Start 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 KambleAs we stroll through the main gate of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, we’re greeted by a gentle rustling of leaves around us. It’s not the morning breeze, it’s the park’s rhesus monkeys — already up and swinging before the clock strikes 7 am. It seems yoga instructor Dipali Rege, who is leading the park’s new forest yoga sessions inside, has travelled the same route. “The mind is like a monkey,” she smiles as she begins the hour-long session. “If you can’t tame it, practising yoga is pointless.” We’re in the company of a healthy mix of senior citizens, young runners, and casual morning walkers who have all settled into their own cosy spots at the park’s amphitheatre nestled near the Nature Interpretation Centre. We later learn from nature interpretation officer Shubham Hadkar that the mini-amphitheatre had been non-functional for a year. “We wanted to slowly bring it back into operation, and so we decided to start with these weekly sessions with Rege,” he tells us. Participants perform stretches before the session; Rege demonstrates ushtrasana for senior citizens; Dipali Rege The session begins, naturally, with taming the monkey inside us. We’re asked to extend an arm and hold our thumb out at eye level. The goal is to channel our focus to the thumb to get into a meditative mood. “Focus on your thumb like you focus on your mobile screens for hours on end,” Rege laughs; her prompt works like a charm. Some basic body stretches and warm-ups later, we’re pumped up to get into the thick of it. “You need not replicate every step. Yoga is not the same for everyone. Identify your physical limitations and don’t compare yourself to the person next to you,” Rege instructs the participants who are itching to perform some asanas by now. For absolute beginners like this writer, the instructor’s warning is a blessing in disguise. Before assuming the ushtrasana (camel) position, the instructor walks up to the older participants in the group to suggest easier standing variations that they can follow. We appreciate the personal touch that senior citizens who usually choose to follow yoga tutorials online might be missing out on. Participants learn the standing chakrasana at the amphitheatre Over the next 30 minutes, Rege takes us through a range of asanas, while patiently answering concerns like, “Can I perform this if I have unstable blood pressure?” or “I have a back injury. Should I continue?” “You’re better off safe than sorry. Performing an aasana the wrong way can leave you feeling exhausted. Feeling a strain on your muscles is natural. But it should never be a struggle,” she points out, as we approach the penultimate pose manduk asana, which Rege claims helps improve gut health. For positions like this, the instructor suggests participants get their own yoga mats from home. After some gutsy twists and bends, it’s time for our favourite aasana from the day — shavasana, the corpse pose. There are no disclaimers here, the group assumes a sleeping position and Rege talks us through a step-by-step relaxation routine. Given the 6.45 am reporting time for the session, slipping into a quick nap doesn’t seem like a bad idea. “Keep your eyes closed and your ears open,” she instructs a participant who has possibly tried to sneak a peek of the blue skies above us. We comply. “Easing out of a session is just as important as warming up. If you’re waking up every day, and hurriedly performing a quick pranayama or asana, you’re doing yourself a disservice,” the instructor points out. Following a pranayama session to end the day, participants huddle around Rege for advice — some regarding their health conditions while others for their fitness goals. We step up for the average Mumbaikar, and ask Rege why someone who doesn’t have either must join her sessions. She leaves us with an anecdote, “I was invited to a school in Bandra to host a session last year. A visibly disturbed seven-year-old walked up to me and complained about being under the stress of academic expectations. In that sense, you are never too young to feel stress, or start practising yoga to beat it.” ON Every Sunday; 6.45 am AT Amphitheatre, behind Nature Interpretation Centre, Sanjay Gandhi National Park MESSAGE 7738778789 (registration mandatory for free entry at gate)FREE Breathe easy in the city Head to these green, open-air spots in the city to reconnect with nature . Bhandup Pumping StationThis popular flamingo sighting point is a birder’s paradise with native birds frequenting the area before the flamingos arrive in November. AT Off Eastern Express Highway, Bhandup East. . Nirvana Park PowaiThis Japan-themed park is spread across four acres of lush green land with stone paths and koi ponds. AT Central Avenue, Hiranandani Estate, Powai. . Culvem Village This village nestled in the Manori neighbourhood hosts a scenic sunset point where the Arabian Sea meets a cliff.AT Near Ambedkar Nagar Bus Stop, Gorai-Manori Road. . Bhavan’s Nature Centre This green oasis in the busy suburb is home to a lakeside walking path, native birds, reptiles, and adorable bunnies.AT Bhavan’s College, Azad Nagar, Andheri West.
24 October,2024 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThe ever-fabulous looking and self-confessed foodie Kareena Kapoor Khan took to Instagram recently, where she highlighted the importance of incorporating butter into our breakfast. She shared a glimpse of her morning meal, a half-eaten croissant accompanied by a generous serving of butter. We speak to nutritionist Saloni Kothari about how to keep the butter quotient intact for breakfast and enjoy it with the right balance. Yummy goodness Butter is rich in vitamins A, D, K and E, Kothari explains, “Consuming a teaspoon of butter early in the morning on an empty stomach or with black coffee can serve as an antioxidant, helping with constipation, boosting stamina, and jumpstarting your metabolism.” Breakfast of champions can be made better when butter is added in moderation, creating a balance. Saloni Kothari “Adding nut butter to your smoothies gives them a creamy texture and provides additional health benefits,” she suggests. Butter can also elevate the taste of multigrain toast or millet rotis. “A gentle slather of butter on a millet roti or wrap ensures the carb and fat ratio is balanced, and it contains lauric acid which aids digestion,” she explains. For those looking for a hearty breakfast, she recommends dishes like sandwiches filled with vegetables, flax seeds sprinkled over nut butter toast or in smoothie, or a sautéed mushroom and spinach wrap, all of which ensure a balanced intake of necessary food groups. Given the preservatives found in processed butter, Kothari advises making your own at home. “You can make it yourself or source it from home chefs,” she adds. Balancing act Despite butter’s many benefits, the nutritionist warns against overconsumption. “Since butter is ultimately a fat, eating it in large amounts can become problematic. A teaspoon of butter is typically recommended, but this can’t be generalised. It depends on individual dietary needs and health goals,” she explains. In the growing debate over which type of butter is best for Betty to buy, Kothari addresses the rise of vegan butter made from non-dairy substitutes such as nuts, seeds, and certain oils. “Vegan butter will have a different taste. In my opinion, it can be used if the diet suits you and you’re inclined to try it,” she says. Ultimately, Kothari stresses the importance of mindful eating and maintaining a holistic lifestyle. Try this at home: Corn salad bowl For a well-rounded snack, Riya Gala, chef and founder of Brown Kitchen (@the.brown.kitchen), suggests assembling an easy-to-make corn salad bowl. “This salad has a lot of benefits. Sweet corn is full of fibre and is a source for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It helps with digestion and promotes eye health. Sweet corn, along with butter can be a healthy and a filling addition to your diet, provided you make it right,” she explains. Ingredients>> 2 tbsp butter (preferably vegan) >> 1/2 cup corn>> 1/3 cup bell peppers>> 1/3 cup zucchini >> 1/4 cup broccoli >> 1 tsp red chilli powder>> 1 tsp black pepper powder>> 1 tsp salt>> Crushed peanuts and salad dressing, for garnish MethodTake a pan. Add butter, red chilli powder and black pepper powder. Add sweet corn and sauté it for a while. Take it off the heat after sprinkling some salt. Next, take a bowl. Add corn, bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli together. Mix all the veggies, garnish it with choices of salad dressing and crush peanuts. You can also add lemon juice if desired.
23 October,2024 10:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Devanshi DoshiADVERTISEMENT
