ThursdayRise to the funk Kick-start the weekend with Funk Town, a live performance by the Adil Manuel Collective before you let loose to the groovy beats of DJ Ruskin.TIME 8 pm onwards At Hylo, K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort. FridayComedy unleashed Enjoy a night of nonstop laughter with stand-up comedian Inder Sahani (below) at his latest family-friendly solo show titled Papa.TIME 10.40 pm onwardsAT Live It Up Consultancy, Kamat Industrial Estate, Prabhadevi.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 444 SaturdayNaseer nostalgia Naseeruddin Shah Catch Waiting for Naseer, a philosophical comedy wherein two actors wait at the Prithvi Theatre café to catch a performance of their favourite actor’s new play.Time 8 pm onwardsAT Harkat Studios, Versova, Andheri West LOG ON TO insider.in ENTRY Rs 350 East Indian feast Join the mother-daughter duo of Veera and Natasha Almeida for an East Indian cooking and dining experience themed around a traditional East Indian wedding.TIME 11 am onwardsAT Jao Shiker, Giriz, Vasai.LOG ON TO @igoreyaa on Instagram COST Rs 1,600 SundayImprovised cheers Unleash your creativity at the Wham Bam Improv Jam, a platform for novice improvisers.TIME 3 pm onwardsAT Dorangos, Pali Hill, Bandra West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 499 Step into history Explore Mumbai’s rich history with Falak Chowdhury on a heritage walk around (above) August Kranti Maidan.Time 9 amMEETING POINT August Kranti Maidan, Tardeo. CALL 8291055774COST Rs 599
23 January,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Evita RocheTravelling along the Western Railway has become a part of my daily routine for years now. On several occasions, when I’m dreading the start of a long day or feeling low at the end of it, and the city-heat has me feeling rather cranky, I stop at a small stall at Churchgate terminus with large dispensers filled with freshly-made apple juice. While I’m not overly fond of the fruit, this cold juice version is welcome respite on warm, humid days. At only Rs 10 a cup, this has been a saving grace for me as well as my mother, during our local train commute. Over time, it has become synonymous with a refreshing break. The store is dedicated to the fruit, and sells other apple products including apple cider vinegar and concentrates. At Near platform No. 4, Churchgate railway terminus
23 January,2025 08:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Evita RocheWith nearly 16 km of accessible beaches, it’s not hard to find a Mumbaikar who swears by the therapeutic effects of sitting by the city’s shoreline; some regulars might even call it ‘home’. Marine life expert Shaunak Modi breaks our bubble — the real residents, he says, are not the hurried Mumbaikars finding respite in the beaches, but more than 600 species of sea slugs, snails and octopus that have quietly inhabited the intertidal zones (see box) on the shores since time immemorial. Yet, they remain largely under-researched. The India Intertidal BioBlitz 2025, a large-scale collaborative citizen initiative, is set to change that. Spread across 10 days, to account for fluctuating tidal activity across the coast, the effort will be joined by naturalists from Rushikonda and Thotlakonda beaches in Andhra Pradesh, Karwar in Karnataka, Baga and Bambolim in Goa, Sitapur and Govind Nagar beaches in the Andamans, Nandgaon and Vengurla in Konkan, Minicoy and Kavaratti in Lakshadweep and other locations in addition to local efforts at the Juhu, Nepean Sea Road, Haji Ali and Carter Road shores in Mumbai. “The end goal is to get a snapshot of the existing species and the condition of the tide pools to help us plan our conservation efforts. It’s the first step towards something larger in scale akin to the popular nationwide bird counts,” says Modi. Those interested in joining hands with the initiative can register through a form where they must faithfully declare their level of expertise in the field. The log of all sighted creatures will be available on the online worldwide wildlife repository, iNaturalist. Experts recommend not stepping out in intertidal zones without professional guidance to avoid unforeseen accidents and harm to fragile marine ecosystems. The tide pool trail Juhu KoliwadaThis spot near Granth Book Store is the easiest location for first-timers and children joining expert-led marine walks. During low tide, you’d be lucky if you spot the Coral star (left), Orange striped hermit crab, Octopus and Pearly sea anemones. Carter RoadThe sightings at this muddy and rocky shore include Feather duster worm (right), Scribbled nudibranchs, and the False pillow coral. Haji AliHaji Ali’s rocky shore is where the rare Glossodoris Bombayana sea slug (below), was sighted in 2018, nearly 18 years after it was first identified in 1946 and suitably named after Mumbai. PICS COURTESY/SACHIN RANE Nepean Sea RoadThe Priyadarshini Park shore is famous for colourful sea slugs. The vibrant Star-tentacled bornella (above) and Verril’s encrusting cup coral stand out among other creatures like Violet zoanthids and Anemones. Pearly sea anemone What are intertidal zones and tide pools?Intertidal zones are the areas between the high tide mark and the low tide mark on any shore. When the tide recedes from high to low, naturally formed crevices and burrows in the intertidal zones trap marine life like oysters, molluscs, sea stars and slugs, giving rise to tide pools. Most tide pools host a mixed bag of lesser-known marine creatures, many of them visible to the naked eye. Tidy up, MumbaiIn addition to climate change and rising sea levels, Modi states coastal development projects and the subsequent release of pollutants into the sea as a major threat to the intertidal ecosystems. Shaunak Modi The habitat in Mumbai’s intertidal zones isn’t as rich as its southern counterparts in the Konkan belt, but there is still time to save them, he suggests. “Conservation can only speed up when there is documentation on what is there to save in the tidepools. This initiative is step one in that direction,” Modi shares. Inputs by Sachin Rane, naturalist
23 January,2025 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIn case you haven’t heard, bows are now passé. That’s right. You can stop wearing them on your collars, pinning them to your hair or even decorating your cushions with them. Their replacement isn’t quite as demure and has been flouting the boundaries of gender and wardrobe categories with enviable ease. We’re referring to the necktie, which has been stealing the spotlight on red carpets across the world. Kriti Sanon wears a sharp menswear-inspired suit with a slim tie “Ties are slowly but surely emerging from masculine formalwear to a much more fluid, playful interpretation. Depending on the kind of outfit you pair the tie with and your choice of accessories, they could add a subtle touch of power dressing to the most feminine ensemble or that ‘something extra’ to a well-cut suit,” explains celebrity stylist Mitali Ambekar. She suggests a few combinations that can have you all ‘tied up’! A tie can add the right amount of structure to a casual look That ’80s show Power suits are no longer relegated to your favourite 1980s soaps. The signature double-breasted padded jackets, slouchy trousers and button-up shirts are back in a big way, especially with a few subtle tweaks. Ambekar suggests swapping crisp cotton for satin to take your look from office to red carpet. “Oversized suits aren’t for everyone. You could pick a more figure-flattering tailored fit with slimmer pants and a jacket that’s cinched at the waist. A sportswear look spruced up with a tie. Pics Courtesy/Pinterest This look is especially impactful in a monochrome style, where you sport the same colour from head-to-tie,” she suggests. A slicked-back hairstyle with minimal but bold jewellery will add to your outfit’s visual impact. For a more feminine take on the trend, you could swap the trousers with a pencil skirt and add the tie as a focal masculine element, Ambekar adds. A cinched waist can offset the masculinity of a tie A matter of proportions Just because you’re wearing a tie, doesn’t necessarily mean that the rest of your outfit must follow a formal dress code. In fact, Ambekar recommends experimenting with unconventional silhouettes. For instance, you could wear a cropped blazer with a short necktie or high-waisted trousers with an oversized tie. Another easy way to incorporate a tie into your ensemble is to wear it in place of a necklace. For instance, when styling a structured dress, add a shirt as a bottom layer and accessorise with a tie. Or, if you can’t be bothered with knots, wear a tie as a fashion-forward replacement for a skinny scarf or as a belt for a quick ’90s-throwback. A tie as a slim scarf can add visual interest (right) play with textures and fits to experiment with ties The tie-erd style file >> For a more relaxed take, experiment with textures and prints. Floral shirts can be worn under solid ties, while plaid offers some much-needed visual interest >> Tie-style jewellery, in the form of brooches or pins, takes this trend to a more glamorous plane. Pick designs with embellishments, metallic finishes and rhinestone accents. Alternatively, you could adorn a solid-coloured tie with badges, brooches and other embellishments; make sure to keep the rest of the outfit simple, to make your tie the focal point of your look Mitali Ambekar >> Tone-on-tone shirts and ties worn under chequered or printed blazers create a preppy aesthetic, which you can complement with sporty accessories such as baseball caps and chunky sneakers Also Read: Menswear steals the show at the Golden Globes
