai, many of them over 40 and senior citizens. The discipline of endurance Panchal insists, “Consistency in training is the most important aspect.” New runners at the academy train four to five days a week for two to three months, allowing endurance and strength to build gradually. The training plans are customised — considering factors such as age, fitness levels, previous injuries, and more importantly, the profession of the individuals. The group performs hip rotation exercises to ensure better mobility Sunday long runs form the core of the group’s marathon preparation. The community often changes locations to break routine and maintain motivation. “Warm-ups are treated as the holy grail, these include a head-to-toe warm up, giving your body a wake-up call,” reveals Panchal. Pre-run drills help avoid sudden jerks during the run The running coach insists on dynamic movements before each run, including foot gymnastics and running ABC drills. The latter are a set of fundamental running exercises — A-Skips, B-Skips/bounding, and C-Skips/butt kicks — designed to improve running form, efficiency, coordination, and speed by focusing on high knees, powerful leg drives, and quick foot turnover, making runners faster and reducing injury risk. These are paired with a slow jog or walk to ease the body into motion. Injury is avoidable Addressing the inevitable question, Panchal highlights, “Injuries are often the result of avoidable mistakes. Common problems such as stress fractures, plantar fasciitis (a common cause of heel pain, resulting from irritation and inflammation), and knee pain usually come from worn-out shoes, running on hard surfaces, skipping warm-ups, or increasing mileage too quickly. Lack of strength training and vitamin deficiencies also play a role.” His solution is simple: Structured training, gradual progression, and fewer back-to-back races. Runners at the Autism Awareness Marathon at Kandivli East in 2019 Strength training, yoga, and cross-training are built into the academy’s weekly schedules. “Running should never be an everyday activity, as you need the same amount of days to recover,” says Panchal. Three to four running days are balanced with strength work and flexibility training. Community is central to the academy. “Group training helps runners to stay motivated during plateaus and missed sessions. We travel together for races across India, including events such as the Pondicherry and Ladakh marathons.” A group of runners participate in a yoga session before warm-up A regular with the group, Dr Harshita Satam Ingole, 39, shares, “Running marathons was not something I thought I would enjoy. Regular long-distance training has improved my cardiovascular capacity and overall muscular resilience. The Sunday endurance run is something I especially look forward to.” Nutrition, hydration, and mindset Contrary to popular perception, Panchal suggests managing nutrition is easy. “It is equally important to focus on pre and post-run nutrition. For pre-running, keep it simple. Fruits like bananas, oranges, dates, and dry fruits, nothing too heavy. After a run, it is essential to have a protein-rich meal, within two hours.” This includes hydration, too. Drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes a day before the run will do wonders. Kaushik Panchal After long runs, runners are advised to walk to bring their heart rate down gradually and stretch. A quick nap and an ice-cold shower also help, as does foam rolling. Panchal concludes by saying, “With the right training regimen, and consistent discipline, running almost feels like a high. It becomes a habit you love.” At L-101, Dattapada Road, Food Corporation of India Warehouse, Borivli East. Log on to@runners_academy Call 9821026416 Do’s and Don’ts Do’s1. Consult a physician before taking up running2. Do your warm-ups. Spend 10-15 minutes before every run.3. Start slowly with walk-jog Don’ts1. Do not run everyday2. Do not skip sleep and recovery3. Don’t skip 3:1 ratio (3 portions of protein and one of carbohydrates pre and post-meal respectively)
31 December,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareAt one point during the anti-CAA NRC protests in Mumbai’s Nagpada in 2020, uniformed policemen stopped Dhammarakshit Randive and his cultural collective Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch (YSM) in their tracks. ‘No dafs (handheld drums) allowed’, was the diktat. “That day, we thumped beats on our own bodies, some of us tried to mimic the beats with our mouths [beatboxing]. The protest songs never stopped,” he recalls. Six years from this tryst, the group will recreate the atmosphere at a Lower Parel venue for Mumbaikars willing to lend an ear. A moment from a previous edition of Amhi Kon. PICS COURTESY/AKLESH SUTAR, YSM Amhi Kon, a showcase of protest poetry, socially aware hip-hop, and folk traditions will pan the spotlight onto pressing matters — deforestation, caste-based violence, class divide, tribal rights. Led by city-based collective Swadesi Movement, recognised for spearheading the cause of deforestation and tribal displacement in Aarey Forest through their song The Warli Revolt in 2019, the showcase is a “bridge between the urban Mumbaikar and the voices of people who have a different culture and lived experiences to share,” says rapper Aklesh Sutar of Swadesi Movement. Loud and clear On stage this weekend will be members of Swadesi Movement, YSM, and Tappori’s Paradise, a collective of rappers, b-boys, graffiti artists, and DJs from across the city. Attendees can also expect to hear two unreleased tracks from Swadesi’s repertoire: Luxury, a reminder for Mumbaikars that the most prized luxury is the green