Irish novelist Bram Stoker’s creation Dracula remains one of the most terrifying literary figures. In the 1897 Gothic novel, protagonist Jonathan Harker describes what he sees: “The whole man [emerging] from the window… [crawling] down the castle wall over that dreadful abyss, face down with his cloak spreading out around him like great wings… [moving] downwards with considerable speed, just as a lizard moves along a wall.” Bram Stoker The 1901 edition featured a fairly accurate Dracula illustration for the first time. Since then, there have been 700-plus text adaptations. Here are The Guide’s top picks: Illustrated cover of the graphic novel. Pic Courtesy/amazon.in Comics. Dracula, a Graphic Novel: Retold by Michael Burgan, and illustrated by Jose Ruiz, this is a comic-style version of the classic. Through bold images and dialogues sharply borrowed from the original text, Burgan makes the story accessible to those who prefer short form writing. Burgan has also created a mini-series for younger kids, aged eight-12 years. This includes What is the Story of Dracula, with black and white images alongside the story to colour.Available Leading bookstores Hutter finds out about Count Orlok in Nosferatu (1922) Films. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922): FW Murnau’s film is among the earliest known adaptations of Stoker’s classic on screen. Murnau made changes to the plot and characters, but credited the novel as his primary inspiration. Set in Wisborg, the film follows Hutter, his wife Ellen, and Count Orlok. Unlike the text, Hutter finds a Book of Vampires at the inn before he visits the castle. The book is later discovered by Ellen, who reads that only “a woman pure in heart” could kill the vampire by offering herself to him. While Ellen makes a sacrifice, Orlok becomes sexually attracted to her.Log on to Plex, YouTube Winona Ryder as Harker’s wife, Mina Murray in a 1992 adaptation. Pic Courtesy/Youtube . Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992): With a star cast featuring Gary Oldman as Count Dracula, Keanu Reeves as Harker, Winona Ryder as Mina, and Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing, Francis Ford Coppola’s film begins many years before Harker’s visit to the Count’s castle. It depicts Dracula’s wife Elisabeta’s death, which leads to his transformation into a vampire. He waits for her for centuries, and when Harker’s wife Mina appears before him, resembling Elisabeta, he believes she’s returned. Dracula embodies a wolf-like wild figure, and appears distinct from his description in the novel as well as any early depictions. Log on to Netflix TV shows. Castlevania (2017): The Gothic horror tale has been adapted into multiple video games. Castlevania was one such popular Japanese series, which released its earliest version in 1986 on Nintendo’s Famicom. This animated film is based on the series and revolves around the adventures inside the castle. It developed into a story about Trevor Belmont, the last surviving member of a family of monsters. Belmont takes up the challenge to save the nation of Wallachia from Dracula and his army summoned to end the population.Log on to Netflix A still from the animated series Castlevania. Pic Courtesy/Netflix . Dracula (2020): BBC One’s three-episode show, directed by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the creators of Sherlock, is a modern retelling of the classic. The show begins with Harker recalling what he witnessed years ago to the nuns nursing him. Most of the show is in flashback when Harker recounts his encounter with Dracula and his stay at the ominous castle. It is an unusual, fascinating adaptation that unpacks Dracula’s personality, humanises him, and inquires why he behaves the way he does.Log on to Netflix Podcast. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors: Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen’s play is a humorous rewriting of the classic, which satirises the Victorian gender ideals. It maintains the premise, but it is not meant to be a faithful adaptation. This is a radio version of the play, voiced by actors of repute: John Stamos, Annaleigh Ashford, Alex Brightman, Alan Tudyk, among others. Unlike the text, which is written purely as a collection of diary notes, letters, and medical prescriptions, this has an omniscient narrator, who accentuates the mood.Log on to broadwaypodcastnetwork.com
08 November,2025 09:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaNearly 118 years ago in this city, a young boy named Salim Ali walked into the Bombay Natural History Society. His obsession with a Yellow-throated Sparrow he’d shot down with an air gun, sparked a lifelong commitment to the avian species for Ali, who grew up to be the Birdman of India. While there might be fewer birds, and more birders today than 1906, finding that spark is still as easy as walking into the right places. Here’s your guide to celebrate National Bird Week in Mumbai’s green oases. Dr Salim Ali. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Wowed by waders The annual flamingo migration season might be behind us, but the wetlands at TS Chanakya in Navi Mumbai are still thriving with waterfowl and wader species. Join an expert-led walk by the BNHS to learn about these birds in their natural habitat.ON November 9; 8 amAT TS Chanakya Wetlands, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.LOG ON TO @bombaynaturalhistorysocietyENTRY Rs 450 (BNHS members), Rs 550 (non-members) 1941 Year Dr Salim Ali released the Book of Indian Birds A view of the exhibition at The Mumbai Zoo. PIC COURTESY/ABHISHEK SATAM In-flight frames Coastal birds from Maharashtra’s long coastline have flocked to The Mumbai Zoo’s week-long photo exhibition. Co-organised by the Mangrove Foundation, the exhibition has a timely section dedicated titled Anthropogenic Impact — a snapshot of how human actions and apathy affect bird habitat in the city.TILL November 12; 9.30 am to 5.30 pmAT Bandstand area, The Mumbai Zoo, Byculla.ENTRY Zoo entry fees apply Karnala calling Nestled in the Sahyadris, the Karnala Bird Sanctuary is a birder’s paradise, with nearly 150 identified species. Join the young Naturalist Explorers community on a guided walk to spot common species like the Vigors Sunbird, Ashy Drongo and the White-throated Kingfisher.ON November 9; 7.30 amAT Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Raigad. CALL 8976451443 (for more details) Vigors Sunbird. PIC COURTESY/VAIBHAV HALDIPUR What’s the good bird? Join a session led by conservation expert Dr Parvish Pandya where he dissects the why and how behind bird behavior. Those brave enough to put their avian know-how to the test can stay back for the Bird Quiz Contest.ON November 11 AT Nature Interpretation Centre, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East. CALL 8655202903 ENTRY Registration mandatory Discovery of India Get a virtual tour of the diverse bird habitats across India from the comfort of your home at a webinar by the BNHS. Programmes Head and naturalist Asif Khan will take participants on a digital journey to explore how geographical conditions, evolution, and climate influenced the distribution of birds in the country.ON November 12; 6.45 pmCALL 9325693451ENTRY Registration mandatory
08 November,2025 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleWhile taking a stroll or driving down Madame Cama Road near Wellington Fountain Circle, there’s a chance that you might spot a vintage signboard with large, bold yellow signage, set against a dark green background on an imposing stone façade building: Chunilal Mulchand & Co. What’s even more impressive is the fact that this shop has existed in the same spot for exactly 100 years. When this writer visited the establishment, the first thing that we noticed was the busy vibe. Inside, pristine counters, the background hum of a small group of employees at work, and the crisp scent of fabric in the air greets us. One would not guess the many layers of development backing the current atmosphere, unless they spoke to someone who has seen a good chunk of it. That’s when we got chatting with the current owner, Amish Kapadia. A portrait of late founder, Chunilal Mulchand, sourced from the owner’s office. Pic Courtesy/Amish Kapadia Early days Kapadia co-owns the store with his wife, Mona; they