Three decades is a long time in any industry, let alone one as ephemeral as music. Since 1992, The Keli Cultural Festival has become a staple of the city’s December tradition. “When we began, the Classical tradition was limited to the institutions of its practice,” shares Ramachandran K, artistic director and project coordinator. Over the years, it has witnessed names such as the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, late Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Peruvanam Kuttan Marar among others encourage the idea. This weekend, the 33rd edition of the cultural organisation will witness the Pranathi Women’s Music & Dance Festival take stage in Navi Mumbai. The biennial event was begun as part of an ongoing effort to highlight the work of female artistes. “This year, we have opted to focus on the two senior and acclaimed practitioners of Rudraveena and Mohiniyattam, who have used the form to further conversation on social contexts.” Over two days, the festival will see performances by Mohiniyattam scholar Dr Neena Prasad, and rudraveena exponent, Vidushi Jyoti Hegde, accompanied by other performers.Ramachandran KDr Neena Prasad has been one of the foremost practitioners of these ideas. To be presented with the Pranathi Pratibha Puraskar this year, the scholar and danseuse shares, “I believe that any traditional form, known for its classical values, will only speak to its society when it has relevance in its modern times. If we do not move forward with the times, our classicism will b reduced to being a showpiece.” The founder of the Bharathanjali School of Dances explains that her effort has been to ‘break the form, and extend its expression.’ The choice of embracing feminist literature, works by Pratibha Ray, performances that explored the dilemmas of Sita, stories of Kuriyedath Thathri allow for that. The other dimension was her focus on erasing gender divisions within the form — at the heart of her PhD thesis on the Lasya and Tandava traditions in the classical dances of South India. “As a feminine form [Mohiniyattam], there was emphasis on grace. I felt that it was limiting the expression. Every individual has both feminine and masculine attributes, and working towards a gender equal society, an art form has to take this into account,” she states.Vidushi Jyoti Hegde performs on the rudraveena The other honoree of the festival, Vidushi Jyoti Hegde, is familiar with the inequity, although she does not let it impede her art. To be presented the Pranathi Acharya Puraskar, Hegde is the first Indian woman who took up the rudra veena in her teenage years. Having learnt the sitar under Dr Bindu Madhav Pathak, she was drawn to the veena and rudra veena, and later learnt under the late Ustad Asad Ali Khan. “I was told immediately that women do not play the rudraveena. It is difficult, and particularly challenging,” she admits. However, the 62-year-old emphasises that her choices were artistic, rather than revolutionary. “I was not aware that it was a revolutionary act. For me, it was the sound of the rudraveena that drew me to it,” she says, adding, “Like any other instrument, it needs two hands, an ear for music and discipline. That does not change, be it a man or a woman.” However, unknowingly, she has set a path for many female musicians now learning the instrument. “I keep telling them [students], even today, do not choose an instrument or art because you think it is challenging or to make a name. Choose it because you have a deep calling. Everything else comes from it,” she concludes. ON December 13 and 14; 6.30 pm onwardsAT Terna Auditorium, sector 22, near Nerul Railway Station, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.
09 December,2025 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarOrnaments on paper Pic courtesy/thecraftyangels.com From mistletoes to berries and pinecones, these festive illustrations make every card feel like a keepsake.LOG ON TO thecraftyangels comCOST Rs 600 Handmade with love Pic courtesy/@lonavalalocal Create your own Christmas card at this Lonavala art house that champions the local-for-vocal movement.LOG ON TO @lonavalalocalCALL 9820068611COST Rs 130 Tiny hands, big love Pic courtesy/chiildrenoffaithmissions.org Choose a card crafted by little hands and help children access a better education through your donation.LOG ON TO childrenoffaithmissions.orgCOST (donate as you like) Handmade and watercoloured Pic courtesy/@dsouza_ee The artist, Shawn D’Souza who shuttles between Goa and Mumbai brings a delicate, hand-painted touch to every season’s greeting.LOG ON TO @dsouza_eeCOST Rs 250 Cards with a cause Pic courtesy/@helpageindia.org These cards uplift your greetings while helping sustain HelpAge India’s work with seniors facing isolation and neglect.LOG ON TO helpageindia.orgCOST Rs 60 Planted with love Pic courtesy/suspire.in These cards are crafted from 100 per cent post-consumer waste cotton scraps with embedded seeds, giving you the chance to plant a tree with every purchase.LOG ON TO suspire.comCOST Rs 149 Art and cards Pic courtesy/@artforakanksha Art for Akanksha, the creative arm of Akanksha Foundation offers vivid, student-created cards that support art education while giving you a slice of a child’s imagination.AT Akanksha Art Studio, Voltas House, Chinchpokli.LOG ON TO artforakanksha.orgCOST Rs 593 Bandra’s holiday keepsakes Pic courtesy/@fluxuschapel Pick up simple, elegant Christmas cards at this Bandra store or shop them online.AT Fluxus Chapel, ground floor, near Duke Restaurant, Bandra. West. LOG ON TO @fluxuschapelCOST Rs 100 Origin of the Christmas card On December 9, 1843, British civil servant Sir Henry Cole and illustrator John Callcott Horsley created the first commercial card where a family was seen toasting amid scenes of charity — ushering a tradition that continues to hold its charm even in an age ruled by instant messaging.