cover that is slowly diminishing; and Waqt, a reflection on the relentless march of time. A b-boying act from hip-hop crew Tappori’s Paradise. PIC COURTESY/Gaurav Trivedi, @TAPPORIsPARADISE on Instagram The YSM troupe will present the folk tradition of Ambedkarite jalsa shahiri, a celebration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s teachings through the popular folk music of Maharashtra. We’re told that the group is now experimenting to include the electric guitar and give the folk tradition a rock twist. “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was clear in his belief that social and cultural reform will precede economic and political reform. Our songs also draw inspiration from the poems of late Namdeo Dhasal, who led the Dalit Panther movement from the chawls of this city,” Randive reveals. Personal, political, and poignant Namdeo Dhasal. PIC COURTESY/NAMDEO DHASAL FOUNDATION (right) Narendra Dabholkar. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Keeping the fire of cultural revolt burning is equally personal for the activist. Growing up in Satara district, Randive crossed paths with Devdatta Dabholkar, who would go on to introduce the young activist to his brother, and late social activist and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. “I worked closely with rationalists like the Dabholkars and Govind Pansare, who was killed in 2015. The truth that the Indian Constitution is paramount is ingrained deep in my mind. Wherever the Constitution is under threat, we [YSM] will be ready to voice its dissent,” he says. Aklesh Sutar Will there be takers for these strong words at the Lower Parel venue that is known for its eclectic gigs and late-night parties that trickle into the wee hours? “It might make some Mumbaikars uncomfortable; the great part is, that’s exactly what we want. Then again, you can’t really blame the Mumbaikar — after an unforgiving workday and long commutes, he wants something easy on the senses. Perhaps that is why Mumbai loves to let loose and dance,” he says. With the dafs in hand this time, we’re sure they’ll make you dance alright. ON January 4; 9 pm AT antiSocial, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO skillboxes.comENTRY Rs 499
31 December,2025 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleFew exhibitions can claim to be a culmination of a decade of work. On January 6, the city-based collective Art Heart will host their first exhibition of artists at the Jehangir Art Gallery to highlight a decade-long commitment to the visual arts. “We conceptualised Art Heart in 2015. One of our main objectives was to offer new artists a platform. To that end, we would often host artist camps to welcome, and encourage new ideas,” shares Vandana Lund, founding member. The exhibition is a natural progression of the practice, she adds. “The camp location in Kolvan is distinctly different. We invite artists from across the country to participate, and there are no stipulations made. We do not demand a theme, a number of canvases or a deadline. It is this freedom that contributes to the ideas that follow,” she states. Untitled by Smitha GS, acrylic on canvas. Pics Courtesy/ArtHeart This explains the origins of the curation that will open to Mumbaikars on Tuesday. “The title of the work, Texture of Thought, emerged as a result of these aesthetic practices. The freedom and the scenic nature of the camp often let people slowly examine the true nature of their thoughts. It is difficult for us to truly understand it unless we are in such a space. For instance, an urban Mumbaikar only knows the effect of silence and slowing down once you step out of the city. It was the same for the artists,” the founding member adds. Little Magician by Monica Ghule The curation will include selective works from over 100 artists who have participated in the camps. “We had to carefully choose to highlight as many artists as we could. It is not every day that you get a chance to showcase work at Jehangir [Art Gallery],” the curator shares. Art, however, is only one part of the equation, we learn. Vandana Lund The exhibition will be held to support the Abled Disabled All People Together (ADAPT), formerly Spastics Society of India. “A part of the revenue from the sales of the artworks will go to fund the ADAPT cause,” shares Vandana. That gives us some texture for thought. FROM January 6 to 12; 11 am to 7 pm AT Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
31 December,2025 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarToday is the day when the realisation dawns upon everyone: A New Year is upon us, and the resolutions that have been put off all this while, need to be acted upon. Instead of getting wrapped up in the anxiety, the trick is to keep it simple and practical. City-based psychologist and psychotherapist, Meghna Karia has some tips to help you approach the new year. Understand the issue Many people share the anxiety about lacking the discipline to keep to their resolutions. Unfortunately, this anxiety eventually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Often, the inability to act on resolutions can be attributed to various lows. Experiencing delays in receiving rewards, especially for long-time objectives such as saving money or building a healthier physique can cause a decline in motivation; the inclination to show up slowly fades away.” Meghna Karia The other culprit is unrealistic goals. “Popular trends like new diets on the Internet can be tempting; but foregoing your favourite things for an extended period of time is not easy. Everyday fatigue adds to the challenge,” she describes. Intentions, not resolutions Karia emphasises that