are part of the third generation of the family running Chunilal Mulchand & Co. “I have been running the store for 39 years now. We started out in 1925 with our late founder, Shri Chunilal Mulchand; though there is no record of the exact date of inception, when it first opened as a Muir Mill Depot, during the British Raj,” he explains. “Initially, [the business] was focused on fabric for clothing — at the time, suits, shirts, dhotis, kurtas, fabric for dresses, and a few others, were popular.” In fact, the owner reveals that, even before starting out as a mill depot, Chunilal Mulchand’s location once used to be a store for Rolls-Royce cars. One section of the wall displays a few vintage photographs, including a frame of a motorcar helmed by a driver, once parked outside the present store. “It is a photo from 1915, a decade before we took over the property,” Kapadia remarks. A signboard shows the centenary celebration, as an employee dresses up the window display Turning point Those familiar with Mumbai’s (then Bombay) history will be aware of the contributions of its iconic textile mills to the city’s economic growth. Once upon a time, it was the Mecca for cotton trade during colonial rule. Kapadia recalls, “Over decades, many textile mills shuttered; we had to adapt as a business. By the 1960s, we veered away from clothing, to specialise in handloom and home furnishing fabrics instead.” Tamil Nadu is the chief location for their supplies. Chunilal’s specialty is its natural fabrics, we learn from the owner. Items sold are made of natural linen, silk, and cotton; for home décor, a few are upholstery, luxury curtains, and bed and bath linen. “Chunilal was referred to as the ‘Cotton King’ earlier, for our collections,” Kapadia shares, while multitasking between attending to customers, instructing employees, and taking the occasional phone call. He adds, “As fashion and demands changed, we moved into polyester and performance fabrics too.” The 1915 photograph of a car outside the shop’s property, when it was a Rolls-Royce store Filmy soiree Particularly fascinating is the store’s connection with Mumbai’s film industry. “This was especially prominent in the 1980s and 1990s, when our textiles featured in major films of the era. We would lend fabrics to production houses for film set props. A few examples are Red Chillies Entertainment and Dharma Productions,” Kapadia further elucidates. When we probe for any interesting stories from the silver screen, he fills us in, “I recall an episode from Veer-Zaara (2004); for a shot of barely five minutes, we crafted a 400-metre-long cloth for a curtain to be utilised as part of the scene.” Art teams for films would approach the store with detailed plans and subsequent requests for fabrics, which were eventually made according to different set designs, scenes, and purposes within the shots required. “While we didn’t directly interact with filmmakers, we have been visited by notable public figures, including industrialist Anil Ambani and his wife Tina Ambani, as well as film stars such as Rekha, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi. Many decades back, actor Vyjayanthimala Bali and activist Kamala Nehru had also paid visits. We treat every personality like we would any other client — with simplicity,” the owner clarifies. The family business’s crest is displayed in the showroom Future forward Kapadia is confident that the 100-year-old store will move with the times, “We introduced cataloguing systems to keep up with the digital age. And whether we sell cotton, linen, or block prints, there’s enough to match modern tastes. We’ll adapt continuously,” he reassures us. AT Oriental Mansion Building, Madame Cama Road, Colaba.TIME 10 am to 7 pm LOG ON TO chunilalmulchand.com Signature items An employee lays out a canvas hammock Chunilal Mulchand & Co. is famous for two signature products: garden umbrellas and canvas hammocks, used from resorts to holiday homes and farmhouses. According to Amish Kapadia, Chunilal Mulchand is the sole manufacturer of this type of hammock in India. The same goes for the umbrellas, which come in traditional, Indian-style block-print designs.
