To be locked inside school on a beautiful, sunny day is never easy. The buzzing creative minds of children will always find a way to escape. Naturally, the story of Rohit and his adventures in nature was something Vidhisha Pingulkar found fascinating. The 11-year old Prabhadevi resident spent hours poring over Yuvan Ave’s The Tortoiseshell Beetle, translated to Marathi as Kaasavpathi Kida by Mrinalinee Vanarase. Vidhisha Pingulkar reads the book at her Prabhadevi residence The story delves into a few moments from the life of Rohit, a young school-boy, whose wandering mind discovers a new world outside his classroom. Guided by his teacher, Sudha, Rohit ventures into the world of ants, frogs, birds and the titular tortoiseshell beetle. “I really liked how the story talks about Rohit and his curiosity towards nature,” Pingulkar tells us. While an avid reader, she was delighted to read the story in Marathi — her mother tongue. “I don’t always find such books in Marathi. I liked the simple art work, too. It showed Rohit’s journey and expressions so well,” she says. Rohit in an illustration from the book. Illustration Courtesy/Reshu Singh The illustrations by Reshu Singh were one of the main reasons for Pingulkar’s interest. She admits, “The artwork and illustrations drove me to read the book. I enjoyed learning about how Rohit’s wandering curiosity leads him to discover the tortoiseshell beetle. The story teaches us so much about the need to be aware and curious about nature. We must not be locked inside rooms. It is always good to admire the beauty of nature and the many creatures that live in it,” she points out. Kaasavpathi KidaAGE GROUP: Above 4 yearsTYPE: BooksPRICE: Rs 80RATING: 3/4LOG ON: prathambook.org
11 September,2024 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarReally what keeps us apart at the end of years is unshared childhood,” wrote poet AK Ramanujan in Love Poem for a Wife, 1. His words would later be published and widely read in the 1970s, striking a chord with readers across the globe. Among them is city-based theatre maker Tanvi Shah. “The poem posed the question — how does one sympathise and relate with someone they never met, or shared a history with?” she recalls. This weekend, Shah’s social experiment, packaged in a candid, interactive performance titled Unshared Childhoods aims to find some answers. Tanvi Shah While Shah’s rehearsals for the weekend session are in full swing, the theatre maker is yet to meet the real protagonists of the show. “The audience is central to the performance. Over the course of the performance, they will participate by reading out eight unshared letters that never made their way to the recipients. We began crowdsourcing these letters in 2018 by putting out a call for submissions online. Unrequited love, broken families, and forgotten friendships are recurring themes in these letters,” reveals Shah, adding, “When these letters are read out, you realise that writer and the recipient could have been yourself, or anyone you know. That’s the beauty of the universality of human emotion.” An artiste performs at a previous session Shah’s troupe of musicians, movement artists and dancers will add another layer of sheen to the readings. “A majority of our participants will be reading to an audience for the first time. To make them more comfortable on stage, performing artistes like Anoushka Zaveri and Diya Naidu will perform alongside the readings. This transforms the performance from a stripped-down reading to a multi-sensory experience,” she informs us. Over this weekend and the next, the group will stage four such performances. Participants at an outdoor session of the readings To enable the readers to deep-dive into tricky subjects such as guilt, spite, and shame amidst strangers, Shah must make them feel at home. A quaint farmhouse nestled near a mango orchard in Titwala, on the outskirts of Mumbai helps in this endeavour. “We plan to kick things off with a community breakfast in the orchard and a clay carving session later to break the ice and help the audience bond together. The comfort and emotional wellbeing of the participants is our first priority,” she assures us. The letters are presented to the audience For the theatre maker, the series marks another experiment on the personal front. “As a director, you’re always taught to be in control; to watch over every single detail. I’ve always wondered how it would be to relinquish these rights. With this production, there’s not much that we can predict. People have shed tears, wept, and shared hearty laughter at our previous sessions. You never really know which way it will go,” she signs off. ON September 14,15, 21 and 22; 9.30 pm to 3 pmAT Winding Road Studios, Vasundri, Titwala.LOG ON TO insider.inENTRY Rs 2,799 onwards