the best way to address this problem is to set intentions which can be more effective. “An intention is more specific and directs the brain towards what is more important. Things that matter the most can have a clear intent without pressure,” she tells us. Show up consistently, but always have a backup plan in place Instead of following a new diet, redefine it through its intention — taking care of your health. “A resolution may induce mental overload and guilt, locking you into a strict plan. The lack of flexibility in your plan may also demotivate you,” she explains. Karia further suggests going by the ‘few minutes’ idea, and starting tasks which requires only a few minutes of your day to start. “This will automatically help you form a habit, and show up regularly for yourself.” Face your setbacks Setting a night time routine can help build discipline “Create a setback plan. This ensures that you’re prepared for a resolution or schedule not working out as intended,” Karia advises. This setback plan should allow the individual a space to feel secure and content. This could require re-adjusting your daily routine, to adapt to an alternative plan. “It’s also important to celebrate small milestones. For instance, showing up to any physical exercise for half an hour a day consistently for a couple of weeks needs to be celebrated as a win,” Karia reminds us. Make a vision board Use vision boards to visualise your goals and progress A useful method of concretising your New Year’s intentions is by having a vision board — a visual representation of your objectives — of habits you’d like to build, places to travel, and more. The psychotherapist advises, “Having something to look at everyday helps the brain retain the focus, and prompts action. However, these goals must be doable with day-to-day steps. Check if you’re adding any meaning to your intention: Finding meaning drives motivation.” She proposes reaffirming these intentions with positive phrases. More importantly, track your progress, whether through a habit tracker, a log book, or a template. “You can also add prompts, pictures of yourself, anything to remind you of how far you’ve come,” adds Karia. Lastly, find activators in daily life — concrete cues that spark action such as catching up with a friend at the gym, or working towards a major entrance exam. Daily routine Karia also underlines the importance of setting a daily routine. “Morning and night time rituals can motivate you to stick to the routine, gradually taking you closer to your intentions. Begin the day by hydrating yourself, practising grounding techniques, exercising gently, journaling, or getting some sunlight; wind down in the evening with a warm shower, dimming the lights, reading a book, or sipping a warm beverage to slow down your mind, inducing natural sleep,” Karia signs off. It is the little things that enable you to achieve the larger goal after all.
31 December,2025 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshTitle: Rukmini Aunty and R K Narayan Fan Club Author: Sita BhaskarGenre: FictionPublisher: Penguin Random House IndiaCost: Rs 399 A group of curious women lean from the window of Rukmini’s meditation room in yoga poses. They are peering at the dilapidated house on Vivekananda Road, opposite Rukmini and Sesha’s abode in Mysore. The house in question is where the beloved writer RK Narayan lived, and wrote his best works. His fan club comprising women from the neighbourhood have taken upon themselves to find a way to restore it. Sita Bhaskar’s new novel Rukmini Aunty and the RK Narayan Fan Club (Penguin India) takes readers into a small neighbourhood in Mysore, and explores questions of heritage and literary culture through humour and a sense of nostalgia for the twentieth century writer’s world. RK Narayan Booker Prize-winning novelist Hilary Mantel, in an essay about Narayan titled ‘Real Magicians’, had said, “He respects his characters, respects their created natures. This is why he can make jokes about them and stay friends with them.” Bhaskar’s characters pay homage to this familiarity with the peculiar habits of the ordinary world that Narayan created. Often her minor characters, the families in the neighbourhood, make appearances from Narayan’s oeuvre: Swami from Swami and Friends, the reluctant godman and Bharatnatayam dancer from The Guide as characters in a young filmmaker’s film, and a boy called Nitya whose parents had vowed to have his hair shaven, borrowed from the short story ‘Nitya’. The MCC (an abbreviation from Swami and Friends) too returns cheekily, this time as the Mysore City Corporation. However, it is in the world that exists outside of the borrowed stories where Bhaskar pays a greater tribute. She offers her readers characters like Rukmini Aunty, Sesha Uncle, and the fan club members, who display middle-class sensibilities of contemporary India. They have relatives in America, pursue yoga and meditation classes, encounter day-to-day bureaucracy, find information on Instagram reels, and stand on the cusp of modernity while trying to hold on to the last threads of family traditions. An illustrated cover of the book. Illustration Courtesy/Mohith O Like Narayan’s prose, these characteristics are best demonstrated through dialogues between the characters rather than descriptions. One laughs with them and adores them. Several chapters also give the illusion of being self-contained, but the stories come alive best when they are brought together for a single purpose — to be weighed up at the fan club meetings. Although constructed at a different time from Narayan, Bhaskar’s world makes one believe it could easily be Narayan’s, were he alive and writing today.