08 November,2025 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshThis weekend, city-based storyteller Harsh Shah will perform his new solo show, Stories on Stage. This will be his valediction to the city, before he leaves for Bengaluru. Shah has been instrumental in building vibrant creative communities at The Habitat. Three years ago, when he pitched the idea for a regular show for poets and storytellers to Balraj Singh Ghai, founder of the venue, he recalls, “[Ghai] graciously told me: Don’t overthink; just do it.” Since then, Shah has helped several artistes share their work every Wednesday at the performance venue in Khar. He has worked as a videographer and editor at the space for the last eight years. In 2019, when he noticed some empty slots, Shah started hosting poetry shows, each featuring seven-eight performers. After the pandemic, he felt the need to create something more consistent. This led him to start Creative Bloc Party, a platform for performers to test the waters at the monthly mushaira nights, poetry line-ups, storytellers’ nights, and kavi sammelans, spread over four Wednesdays. Although these were non-ticketed initially, he reveals, “We started including tickets at a nominal rate to be able to cover the operational costs.” The initiative has provided artistes with opportunities to perform at the city’s reputed storytelling festivals, such as Spoken Fest, Gaatha, and India Soul Fest. Shah has also shared his stories at the events, and now gears up for his own show. “I feel stories come more naturally to me than poetry,” he tells us about his choice of form. “During the pandemic, being at home, talking to my parents and my brother, and reliving those memories brought something in me.” Most of the stories at his show will be from his real-life experiences — his childhood and school days, time spent with his family, and his first stage performance. He insists he wants to remember the moment not as an ending, but a new beginning. “I’ve been in Mumbai for a decade. I thought this would be a good chance to give myself that space to think of storytelling as a career,” he says. The show will be recorded for YouTube for the first time. “This thought has crossed my mind so many times,” he admits. However, he’s glad he was patient and took his time to work on the material. “I needed time to develop my skills and understand what I wanted to do with it.” Now that he’s finally put the show together, he believes it is the right step towards becoming a professional storyteller and taking his journey ahead. On November 9; 6 pm At The Habitat, 1st floor, Hotel Unicontinental, Road 3, Khar West. Log on to bookmyshow.comEntry Rs 349
07 November,2025 01:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaGet ready to clink your glass and swirl, sniff, sip over 90 local and international wines at the second edition of Viva la Vino, a multi-city wine festival. Founded by sommeliers Gargi Kothari, founder of Magic Cellars and Devati Mallick, founder of Drink With D, the evening promises walk-around tastings of wine, cheese, craft chocolate and even a limited-seating masterclass. Here’s what’s in store. Wines from iconic regions of France like Rhone Valley (above)will be presented at the festival. Representation pic/Istock Raise a glass New imported wines in the market include Pete’s Pure range from Australia, Tiraki Wines from New Zealand, Vasse Felix from Margaret River, Australia and Donna Laura Chianti Riserva. Premium Indian wines like Master Selection from Fratelli, Vijay Amritraj from Grover, Rasa by Sula, Frizzano Spumante by Good Drop. An interesting fe ature is alcohol removed wines (0.0 pct alcoholic wines) by Dry Drnks. This means wines have been made with wine-specific grapes, and then alcohol is removed from it, giving you purity of flavour of the wine grapes but without the alcohol. Devati Mallick and Gargi Kothari Cheese and chocolates Along with the wine, keep an eye out for the spotlight on homegrown, artisan cheese and craft chocolate brands. Meet the makers, taste, learn, and shop from their ranges. While cheesemonger Mansi Jasani is curating a cheese boat (included in the ticket), chocolate tastings will be offered by Pascati and Naviluna. Wine and music The Mumbai edition features a live violin performance by Jerusha Mendes as guests get to groove while unwinding with a glass of their favourite vino. Guests will have a chance to attend a French wine masterclass Masterclass Kothari will take guests through a French wine masterclass, featuring premium, terroir-driven wines from four iconic regions. “We’ll try wines from Alsace, Loire Valley, Rhone Valley, and Languedoc. It’s a fun, guided deep-dive for an hour before the festival energy kicks in — the perfect chance to geek out! Come for wine, stay for the community,” the duo signs off. On November 8; 5 pm to 11 pmAt The Quorum, Lower Parel. Log on to urbanaut.app/about-vivalavino-winefestivalEntry Rs 2650
07 November,2025 01:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Phorum PandyaWhat goes on BTS: This podcast by fans Dez, Viv, and Sarah, offers a look into the genesis of a true fan. Three former X (formerly Twitter) acquaintances chart their evolution from casual listeners to devoted Army. For Dez, the journey began organically through a continuous YouTube algorithm feed, leading to sheer devotion. Viv’s awakening was more sudden, when a friend’s persuasive push toward the track, Dope proved to be a life-altering moment. Sarah, a 34-year-old mother of two, initially faced a steeper learning curve, overthinking her age and the band’s influence on her. Yet, all three converged on a singular sentiment: an unprecedented emotional connection to the music they had never experienced before.Log on to WhatgoesonBTS? on Spotify Begin the Search: A FAN-CENTRIC lens by Kaethos Media, it defines this series, exploring how BTS fandom profoundly influences the host’s life, particularly concerning mental and emotional health, self-awareness, and personal goal-setting. A timely episode addresses the current climate of the members’ military enlistment. The host promotes the necessity of maintaining a healthy mindset among the Army, fostering positivity while offering a hopeful glimpse toward a much-anticipated 2026 reunion of the boy band, which has kept fans on the edge of their seats. Log on to BeginTheSearchbyKAETHOSMedia on Spotify Impact of BTS on World: THIS podcast by Richa Goyal Kathiyar claims that BTS has deliberately cultivated a powerful sense of camaraderie — a relational authenticity fuelled by pure love and respect by their audience. The foundational element of their widespread teenage obsession lies in their lyrical commitment to mental health awareness. She highlights the significance of tracks like Love Yourself, whose relatable verses make an immediate connection with the younger generation and form a sense of belonging.Log on to teenthrivepodcastbybingepods
07 November,2025 01:19 PM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareRudyard Kipling might have had to eat his words, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky might himself be surprised. After all, both Victorian icons lived at a time that firmly believed that “East is East/and West is West/ and never the twain shall meet”. Not if Sharmila Mukherjee has something to say about it. The founder of Sanjali Centre for Odissi Dance in Bengaluru will open her first performance of Hansika, in the city on Saturday. The adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s famed ballet production, Swan Lake, transforms the very European tale into an Indian fable told through Odissi. Sharmila Mukherjee performs a scene from the ballet “I was fascinated by Western ballet as a child, and intrigued by the pictures and visuals of Swan Lake performances,” reveals Mukherjee, a student of the legendary Kelucharan Mohapatra. No wonder then that she found similarities in the balletic movements and Odissi’s fluidity. “In Odissi, we have movements gliding on our toes. The Ardha Chauk is not too dissimilar from their first positions, second positions, or demi plies,” she points out. In fact, the danseuse educates us that the ancient Indian art form has a movement titled Hamsa Gati, quite literally the movement of swans. “That’s what convinced me,” she laughs. Yet, there are dissonances in the two forms. Aside from the synchronised harmony of the form, ballet can be rigid in its movements. Mukherjee elaborates, “In terms of expression or abhinaya, we are different. We use a lot of hand gestures or mudras. In fact, for this choreography, I did include a lot of toe movements to keep in sync with the theme,” she shares. While the performances use traditional Odissi mudras, the costumes were adapted to reflect the theme of the story The production was first conceived in 2018, and has since travelled across the country and the world before arriving in the Maximum City. The reason is the long schedule. “We are 17 performers in all, and often most of them are working. It takes us four months to prepare for a single performance,” she shares. Easier said than done. Any transposition of Swan Lake into a completely different form requires more than just adapting movements and physical expression. Tchaikovsky’s ballet was defined, and even instantly recognised by its music. To transport it to the