23 January,2025 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulFrom the window of a meeting room in a Bandra five-star, one of the world’s most popular children’s book authors of our times, David Walliams, watches the construction work in the background. “My father would have loved to see this — he’s an engineer,” he smiles. This isn’t Walliams’ first time in Mumbai, but it is his first book tour. He’s spent the last two days at schools and book readings. “I had no idea I was well-known here. I knew I’d sold some books, but I didn’t know people would be excited to see me — that’s lovely. I love this country. I’ve been here as a tourist, so I was excited about having a free holiday,” he chuckles. “There’s magic in the air. I feel at home here. The food is great — every meal I’ve had has been delicious, and I want to try some of the street food, wander around and not do just tourist things. I also look forward to seeing Mahatma Gandhi’s home [Mani Bhavan] because I love touching history. Gandhi is big in London, and is one of the most important people who ever lived, so going to see his house will be fascinating,” he reveals. Edited excerpts from the interview MID-DAY: What’s been the experience of meeting Indian fans?David Walliams: It has been a surreal experience. It feels strange when I meet kids thousands of miles away from home, and they say, ‘You are my favourite author.’ I feel sad that I can’t speak to all of them. It’s a significant meeting for them and me because I’m meeting someone who thinks my books are their favourite. I never want to take these things for granted. You’ve been compared to Roald Dahl. Your thoughts on this comparison. Has he influenced your writing?DW: He wouldn’t be happy, for sure (laughs). We shared the same illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake, for some of my earlier books. His books were the first ‘proper’ books I read as a kid, so his writing influenced me. Sometimes, I reread his work because he’s like the gold standard for comic, heartfelt books for kids. He was a complex personality, and I doubt I’m as cranky as he was. But he’s great, and it’s nice to be compared to your idols. However, you shouldn’t take too much notice of what people think about you because there will always be those who might think you’re good and those who think you’re awful. You simply do your best. Actor Michael Caine always says, ‘I wasn’t the best actor in the world, but I knew I wasn’t the worst either — I act to do my best.’ It is a good way of looking at things. I’m never going to be Lewis Carroll or JK Rowling; I still have a place; I am not in a race. Everyone’s reading tastes are different. Your books discuss bullying, loneliness, and acceptance. Tell us about its importance in children’s literature. DW: When I write a book, I think I want the child who is reading it to take away something that will make him think. Because it’s a funny book, it doesn’t mean you can’t deal with serious themes. Some things trouble children — like worrying about fitting in, as you are starting in life, and you worry you might be different. Most kids experience bullying of some sort. In Ratburger, I redeem the bully, which doesn’t happen often. You find out why bullies are bullying because they have been bullied at some point. So, there is a chance of redemption. There’s the topic of dementia in Grandpa’s Great Escape and bereavement in Gangster Granny, amongst others. Jokes are great; you enjoy them as you read, but the emotional stuff will stay with you longer. When you read a story, watch a movie, or listen to a song that changes how you think and feel about the world — that’s an artist’s work. You’ve balanced careers in comedy, television, and writing. Which one feels closest?DW: I’m a dad to a 11-year-old son; all that matters to me is his happy childhood. To answer your question, you get the instant buzz of hearing some laughter when you’re performing on stage. Writing a book is solitary. You think you’ve come up with something good and are pleased, but you’ve no one to share it with because you’re writing this book in your world. Appearing on stage is like a sprint race, and writing a book is like a marathon. So perhaps at the end of the marathon, you might feel more relaxed. You’re looking at a computer screen for months together, and then, finally, the book is designed and illustrated. You can’t believe it because it was just up in your head, and now it’s this thing. And there are thousands of copies of it. That joy is incomparable. With content consumption patterns shifting from reading to viewing, do you fear kids will stop reading?DW: When such distractions emerged 15 years ago, I wondered then if people would read books in the next 15 years, but they are. Most parents would like to see their kids using the screens a little less because when you’re watching something, it’s passive. Like with a film, you don’t have to think — there is music and other elements that, even if you don’t understand the emotion of the scene, the music is telling you what to feel. Everything’s been visualised and done for you. With a book, you have to work along with it. It’s a unique experience, so I hope they survive. Amazingly, you have a fantastic reading culture here in India. Also, when I watch my son read, it gives me hope. Available: At all leading bookstores and e-stores (All David Walliams’ books)
22 January,2025 10:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak SiddiqiOur gardens are like museums. You just need a fresh outlook to spot the city’s natural wonders,” lettering artist and writer Abhishek Khan tells us when we ask him about his new project, a collection of paintings documenting the birds of Mumbai over a call. Hosting botanical tours around the city through his storytelling project, Mumbai Vann, that focuses on stories and informative narratives about botany and putting down his ecological observations on paper through paintings, hand-lettering and observer cards, Khan’s motive to revive our relationship with ecology is rooted in a deep fascination and reverence for the natural world. A shade card depicting the colour palette of a Poison Dart Frog “I feel there are few published books about birds in India, and the ones we have don’t provide enough information about these creatures. There needs to be a lot more diversity in how we interpret and understand birds outside of exclusive anecdotes. Through these paintings, I wanted to highlight birds through their colours and help people interpret and appreciate the ordinary birds in our city,” Khan shares. With a deep interest in ecology, Khan channelises his skills and knowledge of branding and storytelling into artistic endeavours such as paintings and hand-lettered information cards that can serve as small guides for trees, birds, flowers and other natural elements through Mumbai Vann activities and his website. Abhishek Khan When prompted to document this city’s birds through their colour palettes, he discovered interesting connections. “While working on this project I realised how the brilliant hues of the birds are the original shade cards for the colours we see around us. Take the yellow-black colour palette of the Indian Golden Oriole which is a combination you see in Bombay’s kaali-peelis or the hoard of colours in a Coppersmith Barbet, which is more common to the city — the variety is simply astonishing. Even with birds like the Greater Flamingo or the White-throated Kingfisher, the colours tell us a lot about the species. These birds are easy to identify with a pair of binoculars and a guidebook,” the Goregaon resident reveals. With these paintings Khan wants to divert attention to the ordinary, reintegrate the natural world in our lives and push for visible change in our response to the climate crisis. “I will be taking forward these colour paintings for all life forms — for anything and everything that is significant for our biodiversity. Our actions have punctured an irreparable hole in the ecological fabric. It is high time we realise that we are a part of the ecosystem, not engineers of it and realign our actions urgently,” he concludes. Log on to: handjobsinc.com
22 January,2025 10:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaThe 1970s was an interesting time for Om Katare. The 60-year-old was, then, a young playwright and actor struggling to make ends meet in the city of Bombay. With few opportunities, he chose to create his own theatre company and host plays and performances. “It was a venture brought together by a few friends,” Katare, founder of Yatri Theatre Festival, recollects. Forty-five years later, it has grown into an annual presence at the city’s familiar haunt of Prithvi Theatre. This year, the festival will spread across four venues adding to an intra-city presence. “Our first ever production was Sharad Joshi’s Ek Tha Gadha urf Aladad Khan. It was January 16, and the Kapoors [Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal] were kind enough to give us a space to perform at Prithvi. Since then, I juggled television and theatre,” Katare recalls. Since then, the playwright has written and directed over 50 plays, and 400 performances, including the critically acclaimed production of Sakharam Binder, directed by Sulabha Deshpande. The crew readies the stage before a production A key thread running through Katare’s programming of the festival has been subjects of societal consciousness. The highlight for this year’s festival is the premiere production of Vikram Rathore: Guilty or Not Guilty. “It is a sensitive play on a very current subject — questions of morality and justice in an unequal society. Another production is Kahan Surakshit Hain Hum, by an all-women cast, that has also directed and managed the show, telling a story that deserves their voice,” he shares. Though the Juhu neighbourhood has been home for almost two decades, the festival’s expansion across different venues serves to a broader reason. Katare explains, “Each of the venues caters to a different audience. The challenge of a theatre performer is to vary their act to find a connection to their audience across demographics.” Has four decades made it easier to manage the festival? Not really, he admits. “Even as we speak, the team is working on preparations, rehearsals, managing logistics. It is a small team of 60 members, but everyone lends a hand. The theatre is always a family,” he concludes. Till: February 2; 4 pm onwardsAt: Prithvi Theatre and Prithvi House, Juhu; Experimental Theatre, NCPA; Lata Mangeshkar Natya Gruha, Mira Road; Rangshila Theatre, Versova. Log on to: in.bookmyshow.comCost: Rs 500 onwards Catch these shows >> Vikram RathoreON January 23 and January 24; 7 pm and 9 pmAT Prithvi Theatre, Juhu. >> Phone PeON January 22 and January 26; 5 pm and 7.30 pmAT Prithvi House, Juhu. >> RavanleelaON January 31; 7 pmAT Experimental Theatre, NCPA.
22 January,2025 09:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWith the Coldplay-mania still running high in Mumbai, the vibe in the city is inarguably ‘all yellow’. But this weekend, the hue is set to shift. This time, it’ll be blue all over — the colour synonymous with the anti-caste movement in India. Blue Jam, a rap, comedy and art showcase organised by collective Blue Material Gigs (BMG) will witness voices from artistes belonging to marginalised communities scattered across India converge under one roof. Madhura Ghane For Ravi Gaikwad, comedian and co-founder of BMG, the daylong festival has been a long time coming. “Rap is inextricably tied with comedy. In the 1990s in the USA, Black comedians and rappers ran the Def Comedy Jam show. It was a no-holds-barred collaboration that amplified their voices. Our idea is to organise artistes from the margins in India for a similar revolution through art,” reveals Gaikwad, who cites pioneers like Tupac Shakur, Biggie, and Jay Z as his inspiration. An artwork by city-based artist Shrujana Shridhar, whose works will be exhibited at the event On the promising line-up are artistes like Ankur Tangade, a Dalit and queer comedian from Maharashtra’s Beed district. “I grew up under the wings of my parents who are social workers. I was taught lessons in humanism from a young age. Our caste identity wasn’t a topic of discussion at home. Then I moved out and saw that my identity was tied to my last name. In hindsight, coming out as queer was easier than coming out as Dalit in my social circles,” Tangade says. Tangade will be joined by city-based engineer-turned-comedian Sumer More, Delhi-based Radhe Krishna and Gaikwad who will speak about their lived experiences and the absurdity of the caste system. Aklesh Sutar (front centre) of Swadesi Collective with Warli residents of Aarey Forest in the music video of Adivasi. Pics courtesy/YouTube Setting the tone for the celebration will be city-based indie music collective Swadesi, alongside rising talent like Madhura Ghane, a Kalyan-based rapper who introduces us to the genre of conscious rap. “I didn’t set out to write rhymes coloured in socio-political themes, but somewhere along the way, I realised that rap has a greater purpose than entertainment,” she says. Ghane’s single Jungle cha Raja, a look into the Adivasi community’s struggle to preserve the green lungs of the city, has already received applause from stalwarts like Vishal Dadlani and rapper Badshah. “For my latest single Haq se Hijda, I travelled to a settlement of trans-identifying individuals in Santacruz to understand their experiences. After all, it is their story. My songs are merely the medium,” she adds. Ghane isn’t new to the stage. The 27-year-old has performed at public institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University and IIT Bombay by invitation in the past. “But a collective effort like the upcoming showcase is different. One voice might reach a handful of people, and stay with even fewer. But an organised, unified movement can bring change on a scale that we might have never seen before,” she reasons. (From left) Sumer More, Ravi Gaikwad and Ankur Tangade When the artistes punch up with their unfiltered un-minced words, they ought to break some glass ceilings — not a pleasant sight for venues, even metaphorically. “We have been told multiple times in the past that the nature of our show puts us in a grey area that many establishments don’t want to tread onto. Eventually, we started self-censoring and working around this roadblock. But with Blue Jam, we made no compromises. It is an unabashedly Dalit and queer platform where we will voice subjects that will make you introspect. Surprisingly, people seemed to have loved it. Our early bird tickets sold like hot cakes,” Gaikwad reveals. While the event will be the first of its kind for the young city-based collective, it is definitely not the last. “This one is to show the world that we can put on a great show while speaking our minds out. Once we make our mark, we’ll hopefully be back every year with longer lineups and grander shows,” he signs off. On January 26; 6 pm onwardsAt AntiSocial, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO skillboxes.comENTRY Rs 499
22 January,2025 09:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleGreat! They have a Muscatel Okayti, then, that’s what I’ll be drinking,” Amitav Ghosh, reveals to the attendant, after studying the menu at a quaint, charming tea room housed in a restored bungalow in Bandra. He’s a tea-drinker, and a serious one we learn as he settles in for the interview. It’s no coincidence that it plays a key role in his writing and routines. “I am a Calcutta boy, after all; so, yes, I grew up drinking tea (grins).” Just like this fine Darjeeling-origin tea’s sweet, dry complexities and depth that are organically complemented by undertones of the muscatel grape, his new book, Wild Fictions (HarperCollins), a collection of 26 essays, is a diverse, probing periscopic lens on Planet Earth. At times, it reads like a love letter to the many lands of his novels, its people and its natural riches. The Nest is a collaborative effort between the Goenka family and the BMC. It has over 8,000 new plants and trees (350 species with over 200 native species) resulting in a 70:30 ratio of native to exotic species On other occasions, it acts as a warning bell, a reality check about the world that we live in, devastated by tsunamis, deforestation, and ecological disasters. It is this mesmeric pendulum of discoveries that entices and indulges the discerning reader to navigate it like one of the many steamships that cross countless unforgiving seas in his novels, fearless and open to challenges. Edited excerpts from the interview: MID-DAY: Was it a challenge to select writings from the past 25 years into 26 essays?Amitav Ghosh: Very much. We edited it from 35-40 in the original list. Some are occasional pieces that might lose their interest in time, so we cut out those. We kept the best pieces that would be relevant over time. The process went on for a year and-a-half. When I saw that final draft, it felt amazing. This book must have also been a nostalgic trail, where you revisited your previous writings…? AG: I’m not much of a memoir writer but this is the closest I’ve ever come. I’m just not that into myself (laughs).It was a strange thing [to revisit those stories]. There were many things that I tried to shut out of memory — the 9/11 attacks, and how I lost a friend. Also, the tsunami; it was so horrifying. And before the US attacks, there were the Colombo attacks that I was witness to. This has been a tumultuous 25 years. We are living through a time of rapid, unpredictable changes. The world is in turmoil. Tea plays a key role in Ghosh’s writings, and he is a self-confessed serious tea drinker as we discovered during this interview at the Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea Room in Bandra My favourite section in the book is about the Lascars. What led to their phasing out? And with it, have we also lost their fascinating lexicon?AG: In many ways, they haven’t been phased out. Today, when you look at the crews of most ships, if they are Panama, British or Indian-registered ships, most crews are either Indian or Filipino. In fact, research reveals that until the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Lascars [sailors from South Asia] and their lexicon were still in use, after which it could have possibly been phased out. I met a senior Englishman in Bombay who was working in the Merchant Marines, and he mentioned that in the 1960s, Laskari [broad term for language of Lascars] was still in use. In the Indian Navy, there is a rank called serang that is derived from it. Now things have changed. In the days of the steamships, dozens of sailors were needed but modern ships are automated so it requires just five to six men. But yes, this has led to the phasing out of a rich way of life. As a community, they created their own history. It has come to be more or less forgotten. You write in this book that history cannot carry a novel on its own, characters can. How do you craft this balance, especially since history is intrinsic to your novels?AG: Thank you. For me, doing the research is the fun part. We must constantly remind one that no one is going to read a novel because of the research; it is read because the characters are interesting. You cannot get away from this reality. The novel, whether historical or contemporary, is a novel where the characters and story have to be good. And it has to carry itself as it were. An urban forest called The Nest, a 1.2-acre biodiverse sanctuary recently opened in Malabar Hill. It’s a ‘stepping-stone habitat’ to support micro-habitats and connect fragmented ecosystems and is part of the Green Corridor Initiative to increase Mumbai’s green cover. What are your thoughts on this?AG: I think it is a wonderful initiative! We need more urban forests, urban farmlands, and urban vegetarian gardens, especially in Bombay that is so heavily built-up; it’s vital to create such places. I’m glad to learn that it’s happening in Malabar Hill. Something that we don’t talk very much about in relation to Bombay is that the city has this unbelievable urban forest — 10,000 acres of mangroves protected by the Godrej family. It’s incredible that they’ve managed to preserve; it’s an unbelievable public service. You are vocal about the impact of climate change on coastal cities like ours. If a key policy maker in the BMC is reading this interview, what would you suggest as a priority?AG: Bombay has repeatedly been hit by ecological disasters. You remember those terrible rain bomb events and the catastrophic aftermath on the city?The city faces catastrophic climate risks. Even beyond extreme rainfall events, sooner or later, it’s very likely that Bombay will also be hit by a major cyclone; there have been two to three near-misses. It used to repeatedly be hit by cyclones in the late 1800s, and early 1900s. Sometimes, climate can be variable; there was a long stretch without cyclones. But now the Arabian Sea is super-heated because of climate change, and there is a bigger threat of more rain bomb events and cyclones. One day, it’s going to hit Bombay, and the city represents an incredible concentration of risk. In the event of a cyclone, the western parts of the city especially, will be devastated.While writing The Great Derangement, where I talked about this scenario at great length, I researched disaster management in Bombay, and it turns out that there is zero planning for a cyclone-level event. One of the good parts of writing this book is that I started to collaborate with a climate scientist, Professor Adam Sobel from Columbia University who has been working with the BMC to develop a plan for disaster management.They need to work really fast to execute it into action because plenty has to be done. One must always remember that a vast part of Bombay [which was once a cluster of seven islands] is reclaimed land. Land is never reclaimed from the sea. The sea always reclaims its own. ...and what did you think of the Coastal Road?AG: You can sense why people like it. It is beautiful while it lasts. However, at a certain point it is also going to be a point of vulnerability. Let’s return to your writing journey. You refer to Lataifa with glowing appreciation — where you discovered Marquez’s A Hundred Years of Solitude. Tell us about this tiny place in Egypt and other regions that have inspired you.AG: It was a formative experience, and like most formative experiences, it wasn’t easy — I lived in a chicken coop (laughs); there was no electricity and I had to use a basic lamp for my writing. It was difficult and very, very hot but it was a completely formative life experience. As far as other inspiring places go, the first and most important city that comes to mind is Calcutta. In one way or the other, I’ve always been writing about Calcutta. It has played an important part in my life. Similarly, with New York, where I have now lived for a long time. I have travelled to many cities but these two have been most inspiring. If you had a one-way ticket to a region for research, where would it be?AG: I suspect it would probably be some place in Indonesia. It has been a constant process of discovery; it’s so much like India, with many worlds. There is also the urge to explore more of Sub-Saharan Africa. South America is another part I’d like to explore extensively. What’s next from Amitav Ghosh?AG: I have a novel coming out at the end of the year. It feels so nice to get back to writing fiction!The tea is drunk. The interview ends. We say our goodbyes. The leftover tea leaves do a delicate dance with the residual brew at the bottom of the glass tea pot. Just like the book’s intent — it stirs the senses; makes you appreciate but also question your surroundings. And, hopefully, trigger action in the right direction, for the sake of Planet Earth. Mexico City: The 20-million wonder city I visited the city, and it amazed me. It’s a city of 20 million… a New Delhi-scale city, and yet it is so well managed. Traffic flows evenly; it has these wonderful neighbourhoods and restaurants. I have this theory that any city that is over 20 million will have a problem; in Istanbul, the traffic is impossible, same with Rio De Janeiro. You can go crazy being stuck for three hours in traffic. Somehow, it moves smoothly here. People are friendly; there are these great museums including the National Museum of Anthropology, where you can spend three full days. We rely on the American media for our news which presents a distorted picture. In fact, the congestion is much less there than in New York or Los Angeles. They have well-planned piazzas and no-car days, an incredible thing where the public comes out in large numbers. Strangely enough, when I was there, I noticed that many people from India, Pakistan, our part of the world, have actually moved there for work. TURMERIC TALK He loves cooking, and spices are an integral part of his writing; naturally, it appears even in Wild Fiction. So, we asked Amitav Ghosh to pick a spice that best defines him. “Turmeric is like a keystone spice. It’s good for your body because it fights inflammation; it has a wonderful colour and it adds a special something into everything that you put it in,” was his immediate response. AVAILABLE Leading bookstores and e-stores
21 January,2025 02:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Fiona FernandezSufi in the city Punjab-based singer-songwriter Dr Satinder Sartaaj (above) will give Mumbaikars a taste of Punjabi folk music infused with contemporary sounds. Tune in for a soulful Sufi evening. ON January 25; 7 pm AT NSCI Dome, Worli. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 750 onwards Time for techno Rinzen in performance Catch Irish-English- American trio Embrz, Rinznen and Skyknock take over the decks with their upbeat nature-inspired sounds, supported by Indian DJ and electronica pioneer Nikhil Chinapa.ON January 24; 8 pm AT Mirage, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu. LOG ON TO allevents.inENTRY Rs 1,180 onwards Jazz up the beats Clement Rooney If you are looking for a twist this weekend, the Shirish Malhotra quartet featuring Malhotra, Shashank Das, Clement Rooney and Arjun Chakraborty might provide it with their Latin spin to iconic jazz standards.ON January 22; 8 pm onwards AT Bonobo, second floor, Kenilworth Plaza, Bandra West.
21 January,2025 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamCooling delight: This cafe in Worli offers a mermaid smoothie bowl which is packed with refreshing flavours and vibrant colours of a pink pitaya and strawberry smoothie with honey granola and blue chia pudding.AT Brunch & Café, Rahuja Altimus, Worli. TIME 8 am to 11 pm LOG ON TO @brunchandcafe.ind COST Rs 990 Wholesome treats: Enjoy a perfect blend of fresh fruit, creamy yogurt, and crunchy homemade vegan granola, with a granola fruit parfait at this cosy café. They also offer smoothie bowls that are topped with a delightful mix of toppings, including granola.AT Farmer’s Café, Kinchin CHS, Khar. TIME 11 am to 11 pm LOG ON TO @farmerscafemumbai COST Rs 380 onwards A creamy avocado bowl topped with crunchy in-house granola Perfect pairings: Walk in and enjoy a refreshing berry and yogurt bowl, topped with homemade granola. They also offer a creamy avocado bowl paired with a delightful crunch from the in-house granola. Each bowl is carefully crafted with fine ingredients for a wholesome, nourishing treat.AT Boojee Café, Carter Road, Bandra West. TIME 7 am to 10.30 pm LOG ON TO @boojeecafe COST Rs 450 onwards A portion of granola waffles served with honey and fruit slices Crunchy delights: The granola waffles served at this café are topped with a generous serving of granola. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making it a true treat.AT Kala Ghoda Café, Fort. TIME 8 am to 11 pm LOG ON TO @kalaghodacafe COST Rs 280 onwards Nourishing bowls: This café in Chembur offers a variety of smoothie bowls featuring crunchy granola. Among them is an avocado and date smoothie bowl, a creamy blend of ripe avocado and sweet dates, topped with wholesome ingredients. These bowls are perfect for a healthy breakfast or snack as it offers a delightful balance of flavours.AT Le Café, near Natraj Cinema, Chembur. TIME 10 am to 11.30 pm LOG ON TO @lecaferesto COST Rs 475 onwards Wholesome and healthy: This café offers different smoothie bowls, each packed with wholesome ingredients. The avocado bowl features avocado, spinach, berries, and granola, while the açai cocoa bowl bursts with tropical açai, kiwi, banana, granola and mixed nuts for an energising start to your day.AT Aromas Café & Bistro, Hiranandani Avenue Road, Powai. TIME 7.30 am to 1 am LOG ON TO @aromascafeindia COST Rs 259 onwards Açai cocoa bowl Healthy indulgence: Here’s a place where you can enjoy a refreshing vegan granola parfait made with coconut milk. The parfait is layered with crunchy granola and creamy coconut milk for a satisfying treat. Smoothie bowls in various flavours are also available, each topped with wholesome ingredients.AT Earth Café, (BKC, Juhu, Churchgate). TIME 8 am to 11.30 pm LOG ON TO @earthcafeindia COST Rs 390 onwards Eat it right Packed with rolled oats, grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, granola provides fibre, protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. Fibre aids digestion, supports a healthy gut, and contributes to effective weight management. Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fibre known for its cholesterol-lowering properties, while the nuts and seeds are loaded with antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Together, these ingredients provide energy, making granola a smart choice for breakfast or snacks to fuel busy mornings and active days. Granola’s versatility makes it easy to pair with a variety of wholesome options. For a quick and nourishing start to the day, pair it with yogurt or milk, adding fresh fruits like berries, bananas, or apples for an extra dose of vitamins. It also works well as a topping for smoothie bowls or overnight oats. For a lighter option, sprinkle granola over fresh-cut fruits or enjoy it on its own as a crunchy, satisfying snack. - Nadiya Merchant, nutritionist
21 January,2025 09:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Evita RocheADVERTISEMENT