09 December,2025 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareFrom Massimo Boturo confessing to eavesdropping on senior chefs discussing techniques, to late Anthony Bourdain working seafood gigs in his early days, chefs are the epitome of hustle for the love of cooking. Recently, a young chef in New York City created a global stir for selling fried rice out of his car trunk. After the 22-year-old chef Yony Hung’s Venezuelan-Chinese fried rice went viral, it drew in large crowds with foodies travelling a long distance for a serving. Here are our desi chefs’ recollections of their early days of the grind. ‘Burnt rice, learnt lesson of hustle’Ajay Chopra, celebrity chef and consultant chef During my days at IHM Goa, I was that over-enthusiastic student who practically lived there. One lunch service, while cooking for nearly 400 students, I made a classic mistake: I burnt an entire batch of rice. Within minutes, the entire dining hall knew. The roar of complaint was a moment of embarrassment, but in hindsight, it was those early burns — both of the rice and of my ego — that shaped me. The learning continued outside the classroom through outdoor catering gigs with the Taj. We worked 12-hour shifts for '75 a day, driven by a simple, powerful mantra: If you want to eat the butter chicken, you first have to carry the chairs. The hustle was real, raw, and unforgettable. But it sharpened us. Those early days taught me resilience, the art of jugaad, and one non-negotiable rule: no matter what happens, show up, cook, and finish the service. ‘Worked at a kebab stall; set off on a trawler’Ranveer Brar, celebrity chef and actor A young Ranveer Brar fillets a fish during his early years in the kitchen I was 17 when I decided to stay away from home for seven months — to work at a kebabwala called Munir Ustad behind Odeon cinema in Lucknow. This was a rebellious act to prove that I was doing something meaningful, and was one of the first of the many stupid rookie things. I would prep the charcoal, grind spices and nothing more; I never even got to the stove. The cart is long gone; the owner has passed away but that time made me the chef that I am and value every job in the kitchen. The training was strict; they came hard at you. Later, when I was 19, I moved to Goa. As a Delhi boy, who was unfamiliar with seafood, and was in-charge of Morisco, a seafood restaurant at Taj Fort Aguada Resort. I sought permission from my seniors, and took 10 days off to set out on a trawler for five-six days. I spent another four days around fish markets. When I returned, I could identify fish, and had learnt Konkani. ‘I’d brine the hog in my bath tub’Alex Sanchez, chef-partner Americano and Otra A dated photograph of Alex Sanchez (on the right) in the Americano kitchen When I was 18 years old, I talked my way into a job at the local sandwich shop down the street from where I grew up in San Francisco. It wasn’t glamorous work but I loved it, and it set the stage for my career in the kitchen. On my off days I would keep myself busy by catering whenever I could find someone willing to take a chance on me [it didn’t hurt that I was young and affordable]. I soon became known for my pig roasts. I would drive out to the farms about four hours from San Francisco, and get my hogs at wholesale prices. I didn’t have my own commercial kitchen, so I’d brine the pigs in my bathtub with plenty of ice. I’d stay up all night baking Parker House Rolls, making all of the sauces and accompaniments. Then, I would show up to the event location around 4 am, dig a pit and start a fire. The pig was wrapped in leaves and buried in the ground where it would slowly cook for hours. When the guests arrived, I would lay everything out on a table, and cut away the leaves to reveal the whole steaming hog. The meat was so tender you could eat it with a spoon. It was wild and liberating, and exhausting all at once. ‘Turned a minivan into a pop-up store’Aditi Handa, chef owner, The Baker’s Dozen Aditi Handa reads the menu at the Bandra store Back in 2014, we had to shut our Bandra store for two days due to termite treatment in the building. A two-day closure meant a loss in sales, and at that stage, every single sale mattered. Instead of shutting shop, we turned our delivery tempo into a mini pop-up store. We parked it across the road, stocked it with products, and continued sales. A team member would stand outside the closed store, and if a customer walked up, they’d guide them to the tempo: ‘Don’t worry, tell us what you need, we have everything right here.’ For those two days, that truck became our entire operation: from shelves, the counter, and service. Looking back, it was chaotic, but it was also creative, resourceful and a lot of fun. That experience taught me very early that hustle isn’t just about working hard but about adapting, improvising, and doing whatever it takes to serve the customer. Such makeshift moments shape you the most.
