1 The walking tree: AN origin story from the Nicobar Islands indicates that before people became ruthless towards forests, trees could walk and talk. While trees can’t walk, having developed complex networks of roots over the years, there is one species which gives the illusion of movement: the walking palm tree in Central America. It has a unique root system where new roots grow in the direction of sunlight, and the old ones wither away. The tree actually does not move away from its spot. 2 The victory dance: Monsang people are among the many Naga tribes settled in northeast India. Their origin story suggests that their leader Thungpungpa brought his people out of the cave, the ‘khor’, to the upper world, after fighting a tiger. The victory dance. Illustration Courtesy/Damini Gupta To celebrate, the tribe moves to the rhythms of a drum and performs Rhimpuw Laam, a dance depicting their hero’s victory. Archaeological discoveries indicate that humans left caves when they took up agriculture, building cane and bamboo homes. 3 The date of India: Tamarind gets its name from the Persian phrase Tamar-i-Hind, the date of India, and has been cultivated in India for years. For some tribes of Odisha, gathering and selling it is their source of livelihood. The date of India. Illustration Courtesy/Damini Gupta In fact, the Jhodias of the Paroja tribe has an interesting origin story. It depicts a hill god turning prawns into tamarind. The Jhodias delight in good meals comprising seafood, and tamarind forms an important part of it, adding flavour to the dish. 4 Now, bat’s a mystery! Scientists and palaeontologists are on a mission to investigate which ancient species the bats have evolved from. Their beady eyes and pointed ears are like a rat’s. Now, bat’s a mystery!. Illustration Courtesy/Damini Gupta The Bhutias, nomads from Tibet, living in the Himalayan region of Sikkim, consider it a bird. They’re known as Pha Wangs in the Tibetan language. They can be found in Sikkim, alongside the Himalayan tahr and the blood pheasant, the state bird. Bat is the only mammal in the world that can fly. 5 Of spirits and sorcery: The Baiga people, living in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, believe in healing and magical powers, with their first ancestor, Nanga Baiga, bringing this gift to them. Of spirits and sorcery. Illustration courtesy/Athulya Pillai; Pics Courtesy/Hachette India He wears a loincloth and a turban. The tribe has two “highly respected magicians” to whom such powers of protection have been passed down. The dewar keeps all negative energies and disasters away, while the gunia heals the tribe from illnesses. Nalini Ramachandran Bonus: The desert walkerAccording to the story of the Rabaris of Gujarat and Rajasthan, camels lived in icy regions. Historically, their fossils have been found in the Canadian Arctic region. Later, their legs adapted to sand, and they developed a hump as they migrated to the desert. Available Leading bookstores and e-storesCost Rs 799
14 June,2025 08:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaIf we had a penny for every time a movie milked male friendships to death — the overdone brother-from-another-mother trope — we’d have enough money to make one ourselves. A few that dare to flip the script, like Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, have already started fading out of memory. In real life, things are quite the contrary. “Many women I know receive more flowers from their female friends than the men they date,” laughs activist and writer Divya Kandukuri. Today, she will join early childhood development and education trainer Sneha Shetty to revisit and rekindle friendships that shaped their lives. Participants sketch on a canvas Women & Friendships, the duo’s travelling initiative, will make a pit-stop in Mumbai for the first time after successful stints in Bengaluru and Chennai. The seed was sown when Shetty saw her own mother find companions in a local housing society group called Naughty Naaris. “My mother admitted how her childlike mischief had succumbed to the responsibilities of raising a family. The close-knit group was an outlet for her,” Shetty recalls. Divya Kandukuri and Sneha Shetty If you’re reeling under FOMO already, Shetty assures us you’ll make more than enough friends at the session to establish your own Naughty Naaris 2.0. “We start the session by letting participants talk about their own memories with their friends. We ask each other a set of questions and patiently listen to our shared experiences. By the end of the session, many of the participants tell us they’re itching to reach out to childhood friends once again,” reveals Shetty. A section of the community artwork features personal notes Following a short-film screening, the session turns into a collaborative art room. “We lay out a row of sheets taped end to end and take turns sketching, doodling, and jotting down our experiences on each page. This is where the intersection of gender, age, class, and caste become clear,” Kandukuri shares. At the end of the day, each participant takes back one of the panels as keepsake. While the workshop is open to women and queer individuals of all age groups, not many older women might be extroverted social butterflies like Shetty’s mother, we point out. “We have had participants in the past who were unsure if they’d fit in. To our surprise, they all opened up once they realised they’re in a safe space. There’s an implicit understanding between women who have shared experiences,” Shetty reveals. “For a change, I don’t have to worry about how I’m sitting, what I’m wearing, or if my bra strap is showing,” Kandukuri chimes in. The duo leaves us with an anecdote, “We usually ask people to bring along one object that reminds them of a friend. A participant in her 40s showed up to our previous session with an illustrated cookbook. Her friends had carefully customised each page for her, with special instructions in every step. Can you imagine how much effort that would have taken?” What can we say, girls will be girls. ON Today; 10 am to 6 pm AT Girgaon (Location revealed on registration)LOG ON TO @womenandfriendships ENTRY Rs 3500
14 June,2025 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThere is a school of thought partly driven by their portrayal in Hindi cinema, a la Ashok Kumar in Khatta Meetha (1978), that Parsis prefer intellectual pursuits to hardy, outdoorsy activities. However, as we walk past the green environs of Dadar Parsi Colony towards the iconic Gymkhana, this interpretation takes a U-turn. At 61, Fareez Vasania likes to defy the depiction. The muscled athlete has a George Carlin-meets-Roberto Baggio look that makes us think twice. “I just finished my workout,” he shares, as he greets us. Made in the Baug Vasania has just returned from a victorious stint at Taipei clinching three gold medals in the high jump, long jump and triple jump categories. This is his fourth stint at the World Masters. “My first was in 2009, when I participated in the Sydney World Masters,” Vasania adds. He won the silver in Sydney for triple jump followed by a bronze in New Zealand in 2017. The athlete does leg raises in the gym. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi “My first, though, was a certificate for the 1500 metres right here,” he chuckles, pointing at the muddy outfield of the Dadar Parsi Gymkhana, adding, “I was five years old. I was told to run, and I just did it.” A naughty child ‘with tremendous energy’, it was natural that Vasania’s parents pushed him towards sport. He must have been good at it seeing how he made it through to play football with Air-India. Vasania freelanced as a photographer, while on contract with the team to keep the funds going. “In fact, mid-day covered me in the early 1990s, with a picture of me heading the ball in the Sports section,” he shares. A dated photograph of Vasania (centre) playing as a striker Even after retiring from the National Football League, he was a regular at the Baug games. The Parsi community, he reveals, has had a long sporting tradition. “In addition to regular athletics and cricket matches between the Parsi colonies, we host three football tournaments through the year. If not here, then at Rustom Baug in Byculla or Cusrow Baug in Colaba,” he shares. Strength before age It has left him in good stead. As we set up for the shoot, he quickly warms up, before stepping up to the deadlift plate. Vasania hardly requires a spotter as he benches an easy 100kg for multiple reps. He follows it up with a session on the pull up bars. “It is not just about competitive sports either. As you grow old, you need to be strong enough to take care of yourself. Vasania with the Indian National Flag at the World Masters in Taipei All you need is 15 minutes of free-hand exercises. It can help you avoid trouble later,” he suggests, as a piece of advice. We sigh and make a mental note to revisit that annual gym subscription for the umpteenth time. Vasania was mentored by fellow Masters athlete Rohinton Mehta, and Dinsu Daruvalla — formerly Mr Bombay, 1979. Diet right With a regular diet — except for the emphasis on the Parsi staple of eeda (eggs) — Vasania keeps it simple. “At my age, less is more. I already have the biomechanics in place, all I need to do is listen to my body,” he insists. Not easy for seniors Yet, if this gave us any hope of signing up for the next Masters competition, Vasania laughs it off. “It is not like the competition is easy. You cannot simply turn 50, and do a Fosbury Flop. You will break all your bones,” he laughs. The prep work is crucial given the poor roll of the dice that goes against Indian athletes in terms of genetics, facilities and often, support. Things are changing though. “The younger generation is better educated about fitness. I see quite a few of them train, but the focus is hardly ever sport,” he reveals. However, there remains the question of infrastructure. With the Asian Athletics at hand in November in Chennai, he is already preparing for the next challenge. “I am lucky to fall back on my savings. But it is not an easy thing to be a senior athlete in India. Few understand that it is just as competitive,” he reveals. Dos >> Listen to your body, and understand its needs. >> Spend 15 minutes every day to do a simple workout. >> Focus on strengthening your legs, mobility and improved agility. It helps you age better Don’ts >> Try not to stress yourself about growing old>> Stay away from chemicals or artificial nutrients as far as possible>> Do not ignore the body’s need for rest
14 June,2025 08:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarIf you’ve also been keen to be a part of the big, bold and fascinating world of the fashion industry and were looking for guidance and motivation to take it up as a profession, Black Taxi Commune has got your back. They are hosting the Ones Who Made It, a live panel discussion featuring strong, inspiring voices in the field of fashion, design, and entrepreneurship. The panellists for the discussion include seasoned voices from the fields of fashion and design, notably Vikram Phadnis, Mayank Anand, Shraddha Nigam, and Sougat Paul. Mayank Anand and Shraddha Nigam Parul Gupta, moderator-founder, Black Taxi Commune, elaborates about the idea behind the session, “In the spirit of building something real and meaningful, Black Taxi has launched the Black Taxi Commune — a space for growth, resilience, and mentorship in fashion. The goal of the commune is to create a platform where fashion designers can have honest, unfiltered conversations. A place where they can share their experiences, learn from each other, lean on each other and grow together. This platform also welcomes students from design schools who want to follow a similar path, offering them mentorship and internship opportunities.” Sougat Paul and Parul Gupta. Pics courtesy/@shopblacktaxi Every profession has ups and downs. The discussion will help young fashion professionals navigate their way through hurdles and climb the success ladder. Gupta says, “This session highlights stories of failure and rejection, as they are equally important, perhaps even more.” She adds, “We especially encourage design students who aspire to build their brands, or work with independent labels to attend. You’ll get a rare chance to meet one-on-one with brand founders, ask questions, and explore potential career opportunities.” ON June 13; 3 pmAT The Kin Hotel, Sea Face, off old Cadel Road, Shivaji Park, Dadar West.LOG ON TO district.inEntry Rs 999 onwards
13 June,2025 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiIf you’ve visited Lucknow, it’s tough to not return without memories of the city’s lip-smacking, eclectic mix of street food as well as Awadhi fare. With its historic ties, spanning centuries of dynasties and royal patronage, it is fitting news that the city’s gastronomic diversity is now being pitched to be showcased at a global level. Celebrated city architect Abha Narain Lambah’s firm has prepared the proposal for Lucknow as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This dossier has recently been submitted by the Government of India to UNESCO. Tunday’s galouti kebabs are a Lucknow specialty, and a signature of the city’s ancient and diverse culinary tradition Speaking exclusively to mid-day, she revealed, “For the last couple of years, I have been discussing this with the Union Ministry of Culture, and especially some years ago, when Hyderabad came up for consideration [for nomination as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy]. Back then, I had informally advised the Municipal Corporation there and helped them with the Hyderabad dossier. The Uttar Pradesh State Government had contacted Abha Narain Lambah Associates to propose Lucknow for this nomination. I truly believe the city deserves the tag. I am a foodie, and I’ve had some of the most enjoyable food experiences in the city that is known for its amazing kebabs, biryani, and street food, including its world-famous chaats.” The mutton biryani from Idris. The restaurant specialises in Awadhi-style biryani, using a recipe passed down through generations She continues, “The food heritage is truly representative of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of India, where different cultures, religions, and communities co-exist; their cultural traditions are so diverse and yet, it lends richness to its culinary fabric.” Work on the dossier began in full gusto since the pitch was officially proposed. Lambah’s team made several trips to the city to add heft to the dossier. “We have been fortunate to have sampled the fabulous cuisine, and it’s not just the popular food landmarks but their culture of home cooking.” Sheermal from Mubeen’s in Lucknow; located at the Akbari Gate, it is run by the Mubeen family who trace their roots in the city to almost 300 years agp She mentions the Mahmudabad family, including the Raja of Mahmudabad’s estate and their glorious traditions of food, “that include the beautiful recipes of Awadhi cuisine.” The conservation architect makes special mention of families, including restoration architect and designer Adil Ahmad, whose mother’s recipes and stories were a wonderful treasure to dip into for their research. Lambah also cites families like the Tandons — who shared cooking traditions of the Kayasthas, as well as the Shrivastava and Mehrotra families, from the city. Abha Narain Lambah Interestingly, celebrated chef Manish Mehrotra of blockbuster restaurant, Indian Accent also had a role to play. “He was very helpful and wrote a recommendation for this nomination,” she divulged, adding, “Famous Lucknow storyteller Maroof Culmen also collaborated to create a video to capture the street food and royal cuisines on Awadh, while others like Ambika Suri and Amita Tandon helped with research on various Khatri recipes.” The end result was a dossier that paid tribute to the amalgamation of street food and home food, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food as well as the famed desserts of Lucknow. “I am confident that Lucknow has a strong case on its own merit, and should go through because it supports a large community for their livelihood, from the local chaatwalla and kulfiwalla, to home kitchens,” she reasons. The next step will be to wait for feedback, if any from UNESCO, should they need additional information. While the Union Ministry of Culture presents the dossier, it is the Union Ministry of External Affairs that stewards it towards the end, she informs. “We are all rooting for Lucknow,” she signs off, not before reminding us that such recognition offers immense potential to drive great economic engine for these nominated sites.
13 June,2025 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona FernandezDrama in ice The aptly named Mt Fuji comes encased in ice and unfolds with a theatrical reveal with the ice chipped away to unveil the bottle within. If you want drama on the table, this might be the way to go.AT Gaijin, Lotia Palace, Linking Road, Khar West.CALL 8591615552COST Rs 1050 Sunset sips Pic Courtesy/Marine Plaza The elderflower liqueur and splash of chamomile tea reduction add a soothing floral touch to this Golden hour cocktail. Sit back and sip in the company of friends for a memorable evening.AT Hotel Marine Plaza, 29, Marine Drive, Marine Lines.CALL 69451212COST Rs 900 onwards Fruity and fun Pic Courtesy/Millo A touch of Parisian passion, the Pink fiesta comes with pink gin, berry compote, lemon and sparkling wine as well as a touch of candy floss. Nothing says playful like a dash of pink in your glass.AT Millo, Times Tower, Kamala Mills Compound, Lower Parel.CALL 9808806806COST Rs 975 Touch of truffle Pic Courtesy/Donmai With gin, vermouth, Lil Blanc and truffle air, this Negroniiii is one to keep your eye on. Cloudy and light, it is worth the truffle, as they say.AT Donmai, Unit G-03, ground floor, Altimus Building, PB Marg, Worli.CALL 9730659776COST Rs 875 Style it up Pic Courtesy/KOKO With a name like Corpse reviver, this one is a classic. The touch of Luxardo maraschino triple sec and fresh lemon juice is finished with a Grande Absinthe to give it a depth to match the sweetness.AT KOKO, C 2, Kamala Mills Compound, Lower Parel. CALL 7715963030 COST Rs 950 onwards Big and bold Pic Courtesy/Across As the name suggests, Big foot is a mix of bourbon and Himalayan gin with house made amaretto adding a splendid touch.AT Across, 5, Hari Chambers, Kala Ghoda, Fort.CALL 7506128945COST Rs 875 Empire strikes back Pic Courtesy/Toast&Tonic If you are in search of something more sophisticated, try the British Raj from this curated G&T collection. Pomegranate and cinnamon shrub combined with rose petal-cucumber ice, this one is certainly a throwback.AT Toast & Tonic, Unit 1, Godrej Building, BKC. CALL 7208871559COST Rs 715 Smooth sailing Pic Courtesy/PCO Extra dry citrus infused martini layers this Velvet cocktail centred on hapusa gin. With the orange coin adding to the garnish, you can rest assured of a smooth drink.AT PCO, NRK House, SB Marg, Lower Parel.CALL 9920055588COST Rs 850 Touch of home Pic Courtesy/Hylo With its green chutney relish and lychee pearls, the Hanging garden is one to savour at convenience.AT Hylo, third floor, Building 30, K Dubash Marg, Fort.CALL 9004191901COST Rs 690 Traditional twist Pic Courtesy/Le Cafe Spice and flavour come together with this Bartender’s concoction, that has a turmeric spiced-gin with tropical pineapple juice and a soothing mix of honey and ginger syrup. Warm, sweet, and refreshing to boot.AT Le Café, Jewel of Chembur, opposite BMC Office, Chembur. CALL 67099977COST Rs 455 onwards Fruit forward Pic Courtesy/Foo If you enjoy a burst of colours in your glass, pick the Karafuru with its beefeater gin, Dhy, and the zest of lemon, orange and pineapple wheels and a touch of cherry bitters. AT Foo, G5, off New Link Road, Oshiwara, Andheri West. CALL 7715804506 COST Rs 695 onwards Indian spice Pic Courtesy/The Tanjore Tiffin Room Light and flavourful is how the Nalla neram is best described, with its smooth, aromatic blend of house infused Kahwa gin, basil, orange crisp and Indian tonic.AT The Tanjore Tiffin Room, Gate 2, Building 2, NESCO Centre, Goregaon East; Andheri; Bandra.CALL 9920279745 (Goregaon)COST Rs 750 Bring the heat Pic Courtesy/Monkey Bar Some drinks are worth a challenge, and a name like Call of the wild certainly demands one. This gin-based cocktail is paired with the heat of green mango and chilli that will kickstart any party.TILL June 14AT Monkey Bar, ground floor, Summerville, Linking Road, Bandra West.CALL 7710083222COST Rs 790
13 June,2025 09:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarOn this day, 83 years ago, young Anne Frank received a diary for her birthday. Little did she realise it would become one of the most treasured diaries in literature. Over the years, diaries have played a crucial role in fiction, helping reveal the inner life of their possessors or moving the plot forward. We look at six engaging diaries that became central to their storylines. James Joyce A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: James Joyce’s classic, published in 1916, features the protagonist Stephen Dedalus’s diary, from his years at the university. He is first seen scribbling notes about aesthetics and beauty in it. Later, readers get a peek into it. Stephen wrestles with his Irish Catholic identity throughout the book. His search for spiritual, intellectual and artistic clarity is reflected in the diary. We become privy to his evolution as a young man and as an artist through it. Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights: In Emily Brontë’s novel, when Lockwood arrives at Thrushcross Grange, he gets hold of Catherine Earnshaw’s diary. It reveals Catherine’s relationship with her brother Hindley and her lover Heathcliff. Written in “unformed, childish hand”, it informs Lockwood and readers about Hindley’s treatment of Heathcliff and Catherine’s inner life. It’s interesting to note that another diary, i.e., Lockwood’s, acts as the frame narrative for a large part of the book. Rabindranath Tagore The Notebook: In Rabindranath Tagore’s short story, Uma learns to read and write, and begins scribbling sentences everywhere — on the walls and over her brother Gobindolal’s essays. Irked, Gobindolal punishes her by confiscating her pencil, but soon forgives her and gifts her a notebook to write in. When Uma turns nine, she is married off into a conservative family. She carries her notebook to the village, but each time she tries to write in it, someone snatches it away. The notebook becomes a symbol for all that is seized from her: her innocence, freedom, and her childhood. Nikolai Gogol Diary of a Madman: Nikolai Gogol’s work is one of the most iconic examples of how a writer takes the diary format and turns it around. A minor clerk writes about the day-to-day happenings in his diary. As the days pass by, the dates turn absurd like “Marchember”, “February 349”, etc., and the entries become illogical. In one, for instance, he declares himself to be the King of Spain. Gogol makes use of such absurdities to speak about social hierarchies. His protagonists display a strong desire to attain dignity and respect. Alice Walker The Color Purple: Alice Walker’s novel begins with a voice that silences the protagonist. It insists that she reveal her thoughts to no one but God. Having been abused by her father and Mister, to whom she was offered in marriage, Celie, a 14-year-old African American girl from Georgia, writes letters addressed to God. They are akin to writing a diary and they carry the same belief, trust, and privacy that a diary holds. It becomes her outlet as she carves a path for herself and moves towards freedom, not letting the burden of her trauma take control over her destiny. Jissa Jose Mudritha: Sahitya Akademi Award-shortlisted novel by Jissa Jose, translated from the Malayalam by Jayashree Kalathil, is a story about a missing woman called Mudritha. A former tour guide, Aniruddhan files a missing person’s complaint at the police station and shares no further details. However, he hands over a notebook he had maintained during his correspondence with Mudritha — a diary in six parts, which leads us into the details from this correspondence. For the policewoman Vanitha, this becomes the starting point for her investigation. Available Leading bookstores and e-stores
12 June,2025 09:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThere isn’t a grimmer sight than an artificial plant catching dust on a shelf. I made an exception to the no-artificial rule at home for Setsugo’s build-it-yourself flowers. The bombax ceiba (Silk cotton tree flower) set (above) came with 104 pieces. Assembling the flower felt like I was back in Botany class at college, all over again. The 27-cm-long plastic flower makes for the ideal stress buster if you like flowers and building things. Just don’t give it to that girl you like. LOG ON TO setsugo.comCOST Rs 385
12 June,2025 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThursdayAll about the money Catch this adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winner John Patrick Shanley’s work, Where’s My Money, a genre-defying dark comedy that explores romance in the context of money.Time 6 pm and 8 pm At Rangshila Theatre, Aram Nagar I, Versova, Andheri West. Log On to in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 400 FridayHeal with music Pic Courtesy/Souvid Datta Break away from a divided world with sarod player Soumik Datta’s musical exploration, Travellers, that transcends temporal and geographical boundaries through an international collaboration. Time 7 pm onwardsAt G5A Warehouse, Laxmi Mills Estate, Shakti Mills Lane, Mahalaxmi West. Log on to district.in Entry Rs 499 SaturdayTime it right Pic Courtesy/Trove experiences Sign up for this rare watchmaking workshop that delves into the history and mechanics of keeping time. Time 11.30 am onwards At Imperial China by Hilton, Chakala, Andheri East. CAll 8262916889 Log On to troveexperiences.comENTRY Rs 4000 Change perspectives Spiral by Madhvi Subrahmanian. Pic Courtesy/Amca Walk down to Colaba for an exhibition that questions how truth is constructed. Curated by Anupa Mehta, they foster a dialogue on perception and authenticity. Till July 10; 11 am to 6 pmAt AMCA Colaba, Royal Terrace, 58, Wodehouse Road, Colaba. SundaySmell the flowers Kali Musli. Pic Courtesy/ Wikimedia Commons Catch fresh flora such as Ground Star, Kali Musli, Dragon Stalk yam and other wonders after the first showers at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) reserve. Time 8.30 am at Conservation Education Centre, BNHS, Film City, Goregaon East. Call 9969798447 Email programmes@bnhs.orgENTRY Rs 600 onwards Of fathers and daughters Join popular chef and restaurateur Rahul Akerkar as he brings the Father’s Day vibe to the bar with daughters, Shaan and Amalia, for a special brunch. Steel yourself for dad jokes aplenty. Chef Rahul Akerkar with daughters (left) Amalia and (right) Shaan. Pics Courtesy/Ode Time 12 pm onwards At Ode, Gate 4, Raheja Altimus, Worli.Call 9076031111 Cost Rs 2400 onwards (for two) To dads, with love Pic Courtesy/Instagram Sign off a Father’s Day weekend with Zakir Khan’s special set, Papa Yaar, that blends his signature dry humour with loving touches of nostalgia and relatable interactions with his father. Time 11.30 am At St Andrew’s Auditorium, St Dominic Road, Bandra West. Log on to in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 1499 onwards
12 June,2025 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarComplete silence for two minutes that felt like an eternity. That’s how Gujarat-based filmmaker Janantik Shukla describes the mood in south Gujarat’s Dediapada taluka when the credits rolled at the first screening of his film, Mulsotan. Shukla’s story dates back to the 1980s, when the Sardar Sarovar Dam project threatened to displace tribal life. The town came together to etch a tale that involves GPS technology, Gandhian principles, and unshakeable determination. The crew works behind the scenes on the sets of Mulsotan in (right) Dediapada, Gujarat. PICS COURTESY/JANANTIK SHUKLA “I didn’t think this film would make it out of Gujarat,” says Shukla, who first stepped into the now lush green town in 2021. Tipped off by social workers Trupti and Ambrish Mehta about the movement, Shukla’s job was to bring to screen a story that hadn’t found many readers in a book with the same story. “Tribal youth was not going to read a book to know what their ancestors had been through. We needed a visual story,” he shares. Through archival footage, interactions with village elders, and panoramic drone shots, the 28-minute film becomes Dediapada’s visual journal. A pivotal movement comes when nearly 4000 farmers use GPS-enabled instruments with assistance from the Mehtas to meticulously map out their farmlands, many of which are still in review. The non-violent, democratic revolt has ensured the vast green cover in Dediapada remains intact. It makes for a worthwhile visit this monsoon, Shukla suggests. A Vasava tribal With the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, aka the debated Bullet Train project gathering steam, the filmmaker admits the relevance of the film persists, albeit unfortunately. In this writer’s hometown of Dahanu, a stone’s throw away from south Gujarat, giant concrete boulders mushrooming in thick wild forests stand as testament to Shukla’s concern. “Books and films are great. But the way ahead is youth participation. Without it, these three decades of work stand the risk of being undone in 15 years,” he rues. The young protagonists of Catapults to Camera. PIC COURTESY/ROUNDGLASS SUSTAIN Hope is not lost, neither is it far away. Look eastward and you’ll see filmmaker Ashwika Kapur’s film, Catapults to Camera, that has turned into a youth movement off screen. The Green Oscar-winning filmmaker’s documentary began as an attempt to chronicle the rampant hunting culture in Jhargram, West Bengal. Things took a turn when Kapur spoke with young residents Raja, Ajay, Surajit, Tarash and Lalu; it revealed the disturbing normalisation of hunting for recreation among young boys. Janantik Shukla “When I see a bird, I kill it with a catapult,” says Raja, while Tarash beams with pride while describing the killing of a snake in the documentary. It’s hard to believe that the same children have now turned lensmen. Armed with their traditional knowledge of the forests, they are now shooting the diverse wildlife, this time through their lens. With a structured programme in place now, Raja and his friends have turned mentors for others in the village. Kapur and Shukla’s inspiring success stories will find a screen in Mumbai amid a slew of big-ticket, massy, Bollywood melodramas ruling mainstream screens; many of them running houseful. We can only hope Mumbaikars make the wiser choice today. How to get to Dediapada Road: Take the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway (NH 48) and drive northwards into Gujarat. Take the exit in Palsana to NH53. Exit to SH88 in Bardoli and follow the route to Chikda. Turn left to Dediapada. Rail: Board a train to the closest railway station, Bharuch. A two-hour drive will lead you to Dediapada. ON June 12; 6.30 pmAT NCPA, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point.LOG ON TO ncpamumbai.comENTRY RSVP mandatory
12 June,2025 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleYesterday, Kim Nam-joon aka RM and Kim Tae-hyung aka V, members of the Korean boy band BTS, put on their first public show in 18 months in South Korea’s Chuncheon. Fresh off their mandatory military service and dressed in forest camouflage uniform, RM picked up a saxophone and belted an impromptu saxophone solo to roaring cheers from fans, who are ironically dubbed ARMYs. With subsequent discharges lined up for today and June 21, the seven-piece band is all set for a comeback for old times’ sake. Fans hold a life-sized image of BTS member Suga. PICS COURTESY/MUMBAI BTS Far from Chuncheon, the roars are echoing here in Mumbai. A homecoming celebration by Mumbai BTS, the largest fan club in the city, will coincide with the band’s 12th anniversary on June 13. “The last time we saw the band together was in 2022. It calls for a retrospective, a celebration, and a slow evening with fans who share the same love,” admits founder Ayushre Tari. BTS perform together in 2021, before their military conscription. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The day-long event at a Korean cuisine restaurant in Powai is set to begin with live screenings of the band’s past concerts. Dancing along will be passionate fans, many of them are performers themselves. Mumbai-based K-pop singers Leo Sian and Dwijisha Katkar, for instance, are rehearsing their vocal runs while K-pop dancer Simran Gupta has the mammoth task of replicating the boyband’s signature moves on the big day. In a spin to the Korean menu featuring staples like kimchi fried rice and kimbap, the group has been brainstorming on a special drinks menu. “Each drink on the menu is a tribute to one of the seven members of BTS. We assigned them colours based on their personalities to create a rainbow-themed menu,” Tari reveals. A good mix of cocktails like Hope flame paired with mocktails such as Mono ocean will allow fans to soak in the celebrations responsibly. Ayushre Tari After hot ramen bowls are inhaled and songs are belted out in unison, what really changes for the fans with the comeback, we ask the founder. A spike in club memberships is expected, but not new. The proverbial heart has only grown fonder in the band’s absence, we learn. “We started in 2021 as a group of 30 members. The number has steadily grown through the hiatus. From a handful of 20-year-olds, we now have members as young as eight years old, and as old as 40,” she reveals. Interestingly, the club has maintained a 90 per cent majority of female members. Kimbap (PIC COURTESY/HENG BOK) What is on the cards, however, is hope for a debut Mumbai concert soon. Tari reveals details of a short conversation she had with band member J-Hope (who completed his military service in October 2024), at his concert in Bangkok last month. “I was in the VIP area adjacent to the stage when J-Hope came down to meet the fans. In the limited Korean I had learnt, I asked him if he would come to Mumbai soon. He gave me a reassuring nod,” she reveals. Hope flame (PIC COURTESY/HENG BOK) Fan Speak Snehil Dandwate, singerIt was hard to see the band leave; military service entails the threat to life at the end of the day. While the band is back, the scene has evolved in the past two years. The Korean entertainment hype is no longer new, and many K-pop bands have tasted success ever since. Given the variables, I’m still on the fence on whether BTS can ever return to their legendary status. Simran Dalvi, modelI’m not really concerned about what kind of music they will make and when. BTS has been a constant presence in my playlist and I’m just happy the band will be back once again. With talks of a world tour making the rounds, I have my fingers crossed for an India concert. I’m already brushing up on my Korean. Akanksha parmar, social media managerI screamed at my screen when I saw RM kneel down to play the saxophone yesterday. It’s a feeling you cannot explain. I have laughed, cried and danced to BTS songs in the past two years. To know that they are safe and ready to rock again is like music to my ears. I have my eyes on the debut comeback track now. ON June 13; 12 pm to 5 pmAT Heng Bok, Kailash Industrial Estate, Veer Savarkar Marg, Powai.MESSAGE @mumbai.bts (to sign up)ENTRY FEE Revealed on request
11 June,2025 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
