In 1973, when Peter Shaffer’s writing took to stage directed by John Dexter, it opened to chaotic reception. Many called it ‘disturbing’, while others found it ‘exhilarating’. This strong divide is what makes the Tony-award winning play an actor’s dream with names like Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins, Leonard Nimoy and even Daniel Radcliffe attempting stage productions. For Sukrit Mahajan, the production today runs along similar lines. The cast in a moment from the stage rehearsal; (right) Arjun Kachroo portrays Paul Strang Over eight years, the theatre maker and actor has returned to Shaffer’s text to dig deeper into the complex themes. “It talks about the extremity of religion, mental health, internal struggles and also has a potential for visuals and theatricality,” the 26-year-old shares. The production at the Andheri venue today will mark his debut as a director, and also the first production of his company, Playhouse Productions. The team rehearses a scene from the play The play traces the curious case of a 17-year old boy, Alan Strang who blinds six horses, and becomes the source of his psychiatrist, Dr Drysart’s own internal explorations. Mahajan first performed it as a student in Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology in Delhi. Yet, with so many facets, Mahajan chose to go the Jungian way to add to the theatricality. Sukrit Mahajan “An unsaid and prevalent facet was the dark side of human beings — the side associated with shame. It is hidden from the world but only known to us. This is based on the term, Shadows of Self coined by Carl Jung,” the director explains. The shadows are not just metaphorical in Mahajan’s production. “We tried to incorporate shadow theatre as an integral element on stage using two long curtains. These are lit from behind. The scenes where the shadow self of the characters show themselves are placed behind the curtain,” he reveals. Dramatic as it sounds, it is an ambitious task for a first-time director. If the production is not complex enough, there are the psychological themes of Shaffer’s text. But Mahajan points out, “I wanted to avoid complicating it. For me, the play is the exploration of the human mind and the ways in which it works.” The evening will tell how simple that exploration can be. ON Today; 6 pm and 9 pm AT Rangshila Theatre, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova, Andheri WestLOG ON TO @sukrit84; in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 399
28 October,2024 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarAaddictively brutal’. That’s how most people who find themselves hooked to the hit HBO-television series Industry would describe the show, which has now returned for its third season. Seemingly centred around a group of relentlessly ambitious but entirely dysfunctional finance executives whose lives, careers and existence revolve around a prestigious London-based investment bank, the show touches on narratives that ring a little too uncomfortably close to home for many. Of these, the most prominent is workplace toxicity, a theme that has gained particular notoriety in recent times, especially after the tragic death of a Big Four employee who reportedly succumbed to relentless work pressure. But, dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the definition of what comprises workplace toxicity varies, depending on who you ask — while some may quote an overbearing boss or a crushing workload, others may describe it as a more deeply-seated dissatisfaction with how they’re treated or perceived at their workplace. Toxic or a new normal? For Dr Brajesh Bajpai, who holds a coaching and mentoring doctorate, a toxic workplace is one where the performance or wellbeing of employees is impacted because of harassment, bullying or discrimination. “Today, the term ‘toxic workplace’ is used quite broadly and casually. While there are clearly defined parameters such as abusive behaviour, bullying, and physical or sexual misconduct that most people recognise as unhealthy, there are also individual and specific parameters ascribed as contributing to workplace toxicity. Growing awareness about international work cultures [he notes that while European countries have been prioritising work-life balance for several decades now, Indian employers and employees have only recently been introduced to the concept] as well as increasing conversations about mental health, combined with rapidly evolving work cultures and communication styles, have all contributed to workplace toxicity becoming an increasingly popular topic for discussion,” he observes. The TV series explores topical and hard-hitting themes like workplace toxicity that employees face in a London-based investment bank “A toxic workplace is not just about occasional disagreements or work stress; it’s a space where negativity becomes a norm, and this toxicity often stems from dysfunctional leadership or unaddressed conflicts. When communication breaks down and fear, manipulation, or favouritism become common, it fosters an environment where employees feel constantly threatened or marginalised,” explains Dr Naazneen Ladak, a psychiatrist and mental health expert. She adds that factors such as unrealistic deadlines, micromanagement, or a lack of trust in employees’ abilities contribute to mental strain and can lead to them spiralling into anxiety or depression. Over time, this erodes creativity and productivity. Bajpai notes, however, that an occasional instance of being asked to work late, or on a weekend, or being tasked with an uncharacteristically heavy workload does not necessarily constitute toxicity. “It’s only when these behaviours become repetitive and form an observable pattern that they veer into the realm of workplace toxicity,” he clarifies. Dr Ladak adds that a clear indicator is when employees start to feel that their work or efforts never seem to be enough. “Constant feelings of inadequacy are a sign that the environment is psychologically damaging. If employees notice frequent passive-aggressive behaviour, cliques forming, or communication becoming a weapon rather than a tool, these are red flags. Toxicity often creeps in subtly, with signs such as emotional exhaustion, distrust among colleagues, or feeling isolated even when part of a team,” she shares. Hemalatha Raghuvanshi, co-founder and CHRO of Sekel Tech, says that a chronic inability by the organisation, whether in the form of HR or the upper management, to remedy toxic behaviours can foster a toxic work culture. “If manipulation is encouraged, there is no appreciation for good work, unprofessional behaviour is rewarded as is unhealthy competition, it can be indicative of an unhealthy organisational culture,” she explains. Brajesh Bajpai and Naazneen Ladak Mindset shift Dr Bajpai notes that, quite often, the factors that lead employees to succumb to unhealthy ways of coping with work pressures or feel overwhelmed by what is expected of them professionally stems from factors that lie within. Fostering relationships with colleagues can help in coping. Representation pic “Many of the characters’ dysfunctional behaviour is not driven by external challenges, but rather by their own internal challenges that propels them to overcompensate by seeking validation at their work, at all costs. There is a Buddhist saying that goes: ‘The first arrow hurts, but the second arrow hurts more’. Here, the first arrow describes what happens to you, while the second arrow is what you do with what happens to you. Without shifting blame, it can help to sometimes take a step back, and look inwards and critically analyse what is causing this sense of internal turmoil. That is a good starting point if you want to adopt a constructive mindset,” he says. Subsequently, these steps may help to cope: Lead character (left) Harper Stern in a moment from the trailer of the new season. Pics Courtesy/YouTube . Set healthy boundaries: “Set clear expectations and learn to say no. Understand that there’s more to life than work. Make time for yourself to relax and de-stress,” says Ojas Mehta, a life purpose coach and workplace wellbeing facilitator. Dr Ladak adds that it’s important to consciously create psychological distance between yourself and the toxicity. This way, you can focus on your tasks and not the environment. . Have a sounding board: Dr Bajpai warns against leaning solely on friends and family members for advice. “These individuals, although well-meaning, are only listening to your side of the story. Instead, seek mentors in the industry who have lived through these experiences and have a more objective, macro view. Often, this may give you the clarity you need,” he explains. Fostering relationships with peers who are similarly affected is an underrated method of coping. There’s strength in solidarity, adds Dr Ladak. Hemalatha Raghuvanshi and Ojas Mehta . Solutions not complaints: If you find yourself compelled to take action, Dr Ladak recommends documenting toxic incidents and engaging with HR or the management in a calm, solution-oriented way. “If you’re strategic, you can sometimes turn the situation into an opportunity to lead change,” she says. . Introspect and be pragmatic: “Be honest with yourself about your true motivations. What this work is actually giving you? Is it money, achievement, challenge, learning, growth, connection, time or something else? What is your motivation to go to work? What do you really want in life and from your career? These vital questions can give you a sense of your purpose, and thus passion and direction,” says Mehta. “While many industries have adopted a more progressive and empathetic work culture, certain sectors are still steeped in their unhealthy ways. A high-pressure, high-stakes environment will have its perks of material gains. However, there will be a trade-off in terms of your stress levels and mental health. Know what you are willing to compromise on and what your non-negotiables are. This will help you to determine whether you are a good fit with the job, the organisation or even the industry you are working in,” says Bajpai. Also Read: Toxic work culture: Insulted at the workplace? Experts dissect language, ways to deal with it and need for policy
28 October,2024 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulStart your Monday with a beautiful latte, fresh off the skills you’ll gain in this Sunday’s latte art workshop. Combining two therapeutic activities-creating art and drinking coffee, this workshop is designed to introduce attendees to the craft of latte art. Beginning with a brief history of coffee, the workshop emphasises the importance of a quality espresso shot and offers hands-on training to help participants brew the perfect espresso and create latte art.The idea for the workshop came from co-founder Tarun Sharma's vision of building a community centred on coffee, art, and music, where enthusiasts can learn, connect, and share their passion. It will begin with an icebreaker, “We ask attendees what they hope to gain from the workshop and engage them with a short quiz about coffee’s origins and types. This helps us understand them and adjust our teaching approach,” said Sharma. The session will kick off with baristas explaining the importance of a good espresso shot and giving a tutorial on achieving the same while focusing on critical elements and variables like the right grind size, water ratio, and temperature which prevent under or over-extraction of espresso. This will be followed by an espresso tasting ensuring that participants recognise the taste of a well-brewed shot. “Latte art is more than just aesthetics. It indicates perfectly frothed milk; if it isn’t done right, the art won’t appear as it should,” Sharma said. Participants will then dive into the hands-on process, from grinding beans and brewing espresso to frothing milk. The participants will be taught two pouring techniques; the top pour which adds texture and the down and closer pour which creates designs. The baristas will guide the participants on hand placement to create a heart design on the latte. Stencils will be provided for those who need extra support; in case a participant's designs do not come out right the baristas will teach them how to salvage them with coffee art pens. The workshop will wrap up with participants savouring their self-brewed coffee, along with cookies and conversations with fellow attendees. AGE GROUP: 16 years and aboveON: October 27; 12 pm to 2 pm AT: Ink N Brew, Shop no 3, Picnic Cottage, Dharti CHS, JP Road, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova, Andheri West. LOG ON TO insider.inCOST: Rs 250
26 October,2024 01:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaWhat are the invaluable, time-tested lessons you imbibed from your collaborative research with the late Sharada Dwivedi?Sharada and I first met in late 1989, when she was installing an exhibition on the city’s history at the Asiatic Society of Bombay. As a 30-year-old architect and urban designer starting out to work in Bombay, I was stunned how the exhibition highlighted, for me, the vacuum that existed in the popular understanding of the city and its built history. Soon after our first meeting, Sharada and I embarked on a fortnightly column for mid-day, where we narrated the history of a particular area in Bombay, touching upon the contemporary challenges for that precinct. It was titled ‘Bombay – a look at historic precincts’. Bas-relief panels in Eros’ auditorium depict the story of making movies. Pic Courtesy/Noshir Gobhai The column ran from November 1992 to May 1993 and was translated in Gujarati and Hindi, and was published weekly in the Samakaleen publications. This experience gave us the idea and the confidence to do our first book on Bombay–The Cities Within. An ambitious project, it attempted to tell an accessible story on the city’s architectural and urban history, from its origins to the then present — the early 1990s. Typography used for the names of Art Deco buildings. PICS COURTESY/Hemant Chaturvedi, Noshir Gobhai, Aashim Tyagi The success of that title encouraged Sharada and me to go on to work on other publications on the city, which included the first edition of Bombay Deco. It was published in 2008, when very little information on Art Deco in Bombay had surfaced. What I personally learnt from all this is how these writings were really instruments for advocacy. More than just creating awareness about the city’s history, they became ways for other advocates to engage with issues of conservation. While working on this edition of Bombay Deco (Pictor Publishing), how did you ensure the content was relevant and yet could retain the soul of the first edition?When Sharada and I did the first edition we had a clear guiding principle, which was the linkage or relationship of the Art Deco style to the growth of Bombay between the 1930 and 1950s, which is to see how its expansion facilitated the style, and how the Art Deco approach to urbanism influenced the form of the city. So, it’s this central idea that I safeguarded as we worked on this updated edition. The essential content remains unchanged but has been updated and reordered to tell the story in the context of Mumbai in 2020 and beyond. The updated content also responds to the awareness and efforts that have occurred to safeguard these buildings as well as understand this aspect of our heritage better. Bold, geometric patterns were popularly used in buildings. Pic courtesy/Hemant Chaturvedi What worked in Bombay’s favour as compared to other major Indian cities of the time for it to emerge as the home for the world’s second largest ensemble of Art Deco architecture?The major factor was that an amazing amount of land was being opened up for development on account of the great reclamation projects and construction intensified to such a frenzied pace that investors quickly bought up every available piece of land in the established commercial and residential areas. This intensification was also evident in the form of higher buildings, facilitated using the newly introduced construction materials such as Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) and Ferro-concrete. The staircase in Breach Candy’s Kismet Apartments juxtaposes a bold spiral form with intricate metalwork. PICs COURTESY/Hemant Chaturvedi Besides this, a unique combination of factors led to the adaptation of the style in Bombay. Tourism and travel had made rapid strides between both World Wars, resulting in a continuing stream of visitors to Bombay. Many touring European ballet, opera, theatrical and musical troupes were presented at the new hotels and theatres and brought a touch of glamour and new forms of entertainment. Around the same time, rulers of Indian states began to visit Bombay at regular intervals for shopping, sports, en route to foreign lands, and most importantly, for informal meetings of the Chamber of Princes, the official body constituted for negotiations with the Government of India. Many maharajas and nawabs began building mansions and apartment blocks in this style, or buying flats in the city, in preference to renting villas or living in clubs or hotels. This created the appropriate patronage for the introduction of the new style. Details of Indo Deco bas-relief sculptures at New India Assurance building. The panels were sculpted by NG Pansare. PICS COURTESY/Shapoorji Pallonji, Amit Pasricha, Noshir Gobhai In addition, several Bombay architects, including those who had graduated from foreign schools of architecture, were returning to India and emulating contemporary European and American styles in their own designs. The presence of several European architects, decorators and designers in pre-war Bombay also gave tremendous thrust to the movement. In short, there was an amazing intersection of conditions that created — the perfect storm or conditions, for Art Deco to flourish — making Bombay the gateway for the style. Rahul Mehrotra with wife Nondita Correa and co-author Sharada Dwivedi at the after party for the launch of Bombay-The Cities Within, 1995. Pic courtesy/ Rahul Mehrotra Has the city changed from a conservation perspective since the book’s first edition? Is there increasing awareness or is the changing urban landscape too rapid and expansive in comparison to what its custodians are trying to achieve?A huge amount. The heritage regulations of 1995 have now provided both in terms of general awareness but also legislative protections. Awareness has grown among the residents of Art Deco apartments on Marine Drive or along the Oval Maidan and perhaps, a few pockets in the housing estates of the suburbs. So, while they exert clout and are safeguarding this heritage, the middle-class along Mohammad Ali Road or other parts of the inner city don’t exert the same sort of affinity for the deco style. I believe this has waned also on account of the great Art Deco movie theatres going out of fashion. Those public spaces were the real transmitter that popularised the style. So the next generation, unless they live in an Art Deco building, don’t get exposed to this style in the public realm. Rahul Mehrotra at the launch of Bombay Deco at NCPA on October 14 2024. PIC COURTESY/ PICTOR PUBLISHING As Abha Narain shared at the launch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag has ensured that SoBo’s Art Deco ensemble is safe. However, most suburbs are without heritage guidelines, and face threats, especially redevelopment. How can citizen groups and stakeholders preserve such sites?In the suburbs, the community-led approach is critical as a bulk if not all. The heritage building stock is residential and thus their conservation or not, affects the daily lives of its occupants. Finally, legislative protection in some measure is crucial — it at least is the framework of consensus at the level of both citizens as well as state. Images from handbooks produced by Associated Cement Companies that popularised the use of RCC. PICs COURTESY/ Rahul Mehrotra However, to create awareness and form a sense of the persisting value of these buildings for the residents is the only way a conservation movement works. This comes both from a sense of nostalgia and memory but also seeing the more tangible dimensions of these historic urban forms such as lower rise and higher density environments, and the sense of sociability they support. In contemporary Mumbai, which is now becoming a crazy accumulation of skyscrapers, the wonderful human scaled streets in Art Deco precincts will hopefully trigger a desire in the next generation to protect them.
26 October,2024 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona FernandezThere is a perception of Classical musicians as serious men. Anil Srinivasan’s garrulous laugh washes away such apprehensions. A Sangeet Natak Akademi-awardee, the pianist is also the first Western Classical musician to be awarded the Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu State Government. “I brought the piano kicking and screaming to the sabhas,” he laughs. This weekend, he is in Mumbai and will perform with his friend, Carnatic vocalist, Sikkil Gurucharan, for Poets on the Piano. They have been regular visitors to the city, but separately. The pianist began his career in advertising with Ogilvy in Churchgate. “I remember getting on a Virar fast in my first week. I never got down at Borivali as planned,” the former Chembur-resident chuckles. The duo first performed together at an alumni meet for a children’s production at their school, Vidya Mandir in Chennai, in 2005. “By that time, I had worked with Mandolin Srinivas and Aruna Sairam among others,” says the pianist who decided to take the partnership further with the new idea. For Gurucharan, it was different. Grandson of Sikkil Kunjumani, of the acclaimed flautist duo Sikkil Sisters, he was establishing himself as a name in the Carnatic sabhas of Chennai. “I was the more anxious one. A Carnatic voice with the Western piano was a new concept. But as we went on, we were convinced,” he shares. Poets on the Piano was conceptualised around poetry from ancient, medieval and modern India crossing over languages, eras and even themes. The duo emphasise that Classical vocabulary is not a limitation. “The form is liberating and allows you to do so much without disturbing its sanctity,” Srinivasan notes. Gurucharan adds, “You have such varied poetry with ideas, metaphors, colours and the cultures coming together.” Another reason that keeps their friendship strong is education. In 2012, Srinivasan founded the Rhapsody Musical Foundation to tap into music as a means to transform learning in India. A PhD in neuroscience, he shares, “I wanted to put art at the service of education. The other point was to teach people that music can extend beyond the scope of performance. This country has enough performers; it needs holistic citizens.” Working with 477-plus schools across India, the foundation crafts courses for children from primary to high schools. Not an easy task, shares Gurucharan, a trustee. “The whys and why-nots have to be addressed for this generation. My role is to return to my own experiences and help them understand,” he laughs Apart from music, food is a common love for the duo. “That will be a whole other interview,” says Srinivasan as he reels off a list of his favourites from Crystal in Chowpatty, to Britannia & Co. in SoBo, and Tintos in Bandra. For Gurucharan too, every concert ends with a food hop. “I love Marathi thalis. My friends and I often set off looking for a new find every time,” the vocalist shares. With music on their mind, they are already working on two upcoming productions. “We are curating an album for children. We are working on stories told through Carnatic music,” he reveals. The other project is based on the compositions of the 18th century female Carnatic composer, Muddupalani. “She composed a series titled, Radhika Santvanam — songs depicting the entire spectrum of romance between Radha and Krishna. It should be ready in the first half of 2025,” Gurucharan shares. Log on to @anilsrinivasan; @sikkilgurucharan
26 October,2024 09:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarHenry Ford once said “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty”. With focus on accessible learning, India Study Centre (INSTUCEN) will be launching its Spark of Knowledge Diwali initiative as a part of their ongoing promotions. They will be offering free online zoom lectures on various topics including archaeology, literature, rationalism and geology. The organisation will conduct one lecture on the first Sunday of each month, starting from November 3, continuing into the coming year. “We believe that knowledge should be accessible to everyone. Ruins of Pompeii Most people want to learn but can’t commit to long courses, so we devised single lectures on Sundays when they might be free,” explains Dr Kurush Dalal (right), director of Archaeology, INSTUCEN. The first lecture, titled Volcanoes and Volcanism, will examine the dual significance of volcanic activity in geology and archaeology, focusing on its environmental, climatic, and cultural effects. Registrations will be announced on INSTUCEN’s Instagram account, and will close 24 hours before each session. If the session reaches full capacity, those registered but unable to attend due to space will receive the link for the recorded lecture via email. Subsequent lectures will delve into the history of the Crusades through Medieval miniatures These sessions will be conducted by industry experts and academics like Dr Dalal, Professor Mayank Vahia and Raamesh Gowri Raghavan, among others. Lectures will introduce attendees to diverse subjects and new discoveries in fields such as geology, astronomy, archaeology, and more. Each session will conclude with a Q&A session for attendees to get their doubts solved. “We strive to have a rational approach towards teaching. The experts know what they are talking about and can simplify the vast knowledge available today in an accurate manner for the people,” Dr Dalal explains. The lectures aim to simplify complex information and jargon in an accessible way, using tools like imagery. “The only requirement is willingness to learn and gain knowledge. We believe that learning shouldn’t feel like a chore; it should be enjoyed. We aim to show that it’s never too late to learn and follow your passion,” he emphasises. Coins from Jerusalem The initiative aims to nurture a learner community with diverse scope of interests. In one of the interesting sessions to look forward to, INSTUCEN will celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr HD Sankalia on December 10, with a special series of free lectures, dedicated to the pioneers of Indian archaeology, notable women in the field, and great contributors to the discipline. From November 3; 7.30 pm to 9 pmTo Register @instucen on Instagram
25 October,2024 12:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaHoppy hour! Experience the true mood and vibes in the last few days of Oktoberfest by heading to Alibaug. With a curated selection of craft beers from top breweries and a scrumptious spread to go with it, the event also features a cracking line up of live music to keep the spirits high. ON October 26, 2 pm; October 27; 7 pmAT Buddha Cafe Restaurant, Alibaug. LOG ON TO @moonstonehammockofficial on Instagram (for passes) ENTRY Rs 295 onwards Fun at the flea A woman checks out the collection. PICs COURTESY/INSTAGRAM The much-loved Lil Flea returns to Mumbai with an eclectic mix of fashion, food and fun. Support local brands as you discover the most unique finds in vintage collections, streetwear and handcrafted pieces while digging into the delectable array of global cuisine in the street food fair. You could also enrol yourself in pottery or perfume-making workshops that promise equal levels of fun and learning, or settle down at the open air movies. The festival also offers an exciting musical experience with performances from Wild Wild Woman and other indie artistes that are bound to keep you thoroughly hooked. ON October 25 to October 27; 3 pm onwardsAT Jio World Garden, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East. LOG ON TO thelilflea.comENTRY Rs 500 Zen escape Folk band Kabir Café will perform at the event in Bandra Play, pause and rediscover holistic wellness this weekend as you unwind in the India Soul Music Festival. Hosted by speakers and wellness experts like Jaya Kishori and Anand Kabir, the event promises to be a transformative experience. With a bunch of activities ranging from sound and energy healing, meditation to exhaustive workshops and seminars, the two-day event provides the perfect gateway to holistic living and personal well-being as you reconnect with your inner self.ON October 26, 12 pm and October 27, 10 pm.AT Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East.LOG ON TO insider.inENTRY R500 onwards
25 October,2024 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaAs we all scream for ice cream in the sweltering October heat, our quick pit-stop at the newly-opened Amul Ice Cream Lounge in Palladium Mall took us around the globe in cups and cones. The USP of the lounge, which serves different variations of the popular Amul ice cream party packs, is that the flavours are now available for a party of one. Each flavour, we further learn, is inspired by and named after a country. The expansive space follows a bottle green theme, and has comfortable couches along its border. Chairs of a similar colour tone are placed in the centre of the space, which opens up to the third floor of the mall’s East Zone section. Occasionally, people drop by with shopping bags in hand, to relax and indulge in a scoop or two. We begin with tasting flavours at the counter. First up, is Irani kulfi, which is really just malai kulfi in an ice cream avatar. We take a pass, and try the other flavours like Italian fudge, American mud pie, English apple, Persian peach, Turkish coffee. Finally, we order a scoop of Swiss chocolate, dulce de leche, Egyptian cantaloupe and Japanese matcha. Each scoop (200 ml), irrespective of the flavours, costs Rs 199. An extra Rs 25 is charged for cones. Egyptian cantaloupe. Pics/Devanshi Doshi Swiss chocolate is a balanced mix of bitter and sweet. For those with a bitter palate, we suggest you opt for Belgian chocolate; and for the sweet-toothed, American mud pie will make for the perfect choice. Dulce de leche also leans towards extra sweet; it is caramel flavoured, and sprinkled with almond bites. Japanese matcha, on the other hand, is a flavour which is sure to impress the growing demographic of matcha lovers in the city. It tastes bland at first, but just like the famous Japanese tea, the ice cream leaves a bitter-sweet aftertaste. The last flavour we tried, Egyptian cantaloupe gets all the votes at our table. The fruity melon flavour is the way to get a sinful respite from the heat. Most of these flavours represent a specialty from the country they represent. While we enjoyed the name play and the rare flavours, we think it is a big miss to leave Indian flavours out of the mix. Amul’s already-present gulab jamun ice cream (party pack), for instance, could have been a popular favourite. The lounge also offers select ice cream milkshakes (not allowed for takeaways). Despite the range of diverse flavours, you can only order a scoop in one size and not mix-and-match flavours in sundaes, which, we believe, would have bound to be the ideal crowd-pleaser. Amul Ice Cream LoungeAt 3rd floor, East Zone, Palladium Mall, Lower Parel. Time 10 am to 11 pmCall 7679856529 Also check these chill zones Guava ice cream >> Truly fruityGet fruit ice creams stuffed in fruits at this juice centre in Kandivali. At Kudrati Kahumbo, Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West.Log on to @kudratikahumbo >> Moshi mochi, MumbaiFamous for its famous South Korean guava mochi ice cream (layered with sticky rice), blueberry pinwheel and Kalkatta paan kulfi, this ice cream parlour is best known for its offbeat flavours.At Ice Klub, Vasant Vihar, Thane. Call 9967585829 Red velvet kulfi roll. Pics Courtesy/Instagram >> Kulfi crazeFrom falooda coated kulfi, to red velvet, motichur, KitKat and black forest kulfi, this heritage ice cream parlour from Gujarat serving kulfis with a twist has now opened up in SoBo.At Hajoori’s Footreet, Dholkawala Compound, Mazgaon.Log on to @hajoorisfrootreet.southmumbai **** Exceptional, *** Excellent, ** very Good, * Good, Average. Amul Ice Cream Lounge didn’t know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.
25 October,2024 10:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiIf you’ve ever walked the leafy lanes of Matunga near King’s Circle, there’s a good chance you’ve slowed down to admire the stained-glass windows of the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, or the gold-plated statue of Mother Mary (which was cast in Turin, Italy) that stands even higher atop its dome. These towering spectacles, however, tell only one part of the story. An underground marvel — the crypt — is home to hundreds of tiny relics from ancient and modern saints along with five intricate mosaic panels depicting the life of Christ and Don Bosco. For the first time in its history, the church will open the doors to this crypt for a stage performance — Omkar Bhatkar’s Sacred Voices from the West. The troupe at a reading “I was at the crypt nearly two years ago when I saw the relics of Thomas Aquinas, St John of the Cross and St Catherine of Siena. At the time, I was already working on my production that draws inspiration from their writings. I couldn’t think of a better venue to stage it,” Bhatkar shares about the poetic piece comprising handpicked verses of saints, martyrs and modern poets that still ring true in recent times. “These are not verses coloured in rituals. They are personal voices that shed light on the relationship between man and a higher power,” he adds. Bhatkar would go on to approach Fr Leon Cruz, director of youth services at the church, with his peculiar request. “When I heard what Bhatkar had in the works, I agreed that such a recital was best fit for the crypt. It’s an ethereal space with beautiful visual backdrops. It will help enhance the team’s recitals that explore the relationship between the personal and the divine,” shares Fr Leon, adding that in view of maintaining its sanctity, the venue will consider hosting any future performances only after due assessment by the church. The walls of the crypt are adorned with arched mosaic panels For the theatremaker, it’s not only the visual imagery that sets the venue apart. When Bhatkar’s troupe recites Aramaic, Hebrew, and Gregorian chants tomorrow, the words of the saints will echo in the 2,756 sq ft space, quite literally. “The crypt’s architecture lends it a natural reverb — the sound effect that adds the quintessential dreamy touch to the vocals. The initial idea was to ditch microphones and perform unplugged. But my sound engineer, who understands our vocal limitations a tad better, advised against such an audacious experiment,” he laughs. (Bhatkar’s other ideas included switching the fans off, and making the 100-member audience sweat it out to achieve lower sonic disturbance). As divinely serendipitous the events leading up to the event seem, we must address the elephant in the room. At a time when artistes are retreating into their own echo chambers, Bhatkar, an outsider to the faith, is treading into the very heart of a historic church to stage a recital. “This is where the pluralism of the city and the country shine through. We [Metamorphosis] have performed pieces in the past where the actor playing Jesus was a Parsi, Mary a Hindu, and Joseph a Muslim. I can’t think of any other country where this could be possible. At the end of the day, if your heart is in the right place, people tend to appreciate the effort,” he reminds us. ON October 26, 7 pmAT The Crypt, Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, Matunga East. LOG ON TO @omkar_arte on Instagram to registerENTRY RSVP mandatory
25 October,2024 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThursday Turn up for funEvent: Attend this adult’s night out at this Lower Parel venue to try new craft cocktails, perfume potion making and spooky merchandise to kick off your weekend. Time 6.30 pm onwards At Museum of Solutions, Victoria House, Lower Parel. Log on to Zomato Entry Rs 1,399 Friday Drink in the fearFood and Drink: From the Devil’s Juggler to Carn-Evil Poison, sample some spooky mixes at this Carnival of Shadows. The décor and an in-house magician will add to the Halloween vibes. Till October 26 time 9 pm onwards At Carnival by Tresind, Santacruz West. Call 9152100123 Cost Rs 1,500 (cover charge) Saturday A child works on a mosaic of Ganesha at a previous edition Get imaginative Workshop: Let your children brighten this festival season imaginatively with this mosaic workshop, and learn to create mosaic diyas for Diwali. Time 3 pm At Crossword, Kemps Corner, Tardeo. Log on to @crosswordbookstore Cost Rs 399 (inclusive of all materials) Asperococcus pusillus by Anna Atkins Call of the blueArt: Curated by Nitesh Mohanty and Riyas Komu, this exhibition witnesses 30 artists like Tushar and Mayur Vayeda and Tajdar Junaid come together to express different visions of the colour Blue. Till January 1 TIME 12 pm to 4 pm At The Guild Art Gallery, Pipewala Building, Colaba. Free Sunday Experience acceptanceTheatre: A story of self-introspection and identity comes to life in this extension performance by Vidushi Chadha titled The Art of Beauty-Fool. Time 5 pm and 7.30 pm At APRE Art House, Sanghvi House, Colaba. Log on to Zomato Cost Rs 499 Pics Courtesy/Instagram Cheer with the fansScreening: Catch a potential title decider of the English Premier League as Liverpool take on Arsenal in a Sunday classic. Time 8 pm At ONE Aura, Andheri East; Raasta Bombay, Khar West. Log on to @arsenal_mumbai, @lfcmumbai Cost Rs 600 Flora Fountain. Pic Courtesy/Mayank Soni Peer through the lensWalk: Join award-winning photographer Mayank Soni on a photo walk through the Fort district detailing the secrets of urban photography, and the iconic architectural wonders of Mumbai. The walk is open to participants from all levels of expertise right from smartphone photographers to mirrorless and digital camera users. Time 7.30 am to 9.30 amMeeting point Chaayos Cafe, near Churchgate Station. Call 9892170395 for details
24 October,2024 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWhat would you do if you woke up on a random street on the other side of the world? If you’re in browser-based geography game GeoGuessr, where you’re dropped at random dots on the world map, you’d begin by looking for clues in signboards, architectural styles, and landscapes around you to take a guess and win points. For casual enthusiasts of geography and world cultures like me, the game is an addictive challenge that makes you rack your brains, and leaves you a tad smarter. Readers with a bad sense of direction might want to sit this one out. LOG ON TO geoguessr.com Also Read: Team Guide Recommends: Reading the signs right
24 October,2024 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