09 December,2025 09:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum PandyaDancers don’t just perform choreographed routines. Sometimes, they let loose, allowing the music or an idea to lead their body. An upcoming showcase at Veda Black Box, titled Errors OnlEEE is modelled around this concept. It consists of solo, duet, trio, or group performances inspired by real-time improvisation games, during which artistes will perform without any prior rehearsals and choreography. Jyoti Naik (standing), a dancer from the previous edition, interprets a prompt using a prop. Pic courtesy/Bala Jainil Mehta, curator and lead artiste, spells out the idea for us, “Speaking in layman terms, imagine any sort of skit with a few people performing, or an exercise where participants are given prompts to begin any topic of discussion. This is a similar performance, except through dance. Apart from myself, three artistes will be on stage; I will guide them throughout.” The aim is to inspire emerging dancers in a live performance setting, with no rules regarding how one can utilise dance as an art. Aditya Shastri and Manish Poonam Mehta, who informs us that this is the second edition of the showcase (the first having been held on November 20, at the same venue), walks us through what audiences can expect, “I will give the dancers prompts, which they will interpret individually, and use them to move creatively, but with intention. Some prompts include common actions that have an actor and a reactor, whilst others draw the performer into depicting a gradual series of actions within a larger whole — one such prompt was ‘How to delete Instagram’; the steps listed for this in the AI overview that pops up after a Google search, were used to showcase how the app can be deleted, through dance moves. Similarly, there are prompts like ‘depicting’ the water cycle, or the law of diminishing marginal utility, wherein the first step must portray immense satisfaction, but as the sequence progresses, this element will reduce; the artiste must show their dissatisfaction with their body.” For anyone who loves all things ‘impromptu’, this kind of stage act should be a treat for the eye. Tarini Tripathi. Pics courtesy/Tarini Tripathi; Manish Poonam; Aditya Shastri Mehta adds, “Another way is to bring memory into the games, by assigning dancers certain areas, allowing them to familiarise themselves with them; then, blindfolding them to test how much of their area they recall purely through their senses.” The upcoming edition of the act features Kathak dancer, Tarini Tripathi, waacking (a street dance form) artiste, Manish Poonam, and hip-hop performer, Aditya Shastri. Mehta, a contemporary ballet artiste himself, expresses, “I try to get specialists of varying dance styles, from jazz to breakdance, so as to incorporate different interpretations of the same prompt; each dancer replicates the prompt in their own way.” He signs off by saying, “Errors OnlEEE has a more niche target audience: Those who adore dance in all its forms, and are intrigued by unconventional, inclusive artistic approaches, where performers make mistakes and try again.” On December 12; 8.15 pm onwardsAt Veda Black Box by Veda Factory, Aram Nagar Part 2, Versova, Andheri West. Log on to jainilmehta.orgEntry Rs 500
08 December,2025 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshNortheastern high The Northeast Food and Music Festival presents the region’s cultural identity to a wider audience through its standout food and music offerings. As its first full-scale edition, the festival aims to celebrate heritage while promoting Northeastern artistes and entrepreneurs from across the North East. The music segment includes indie, hip-hop, pop, fusion, and regionally inspired performances by Zephyrtone, Moko Koza, Sorri Senjam, Lil Kiki, among others, along with a special Zubeen Garg tribute act by Keshab Baruah and Ripjyoti Sarma. Rebecca Lallawmsangi. Pics courtesy/@necom_official The food curation showcases traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes from the eight Northeastern states, including Naga King Chilli, Axone (fermented soy bean), and Anishi (fermented colocasia leaves), along with Singju, a traditional Manipuri salad prepared with fresh vegetables and traditionally smoked meat, highlighting indigenous ingredients and varied culinary traditions. ON December 8; 2 pm onwardsAT JVPD Grounds, 30, Devle Road, Juhu.