11 September,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleFollowing the success of their inaugural Taste of Slink menu, Slink & Bardot has launched a second edition, the Peaks to Palms menu on August 29. With this curation, chef AliAkbar Baldiwala and his team seek to explore India’s geographical and gastronomical diversity, taking diners on an immersive culinary journey through India. The journey traverses through the length of India, journeying from the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir down to the shady palms of Kerala. “The inspiration for this menu emerged when we hosted an event for Longitude 77, an Indian single malt whiskey. I was intrigued by the cuisines and flavours of the region along this specific longitude, and wanted to bring together their diverse flavours into a single, cohesive menu,” the Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai alumnus explains. Idukki gold This six-course tasting menu celebrates the rich flavours and traditions of these diverse Indian regions. The culinary journey begins with the aromatic flavours of Kashmir, featuring a morel tart. It then descends into the bustling streets of Delhi with a unique twist on chaat, offering either cherry tamatar ki chaat or macchli ki chaat. The menu also explores the royal flavours of Rajasthan with a creative take on the traditional dal baati. Moving westward, it serves the rustic, earthy flavours of Maharashtra with braised cauliflower Kolhapuri or lamb chop Kolhapuri. It then indulges in the coastal flavours of Karnataka with eggplant or buff nasi goreng, culminating in the rich, aromatic spices of Kerala in the Idukki gold. (From left) Saaj, a cocktail inspired by Kolhapuri flavours; Dilli Slink “We focus on key ingredients, building each dish around them, with complementary ingredients added to enhance and support the main flavours,” he says. For instance, the tasting menu opens by pairing the bite-sized morels from Kashmir with buckwheat tart from the Himalayan region. The dish is elevated with Kashmiri almond cream and a hemp seed dukkah from Himachal, adding a subtle spice that lets the morel take centre stage. Baldiwala explains, “I have taken inspiration from my culinary journey of both cooking and tasting different foods over the years. The menu is an amalgamation of my learnings through my culinary experiences. I have worked with these flavours closely to gain a deep understanding of how and where they can shine.” The inspirations are also personal for the chef. The idea for the nasi goreng and Mangalorean buff roast, for instance, stems from the chef’s own experience of working in a coastal Indian café. AliAkbar Baldiwala The second course blends Peruvian ceviche with local flair, featuring barramundi in a machli ki chaat. Tamarind habanero and avocado chutneys add a tangy and creamy kick, while a khasta cracker — made from the traditional dough used in kachoris and chaat transforms the dish into a unique appetiser. While he can’t pick favourites, Baldiwala states, “It’s all about the experience. Each dish is distinct, but they all come together to create a cohesive journey.” Mayur Tanpure Each course is paired with a cocktail inspired by the dish and its region. “We’ve incorporated rhododendron in the pahadi firdaus to reflect the rich botanicals of the Himalayan region,” says Mayur Tanpure, the bar manager. The cocktails are crafted to ensure that the spirit enhances and does not overpower its flavours. “For the Dilli Slink, we use vodka instead of tequila because its neutral taste complements the vegetal notes without overshadowing them,” Tanpure elaborates. The cocktails also celebrate regional traditions like cooking with ghee in clay pots. The gilded desert cocktail is aged in a clay pot and garnished with ghee residue giving it an earthy and creamy flavour. The new menu emphasises sustainability by using common ingredients across food and drinks, minimising waste and ensuring that the flavours of the dishes and cocktails complement each other. Coastal crème cocktail Ingredients>> 30 ml Jameson black barrel whiskey >> 10 ml kahlua coffee liqueur >> 5 ml baked banana puree >> 30 ml fresh espresso >> 1 scoop coconut ice cream MethodShake all ingredients together with ice until well chilled. Serve in a chilled coupe glass. Top with a coconut cookie for the perfect finishing touch. AT Slink and Bardot, Thadani House 329/A Opposite Indian Coast Guard Worli Village. TIME Sunday to Thursday; 6.00 pm to 1.30 am. (Mondays closed)LOG ON TO @slinkandbardotCALL 7045904728COST Rs 5,800 (six-course menu and two beverages) Rs 8,000 (six-course menu and five cocktails)
11 September,2024 09:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaUtkala kamala bilisadirghika, marela malini nilambu Chilika,’ wrote late poet Radhanath Ray in the 19th century, about the blue, wildlife-abound waters of Chilika Lake in Odisha. It is in these words, artist Sitikanta Samantsinghar found the title of his ongoing exhibition, Nilambu: The Body of Blue Waters, at Nine Fish Art Gallery. Chilika lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and a crucial habitat for South Asian migratory birds, is a victim of the climate change. The evidence lies in the massive decline in species that once migrated to this waterbody. “Once, over 256 recorded species of birds that would migrate to Chilika. This number has reduced to 160 species today,” Samatsinghar, who lives near the lake and has witnessed the transformation closely, informs us. The End of Getting-4, 2024, acrylic on palm leaf plywood; The artworks feature migrating birds and buffaloes of Chilika; Untitled, watercolour on paper, 33 x 22 The artist’s early inspiration comes from the Bhaga ChashiAndolan in 1953. The peasant movement, birthed by the killing of a poor farmer in Odisha, was led by his grandfather and freedom fighter Dr Nrusingha Samantasinghar. “I was born in a rural farming community. My artworks, hence, have always been influenced by the social and ecological realities around me,” he says. Humans, nature, animals and birds are represented through metaphors and imageries in his artworks that shed light on the pressing migration issues on the lake, along with the plight of farmers in Odisha through folk art and mythological references. “Algae — both green and red — play an important role in helping the ecosystem thrive. Lately, algae have started disappearing from the lake. They were food source for not only the fish, but the famous Chilika prawns, and the Chilika buffaloes,” he explains. A legend suggests that the curd made by the milk of these buffaloes was served to Lord Jagannath by a milkmaid Manika. The milk continues to be used in Jagannath Temple. “Today, the fish are very small in size, leading to starvation for migrating birds. The population of the Chilika buffaloes and prawns are decreasing because they don’t have sufficient vegetation to feed on in the lake. Sitikanta Samantsinghar and Gourmoni Das Another challenge faced by this ecosystem is extreme weather conditions,” the artist lists. Many of his artworks build on these facts and feature impacted animals, like buffaloes and the migrating birds. Curated by Gourmoni Das, the exhibition is a part of Dot Line Space Foundation’s ecology and research project. “Shores of Serenity [SOS] is our five-year-long project where 15 catalysts [research-based visual artists] will present the works in the extensive community project. We wish to bring to the limelight local craftsmen whose works revolve around ecology. We have been granted an NOC to continue the project for another 18 months,” Das explained, adding that Samantsinghar’s works were an extension of the idea. The artworks are a melange of mythology, surrealism, imagery and folk art As humans, animals, birds, nature and mythological beliefs join hands in Samantsinghar’s artworks exchange roles, they highlight the need to reduce rampant consumption, and contemplate the economy of ecology and politics of resistance. Till September 30TIME 10 am to 6 pm AT Nine Fish Art Gallery, Dr Ambedkar Road, Byculla. FREE
10 September,2024 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiHistory podcasts often revolve around big events that have defined the world as it exists today — change of reign, revolutions and wars, for instance. Forever Ago is a podcast which brings our attention towards smaller moments in history that help us find joy in the world. The show is hosted by actor, performer, and writer Joy Dolo, who is accompanied by various child guests. Belonging to the Brains On! Universe — a collection of podcasts for curious kids — Forever Ago picks up questions that fascinate children: How did popcorn become such an essential snack at the movies? Who was the first woman to win an Olympic medal? When did electric guitars enter pop music? How did the world come together to save the Ozone layer? Where did electric cars come from? Joy Dolo In a recent episode titled ‘Don’t Steal My Thunder! The History of Idioms’, Dolo converses with a young learner Zyah, and her friend Teddy. For the first two minutes, they whisper mostly in idioms, while sitting inside a library. They’re excited about the mysterious sounding ones. This sets the premise for the rest of the episode. Dolo and Zyah take the listeners through what idioms are and where some of the strange, fascinating ones came from. For instance, they recreate a scene from when playwright and literary critic John Dennis would have come up with the phrase “don’t steal my thunder” at the staging of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This technique of learning is more pleasurable for children than handing them a dreary list of idioms to learn. Context and play enable them to grasp such concepts more effectively.One of the best parts of the episode is a game where the hosts play a guessing game; a common feature in all these 30-minute episodes. In this one, they try to guess an idiom from another language. A lot of US-based podcasts can fall into the danger of becoming unrelatable because of their culturally-specific contexts. Dolo is conscious of this at all times and pauses, from time-to-time, to introduce concepts that many within and outside of the US may be unaware of. She does this through her quick-snacks-and-fun-facts, bite-sized ten-second facts, or a quick discussion with her co-host. This makes the episodes more inclusive for children and adults tuning in from all parts of the world. BONUS EPISODE RECOMMENDATION: Cameras From Pinholes to Perfect SelfiesLOG ON TO Spotify, Apple
10 September,2024 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaAfter low rise jeans, cargo pants and skinny jeans, it’s time for the infamous capris to be revived from their two-decade hiatus. Too short to be considered trousers and too long to pass off as shorts, this style is being sported by supermodels both on and off the runway. And, as with most recycled trends, this one too has an all-new 2024-appropriate avatar, which leans towards preppy than tween, and is more sophisticated than trendy. So, what’s the secret to styling them right and avoid looking like you’ve just stepped out of a time warp? Keep it brief When it comes to capri pants, the right length can make all the difference, notes fashion stylist Disha Selarka. “The length that suits most people is a few inches below the knees. Calf-length or knee-length pants are notoriously hard to pull off. Further, tapered or straight silhouettes are much easier to wear and style, as compared to more voluminous cuts which can age very quickly. When styling your capri pants, aim for a more streamlined look,” she explains. Additionally, don’t make the pants the focal point of your outfit since they can make you look shorter. Instead, experiment with your upper garment and layering to add visual interest. Unless you are going for a sporty look, add length to the look with your upper garment, so that your pants don’t cut your body into two sections. For instance, if you are wearing a bralette or a baby tee, throw on an oversized blazer to elongate your torso. For activewear looks, add a slouchy cardigan or a jacket as a top layer. Disha Selarka Finishing touches Chunky footwear can add unnecessary volume to your feet and make you look squat. Instead, sleek and minimal styles such as elegant sandals, pumps or Mary Janes are a safer bet. A monochromatic look in neutral tones works well for workwear, says Selarka, who is partial to all-black and all-beige tailored looks. These, she adds, elongate your silhouette, and make it more formal. “Keeping things simple with these pants is key. Your accessories should be minimal and can add a hint of colour to an otherwise neutral look. High waist styles are easier to pull off and more forgiving, while capri-length tights make an excellent alternative to more conventional track suits, she signs off.
10 September,2024 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulThere is no phonetic ‘f’ sound in Hindi; it’s ‘phool’, not ‘fool’,” actor and musician Namit Das sighs over a call from the Mumbai airport. Das has just wrapped up a long weekend, with performances and early morning airport check-ins. Yet his frustration isn’t so much about the gruelling schedule but rather about how the richness of the language seems to have eroded with time. This Saturday, on the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Das will take stage with artistes like Gopal Datt, Puneet Sharma, and Shachi Pathak, who, like him, hold the language dear. Gopal Datt will join the celebration. Pics courtesy/Instagram Growing up under the influence of parents Chandan Dass, a renowned ghazal singer, and Yamini Das, a trained vocalist and actor, he fondly remembers dinner table conversations centred on Hindi literature and poetry. “Dad, being a Bengali, had to learn Hindi, but my mom was quite the purist,” he laughs. “She is trained in Hindustani classical music and was always adamant about perfect enunciation and pronunciation, down to the finest detail.” In collaboration with Nishant Nagar AKA Khwaab, Das will take a bold turn, and showcase a fusion of Hindustani poetry and modern ambient sounds at the event. “Khwaab and Namit, the duo, came into being last year when I met Nagar for a show in Lucknow where we played an experimental one-hour set. We realised it was a good way to introduce the audience to classical works,” he reveals. This sentiment echoes in the project room of Kommune, a creators’ collective where co-founder Roshan Abbas and community lead Pradumn Chourey conceptualised the event. “We all have memories of growing up studying Premchand, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’, and learning terms like sangya [noun] and sarvanaam [pronoun] in school, but how many of us really remember what they mean?” remarks Chourey, adding that the event will be a trip down memory lane for the audience. Roshan Abbas (right) Pradumn Chourey performs at a previous Hindi literature event Despite this familiarity with the language, it’s intriguing as to why many people, including this writer, were drawn to JK Rowling or Charles Dickens rather than Hindi literature for their first read. Chourey, a native of Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh, believes it is an urban phenomenon. Abbas agrees, “In the heartlands of India, students are still encouraged to pick up books by Mahadevi Verma, Shrilal Shukla, and other literary giants. When kids in Mumbai enter a bookstore however, Hindi literature is absent. Publishing in Hindi literature has failed to grow at the pace it should have.” Nevertheless, the duo believes the language is experiencing a revival. “There was a time in the mid-2010s when English speaking artistes dominated stand-up comedy, poetry and storytelling circuits in Mumbai. But with time, voices from India’s tier-2 cities have emerged boldly. They share a love for Hindi,” Abbas elaborates. In Das’s words, “The idea is not to be up in arms for the purity of language, but to give people the freedom to embrace it in their own unique ways.” ON September 14; 7 pmAT Rangshila Theatre, New Aram Nagar, Versova. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com COST Rs 499 onwards
09 September,2024 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAfter almost a year in Bandra, Mountain Goat opened their second outlet in Andheri’s Lokhandwala area four months ago. We dropped by on a Thursday night for dinner with friends. Done up in light cabin-wood and spruced up with Tibetan paintings and prayer flags, and colourful seating and cushions, the café invokes nostalgia from any of your trips up north. Forget air freshener, there’s a gentle aroma of bhut jholokia in the air, marking its flamboyant presence that teases our throats. Pork thentuk Co-founder Sourabh Shikhare later tells us the backstory of Mountain Goat that makes him rewind to his biker days. “I am a trekker and mountaineer, and was part of a biking group called Devils on Wheels in 2012, when I rode the Himalayas. I loved the Nepali and Tibetan fare that we ate in the cafés across Bhutan, Leh Ladakh and Himachal,” he recalls. We remove our footwear, and settle into the low-seating table. To keep up the mood of the gentle, steady drizzle outside, we begin with a well-steeped honey ginger lemon tea (Rs 150) and savoury bho jha (butter tea; Rs 150) with a briny finish. Vegetarian jhol momos (Rs 300) hold a textured vegetable mash including cauliflower, cabbage and carrots within it. They come floating in a red chilli oil broth which has the refreshing sweetness of lemongrass. It makes us crave more mountain food. Chicken gyoza momos The chicken gyoza momos (Rs 350) are slightly low on salt but sweet chilli condiment holds the missing punch. We wash them down with a chilled cucumber lemonade (Rs 120). The gyozas are pan-fried and drilled with a glazed balsamic soy glaze. By now, the restaurant is packed and service overwhelmed. The kitchen prepares everything from scratch, which delays our food. The authenticity of the food keeps us in our best spirits. The crispy chicken open bao (Rs 350) crusted chicken fries have a sweet and spicy kung pao flavour but the mayo is an overkill. By now, every table is occupied and we see people queuing up outside as well. Butter tea and gud pak We are towards the popular thukpa but pick the pork thentuk (Rs 450), a Tibetan hand-pulled noodle soup that comes in a corn-flour thickened soup cooked in the water used to steam the pork. The fresh veggies such as broccoli, corn and carrots with slender strips of pork meat make it a soupy meal. Cottage cheese sekua (Rs 400) was a hurried job of paneer, sautéed in garlic, coriander with a hint of mustard. The cottage cheese has a stale aftertaste. The gud pak (Rs 400) is a generous slab of mithai, which makes us smile. Made of whole wheat flour in ghee, cardamom, sugar, grated coconut, almonds and edible gum (gundh) that adds a toffee finish. The balanced hit of soonth is powerful. This is simple, homestyle fare, and ends the meal on a good note. We pack the leftovers to nibble on for our next meal. The cosy interiors of the restaurant Mountain GoatAT Shop no 2/3, Melbourne Building, Shastri Nagar Lane 1, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West. TIME 12 pm to 1 amCALL 9076348898 **** Exceptional, *** Excellent, ** very Good, * Good, Average. Mountain Goat didn’t know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals
09 September,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum PandyaEarlier this month, The Swedish Public Health Authority issued guidelines limiting screen time for the country’s children — while toddlers below two years are being prohibited from any exposure to digital screens (including television), children between two and five years of age are limited to an hour, and those between six and 12 years to a maximum of two hours. The guidelines also recommend a maximum of three hours of screen time for teenagers. With this announcement, Sweden joined a growing list of countries, including the USA, Ireland, Australia, Canada and France, seeking to wean young children off digital screens. This is a move that experts in India are applauding as necessary, especially in light of the uptick in screen time among children post the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Nahid Dave, Dr Samir Dalwai and Dr Meghna Dixit From real to virtual Dr Samir Dalwai, a developmental paediatrician and spokesperson for the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, notes that the most significant impact of increased screen time, especially in children below the age of three, is on their social cognition. He explains, “This period is when they learn how to behave. They learn these behaviours by connecting with and observing human beings. Screens impact these social interactions — they are very lucid and captivating, leading children to prefer these over people.” As children grow older, they find themselves isolated owing to their inability to form social connections. Screen dependence also impairs their attention span. Children become bored and irritable more easily, and crave increasing doses of screen time. Furthermore, many parents fail to recognise that mobile devices also give children a fake sense of control, he warns. “Children are wonderful dreamers and creators. When that energy is caged into pre-fabricated moulds of thinking, it can lead to a state where the child doesn’t have to think for themselves. This lack of imagination hampers their capacity to find solutions,” shares Dr Meghna Dixit, author and brain performance expert. A silent epidemic Experts suggest parental supervision during restricted screen time to avoid adverse effects such as irritability and reduced social awareness “On a mobile phone, a child can swipe, edit and delete endlessly. It gives them the idea that they can control every interaction,” he elaborates. Dr Nahid Dave points out that most parents also equate their child reciting the letters of the alphabet or counting, with their ability to communicate. “Language and communication entail understanding the meaning of words, and the contexts that these words are used in,” she says. Being deprived of human interactions impairs the development of such critical thinking, emotional regulation and problem-solving skills. Such children resort to temper tantrums and even physical hitting as they lack the tools to otherwise express or regulate their emotions. Dave points to a growing body of research that marks screen time as one of the factors in the development of autism. Shift in mindset Fatema Agarkar “Post the pandemic, almost all secondary education is conducted online. Parents falsely believe that schools that do not insist on iPads and similar gadgets are behind the times. Many parents are also proud when their child is able to independently operate gadgets,” Dr Dalwai says. “It is okay for a child to be bored and to devise his/her own ways of alleviating that boredom. It is not the responsibility of the parent to entertain the child at all times,” Dr Dave advises. Other activities such as household chores, outdoor playtime and one-on-one conversations can be much more meaningful. Even if you must resort to screen time, try to watch along with your child and engage them through the process, she adds. Balancing act When it comes to the use of technology, especially for adolescents and teens, it’s important for parents to step in. “For many teens, developing social connections without the help of a phone has become an alien concept. In schools, we find that children are quicker to express on social media than in the classroom. As educators, we must insist on an equal amount of physical or non-screen discussion. Education and development cannot be completely driven by technology. More physical engagement in the form of sports or even unstructured playtime can encourage the development of a more balanced lifestyle,” shares educationist Fatema Agarkar. She adds that parents must also model the behaviour they hope their children will emulate. “If the parent is glued to his/her phone, the child will mirror them. For younger children, at least 10 hours of quality sleep is non-negotiable. To ensure this, parents must set in place a structure or routine that will guide the child’s day and curb an indiscriminate use of gadgets,” says Agarkar.
09 September,2024 09:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulThe symbol ‘&’, known as the ampersand, was once considered a letter in the English alphabet before it was removed. Originating in Pompeii in the first century CE, it came from the Latin ‘et’ meaning ‘and’. When the letters ‘e’ and ‘t’ were combined together in writing, they looked like ‘&’. Today, the ampersand is widely used in poems, names of organisations, even in pop culture when referring to famous pairs like Batman & Robin, Tom & Jerry and Frodo & Sam. To usher the day here are five cool facts about the symbol: EE Cummings 1 The origin story: In the 1800s in Britain, the English alphabet ended with the letters X, Y, Z and &. This made the ampersand the 27th letter. To distinguish it from the conjunction ‘and’, which spoken aloud would make the alphabet end abruptly, they wrote “per se” before the symbol. This implied “by itself &”. It would read “X, Y, Z, and per se &”. While reciting, children’s tongues would often slip into pronouncing “and per se &” as ampersand. This is how the name came to be. Cover of EE Cummings’s poetry book comprising 25 poems; (right) The English alphabet including the ampersand 2 Experiments in poetry: Several poets have used the ampersand as stylistic choices within their poems. The best-known story is of the modernist poet EE Cummings. Cummings was a major proponent of experimentation in poetry, ignoring the conventions of grammar. His first collection of poems, Tulips and Chimneys, was originally titled Tulips & Chimneys. However, his publisher didn’t want to risk its censorship and, therefore, refused to use the ampersand. The symbol was not commonly accepted at the time in formal practices of writing. Later, Cummings self-published the 25 poems that were removed from the first collection and titled the book, &. Available: Leading bookstores & e-stores 3 Encoding with &: In HTML, the ampersand is used when the coder wishes to denote a known entity. For instance, if one is to display a double quotation mark, the entity that one types for it is: " That is, ampersand followed by the abbreviated name of the entity and closed with a semicolon. Similarly, if one were to display the symbol of copyright, one would enter the text: © 4 Crediting in America: In cinema, it’s become a common practice to use the ampersand to show a collaboration between two screenwriters as a team. When the people work separately on the same film, i.e. in their individual capacity than together, the word “and” is used in the end credits, instead of the ampersand. 5 Raising relief funds: The year 2010 saw a significant use of the symbol in design. When the earthquake hit Haiti, the Society of Typographic Aficionados launched the Font Aid IV project, which brought design communities together to raise relief funds for the victims of the disaster. Around 400 designers contributed designs of ampersands, which collectively became the collaborative font of the project. The font came to be called the Coming Together font, and the proceeds from those who bought the typeface went to the victims. Log on to typesociety.org/fontaid/iv/ Five ways to celebrate the day 1. Bake an ampersand-shaped cake and share these facts with your friends or family during tea-time.2. Artists must try five different ways of typography of the ampersand.3. Challenge yourself to a one-minute writing activity where you use the ampersand in creative ways.4. Create a fun quiz for your friends with some strange facts about the English alphabet.5. Watch a movie with the ampersand in the title.
07 September,2024 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaA July 2024 report by the Esports Gaming Federation has revealed that India’s contingency of online gamers has grown to 442 million. Weed out the casual, leisurely kind, and you’d still have a third of the population getting in on the gaming action. Despite these numbers, gamers like Vanshaj Sharma — a veteran of the Esports World Cup qualifiers in Saudi Arabia last month — are few, and far between. Ahead of the Olympic Esports 2025, Sharma pursues the ambition diligently between juggling a college degree, practising 10 hours a day and competing with world champions. Game, set, no match? Although Sharma’s run at the qualifiers was cut short by a closely fought match at the main event, the gamer only has fond memories of the tour. “I was in awe of the scale of events in Riyadh. We were checked into a gamers’ village lined with gaming booths, practice zones, and community spaces,” he recalls. Incidentally, the village was built after a Saudi player won at the previous edition of the Esports World Cup. “The fact that the win sparked the creation of a whole village measuring almost eight kilometres in radius sounded bizarre,” Sharma says. Vanshaj Sharma Siddesh Hede, a professional gamer who previously represented Mumbai in national competitions across India, agrees. After skills, access to conducive gaming conditions are the second most crucial factor in a player’s success. “In the 2000s, esports players would cluster together in small gaming cafés across the city. Today, you hear of new gaming zones open every month. But how many of them hold themselves to a standard? The roofs are low, gaming equipment is cramped together, and if you’re lucky, you will have one window for air,” he laughs. “Naturally, most gamers prefer to practise on their own consoles at home which leaves the community fragmented,” Hede adds. Waiting for a payday Sharma forms one half of Mumbai Ultras Esports, a team put together by a popular sports club in the city. But for many who hustle independently, the monetary expenses that the hobby entails can prove challenging. A gamer plays the popular game, Dota 2, at Hede’s gaming zone Rajveer Naidu, who runs a gaming space in Andheri and Kandivali breaks it down for us, “Gaming is an expensive hobby. Buying a PlayStation or building a gaming PC, purchasing games, and subscriptions can burn a hole in your pockets. A majority of gamers, including a large chunk of the 442 million in India, are mobile phone gamers. Games like PUBG, BGMI and COD are accessible for no cost to anyone with a smartphone.” While Sharma shares that his European peers consider mobile gaming a ‘pastime’, Hede sees a more optimistic future. “Mobile gaming could be the future for India. It’s cheap and convenient. Krafton, the publishers of PUBG [before it was banned in India] held a competition with a prize pool of one crore rupees in 2020. While console and PC gaming will continue to grow, I believe they will be led by mobile gaming,” he remarks. Siddesh Hede and Rajveer Naidu Podium finish The gamers unanimously and unequivocally believe that the infrastructure needs a relook. But there is no dearth of skilled gamers in the city. While fans still await news on the structure and games at the Olympics Esports 2025, Sharma assures us that Indian gamers are capable of a podium place. “At the FIFAe World Cup last year, we finished ahead of the Southeast Asian favourites. Our eyes are now set on the Olympics event,” he shares excitedly. For 29-year-old Hede, the prospect of an Indian winner at the Olympics Esports Series is the apex of a long journey. “In the early 2010s, I would travel to Goa to participate in one of the earliest national championships called the Indian Cyber Gaming Championship. It feels good to know that the younger generation has bigger goals,” he signs off. Gamers at Naidu’s space; the gaming village in Riyadh; The PC gaming setup at the Goregaon gaming zone Game like a pro The experts pick their favourite spots in the city to practice and rise up the ranks. . Simply GamingAT Crystal Point Mall, Star Bazar, near DN Nagar Metro Station, Andheri West.LOG ON TO @simplygaming.in . Godlike Esports BootcampAT Ghanshyam Villa, Sector 20, Kharghar.LOG ON TO @godlike.in . The BootcampAT Vivek Industrial Estate, Mogul Lane, Mahim West.LOG ON TO @thebootcamp_in . Next Level Gaming AT JVPD, Juhu; Kiran Industrial Estate, Goregaon West.LOG ON TO @next.level.cafe
07 September,2024 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