Indian milieu, Mukherjee teamed up with Praveen D Rao, and brought together a subliminal layer of Indian instruments. “We did not want to change the iconic Theme of the Swans, but layered it with the tabla, maddala, and the sitar to give it an Indian feel,” the danseuse shares. This will be the first performance of the production in Mumbai The story also had to be adapted. One of the more memorable moments of Tchaikovsky’s ballet is the ball room dance. But an Indian story has no place for a ballroom. “We adapted it into an Indian wedding celebration,” says Mukherjee with a wry chuckle. The Mumbai edition will also feature a new addition to the performance. “We have included the Dance of the Little Swans (Danse des petits Cygnes) to this choreography. However, the difference is that Praveen has themed it to a faster, more energetic tempo,” she reveals. Appropriately so, the evening will see less-privileged children from the Angel Xpress Foundation in attendance. Perhaps, a few new swans will emerge after this visual experience. ON November 8; 7.30 pmAT Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Bandra West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY R500 onwards
07 November,2025 01:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThis writer recalls the distinct impact of seeing the grey stone friezes of the New India Assurance Building in Fort for the first time. Imposing, sombre, and yet captivating. Smiti Kanodia, founder of Art Deco Alive! recognises the feeling. “We grew up in this city. I studied at JB Petit [High School for Girls], and would hop across to shop at Fashion Street,” she recalling a memory, over a Zoom phone call. Proposed Design for Karfule Petrol Station, Mumbai. The still functioning petrol pump is a sterling example of the bold use of RCC. Pic Courtesy/ Karfule Archives; Art Deco Mumbai Trust The founder is busy preparing for the Mumbai chapter of Art Deco Alive! Ocean Drive to Marine Drive: Mapping a Century of Art Deco | Miami Beach-Mumbai (1925-2025) a three-week-long festival that will celebrate the centenary of an architectural movement whose legacy spreads across the globe, and mediums from architecture to design, art, music, and films. Mumbai’s own Deco It was on her family trip to Miami a couple of years ago that the impact of this turn-of-the-century moment truly dawned on Kanodia. “It felt so familiar, like being back at Marine Drive. When I visited the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL), the museum for the Miami Art Deco Heritage, I realised how they had preserved and articulated the history for the future. It prompted me to work on something similar for our own streets and the city,” she reveals. Miami Beach Post Office is a splendid example of Art Deco design for a Public Utility building. Pics Courtesy/ Miami Design Preservation League; Art Deco Alive! Miami, like Mumbai, is a tropical city with a vast coastline; its low-rise structures defined by geometric shapes. Like Mumbai, the Art Deco heritage in Miami also faced the challenge of destruction till citizens like Barbara Capitman stepped in to set up the MDPL. “In fact, I recently learned that the definitive pastel colours of the buildings in Miami were a concerted effort to protect them, by making them look beautiful,” shares Kanodia. A custom-made silver Art Deco tea set that was part of the bridal trousseau of Dharmendrakumari of the Limbdi royal family, who later became the Yuvrani of Kathiwada. Objects such as these were often commissioned by royal families, important patrons of the Art Deco Movement. Pic Courtesy/Kathiwada Royal Family Collection With co-founders Salma Merchant Rahmathulla and Gayatri Hingorani Dewan anchoring the Miami chapter, Kanodia reached out to Mumbai’s institutions to celebrate the centenary. The first edition in Mumbai will witness the MDPL step in as collaborators along with some of the city’s iconic institutions from the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Art Deco Mumbai, Gaylord restaurant, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, among others. “We have over 80 collaborators who stepped in,” shares Kanodia. Globally Indian While it emerged in 1925 Paris, the Art Deco found a new grammar and visual style in erstwhile Bombay. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, managing trustee and founder, Dr BDL Museum, informs us, “In the 1930s, as Bombay rebuilt itself after plague, famine, and depression, the city embraced Art Deco as a symbol of modernity, health, and optimism. It shaped the city’s growing need for new residences, as well as spaces for leisure and entertainment.” A view of Eros Cinema. File Pic/Kirti Surve Parade The immediacy of the ideas, and their designs made them a part of everyday life. Other than structures like Eros Cinema and Regal Theatre buildings that became community hubs, the movement also influenced jewellery, fashion, furniture, art, and even cinema. The founder has a soft spot for typefaces and grilles. “I recently learned that some of the Art Deco fonts were named after buildings or architects, like the Empire State Deco font.” Kanodia says. “The movement’s impact on furniture, graphic design, jewellery, objects and fashion is less often recognised. Art Deco became a fluid, adaptable visual language that marked a shift away from the ornate Victorian aesthetic toward modern, streamlined forms,” Mehta elaborates. Immersed in Deco (From left) Smiti Kanodia and Henry Hohauser features prominently as a pioneering Art Deco architect from Miami in the exhibition, Ocean Drive to Marine Drive: Mapping a Century of Deco | Miami Beach - Mumbai (1925 - 2025) This diversity is the reason behind a multi-faceted programme curation. “It is only when we make people aware of all aspects of Art Deco that we offer them the choice of picking how they embrace it, and what they choose to protect,” says Kanodia. Salma Merchant Rahmathulla and Gayatri Hingorani Dewan The two-week long curation delves into events from Churchgate Street (today’s Veer Nariman Road) walks to guided exhibit tours, pop up exhibits and lecture symposiums; building an immersive experience of elements as diverse as architecture, music, cinema, and typefaces. The BDL Museum will play a crucial role in enabling this spread of information. “They offer public access to people who might not always experience Deco in the way you or I do,” Kanodia says. Conversations for the future Tasneem Zakaria Mehta Apart from the experiences, the event, Kanodia says, hopes to act as a bridge for conversations. “One of the things we would like to do, and are hoping to, is to bring real estate developers, citizens, urban planners and preservationists together to discuss how we want to view our city in the future. The idea is to look at it through a collaborative roadmap for the future, rather than for or against,” she says. With the city rapidly making and remaking itself, that conversation might be crucial to the survival of these edifices. FROM November 6 to 25 AT Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Byculla; also across different city venues LOG ON TO @artdecoalive; artdecoalive.org (for full schedule)
06 November,2025 06:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarIf you’ve been looking for that hatke diary that will not only stand out from the many wannabe-cool Mumbai themed options that often get either the iconography or the design wrong, this is a gorgeous coming together of style and substance. We can bet that this option will be a conversation starter. The jacket, made from soft off-white cotton canvas, displays hand embroidery and beadwork that celebrates the famed outline map of the city by the sea, with a few creative, colourfully artsy liberties. Look out for stitches like running, stem, lazy Daisy and French knot that offer a stunning jugalbandi. Crafted by skilled artisans from Gujarat, this hardbound diary is ideal for diehard Mumbaikars, who prefer an earthy, rustic vibe to show off their city love. Log on to www.okhai.org Cost Rs 1500
06 November,2025 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWhat’s a good story without a bunch of eager listeners? This week, children from all over Mumbai have the opportunity to engage themselves (and their parents) in something different than just going out for a film or dinner. The Children’s Museum of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) will host Once Upon a Beginning, its yearly Literature and Storytelling Festival, this weekend. The event offers children a packed itinerary of storytelling sessions and workshops that get their creative juices flowing, featuring popular storytellers and artists. Storytellers (from left) Devaki Bhujang Gajare and Dr Ulka Mayur will perform at the upcoming Festival. Pics courtesy/@storyfulparent; @ulka mayur Vaidehi Savnal, education and outreach department head, CSMVS, who leads and oversees the Children’s Museum, tells us more, “The 2025 edition is our sixth edition, where the overarching theme is mythology, which consists of mythical stories from cultures across the world, mainly regarding ancient ideas of how the world came to be, who were the first Gods, nature, and more. Every culture has its unique interpretation of these concepts, and we thought sharing them with children would be a great idea,” she explains. “We have an ongoing project named, Ancient World in the main museum, and the 2025 festival theme is a complementary programme to that.” A few of the storytellers with sessions lined up include Lubaina Bandukwala, who will relay the story, The Gifts of Thoth, about the Egyptian deity and his inventions; Shalini Bajaj Surve, who will narrate How the Peacock Got a Hundred Eyes on its Tail; and Misbah Ali, bringing the tale, How the Bees Got their Buzz?. “We will also have sessions in Hindi and Marathi, apart from English,” shares Savnal. Some of the Marathi performers include Manisha Bhise and Devaki Bhujang Gajare. She adds, “It’s an outdoor festival, hence all these sessions will take place at multiple locations at the museum premises, including the historic Baobab tree, a popular spot for storytelling sessions, the Children’s Museum Amphitheatre, and the lawns.” (From left) Lubaina Bandukwala (extreme left) and Misbah Ali conduct sessions at a previous edition The workshops include theatre, creative writing, and puppetry. Savnal observes that children have differing interests, saying, “Children between the ages of five and 15 attend this festival. Some excel in the arts; others are more interested in watching performances, while a few veer towards dance, music, and theatre. We offer a bit of something for everyone.” Performer Shreedevi Sunil will host a special workshop on folktales exploring the origins of the natural world, its wonders, and animals. “This time, we’re holding one day of the fest on a weekday, so schoolchildren can attend it as part of field trips, while others attend on a Saturday with families. Thus, audiences can have the best of both experiences,” Savnal signs off. On November 7 and 8; 10.15 am to 7 pm (Day 1); 11 am to 5 pm (Day 2)At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort. Log on to @csmvsmumbaiEntry Rs 40 (Children, ages five to 15); Rs 200 (Adults)
06 November,2025 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshThursdayCatch a classic Yugant, an adaptation of Mahesh Elkunchwar’s famed Wada Chirebandi trilogy returns to the Mumbai stage. Catch the this iconic play, adapted by Gerish Khemani.Time 8 pmAt Rangshila, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova. LOG ON TO altshows.comENTRY Rs 350 FridayListen to a maestro If you are looking for a date idea, head over to the distinct Royal Opera House to hear the best of Hans Zimmer’s scores played by a live ensemble, amid the serene glow of candles. Time 8 pm onwardsAt Royal Opera House, Charni Road, Girgaon.LOG ON TO liveyourcity.comENTRY R899 onwards SaturdayA walk among the flowers Pic Courtesy/Trekhievers.com As the weather cools down, head out of the city to catch the Sahyadris in their regal splendour. This overnight trek takes you into the pleasant climes of Harishchandragad as the flowers come into season.Meeting Time 8.44 pmMEETING point CSMT Station (and multiple points)LOG ON TO trekhievers.comCOST Rs 699 (base village); Rs 1399 (from Mumbai; inclusive of travel and food) Explore your wabisabi Pic Courtesy/ArtisansCentre At the showcase, Yo no-bi | The Beauty of Everyday Thing, experience traditional Japanese lacquer painting (by artisans Gaku and Ayako Hirai), along with a matcha and mithai tasting. Time 2 pm to 5 pm (also on November 9) AT Artisans Centre, Kala Ghoda, Fort. LOG ON TO artisanscentre.com (to register) COST Rs 4500 (inclusive of materials) Taste of India Pic Courtesy/vannutinnuka Go pan-Indian for your weekend lunch binge as four city chefs from North, East, West, and South of India come together for a lunch pop-up appropriately titled N.E.W.S. Sample from a varied menu of packed lunches that also feature delicious regional fare like Mutton Chaap, Thecha Bombil, Naga Meatballs and Ambur Biryani to have your fill of the four regions. Till November 9 (lunch delivery only)CALL 9819875010 (to order)COST Rs 1799; Rs 1850 Rock on in Fort Sign up for an indoor bouldering workshop in the urban spaces of that will help you build confidence; learn the skills for exploring challenging surfaces. Time 4 pm to 6 pmAT Bombay YMCA, Student Branch, Lamington Road, Grant Road East. LOG ON TO @girivihar_ymca (to register)WHATSAPP 8452017717COST Rs 1000 (per person) Live the parent trap Pic courtesy/@abijitganguly Ever wondered about the lost years of your adulthood? Abijit Ganguly brings to fore a show about his experiences of turning father, the struggles of sleepless nights and the chaos and confusion of parenting. Time 6 pmAT Backspace, Todi Mills Compound, Lower Parel.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 699
06 November,2025 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarADVERTISEMENT
