Must catch events this weekend

Remember the last time the sweet scent of a flower invaded your senses and made you smile? It's difficult to imagine a busy suburb like Andheri blooming with flowers, but that's exactly what one corner of it will look like all through this weekend

Andheri will be in full bloom this weekend

Till

Bhavan's College, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (W).
Call 28687132
Remember the last time the sweet scent of a flower invaded your senses and made you smile? It's difficult to imagine a busy suburb like Andheri blooming with flowers, but that's exactly what one corner of it will look like all through this weekend.

Wild Holidays -- an outfit that specialises in eco tourism -- has organised Prakruti, a three-day nature festival which will include a flower show, a dog show, a wildlife photography exhibition, pet care and animal rescue talks, a seminar on trees, medicinal plants display, a nature photography workshop, film shows, games, street play, poetry and dance. You can also get your adrenaline pumping with some help from adventure activities that include rappelling, flying fox, tree climbing and valley crossing. Teach your pup a couple of tricks or grow a green thumb this weekend.

Witness a unique jugalbandi
On Saturday, 7 pm
Where Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.
Call 32972584
Tickets Rs 300, Rs 400 and Rs 500 (available at venue)
Purists may snigger, but we love the great vibes that blend in beautifully to create something new and sounds magical. Such fusion magic will resonate through the corridors of Nehru Centre this weekend as master flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia performs with harpist Gwyneth Wentink from the Netherlands and jazz pianist Louiz Banks. The Splendor of Masters, an annual concert organised by Banyan Tree Events, will also feature Vijay Ghate on tabla and Gino Banks on drums.

In a fascinating story, Wentink was first introduced to Pandit Chaurasia's music while holidaying in India. She was so charmed by the flute that she mentioned it to her coach upon her return. And by a stroke of luck, her coach had invited Pandit Chaurasia to teach at his institute. The rest, as they say, is history. Don't miss this unique jugalbandi.

Time to make space on your bookshelf, again
Till February 6, 10 am to 8 pm
Where Sunderbai Hall, near Churchgate Station, behind Income Tax office.
Okay, we admit it. Each year, in the last week of January, we end up reaching work later than usual. Don't blame us -- our fingers are firmly pointed at the Strand Book Sale.

The annual pilgrimage is one of the city's most anticipated events. This year, Strand is offering discounts up to 80% (minimum 25%) on books in categories ranging from children, cookery and craft to spirituality, self-help and science. There are over 40,000 titles; does one angry boss count anymore?

These guys will make you lol on the spot
On Today, 9 pm
Where Brun Cafe, 10th Road, opposite Prakash Petrol, near PVR Juhu, JVPD, Juhu Circle.
Call 9820055732
Entry Rs 150
Most with a sense of humour will swear by TV show, Whose Line is it Anyway? If you wondered whether the banter could ever take place for real, head to Juhu today for an improvisational comedy night which takes on a deadly, competitive angle.

The Improv Wars, organised by Improv Comedy Mumbai, will see comedians divided into two teams and battle it out for the highest score. The judges will be mean and the audience: judgemental. There will be blood. Okay, may be not that. But there will be quirky gifts for the audience. There, you just got one more reason to make the trip.

Why are messages by a 15th century mystic relevant today?
Till Sunday
Log on to https://www.thekabirfest.com/ for the schedule
After the Godhra riots, documentary filmmaker Shabnam Virmani travelled with folk singers who sang the music of Kabir for generations. Six years of these travels resulted in four documentary films and several recordings of Folk as well as Classical musicians who have expressed the words of Kabir through their music. Inspired by The Kabir Project, this is the first Mumbai festival centred on the 15th century North Indian mystic poet -- The Kabir Festival. It seeks to introduce the youth to the message of the mystic-saint, through several events taking around the city.

"He spoke powerfully against all divisions that afflicted society in his times and it seems that not much has changed, in fact things are getting worse," says festival co-ordinator Priti Turakhia. "His poetry strongly and gently reminds you that deep down, all of us are the same though there may be superficial differences."

Events include live performances by folk artistes, film screenings, discussions, talks, dances, open-air concerts and story-telling. Says Priti, "We hope to create an awareness of the treasure of Indian Folk music and introduce the message of Kabir, which is relevant across centuries and hopefully spark an interest in examining issues which challenge society and each person today."

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