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 1299 onwards Cinema for the planet A still from One Seed at a Time As Anaka Kaundinya, the programming director at Alt.eff (All things living environmental film festival), says, “With each passing season, life on our planet grows increasingly complex, and we find ourselves in a bitterly fragmented society, conflicted between opposing forces, unmoored, and unable to make the decisions that can lead us to harmony.” This environmental film festival therefore focuses on perspectives within this expanding sprawl of stories. Yintah. Pic Courtesy/Youtube The festival will present a wide range of Indian films such as One Seed at a Time by Kavita Carneiro and The Mushroom Keepers by Naveed Mulki, among others, all addressing environmental issues and concerns. It also includes an extensive line-up of international movies like Yintah by Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell and Michael Toledano, and Fauna by Pau Faus, among others that will be screened during this festival. ON December 13 to 14AT Harkat Studios, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova, Andheri West. LOG ON TO @alt.eff on InstagramENTRY Rs 799 onwards Culture trip Augmentation by Manoj Sarkar. Pics courtesy/@kaalaconnect Soak in an evening of art, music, and culture with the Strokes & Strings Festival as it presents 50 curated artworks from emerging Indian artists like Manoj Sarkar and his painting titled Augmentation, Sonali Maitra Paul and her work, Companionship, and Tapas Basu’s Lady with Flower. Gather for a live painting experience and a live performance by Arjan Singh, a singer-songwriter, known blending Hindi poetry and storytelling to highlight themes of journey and self-discovery. Explore the energy of creativity, all in one crafted evening. Arjan Singh ON December 13; 7 pmAT Country Club, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West.LOG ON TO district.in ENTRY Rs 1777 onwards
08 December,2025 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareThere are certain moments in the lifetime of an individual when history offers an invisible hand. It requires a bit of chutzpah to take that moment head on. It was one such moment in 1986 that led an 18-year-old Dayanita Singh on a pathway that interspersed with one of the brightest stars of the 20th Century Indian musical firmament, Ustad Zakir Hussain. The exhibition, Zakir Hussain — Learning to Learn: A tribute by Dayanita Singh, is a testament to that journey. A moment in time Oddly, the first South Asian to win the famed Hasselblad Award says photography was the last thing on her mind in 1986. “I was studying typography. The class assignment was to photograph the moods of a person. I thought I would capture Zakirji [Hussain] since he was performing, and because he was so expressive,” the 65-year-old celebrated photographer recalls. The front and (right) back cover of Zakir Hussain’s first solo LP As fate would have it, an organiser did not like that. A shove turned into a sliding door moment. “I waited on the steps for him to come out. When he did, I stood there, with hands on my hips, and said, ‘Mr Hussain, I am a student today, but someday I might be an important photographer,” she reveals, almost amused. At the relaunch of Singh’s first book as the Zakir Hussain Maquette in Mumbai in 2019, Ustad Zakir Hussain shared the reason behind his decision to choose her as his mentee. As Singh tells us, “He said, ‘In her, I saw myself when I was 18; in America, wanting to do something but not knowing what.’” The Ustad’s school of focus But what does it mean to have a mentor who is a master of a completely different art form than yours? “I tell people, I am a student of the Ustad Zakir Hussain school of focus. There was a philosophical learning about what it meant to commit to the life of an artiste; the discipline, the focus, and the riyaz. You learn to always be the student. I don’t know if an arts school would have taught me that,” she admits. Abbaji, Ustad Alla Rakha Khan with Ustad Zakir Hussain during a riyaz No surprise then that the exhibition at the Dilip Piramal Art Gallery is titled ‘Learning to Learn’. This learning was not limited to philosophy. In shadowing the Ustad, Singh learned to hide in plain sight. “He loved the fact that I did not use a flash. I would photograph on 400 ISO film, and push it to 1600 ISO. As a habit, I also never photograph from the front of the stage. I choose from above, the wings, or the green room,” she shares. Behind the scenes The initiation into the green room of Hindustani Classical music was one of the great privileges, says the photographer who captured names and personalities like Ustad Vilayat Khan, Mohiuddin Dagar Sahab, Kishan Maharaj, and Pandit Ravi Shankar. Close to 200 photographs from these informal moments make it to the exhibition. A view of the late Ustad’s accompaniments on the stage Singh would also go on to photograph the maestro for his first solo LP with HMV. “When he suggested my name to the label, I got a little emboldened. I offered to design the LP cover. I had never done that before, or after,” she reveals. These little moments offer an insight into the late Ustad’s personality. While his musical prowess needs no explanation, his empathy stands out. “He was so sure of himself. Yet, he spoke to every individual he met like they were the most important people,” she says Like the attendant at Karim’s in Delhi that he would visit just to hear the menu being recited like tabla bols. “The outpouring you witnessed upon his passing was because each person felt a personal loss,” shares the student. Beyond the stage A poster designed by Singh, using phrases uttered by the late Ustad Zakir Hussain Every child who ever imitated the Ustad’s Wah Taj ad with inverted buckets, knows that connection. Singh, who shot him for the ad, and recalls it as an important moment. “A few classical musicians questioned it. They’d say that classical music is Shahi Biryani; why is he turning it into a common pulao? His answer was that ‘If the ad gets two more people into the audience, that is good enough. In that moment, he taught me that the dissemination of art is just as much the responsibility of the artiste,” she adds. Pics/Rane Ashish His passing is, understandably, a personal loss for the photographer. “In 2009, when I displayed at the Venice Biennale, he sent me a congratulatory message. I quite cheekily responded, “See, even I am a star now.’ He simply wrote back, “I hope you never start to believe that. Because the day you do, it will be over.’ That’s the kind of gentle wisdom he had,” Singh recalls. ON December 13 to February 3; 8 am to 9 pmAT Dilip Piramal Art Gallery, NCPA, Nariman Point. LOG ON TO ncpamumbai.comENTRY Free (members); Rs 500 (all-day pass) Also Catch Ustads Fazal Qureshi (left) and Zakir Hussain in 2008 >> Forever FriendsJohn McLaughlin, Louis Banks, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Ranjit Barot, and V Selvaganesh among others in performanceON December 14; 6.30 pmAT Jamshed Bhabha Theatre >> Screenings of Films on Zakir HussainON December 14 and 15; 10.30 am onwards AT Godrej Dance Theatre >> Influence of different table gharanas on Zakir HussainON December 14; 12 pmAt Experimental Theatre >> Family and FriendsON December 15; 6.30 pmAT Jamshed Bhabha Theatre
08 December,2025 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWhy is Tatyasaheb’s legacy important to early Bombay’s textile history?Tatya made his fortune as the sole selling agent of Kohinoor Mills. His story in Tatyasaheb (Westland) illuminates the larger story of how the textile industry was central to generating the wealth of the city. We see how the wider political context impacted him and other players in the textile industry, such as the boom years of the First World War, or the Swadeshi Movement. By the early 20th century, Bombay’s mills accounted for 50 per cent of the spinning and weaving capacity of India. So, it was a dynamic industry that profoundly shaped the city; in many ways, researching Tatya’s story was like diving into the origin story of the city. What lessons from Tatyasaheb’s early struggles helped his rise to being a leader and entrepreneur? He learned resilience at an early age — as a child his education was continually disrupted, prompting him to leave school and work as an assistant to a cloth merchant in Mulji Jetha (MJ) Market. These were hard years. Sharing a room in a chawl, he would walk to work to save money for beedis. His early attempt at setting up his own business crumbled during the outbreak of bubonic plague in the city in 1896 when half the city’s population ran away. But he decided to try yet again, and set up his own shop as a selling agent in MJ Market. After that there was no looking back, but these struggles would have taught him the value of persisting against the odds. Tatya’s grandchildren, along with his daughter-in-law Manorama. Pics/Tejaswini Apte-Rahm How much of the city’s resilience inspired him? Based on your research, did he mention any other factors from Bombay/Mumbai that stirred his spirit?Tatya never talked about the resilience inherent to the city, but it is clear that he lived it. He had a strong spirit of entrepreneurship and a remarkable appetite for risk, which was an inherent part of his personality. With the stability of his core textile business to back him, he kept diversifying into completely different and nascent industries like silent films and sugar, taking the risks that are part and parcel of being a pioneer in a new industry. As an orthodox Kokanastha Brahmin, he was an oddity in the world of business, the sole Marathi businessman in the Gujarati bastion of MJ Market, and he developed a great respect for the entrepreneurship of the Gujarati community. What prompted him to enter the world of silent film production? It was by accident that he fell into the silent film business. He was in a meeting with some textile business associates, when he was handed a letter recommending financial support to one Dadasaheb Phalke for filmmaking. The recommendation was from none other than Lokmanya Tilak. Tatya and his associates held Tilak in such high regard that they immediately agreed to finance Phalke despite knowing nothing about films. They founded the Hindustan Film Company for the purpose — Tatya went on to produce about 100 silent feature films over 16 years, of which around 40 were directed by Phalke. Tejaswini Apte Rahm How would you like history books to remember Tatyasaheb? I’d like him to be remembered as an ordinary man who started with almost nothing, wasn’t afraid to invest in businesses where he was an outsider, and who built his reputation on being an ethical operator — for example he refused to participate in the black market for cloth during both World Wars. I also love the fact that he never forgot where he came from — his most enduring friendships remained the ones he had made in the chawl during the early days of struggle. As the descendant of an icon, was there any pressure as you chronicled Tatyasaheb’s life in a book?It would have been easy to slip into writing a hagiography, but the point of writing this book was not to glorify him. I set out to understand his life and times with all its ups and downs. So, I have tried to look at Tatya’s life as a historical researcher, and not just as a great-granddaughter. If there was any pressure, it was to try and live up to his work ethic by working hard, and staying true to the purpose of this project. Available Leading bookstores and e-stores
06 December,2025 08:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona FernandezWith everyone discussing beauty blended with sustainability, this workshop is defining it. Here, dreamcatchers and tiny trinkets take shape from materials most of us would usually discard — scraps of fabric, reclaimed wood, and feathers found on walks. Radhika Bhatia, the founder of Accessory Funk, is proving that beauty can bloom from the overlooked and unwanted. Kids with their creations Trigger your creativity “Creativity today isn’t merely about handmade charm — it’s about intent, impact, and the stories behind each piece. What began as a childhood passion for fabrics and self-styled fashion grew into a deeper belief that craft must carry purpose,” Bhatia insisted. She believes that handcrafted work should outlast trends and sustainability needs to be a lifestyle and not just a label. “Craft at Accessory Funk emerged from a legacy built by the matriarchs in the family,” said Bhatia. There was a quiet trust between local tailors, and reused fabric. Upcycling wasn’t a trend but an instinct. So when textile-waste dreamcatchers appeared — long before the idea became fashionable — they were met with genuine love for mindful, homegrown making. A participant works with fabric For Bhatia, when the journey of making dreamcatchers, trinkets, and accessories began, sustainability wasn’t on the horizon. It was more like she would pick up anything that caught her eye; she would then return home and create pieces from it, whether it was a hair comb with pearls, dangling earrings handwoven with beads, or statement necklaces. Bhatia prefers to blend sustainability into her workshops, thus making them more fulfilling. “Community workshops become lively hubs where creativity unfolds. Each session turns into a happy communal space where trinkets, charms, and dreamcatchers reflect individual taste and lifestyle, including the materials they decide to use, contributing a little to sustainability practices.” A previous workshop in Andheri Community workshops Bhatia prefers to blend sustainability into her workshops, thus making them more fulfilling. “Community workshops become lively hubs where creativity unfolds. Each session turns into a happy, communal space where trinkets, charms, and dreamcatchers reflect individual taste and lifestyle, including the materials they decide to use, contributing a little to sustainability practices.” People not only make handmade accessories, but also build a deeper connection to materials, textures, and, of course, the joy of creating something entirely their own. Radhika Bhatia Something Bhatia stressed was that there is a lot of fast fashion happening, and the focus of her brand is to inspire making the most of the textile waste piling up year after year due to multinational companies and homegrown labels across India. “One of the best practices we follow at work and at home is that nothing goes to the landfill. Either it’s upcycled, recycled, reused, or donated — passed on,” said Bhatia proudly. AT Multiple locations across Mumbai TIME 9 am onwards COST Rs 800 onwards LOG ON TO @accessoryfunkofficial CALL 9769181746 (to book a slot and location)
06 December,2025 08:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareHas winter set in there yet?” We ask possibly the most Indian question to Sindhi businessman Bhagwan Das Goklani in Karachi, Pakistan. “The mornings are getting chillier, but by noon, we’re down to our T-shirts,” he laughs over the phone. Clearly, there’s not much between us. Except for a border that separates Goklani from fellow Sindhi Vijay Jasuja in Bandra, who tells us that he longs for a sense of community far from his ancestral land. “When my forefathers migrated to India during the Partition, we lost track of my grandfather’s brother. We never found out what happened to him,” Jasuja rues. Members dance to a traditional song at a community meeting; (right) a traditional Sindhi cap with Ajrakh work On Sindhi Cultural Day tomorrow, Jasuja will find a community when he meets others like him who trace their roots to the Sindh region in Pakistan, through a virtual meeting. Organised by Ulhasnagar-based social activist and artiste Rakshita Manglani, the meetings, held online and offline, are her attempt to bind the scattered community together. Manglani traces her roots to Sindh’s Larkana district, which was once the heart of the Indus Valley Civilisation owing to its proximity to the Indus River. “In the years following the Partition, cultural exchange happened majorly through India Post. A package posted in India would be received in Karachi the next day. I remember reading the Hindustan newspaper, Naeen Duniya magazine and collections of poetry,” says Reverend Iqbal Daniel, a retired parish priest in Karachi. The senior member borrows from Sindhi folk tales of Sasuee Punhoon, Umer Marwi, and the more popular Laila Majnoo, to keep the exchange alive at these annual celebrations. Women from the Sindh region in Pakistan perform a group dance. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons The stories might seem familiar to Chanderprakash Gurmukhani from Andora, Italy, who recalls hearing stories from Karachi, Sukkur, Khairpur, Quetta and Pirgoth from his father and uncles. “That stream of stories has now stopped flowing,” he informs us. For instance, the younger generation might never find out that one of the earliest Hindustani Sindhi films, Abana, was released in 1958. Or that one of the earliest agrarian revolt poems came from 17th century Sindhi poet Shah Inayat, who coined the popular Sufi saying, ‘Jo kherray, so khaey’ (He who reaps has the right to eat). Manglani, who holds a diploma in Sindhi language, is concerned that these stories might soon fade from memory. “Sindhis from Generation Z and Alpha don’t want to speak Sindhi anymore. It’s supposedly not “cool” enough. As you move further away from Ulhasnagar to the Western suburbs, it becomes more obvious. One of our ground rules is that everyone who joins a meeting speaks in Sindhi, irrespective of their level of expertise. I’ve created a WhatsApp group where we share voice notes to help each other up,” she shares. A young member’s painting of Jhulelal, a revered deity for Sindhi Hindus After the celebrations tomorrow, the group will continue meeting every month with new ideas to help the cause. Sindhi open mics, singing competitions and poetry readings will keep young and old members engaged throughout the year. “My grandfather would tell me stories from undivided India when I was six years old. I don’t remember much of it, but it taught me the importance of not leaving people behind. Indian Sindhis cannot afford to dissociate from those across the border citing they have nothing to do with us. We have everything to do with them, and they have everything to do with us,” Manglani signs off. Reverend Iqbal Daniel and Vijay Jasuja ON December 7; 9 pm to 10 pmCALL 9765828057 (for queries) Grab a bite Head to these community-approved haunts in the city . A1 SweetsAsk for: Sev Mithai or Singhar Ji Mithai.AT Shop 718-19, Shivaji Chowk, Ulhasnagar. . Dholi NastaAsk for: Beeh ji Tikki (lotus stem tikkis), Dal PakwaanAT Santu Building, Laxmi Nagar, Ramayan Nagar, Ulhasnagar. . Bhagat TarachandAsk for: Sindhi Curry Chawal with Alu TookAT Multiple locations across Lower Parel, Ghatkopar, Andheri and Borivali . Jhama SweetsAsk for: Gulab JamunAT Dr Choitram Gidwani Road, Chembur.
06 December,2025 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAround this time last year, superstar Shah Rukh Khan went viral for a reason not befitting a king. Khan stepped out in worn-out, soiled shoes at a public appearance outside his swanky abode, Mannat. The ‘King of Bollywood’ had to be rescued by the young sneakerhead community, who revealed to the world that the shoes in question were limited edition Golden Goose sneakers that came with a hefty Rs 70,000 price tag. Nikunj Duggal, a self-confessed sneakerhead and co-founder of the Indian Sneaker Festival, says the upcoming edition this weekend is a hat tip to this same sneaker madness. South African pop star Tyla. PIC COURTESY/@toddowyoung Be on your toes Duggal reveals that the two-day festival has much more in store this year. For those who like to stand out from the crowd, sneaker customisation zones will help find their style. “This year, we also have trading pits where collectors can swap, show off and build their collections. The highlight remains the exclusive sneaker drops. We’ll have homegrown brand Comet releasing exclusives,” Duggal gives us an insider scoop. A visitor checks out a sneaker at the 2023 edition. PICS COURTESY/INDIAN SNEAKER FESTIVAL ON YOUTUBE Wear a pair of comfy kicks to the celebration, we’d say. American rapper Lil Yachty (who also has a popular Nike sneaker named after him) will make his India debut alongside other acts like Grammy Award-winning South African pop star Tyla, Delhi hip-hop veteran KR$NA and Mumbai-based Kayan. “These are artistes whose music and style influence what the community wears and aspires to be. It elevates the festival from a convention to a true celebration of culture,” the co-founder believes. Kicks for all Visitors browse through sneakers at the 2023 edition in Gurugram If you’re someone who can’t wrap your head around the sneaker hype, you’re not alone; but you might soon be. “Earlier, sneaker culture was seen as a niche, reserved for collectors. Today young teens are into it because of creators and sport icons, Gen Z and millennials see sneakers as an identity statement, even working professionals buy sneakers that help them switch between work and play,” Duggal reveals. Lil Yachty (Right) Nike Air Force 1 x Lil Yachty. PICS COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS One trend that stands out, he informs us, is that women are becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in sneaker culture. “It’s not just for ‘sneakerheads’ anymore. It’s for anyone who loves culture. You need to only show up once to understand why the world is obsessed,” he signs off. ON December 6 and 7AT MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 2999 onwards Go desi >> Sweet idea The king of sweets, Barfi, comes alive through the popular snowflake patter in these sneakers by Gully Labs. LOG ON TO gullylabs.comCOST Rs 7990 >> All eyes on me Inspired by age-old totems, Faridabad-based Banjaaran Studio’s suede leather collection sports contrasting stitch lines and eye-shaped motifs on the bridge. These kicks are bound to grab a few eyeballs.LOG ON TO banjaaran.inCOST Rs 6990 >> Go for gold If you love bling, try on a pair of Anaar’s Elegante wedge sneakers. The shoes are crafted in gold fabric and feature intricate zardozi work. Each pair is crafted by hand, over a span of 50 hours.LOG ON TO shopanaar.comCOST Rs 19,900 >> Colour me surprised From the Royal Bengal Tiger to Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, artist Sugandha Tyagi makes your sneakers her canvas. The customised shoes are made to order and come in waterproof paint for your everyday adventures.LOG ON TO shoesyourdaddy.inCOST Revealed on request
05 December,2025 08:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleReaders in the distant suburbs of Mumbai have reason to rejoice. The neighbourhood of Powai will host its first children’s literature festival on Sunday titled Stories By The Lake. Hosted by Brainologi, the festival will encourage children to embrace literature through a series of workshops, interactive game play and conversations with authors. “Reading shapes life. We wanted to create a space where children can learn, dream, and discover — while giving parents the tools to nurture a reading culture at home,” shared Shubhada Dayal (inset), author and founder, Brainologi. To that end, the sessions will witness authors including Katie Bagli, Lubaina Bandookwala and Devdutt Pattanaik host sessions for children and parents, alongside interactive workshops. Actor Sonali Kulkarni will introduce children to stories from her own childhood, while author Archana Sarat will turn every child’s fear into fun with a workshop on the History of Mathematics. Illustrator Urvashi Dubey will also lead children through workshops to design fun characters from their own imagination. For kids who prefer some quirk, there is the opportunity to play character dress-up, and show off their style. That is one way to make reading fun. ON December 7; 11 am to 6 pm AT Prudential Podium, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. LOG ON TO brainologi.com
05 December,2025 08:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarADVERTISEMENT
