While the whole of Mumbai and India was busy witnessing Coldplay live in concert at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, there was another section that was enjoying the melodious songs of popular Kerala-based band Thaikkudam Bridge, who were also in the city to perform at Dublin Square in Phoenix Marketcity Kurla. While they performed many of their hits, fans of the Kerala band were in for a surprise when they got to witness Coldplay, or at least a version of their song, at the performance. Knowing that many fans weren't able to witness the British band live, and at the same time chose to witness the Kerala band, known for many hits over the last three decades, they were in for a treat. Sanju Shibu, a city-based creative professional, who was at the performance, said, "Vivian (Fernandes) said, "So what if you missed 'Sky Full of Stars', you are the stars tonight. It felt amazing." The performance that followed saw the band, led by vocalist and founding member of the band Govind Menon on the violin, play a melodious version of 'Sky Full of Stars' that left many people gaping, including Shibu, who said, "I missed watching Thaikkudam Bridge twice in the past, and this was my first time and I loved the performance. Their version of the song also helped relieve the pain of not getting the Rs 7,000 tickets." Without a doubt, the Malayalam band ended their performance with 'Fish Rock', their popular song that left fans wanting for more. On the other hand, Coldplay will take the stage yet again today at the same venue for another unique performance that will be followed by a last one in Mumbai on January 21, and then in Ahmedabad on January 25 and 26.
19 January,2025 04:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoSold-out tickets, crashing websites, and fans scrambling for a chance to see their favorite band LIVE— all the excitement for Coldplay’s India concert has culminated with a hyped-up base of eager fans trying to compose themselves for the Big Day. Now, as the countdown hits its peak, Indians are leaving nothing to chance, by seeking a final checklist of must-dos to help them make the most of “A Sky Full of Stars” on what is being dubbed the concert of a lifetime. The Reddit community r/ColdplayIndia, is emerging as the epicentre of fan excitement. From online vibe checks on what to wear to raving about the launch of the exclusive Navi Mumbai train to get there, all the buzz is transforming the community into an online stage for what’s set to be one of India’s biggest live music moments. Concert etiquette 101: First-timers turn to Reddit for pre-concert prepWith the hype building for Coldplay’s India concert like never before, Reddit’s r/coldplayindia has become the ultimate prep hub, bringing together concert pros and newbies to share tips and hacks for an unforgettable experience. From sharing tips on keeping belongings safe — like using fanny packs or lanyard-style phone covers — to advising on travel-light strategies for standing zones, more and more fans are flocking to Reddit communities for their ultimate concert guide. With sustainability on their minds, fans are also tackling the big questions – debating water bottle rules and best practices. As one redditor pointed out, “Water stations are available at the venue, so we can carry small bottles,” easing first-time jitters and ensuring that everyone is ready to enjoy the big night easily and responsibly. Fit checks steal the style spotlightFrom metallic crop tops to personalised merch, redditors are making this a moment for individual expression and their love for the band through fit checks that add another layer of excitement to the unforgettable night. One redditor shared their hand-painted T-shirt blending the iconic “Lights will guide you home” lyric atop a Starry Night aesthetic, garnering admiration for its artistic flair and intuitive Coldplay x Van Gogh pairing. Fans travelling from the Northeast shared plans to layer Coldplay T-shirts with mini skirts and leather jackets to beat the weather woes, while seasoned attendees emphasized comfort, weighing in with cautionary advice – “Wear whatever you are comfortable in!” ,“you might need to walk a lot!” Beat the traffic: Reddit buzzes over exclusive train to Coldplay's Mumbai gigWhether you’re taking the train or carpooling, Reddit has all the answers for concert travel prep. And with Mumbai traffic being a feat of its own, the organisers’ move to bring an exclusive train service from Goregaon to Nerul, priced at Rs 500 for a return trip has fans buzzing on Reddit. Giving Coldplay fans a unique way to skip the traffic chaos with this news of a hassle-free and seamless travel experience has Reddit firing up with advice, especially for outstation attendees. “Are you from Mumbai, and would you recommend that?” one redditor asks, sparking discussions on practical tips and route hacks. While some debate the cost, others highlight alternate travel options. Some fans are even championing the idea of making such services standard for major events, ensuring seamless access for all of the city’s upcoming big nights.
19 January,2025 03:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrom asking what 'Jai Shri Ram' means to giving a tongue-in-cheek shout-out to cricketer Jasprit Bumrah, Coldplay's first concert in India in nine years was nothing short of a cultural celebration where the band's frontman Chris Martin captivated the audience with his humour and curiosity.There were plenty of unforgettable moments that resonated deeply with fans at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium where Coldplay kick-started their 'Music of the Spheres World Tour' in India.For two hours at the packed stadium, Martin belted out chartbuster tracks like "Paradise", "Viva La Vida", "Adventure of a Lifetime", "Yellow", "Fix You", and "A Sky Full of Stars", among others.One of the evening's most stand moments came when Martin noticed a fan holding a placard that read 'Jai Shri Ram'. Curious, he uttered the phrase, igniting thunderous cheers from the crowd.He then said, 'What does Jai Shri Ram mean? Must be something good.' Martin's innocent inquiry about the meaning of the phrase only heightened the audience's excitement.Throughout the evening, Martin made a concerted effort to connect with the audience in their native tongues. His attempts to speak Hindi and Marathi were met with overwhelming warmth.At the beginning of the concert, he interacted with the crowd in Marathi, Hindi, and English. He began by saying in Marathi, 'Tumhee saghre aaj chaan distat' (You all look beautiful today).He then said in Hindi, 'Aap sab ka bahut swagat hai humare show pe. Mumbai mein aakar hume bahut khushi ho rahi hai. (You're all very welcome to our show. We feel happy after coming to Mumbai).'"Sorry, my Hindi and Marathi are bad but I tried my best," he said, before switching to English.The British musician thanked Indian fans for giving him the chance to play in one of "our favourite places in the whole world"."This is our fourth visit to India, the second time playing, and the first time played our show, and we couldn't have asked for a better audience. It's amazing you welcome us,' Martin said.The singer-songwriter frequently checked on the crowd and made a point to ensure that they were well taken care of, asking about their well-being and hydration.Looking at the various placards held by fans, he said, now is the good time to read some of the signs.While reading placards by fans, such as 'Happy Birthday to you', 'Love to mom she is fighting cancer', 'I love Coldplay', 'Welcome from Calcutta', and 'I remember you from the Temple', Martin responded, 'Yes, I think so. I remember you. I went to some amazing places.'He later invited a 15-year-old boy whose message read: 'Aum, I manifested this moment. I am ready for it. Can I sing 'Everglow' with you?'Martin fulfilled the boy's wish as the two sang the track together. A few minutes later, while performing the song "Alien", Martin even invited a male security guard on stage, who danced his heart out.The D Y Patil sports stadium, which is primarily a cricket stadium, though it is sometimes used for football, music concerts and other events, was glowing amidst the colourful lights courtesy of the recyclable light wristbands that all the attendees were wearing and the great firework displayed at the end of the concert.At one point the fireworks didn't light up at the opportune time, and Martin said, 'It's taking a bit of time for it to get lit up. Can we all make firework sounds?'. The crowd followed him in unison till the skies were lit.Towards the end of the concert, Martin stopped crooning and teased fans saying he needed to wrap it soon since it was time for Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah to play cricket at the stadium.'We got to finish the show because Jasprit Bumrah wants to come and play cricket backstage. Thank you very much, everybody, good night. He says he needs to ball at me,' he said leaving the crowd craving for some more songs.'We love you Jasprit. So, we are going to ask him to wait for 15 minutes. So, we would like to play the song one more time, this time with four of us and the 60,000 of you all in the same breath,' Martin added.As part of their 'Music of the Spheres World Tour', the British band has two more shows at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday and Monday. A fourth show will be held at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on January 25.As the big day approached, fans started flocking from noon to attend the Coldplay concert, for which the gates opened at 3:30 pm and the band began at 8:00 pm. One of the lady security guards said, ¿We have been here since 10:00 am. We've been told to make sure everything goes smoothly since it's the biggest concert of the century.Indore-based Shivani Agarwal, who was seen wearing a sash with 'Bride To Be' printed on it, was thrilled to bits attending the concert. "I've my bridesmaid here, I wanted it to be a concert theme. This concert seemed like the perfect treat for me and my friends," Agarwal told PTI.Coldplay had earlier performed in the country in 2016 at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai.The British rock band also includes guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey.A Bangalore-based man, who attended concert, said even though he barely knows a few songs of the band, he chose to fly to Mumbai as he didn't want to miss out on being part of the ¿concert of a lifetime.A couple in the early 50s from Amritsar, who came with their two grown-up daughters described the concert as a "glittering spectacle".Before Coldplay took on stage, there were performances by Shone, Elyanna and Jasleen Royal.
19 January,2025 12:21 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIBritish band Coldplay's Mumbai concert on Saturday turned out to be an unforgettable night not only for music lovers but also for cricket fans. While performing one of his last songs on stage at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Coldplay's frontman, Chris Martin, surprised everyone when he all of sudden mentioned the name of India's star bowler Jasprit Bumrah. He said, "Hold on, we have to finish the show because Jasprit Bumrah wants to come and play backstage. " After thanking the fans, Martin added, "He (Bumrah) says he needs to bowl at me now." Cricket fans definitely got excited when they heard Martin taking Bumrah's. Many even assumed that Bumrah would actually come on stage. He did not show up but Martin's shout-out to Bumrah definitely evoked a loud cheer from the audience at the concert, organised by BookMyShow Live. Bumrah was recently named Player of the Series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 after finishing with 32 wickets in the five-match series against Australia. He also captained the team India in the first and final Test. Coming back to Coldplay's India tour, the band is scheduled to perform in Mumbai on January 19 and January 21 as well. After Mumbai, they will head to Ahmedabad for two consecutive shows on January 25 and 26.
19 January,2025 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIThe British pop-rock band Coldplay is in the city, ready to mesmerise fans this weekend i.e. on January 18 and 19, and on Tuesday, January 21, at D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Apart from the high anticipation and popular demand, the band’s ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’ has been in the limelight for another reason – environment-friendly practices. Since the beginning of the tour, they have been striving to promote sustainability, employing several measures to achieve the goal. Some of these measures include: Reducing carbon footprint Powering stage production with renewable, super-low emission energy Minimising air travel Promoting recycling Donating money for environmental and social causes Supporting nature projects In June 2024, Coldplay released a report stating that the direct CO2e emissions from the first two years of this tour were 59 per cent less than their previous stadium tour (2016-17). While there's a long way to go in achieving sustainability in music events, this initiative is a step in the right direction. Sustainable measures for Coldplay Mumbai concert Now that the band is about to perform in Mumbai, several measures have been employed to ensure sustainability. The organisers have also collaborated with Indian railways for an exclusive train, and with Cityflo for buses, to enable seamless and eco-friendly commute for the audience. Also Read: Coldplay Mumbai performance: BookMyShow collaborates with Indian Railways, Cityflo for exclusive train, private buses; check details BookMyShow has released guidelines for following sustainable practices at the venue. These include: Opt for public transportation in order to reduce carbon footprint. Return your LED wristbands, which are 100 per cent biodegradable. The venue has free hydration stations for refilling water, to avoid single-use plastic. Segregate waste according to signages above each bin. Seek help from green volunteers at the venue whenever required. About Coldplay Mumbai concert The gates for the show will open at 3:00 PM and close at 7:45 PM. Artists Shone, Elyanna and Jasleen Royal will perform and entertain the crowd before Coldplay takes the stage on all three days. In addition to performing several hits from their album ‘Music of the Spheres’ and singles like ‘We Pray’ and ‘Feels Like Falling in Love’ from their latest album Moon Music, fans can expect other loved songs from the band’s incredible discography, including ‘Yellow’, ‘The Scientist’, ‘Hymn for the Weekend’, ‘Fix You’, ‘Viva La Vida’, ‘Paradise’, ‘A Sky Full of Stars’ and ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’. All attendees must carry a copy of their valid government photo ID along with the soft copy of the valid government photo ID of the primary transactor. Also Read: Coldplay in Mumbai: From timings to essential guidelines, all you need to know before attending the concert
18 January,2025 11:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing the anticipation and excitement spanning four months since the announcement was made in September 2024, British rock band Coldplay will finally perform in Mumbai this weekend. As fans wait for the city to transform into a ‘Paradise’ with the band’s popular songs echoing through the area, here are some essential details and tips every attendee should know. Coldplay Mumbai concert date, time and venue The Grammy-award winning band is coming to India as part of their ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’. They are set to perform in Mumbai on January 18 (Saturday), 19 (Sunday) and 21 (Tuesday). All three shows are set to take place at D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. According to information shared by BookMyShow on Instagram, the gates will open at 3:00 PM and close at 7:45 PM. Coldplay is expected to take the stage post 7:45 PM. How to reach the venue The nearest local train station to the venue is Nerul on the Harbour Line, approximately 2.5 km away (exit from the East side). Additionally, one can also take a bus or auto/cab to the venue. Parking is not available, hence public transport is recommended.Also Read: Coldplay Mumbai performance: BookMyShow collaborates with Indian Railways, Cityflo for exclusive train, private buses; check details Coldplay Mumbai concert tickets The tickets for all three shows were sold out as soon as they went live in November. BookMyShow released additional limited tickets for the shows last week, but they were also sold out quickly. For all valid ticket-holders, the wristband will be their ticket to the concert, according to BookMyShow. No tickets will be sold at the venue. Coldplay Mumbai concert performances and setlist Artists Shone, Elyanna and Jasleen Royal will perform and entertain the crowd before Coldplay takes the stage on all three days. In addition to performing several hits from their album ‘Music of the Spheres’ and singles like ‘We Pray’ and ‘Feels Like Falling in Love’ from their latest album Moon Music, fans can expect other loved songs from the band’s incredible discography, including ‘Yellow’, ‘The Scientist’, ‘Hymn for the Weekend’, ‘Fix You’, ‘Viva La Vida’, ‘Paradise’, ‘A Sky Full of Stars’ and ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’. Coldplay Mumbai concert security guidelines BookMyShow has also released several security guidelines to be followed at the venue. All attendees must carry a copy of their valid government photo ID along with the soft copy of the valid government photo ID of the primary transactor. Additionally, several security checks will be implemented to spot counterfeit wristbands and black marketers. This comes after multiple controversies regarding the black marketing of Coldplay concert tickets. Coldplay Mumbai concert essential tips While the three shows are expected to be grand spectacles with fans immersed in music and fun, here are some tips that can make the experience more convenient for you. Wear comfortable footwear: You might have to stand in lines before entering the venue and for some tickets, even throughout the concert, So, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. Eat well before reaching: While food and beverages will be available at the venue, it is always safe to eat something before reaching the venue so as to have enough energy and prevent any health issues. Be mindful of traffic: Since the concert will draw huge crowds, traffic congestions are expected near the area. So, make your schedule accordingly so that you don’t miss the fun! Bring a fully-charged phone: How else will you take 100 pictures and videos at the concert? Network considerations: In crowded spaces and events like concerts, festivals, etc., people usually experience slow internet speed or network delays due to congestion. Be prepared for the same. If you are in a group, make sure you stay together throughout the concert or fix a spot to meet, in case someone gets lost and calls don’t go through. Return commute: Booking cab or auto rides on the spot may not be the smartest choice! Arrange for your return commute in advance to ensure a hassle-free experience. Go through guidelines: Before going for the concert, do read detailed guidelines issued by the organisers and traffic advisories to avoid any inconvenience. Have fun: As LED wristbands light up the stadium and Coldplay delivers mesmerising tunes, sing along and have fun! After Mumbai, Coldplay will perform in Ahmedabad on January 25 and 26. Also Read: Here’s why Coldplay Ahmedabad concert is expected to be a grand spectacle
18 January,2025 03:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOscar-winning musician A.R. Rahman performed in Mumbai on Friday, mesmerising the crowd with his soulful melodies. The third edition of the event ‘Haazri’, which was dedicated to the enduring legacy of the late Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, took place at Jio World Garden in Bandra Kurla Complex. Rahman paid homage to his guru with a selection of Sufi classics, including ‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja,’ ‘Kun Faya Kun,’ ‘Maula’ and ‘Izzu Mantasha’ among others. Veteran vocalist Hariharan also elevated the atmosphere with his mellifluous voice, while Ustad ji’s sons, Murtuza Mustafa Khan, Qadir Mustafa Khan, Rabbani Mustafa Khan and Hasan Mustafa Khan, along with his grandsons Faiz Mustafa Khan and Zain Mustafa Khan, enchanted the audience with their renditions of ‘Aao Balma’, ‘Piya Haji Ali’, ‘Noor-Un-Ala’, among other songs, keeping the maestro’s legacy alive. The event also witnessed the legendary actress Hema Malini being honoured with the third Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Award. Presented by Ashish Shelar, Cabinet Minister of IT and Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra, in presence of distinguished musicians and Ustad ji’s family, the award recognised her unparalleled contributions to Indian art and culture. The event was also graced by Anjali Tendulkar, Sara Tendulkar, director Hansal Mehta, actors Sharad Kelkar, Kirti Kelkar, Aahana Kumra, Taha Shah and Danish Pandor, as well as singers Akriti Kakkar and Benny Dayal, among other celebrities. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, a towering figure in Indian classical music and a torchbearer of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, was a mentor and inspirational figure for many of India’s greatest singers. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Vibhushan in 2018. He was also the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003. The legendary Indian classical musician passed away in January 2021. Against the backdrop of starry skies and heartfelt melodies, Haazri 2025, organised by NR Talent and Event Management, was a fitting tribute to the music icon’s legacy.
18 January,2025 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent“I've been writing all my life,” came the immediate reply when we asked Prajakta Koli what prompted her to write a book. Koli, who has traversed mediums to entertain audiences, has now donned the hat of an author with her debut novel ‘Too Good To Be True’ – a romantic tale involving, well, “too good to be true” characters and moments that weave a heartfelt story. Journey of the book “It started with journaling every day, which expanded to writing blog posts and scripts for YouTube videos,” she tells us, reflecting on how the seed of storytelling was planted. “During lockdown, I wanted to explore long-form content, essentially screenwriting ideas that I could pitch to producers and OTT platforms as shows. Because there was so much time, I started working on some ideas. We also put forth writers’ rooms for a few of them. But I found this one idea to be so exciting that I wanted to see what I could do with it. I started telling the story. Initially, I visualised it as a dual-POV series, so I started writing voice-overs from that perspective. Eight excerpts in, my team told me that these seem like full-fledged chapters. Writing a book was never the plan, but that’s how it was born,” Koli reveals. She saw it through after announcing it officially in July 2023. Ask her if the recent trend of content creators and influencers writing books played a role in her journey as an author, and she is quick to say, “I have so much respect for everyone who writes non-fiction. I think it’s extremely daring. Lilly Singh, Masoom Minawala, Harshita Gupta have all written amazing books. But I don't think I have it in me to do that right now. Because it is fiction, I could at least attempt to write it.” Prajakta Koli launched her debut novel 'Too Good To Be True' on January 13 at an event in Mumbai Writing a novel can be a daunting journey. For Koli, making peace with the lack of consistent outcomes each day was the biggest challenge. “I once read a quote that said writing is not tough, but sitting down to write is. The toughest part was the uncertainty of how productive I could be each day. There were days when I would sit for hours and write one mediocre paragraph, and rewrite it over and over. Then there were days I would write three chapters in an hour. This constant imbalance in planning threw me off,” she says. On the other hand, she reminisces, “The most rewarding experience was just the realisation that I have ended up writing a book. Whether it's good or bad is secondary, but the fact that I got through this and showed up for the book each day was extremely self-affirming,” ‘Too Good To Be True’ narrates the story of Avani, who loves romance novels, and Aman, who seems to have come straight out of the pages of those books. Did Koli take any inspiration from her love life in shaping these characters? “I know Aman has brown eyes and a dimple, and my fiancée Vrishank has brown eyes and a dimple, but that’s it! There are no similarities and the story is purely fictional,” she quips. Voice of the book Pushing the envelope of storytelling, Koli and her team also released an original soundtrack and music video for the book before its launch. The song ‘Saanvare’ has been written, composed and produced by Outsky with additional vocals by the author herself. Taking us through the journey of the song, Koli says, “A huge chunk of my audience may not be regular readers, but everyone loves music and romance. The idea was to weave this romance with visuals.” “Secondly, as a reader, every time I read a romance book, I wish there was a face or visual or landscape to relate it to. I wanted this soundtrack to make that happen. We shot the music video in Landour, Mussorie, and the first snow of the season also occurred then. So, everything fell into place beautifully,” she adds. Beyond public eye Koli has often been called ‘relatable’, having honest conversations through her YouTube videos. Her fans have also seen her in different roles on screen, but who is Prajakta Koli beyond the public eye? “Not very different,” she is quick to respond. “I find a lot of value in the relationships I have – whether it's of me as a creator with my audience, as an author with my readers, as a daughter with my parents, as a partner with my fiancée, as a friend, a sister, and more. My inner circle has been my biggest strength always,” she states. “But when I am alone, I am probably napping,” Koli remarks. Quick questions with Prajakta Koli What does love mean to you? PK: Love is just finding beauty in ordinary things. I don't want to chase quirks or things you do differently. I want to chase things you and I have in common, really small ordinary things. Which is your favourite romance novel? PK: Twisted Games by Ana Huang Which is your favourite romance movie/show? PK: There are many – Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, among others. My favourite romance show is the recently released ‘Nobody Wants This’, and ‘Mismatched’, of course. Would you ever write an autobiography? If yes, what would the title be? PK: I have no clue. I think you have to take yourself really seriously to write an autobiography. Maybe eventually, sometime. What do you like more being recognised as – a creator, actor or writer? PK: A creator
18 January,2025 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainBritish band Coldplay have arrived in Mumbai for their 'Music of the Spheres' India tour in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. With the first of their concert happening this weekend at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai's Nerul on January 18 and 19, followed by January 21, there is a lot of excitement from Mumbaikars and fans of the band. However, there is also sadness that hangs in the air among fans, who were really eager but aren't able to attend the concert because they never got tickets. The feeling in the pit of their stomach is even worse now as they can see several fans share stories of watching them in Abu Dhabi, and now getting ready for the Mumbai concerts. Here are some of the reactions ahead of the concert: Fouzia Bukhari I’m a big fan of Coldplay and really wanted to experience their concert now that they’re coming to India. However, the traffic management by BMS was extremely poor, people who joined the queue later were surprisingly way ahead of me in the queue while I joined much earlier and was put behind. And the fact that the tickets were being sold at triple the price later is ridiculous. I also saw stories of multiple brands giving away the concert tickets as a way to increase their followers and engagement on social media, it made me wonder how many tickets were even open for general public to purchase in the first place. Overall, it was a very disheartening experience. Radhika Mathur When they came for the Global Citizen concert, I had just started working in Delhi. So, I couldn't afford it. I even went super antagonistic about the colleagues who had. This time, I "got in" to the queue but it was still sold out by the end of it. I was properly heartbroken. Shweta Mehrotra It was literally a Cold-play with my heart and many other hearts who couldn’t score a ticket. I along with six of my friends sat on multiple phones and laptops but bad luck. I would have found love had I been so persistent on dating apps. Anyway, now I’m busy muting people showing off their Abu Dhabi experience on Instagram and I’m hopeful to block some more soon after January 18.
18 January,2025 12:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoAfter the successful completion of the first Amrit Snan at the Mahakumbh on January 14, the administration is now ramping up its preparations for the second Amrit Snan, scheduled for January 29. This highly anticipated ritual coincides with Mauni Amavasya, or Maghi Amavasya, a day of immense spiritual significance when millions of devotees gather at the Triveni Sangam for a holy dip. The first Amrit Snan, held on Makar Sankranti, saw an overwhelming turnout of devotees, with official estimates reporting around 3.5 crore people taking a dip in the Sangam by evening. The event marked a successful start to the Mahakumbh, which is being held once every 12 years and will continue until February 26. The administration, recognising the large influx of pilgrims, is expecting an even greater crowd for the upcoming Amrit Snan on January 29. Vivek Chaturvedi, Mela Officer, visited Nirmohi Akhara to meet with saints and address their concerns regarding cleanliness at the Kumbh site. Chaturvedi assured them that the administration is prioritising cleanliness and will not tolerate any dirt. "We are continuously working on cleanliness and ensuring that proper instructions are given. The success of the first Amrit Snan shows our preparation is on track, and we are making sure all issues faced previously are resolved," Chaturvedi said. He also emphasised that the administration is focusing on keeping the river and ghats clean, alongside making comprehensive preparations to ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims. “We are visiting Akharas and making sure all necessary facilities are in place for the upcoming Amrit Snan,” he added. The second Amrit Snan, which will take place on Mauni Amavasya, holds deep religious importance as it is believed that on this day, nectar (amrit) rains from the sky, making the water spiritually potent. Bathing on this day is said to offer immense spiritual benefits, and it marks one of the most significant rituals of the entire Kumbh Mela. The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 14, is drawing millions of devotees who seek blessings and purification through a holy dip. The event is expected to be one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, with continued efforts by the administration to ensure the safety, cleanliness, and well-being of all attendees. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2025 09:57 AM IST | Prayagraj | IANSIndian poet and actor, Shailesh Lodha, steps onto the stage for his grand theatre debut in 'Dad's Girlfriend' on January 19 for an evening of laughter, love and rediscovery. Directed by the visionary Atul Satya Koushik, this eagerly awaited production will premiere at Shri Ram Centre in Delhi. Known for his unmatched wit and charismatic screen presence, Shailesh Lodha's transition to theatre promises an experience unlike any other. 'Dad's Girlfriend' weaves humor and emotion into an intricate tale of family, love, and second chances, striking a chord with audiences across generations. At the heart of the story is Animesh, a renowned author, professor, and speaker, whose professional success masks the complexities of his personal life. His return to India to reconnect with his estranged daughter Diya and her husband Kanav sets the stage for an irresistible blend of sharp comedy and touching family moments. Kanav, a theatre enthusiast, finds himself hilariously navigating his larger-than-life father-in-law’s visit, resulting in comedic chaos. The play takes an exciting turn with the entry of Avni – a devoted fan of Animesh who brings admiration, flirtation, and a dash of surprise into the household. Her frequent visits add fuel to Diya’s simmering jealousy, as Animesh juggles his role as a father, mentor, and unexpected object of affection. Seasoned actors Anumeha Jain, Megha Mathur and Aman Bajpai are joining Shailesh Lodha on stage and this team of four is going to give one of the most enriching theatrical experiences to the audience. "Dad's Girlfriend" is more than just a comedy. It offers a touching commentary on relationships in a fast-paced, digitally dominated world. Director Atul Satya Koushik shares, “This play highlights the delicate nuances of family bonds, the humorous conflicts that arise from generational gaps, and how love and laughter can mend even the most fractured relationships.” Reflecting on his theatrical debut, Shailesh Lodha adds, “Stepping into theatre has been a long-time aspiration and the next creative challenge I want to give to myself. I am thrilled to start this new chapter with a play that not only entertains but also resonates emotionally with audiences. I am sure they will leave the theatre with joy and warmth in their hearts.” Mark your calendars! Don’t miss the chance to witness Shailesh Lodha live on stage in “Dad's Girlfriend,” a production that promises laughter, love, and life lessons wrapped in an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Date: January 19, Time: 4 pm and 7 pmVenue: Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi
17 January,2025 06:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