30 December,2025 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWe were all wrong,” admits Dr Geoffrey Hinton in conversation with podcaster Nayeema Raza. It’s not every day that you hear this admission from a Nobel Prize awardee. Long before he became the Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics for his work on machine learning in 2024, Hinton joined Google Brain in 2012 (the AI arm of Google). He would later resign in 2023 citing the growing risks of AI for humanity. Hence, his admission in the podcast: That he, along with many like him, were wrong in predicting how soon Artificial Intelligence (AI) would become a tangible threat. Throughout the 30-minute podcast, Raza throws oversimplified questions at the Nobel Laureate. Understandably so — the podcast titled Smart Girl Dumb Questions pitches questions that many of us have pondered upon, but never asked out loud. “Is there anything humans can do better than AI?” she asks. Hinton admits, “Absolutely nothing.” To its credit, the podcast steers clear of conspiracy theories (except a short detour to take shots at Tesla and X owner Elon Musk’s vested interests). That begs the bigger question, what can AI do to us in 2026? Hinton lays out two major threats. Warfare, he says, will be starkly different. AI models will dictate whom and when to attack, leaving little room for emotions in war. Orchestrating cyberattacks, on the other hand, will become as easy as clicking a button. The biggest concern, he believes, is AI growing apathetic. “AI wants two things: To know more, and to have more control,” Hinton notes. “At one point when your child is struggling to tie his shoelaces, you’d lose patience and take over. That’s where we’re at with AI. Control might soon change hands,” he reveals. The expert’s solution to the quandary is unique: Teach AI to develop maternal instincts. Injecting empathy into the technology, he believes, is the only way it will care for humans when it eventually takes the wheel. Hinton admits he does not know the ‘how’ behind it yet. While we wish the podcaster and the guest took a breather to focus on the positive impact AI could have in areas like healthcare, education, and STEM research, we’ll cut them some slack given Dr Hinton’s long standing stance: “We must act urgently, and act loud in the face of AI.” There may be some good news though, the guest hints. “No superpower in world politics wants another to become an AI superpower. In that sense, whenever one of them figures out how to disarm AI, they’ll surely announce it to the world,” he laughs. Raza plays a good host, creating enough room for the academician to walk in and out of humorous detours with ease. Raza ends the podcast with a question that has the internet divided: Should you say thanks and please to your chatbot, lest you end up in its bad books once it figures out world domination? “Even if you’re rude to your personal AI assistant, it will be smart, and more importantly benevolent enough to know you didn’t mean it that way,” he signs off. Omnipresent, all-knowing, and now supposedly a benevolent figure that sees us as its children — that rings a bell. LOG ON TO Smart Girl Dumb Questions on YouTube
30 December,2025 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThey say the jungle truly comes alive as the day wanes. The Twilight Nature Trail by Naturalist Explorers was started to explore this very facet of the natural world. The trail offers evening nature walks through the city’s largest urban forest — Aarey. Masira Shaikh, nature and cultural curator, says, “Most nature trails are scheduled early in the morning, and many people are not keen to wake up early on a weekend. That is why we start our trails by 4 pm.” But that is not the only reason. Shaikh adds, “Insects are usually more active, birds are easily spotted, and the temperature of the forest is comparatively more pleasant; especially during the post-monsoon season.” Attendees standing under an exotic Rain tree The trail will pass through Vanicha Pada, one of 27 tribal hamlets within the forest during its two-kilometre-long sojourn. The group, led by the experts, will often stop to observe plants closely, listen to stories, and learn about the creatures of the forest. “Native trees sit alongside plantations introduced when the land was taken over by the government. The difference is easy to spot. Plantations stand in neat rows, while the forest grows freely, with vines, overlapping branches, and is home to more birds,” replied Shaikh. A child squeezing a Tanoli berry to demonstrate that it could be used as a natural colour. Pics courtesy/Naturalist Explorers There are exotic species as well, such as the Rat Poison tree, scientifically known as Gliricidia (as its seeds, bark, and leaves contain toxins used traditionally as rodenticides), alongside native plants that attract butterflies and birds. There are jackfruits, mango, papaya, coconut, and hibiscus as well as some medicinal plants that also grow near fruit trees planted by the community. Warli painting on the walls of tribal hutment in Vanicha Pada “We will also pass houses made with mud and bricks, and some painted with Warli art. Most residents here are Warli tribals, with smaller numbers of Katkari and Konkana tribal groups as well,” explained Shaikh. She also mentions how a small shrine built around a sacred rock marks a spiritual stop on the trail. The residents also believe the spirit of the protector is inside the rock. Participants will also be familiarised with the fact that nature worship runs deep here. “Big cats, forests, and farming cycles are part of daily belief; however, climate change has disrupted this balance especially with unseasonal rain that destroyed nearly half the rice crop,” says Shaikh. A fruit of Sterculia tree The walk curator concludes by saying, “This nature trail is not just a walk, it is more of a cultural dive into the cultural aspects of Aarey Colony and a peek into the life of the communities that live around.” Masira Shaikh shows children a Bagworm Moth Case on a previous nature trail TILL January 17; 3.45 pm onwardsMEETING POINT New Zealand Hostel, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon.LOG ON TO urbanaut.in ENTRY Rs 450 onwards
29 December,2025 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareEleanor Oliphant is Completely FineDebarati Aich, senior manager in operational excellence, Malad This is Gail Honeyman’s debut novel and I came upon it through the online platform, Goodreads. I was surprised by the unexpected wit and humour in her writing while addressing poignant subjects like loneliness and mental health. I thoroughly enjoyed how unpredictable the book was till the end. Eleanor felt so real that, even without relating to her, I could empathise with her completely. If You TellSrijan Dubey, screenwriter, Andheri This year I read a genre I never have before — true crime. The first book that I read was Gregg Olsen’s. I was caught completely off guard. I’ve read the crime fiction greats, but was not prepared for the visceral and deeply unsettling contents of this book, bolstered by the fact that it is true to real life events. I’ve also started reading some philosophy with Peter van Inwagen’s Metaphysics. In the coming year, I hope to continue with it, and hopefully gather courage to pick up a true crime book again. Invisible WomenMonika Sharma, film professional, Andheri West I have been reading and re-reading Caroline Criado-Perez’s book. You think you know from lived experience the inequity that comes with being a woman. This book startles you. In my varied discussions with friends who think that the world isn’t all that bad for women, I keep sharing pages from that book. I insist that they give it a read for a data-driven approach that showcases the reality. No Easy DayAryaman Veer Pathania, student of Bombay International School, Worli The book follows the life of the navy seal Matt Bissonette — his selection into Seal Team 6, his journey of training with them, and his role in Operation Neptune Spear, the one which killed Osama Bin Laden. Bissonette has written it under his pen name Mark Owen. Since it’s a memoir, the account is deeply personal and detailed. It is a gripping story told authentically, and the narrative style keeps you on the edge of your seat. Mother Mary Comes to MeSriparna Basu Mullick, editorial consultant, Goregaon Arundhati Roy’s memoir was recommended as part of a book club; I’m so glad I picked it up. It’s a great read and an interesting perspective on how all of Roy’s characters are well-rounded. She tells us who someone is, and in many ways shows us why they are that way. It is reminiscent of life for each of us. We may be quick to judge people, but isn’t it essential to know why someone is the way they are? Citizen by DescentNikita Kotecha, writer, Chembur This is a series of autobiographical essays by Kritika Arya that explore the realities of mental health, being a third culture child, and discovering identity, belonging and safety within multiple physical, mental and psychological spaces. 11 illustrators from all over the world make the book a visual treat. As someone who is a third culture kid herself, I have never felt like I belong anywhere. This book made me feel like someone understood me.Available At all leading bookstores and e-stores
29 December,2025 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaADVERTISEMENT
