They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but what if you could design your own city with skyscrapers, or a park in just an hour? This weekend will offer children a chance to step into the role of architects and create their own masterpieces at Dr Bhau Daji Lad City Museum, in collaboration with Troy Blocks. Using unit wooden blocks, children will design and build structures while engaging in sensory play. Troy Blocks was founded in 2019 by Farah Ahmad, inspired by the need to encourage children to step away from screens, and engage in creative, hands-on play. “I wanted to create gender-neutral, Indian-made toys that genuinely contribute to a child’s mental growth,” the Bengaluru-based serial entrepreneur explained, highlighting the gap in the market for toys focused on mental development. A child with her creation Reflecting on philosopher Roland Barthes’ idea that “the more a toy does, the less a child does,” Ahmad emphasises the importance of play that inspires creativity rather than passive interaction. Her journey was shaped by her experience in the toy industry, participation in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program at IIM Bangalore which helped bring block play to life with Troy Blocks. The museum will serve as a hub for creative learning, fostering cognitive, emotional, and social development in children. “The children will discover a wide range of structures that can be created using 11 basic geometric shapes from the 62-piece kit. This experience nurtures creativity, lateral thinking, and essential skills such as spatial awareness and balance. Children will experience the cycle of creation and destruction as they rebuild, teaching them patience and resilience. They will work in a peer-to-peer format, which encourages collaboration and sharing,” she explained. Farah Ahmad The hour-long workshop will introduce these young participants to block play through guided mentorship from Ahmad and Hari Narayan, technical lead at Troy. They will be provided with self-exploration cards featuring 2D structures to help spark their imaginations and give a creative nudge. Ahmad informs that the event will focus on the process and not the product, hence the children will take home the experience. Accompanying parents can observe their child’s creativity, resilience, and teamwork in a museum setting, offering growth beyond the classroom. “We plan on using AI image processing technology to scan the child’s structure and gauge their level of gross and fine motor skills. We believe this will help educators understand the child better,” she summarised. Age group 3 years to 11 yearsTime October 19, 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm; October 20, 11 am to 12 pm, 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm At Education Centre, Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum Plaza, Byculla East.Log on to insider.in Entry Rs 100
18 October,2024 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaThey always find a way to surprise us,” admits Nandini Kochar, co-founder of the Jogeshwari-based Nazaria Arts Collective. She is referring to the new crop of young filmmakers stepping out of the collective’s Kahani Lab. They are currently preparing for the upcoming weekend showcase titled Reimagine, the result of a four-month long workshop that began in April this year. “The idea was to reach out to teenagers from low-income communities across the city, and offer them a platform to express and tell their own stories.” The young filmmakers at a shoot The result is five short films that capture deeply personal experiences as well as larger themes of gender equality, LGBTQiA+ rights, right to education and corruption. “The films were all written and conceived by the kids in their own ‘andaz’. For the first month, we only had conversations about their lives, to lay the ground for ideas and themes they would like to explore,” Kochar shares. The talents came from the neighbourhoods of Shankarwadi in Jogeshwari, Asalpha in Ghatkopar, and Kandivali. Sixteen-year-old Priya Jha’s film, Chitthi, is among the curation. The short film tells the story of a girl who is facing family pressure to get married after her SSC board examinations. The Kandivali-based teenager says, “It [the film] made me realise how powerful storytelling was as a medium. I saw how a simple narrative can shift perspectives, especially around a topic so close to my life as a girl.” Kiran Rao interacts with the children. Pic Courtesy/Instagram Kochar remarks how the stories were as much a form of expression as they were a need to contextualise distant experiences from the mainstream. “For instance, one of these stories in a film titled, Could It Be, is an LGBTQiA+ romance between two boys. Sandeep Keshari who, directed the short, had watched these stories unfurl in mainstream cinema, but did not have a source to contextualise it in their world,” she points out. Shreya Tripathi, another 16-year-old filmmaker agrees. Her film, Lollipop, tackles the sensitive subject of sexual harassment experienced by a young girl. She points out, “The workshop was a way to explore ourselves and learn how creative and deep thinking we are. It also taught me how much the small things around us matter, and how they impact us.” For Iqra Shaikh, a resident of Shankarwadi, the programme was a chance to flip stereotypes. Having noticed the lack of female Muslim superheroes on screen, the 16-year old decided to turn hero by creating a hacker who takes on a corrupt politician. But it was the process of collaborating and creating stories that excited her. She remarks, “I now have the power to share my stories in so many different ways. My favourite things now are filmmaking and zine making.” Nandini Kochar, Priya Jha, Shreya Tripathi and Iqra Shaikh Kochar hopes to carry this forward next year too. She has reason to. This project has now translated into potential career opportunities for some of these young filmmakers. They have also had a chance to interact with established filmmakers, including director Kiran Rao who had dropped by for a session. Shaikh, for instance, is interning as a video consultant for the NGO Gully Clinic, while Tripathi has already interned with Chalk & Cheese, the company that produced Payal Kapadia’s recent Cannes award-winner and Academy-award entrant, All We Imagine As Light. In view of this, Kochar notes that their first showcase on Sunday is open to the public, and will also be attended by organisations and students from schools across the city. Moreover, it will be hosted, curated and presented by the teenage filmmakers themselves. “The films that these kids are working on and making, deserve a larger platform since they are themes that will resonate with a lot of kids and adults alike,” Kochar concludes. On October 20; 11 am to 1 pmAt Museum of Solutions, Victoria House, Lower Parel. Log on to insider.inEntry Rs 300
18 October,2024 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarAs the sun sets sooner, one is always drawn to a slurpy ramen bowl for late evening snacking, or even a post-midnight kitchen raid. If you love ramen and want to recreate that comforting bowl at home, SOI Wasabi’s just-launched DIY ramen kit might be just the thing for you. We recently tried one, and it turned out to be a fun culinary experiment. First up, we ordered single bowls of spicy miso ramen (Rs 325) which had mushroom, hot chilli oil, noodles, nori sheets, and the chicken shoyu ramen (R400) which included sesame, soy, noodles, burnt garlic, nori sheets, half-boiled eggs and chicken; both came with umami broths. We were hoping it would be something we could assemble. Unfortunately, it came pre-assembled — we only had to pour in the broth. It was not what we expected, so we called for a kit to assemble the next day. The drawback is that you must order at least four portions because it only makes logistical sense for the brand. Chicken shoyu ramen The Korean ramen bowl kit (R425) contained pre-portioned ingredients, packed separately, including fresh ramen noodles, a flavourful broth, dried toppings like nori, spring onions, and sesame, wet ingredients like chilli and sesame oil, and protein (chicken and soft-boiled egg). There were no assembly instructions because the chefs in the kitchen prefer that you assemble everything as you know best. The process feels approachable, even for someone who’s not a pro. While the broth was packed in a tetra, we reheated it because we like our ramen piping-hot. We had our quick-fix dinner in about five minutes, ideal for a weeknight meal. The broth was surprisingly rich and authentic, capturing the deep umami flavour essential in a good ramen. The noodles were fresh, and had a nice springy texture, far superior to instant ramen packs. The toppings, although minimal, were good enough to give the dish that restaurant-quality finish. Our extras — sesame and chilli oil — helped elevate the final flavours in the bowl. Post our tasting, we chatted with chef Shreyas Kadam of the cloud kitchen. He shared about ramen being a personal culinary pick where everyone has a different taste profile. “DIY kits let you enjoy creativity without the hassle of sourcing specialty ingredients. Some prefer more broth or more noodles while others don’t enjoy sesame, and while each ingredient boosts the dish when you assemble it your way, it hits differently.” Unlike a regular ramen delivery, where noodles can sometimes arrive soggy and the broth lukewarm, the DIY kit ensures everything is perfectly assembled. At over R1,700 for four portions, it’s not the cheapest option (especially if you plan on dining solo), but it’s worth the experience — of making your own ramen, especially if you have friends and family over. The kit gives you restaurant-style quality without leaving your home, which makes it a win in our book. Log on to Swiggy or Zomato Also Read: Head to Mazgaon for Korean street fare TODAY
18 October,2024 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak SiddiqiFor an entire day tomorrow, a neighbourhood in Mazgaon will turn into a mini avatar of Seoul. Taking centrestage at the day-long K-Wave Festival are K-pop artistes Suho and Hyolyn, and an exhaustive, cutesy yet lip-smacking food curation, inspired by city-based Preet Sanghvi’s recent food trip to South Korea. Fatcarons or Korean macarons “Food plays as important a role as the artistes and events to make a festival successful,” Sanghvi shares. The founder of food curating service, Gourmet Tales, has onboarded city-based restaurants and K-food ventures, to bring alive the festival with flavours she traces back to the streets of Korea. “I curated food for the K-Wave Festival last year as well. But this time, I decided to go all out with innovation and study the K-pop and East Asian food wave in India closely. For this, I took a trip to South Korea earlier this year,” she shares. The trip, she says, was enlightening. “We often tend to view East Asian food as something to indulge in at high-end restaurants. But if you visit Korea, their street food culture is as lively as ours. This time, I wanted to give K-pop fans a glimpse of that,” she reveals. Korean star corn dog and Sotteok Along with traditional food available across the streets of Korea, Sanghvi will introduce some fusions. “In Korea, just like in India, they have Korean variations for global cuisines. Korean pizza options at Go Pizza outlets are a favourite there. I have collaborated with Pete’s Pizzeria in Mumbai to introduce similar flavours through kimchi pizza with gochujang mayonnaise at the festival. Seoul Burgers and Shakes, on the other hand, will serve Seoul sizzle chicken burgers with prominent Korean street food flavours,” she explains. Bingsu Other fusion foods to look out for at the festival include dak-kkochi kebab rolls by Feast at East. “You will find skewers everywhere in South Korea. They either skew meat or cheese. To bring a similar experience here, I introduced their famous skewed dak-kkochi with kebab.” The curator also suggests trying fatcarons (Korean macarons) and bingsu (shaved ice cream) by Confetti and Cream, and egg drop sandwich (another popular Korean street food) by I’m Wholesome. The food curation features famous fusion iterations available across the streets of South Korea, like Seoul sizzle chicken burger “For traditional Korean street food, head to Sun and Moon Korea café’s stall. Here, you will get red bean hotteok, sotteok and tteokbokki. Seoulmate will serve traditional mandu or dimsums. The K-pop star corn dog by Tiger Yaki is another must try,” she lists. For those with a sweet tooth, tanghulu (candied fruits) and grilled marshmallows at Fruitilicious are instant K-sugar rush. “There is also a mocktail bar serving up K-pop inspired beverages. One of these is called Jimin-berry milk [named after BTS boy band member, Jimin] by Bobakat!” she shares excitedly. On Today; 1 pm onwardsAt Bayview Lawns, Victoria Docks, Mazgaon. Log on to skillboxes.com (for entry pass)Entry Rs 2,699 onwards Also Read: A vegetarian food trail through Mahavir Nagar khau gully in Kandivli
18 October,2024 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiIn an attempt to support emerging talent and film enthusiasts from across the country, the Mumbai Indie Film Society, founded in 2018, has introduced a new initiative, Horizon: A Documentary Conclave. This is a three-day event, scheduled between October 24 and October 27, aiming to provide knowledge about the art of making a documentary film. The series of events will be a blend of a workshop, a book narration, and an interactive session by an industry professional. Horizon is a beginner-friendly event that is open to all aspiring filmmakers. Sharib Hashmi and Sriram Raghavan at a previous discussion “We created this initiative to provide a platform that will facilitate the right support and guidance to those who aspire to tell their stories to a wider audience through their films,” Badrinaath Sabat, founder of the Mumbai Indie Film Society, told this writer. Girish Dwibhashyam, vice president, and strategy and business head of streaming platform Docubay, will host an interactive session on the scope of non-fiction filmmaking in India and how one can strategically place films for the worldwide audience and access the potential funding for the story ideas. This discussion on October 24 will offer insight into independent filmmaking as a career. Badrinaath Sabat In another segment, screenwriter and director, Kamal Swaroop, best known for his 1988 film Om-Dar-B-Dar, will be narrating his memoir, Tracing Phalke, which will take you through the life and legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke, hailed as the father of Indian cinema. In this session, participants will get to watch a montage of the collective works of Phalke. This session (October 26) will give a glimpse of his influence on modern-day filmmaking. The documentary filmmaking workshop on October 27, will be conducted by Iranian-North American filmmaker Hossein Martin Fazeli, known for his 2007 short film, The Tale of Nazinins, and his recent project, Phoolan. Fazeli will take participants through the process of budget planning, film distribution, and conceptualising a compelling narrative. His session will cover techniques used in independent filmmaking during which he will also refer to his documentaries as case studies. LAST DATE TO REGISTER October 17 ON October 24, 6.30 pm; October 26, 2 pm; October 27, 3 pmLog on to @mumbaiindiefilmsociety5.0 (to register)AT Creative Adda 191, Versova, Andheri West. ENTRY Rs 499 onwards
17 October,2024 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Amey MirashiCommunication can be challenging for parents with children coping with speech impediments. For a friend, this proved to be a matter of personal and parental distress. While his son was quick to pick up sign language to cope, my friend found himself struggling with the classes. The Basics of Sign Language app came in handy for him. A simple app with visual aid for alphabets, numbers and signs in the US, UK and Indian Sign Languages, it is a handy tool to have. Log on to: Google Play Store
17 October,2024 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThere is nothing chef Chalee Kader loves more than to talk about food. The co-founder of Bangkok’s famed Michelin-starred restaurant Wana Yook is known for a style that highlights the regional diversity and traditional heritage of Thailand through fascinating contemporary dishes. This weekend, he will be in Mumbai for a two-day pop-up, Ode to Home, in collaboration with The Bombay Canteen’s executive chef Hussain Shahzad. Kai dao with pickled yolks Shahzad says, “With Ode to Home, we invite chefs from around the world to share their culinary heritage and let their stories unfold through the dishes they create.” We reached out to Kader to learn what defines Thai cooking, and some quick tips to take away. Edited excerpts from an interview with Kader: Welcome to Mumbai, chef. What drew you to the city this time?I was hanging out with Shahzad [in Bangkok], trying out street food when the idea for Ode to Home came into our heads. We want to take Mumbaikars on a culinary journey featuring over 20 of our best-known Thai dishes. In particular, I will be introducing different types of larbs [spicy, minced meat salad] from the north and north-eastern regions of Thailand, and crispy fried kai dao with pickled yolks — perfect for snacking or pairing with a drink. There is also the famed ice-cream hotdog and jasmine wagyu ribeye — crowd favourites back home. Chalee Kader While Thai cuisine is incredibly popular across the world, is there a definitive feature that patrons, or even chefs, overlook in its curation?People often miss that every dish in Thai cuisine is supposed to have a bold, upfront flavour. The cuisine isn’t afraid to allow certain flavours stand out, be it the heat from chillies, the zing of lime or the punch of fish sauce. Which dishes capture these profiles?There are quite a few on the menu. One of them is the larb kwai, or buff tartare, made with long pepper and fried garlic. This is the first dish I always have when I visit Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. In larb kwai, the meat is finely minced with Vietnamese mint and 18 different spices, then finished off with coriander and spring onions. We might even add some bile for a touch of bitterness. Another dish that I’m excited to plate up is the 100 Mahaseth bone marrow. It’s got crispy perilla seeds on top. The crunch of the seeds goes perfectly with the rich marrow, creating a great balance of texture and flavour. I would recommend it. ON October 19 and October 20TIME 12 pm and 2.30 pm (lunch), 7 pm and 10 pm (dinner)AT The Bombay Canteen, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel.CALL 8880802424 (for reservations) Quick-fire kaprao Using fresh ingredients is better with Thai cuisine. But if you wish use local ingredients, opt for a quick kaprao-style stir-fry. Grab some garlic, minced meat, chopped red chillies, and a big bunch of basil leaves. Sauté everything in a hot wok, season with fish sauce, soy sauce, and even oyster sauce. Top it over a bowl of rice for a simple, delicious meal. By chef Chalee Kader Also check out Thai seafood soireeChef Dimitrios Moudios from Ore, Bangkok drops in to showcase an evolving tasting menu built around seafood with bold flavours and artistic presentations.ON October 19; 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm AT Magazine St Kitchen, Devidayal Mill, Reay Road, Byculla East. CALL 9987897207 LOG ON TO foodmatters.inCOST Rs 5,500 onwards Mayurbhanj tadkaExplore the diversity of Orissa’s lesser-known culinary traditions of Mayurbhanj at this weekend pop-up in Fort. ON October 18 and October 19; 7 pm to 9.30 pm, 9.30 pm to 12 amAT Ekaa Mumbai, first floor, Kitab Mahal, Azad Maidan, Fort.CALL 9987657989 (for reservations) Also Read: A vegetarian food trail through Mahavir Nagar khau gully in Kandivli
17 October,2024 10:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarButterflies are excellent pollinators, a vital marker of their ecosystem’s health, and an unexpendable part of the food pyramid. But when we ask BNHS education officer Priyadarshini Supekar why she has an eye on the butterflies of Mumbai, her answer is simple — “When I see a hundred butterflies fluttering around me, it makes me happy inside.” You can’t possibly contest that. At the Butterfly Festival this weekend, Mumbaikars will have the opportunity to experience this spectacle up close. Striped tiger butterflies spotted at the BNHS CEC in Goregaon. PICS COURTESY/BNHS CEC “Mumbai’s monsoon has coloured our forest bright green. Hidden under this green cover are host plants — plants that make ideal sites for butterflies to mate and lay eggs. On the other hand, more flowers also mean more nectar to feed on,” Supekar explains why the butterflies are out and about around this time of the year. While these host plants, including lemon trees and curry leaf plants, are spread across a 33-acre area of the BNHS Nature Reserve, visitors will be escorted to a compact Butterfly Garden in the premises this weekend. Psyche butterfly “In addition to host plants and nectar plants, we have carefully planted alkaloid plants in the garden. These plants help male butterflies secrete pheromones to attract female mates,” she reveals. Talk about being a good wingman. The fruition of these efforts, the officer adds, is that you might witness more than 50 butterflies from species like common lime, striped tiger, psyche, and blue oakleaf at the same time in the garden. Blue oak leaf butterfly For curious learners, Supekar has bigger plans in mind. An edutainment session at the Conservation Education Centre will give visitors a refresher on the complex life-cycles of butterflies and moths. “When you learn about the processes and head to the garden to witness it live, it remains etched in your mind forever,” Supekar suggests, adding that visitors at the festival will go home with more than memories of ‘feeling happy inside’. A painting session will encourage participants to put their favourite butterfly sightings of the day on paper (or rocks and leaves, if that’s your jam). Participants paint at the 2023 edition students learn about butterflies at the Butterfly Garden in BNHS Nature Reserve Brewing under all the fun and games at the two-day event is a larger cause close to the hearts of naturalists like Supekar. “The presence of butterflies reveals that the host plant species in the region are intact. Thankfully in Mumbai, the population has been stable,” she assures us. With the increasing concretisation and rapid infrastructural changes across Mumbai’s urban scapes, there might not be a better time to catch a glimpse of these beautiful winged insects. Priyadarshini Supekar ON October 19 and 20; 8 am to 10 amMEETING POINT BNHS Conservation Education Centre, Film City, Goregaon East.LOG ON TO @bombaynaturalhistorysociety on InstagramENTRY Rs 350 (members); Rs 450 (non-members)
17 October,2024 10:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThursdayRising stars Holler, scream, sing or shout — give a rhythm to your little munchkin’s vocals at this 45-minute workshop.Age group 3 years to 5 years time 4.30 pm to 5.15 pm and 5.30 pm to 6.15 pm At Hullabaloo Children’s Studio, off AB Nair Road, Juhu. Log on to @hullabaloo.kidsCost Revealed on request FridayMindful moves Break away from the hustle to reset at this Mind It, Movie It experience, where facilitator Abhishek Banerji will promote corporate mindfulness and emotional balance through drama, art, empathy-building exercises and movement. Time 4 pm to 5 pm (Lower Parel); 12 pm to 1 pm (Bandra) At Dextrus, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East. Also at: Peninsula Corporate Towers, BKC. At events@dextrus.in (for passes). Log on to Rs 1,100 onwards (day pass) SaturdayDecades of rhythm Dadar-based 37-member choral powerhouse, The Salvation Singers, is returning with its next solo act, Rhythm Riot. This time, they will jazz it up with decades of good songs featuring desi favourites, 1960s pop, and latest chartbusters. As usual, these performances will be full of twists with quirky choreographies and cheerful theatrics. Time 7 pm onwards At Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. Log on to in.bookmyshow.com Cost Rs 500 onwards Parkour in Powai If you have ever day-dreamed of becoming a superhero, these parkour workshops at a new set-up in Powai will give you a jump-start, quite literally.Time 5 pm to 6 pm (4 years to 8 years), 6 pm to 7 pm (9 years to 14 years) 7 pm to 8 pm (for adults)At Gopal Sharma International School, MHADA colony, Powai. Log on to @mumbaimovementacademy SundayOne word at a time American author Heather Forest will perform in the event Transcend through verses as storytellers gather in Mumbai for the International Storytelling festival, Gaatha, organised by The Mumbai Storytellers Society in collaboration with Somaiya Vidyavihar University.Time 10.30 am to 8.30 pmAt Various venues in Ghatkopar East, and at Kitab Khana, Fort. Log on to gmisf.org/en/schedule (for schedule and passes)Entry Rs 499 (excludes cost for workshops)
17 October,2024 10:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiHow well will a traditional Japanese garment and the island nation’s national costume fare in a packed Bandra eatery buzzing with electronic music? We’ll find out this weekend, thanks to Chandni Ahuja aka KIBO (below), who will give the cosy venue an Indo-Japanese makeover to celebrate fusion music, art, and food. Her only ask — show up in your funkiest kimonos. For the 28-year-old who grew up on Hayao Miyazaki’s dreamy Studio Ghibli’s movies, the party is a dream come true in itself. “After years of working in event management and watching DJs perform live, I finally quit my job to try my hand at spinning the decks. The party celebrates a year of my identity as KIBO (Japanese for ‘hope’) and the onset of the pre-Diwali bashes,” she reveals. While the party boasts of a genre-fluid line-up, you’ll have to make your way through pop-up stalls featuring glitter art, Japan-inspired tattoos, and a Kimono stall (for those who didn’t get the memo) before you face the music at the mezzanine floor of the venue. On the guestlist are experimental artistes like Gandhar Shembekar, Mayank Vidhani and nearly a hundred Mumbaikars looking for a Japanese escapade. ON October 19; 8 pmAT Next Door Eatery and Bar, Chapel Road, Bandra West. LOG ON TO @thekibonoparty on InstagramENTRY Revealed on request Also Read: Halloween 2024: As wicked as Lucy Westenra
16 October,2024 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAsha’s VoiceAsha, one of Mathangi Subramanian’s creations, is “very, very small” but showcases some big ideas. She loves to sing and her songs have the power to lighten up people’s moods. One day, she recognises this, and uses her voice at a village meeting, bringing the community together. In his illustrations, Saheb Ram Tudu employs pastels and soft colours to depict glimpses of the village and its people. They guide readers who are ready to engage with new ideas. Full of Light Shakthi with her drawing Shakthi wins an art competition at school but her Amma does not appreciate it. Soon though, a disheartened Shakthi meets a friend who uplifts her spirits and reminds her of everything that makes her great. Subramanian’s story about Shakthi will connect well with older children. It introduces readers to nuanced emotions like dejection and finding self-confidence. Proiti Roy’s sharp illustrations strengthen the text. The Freedom Sisters Payoshni. ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY/PRATHAM BOOKS In Menaka Raman’s story, illustrated by Kruttika Susarla, young Payoshni wishes to participate in the Independence Day celebrations. However, she isn’t being let into any of the groups that have gathered across the city. Her desire to play her favourite musical instruments, such as the trumpet or the French horn, to celebrate the day helps her discover a way to express herself.Log on to prathambooks.org
15 October,2024 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaADVERTISEMENT
