Tweet the joy Celebrate Christmas by crafting a DIY wooden gingerbread birdhouse. The kit includes a pre-cut wooden birdhouse, paints, lights, decorations, and step-by-step assembly instructions. It comes with a hook for easy hanging on a tree or windowsill.Call: 9769037996 Cost: Rs 1,600 Floral fun Spruce up your holiday table at this hands-on floral design workshop. Create your own Christmas floral arrangement with provided materials and take your festive masterpiece home.ON December 21; 9.30 am to 12.30 pmAT Institute of Floral Design, LJ Education & Training Center, NC Kelkar Road, Dadar West. Log on to: @instituteoffloraldesignindiaCall: 9769768838Cost: Rs 3,500 Cup of happiness Design and decorate your own personalised holiday mug in this guided hands-on workshop. Add custom clay decorations to make your mug unique, and enjoy sipping hot chocolate from your festive creation.Age limit: 8 years and aboveON December 22; 12 pm to 3 pmAT Nautilus Candies, 5AA Pali Hill, Bandra West. Log on to: @desiartstudio_india Call: 8655615440 Cost: Rs 1,500 Whip up Christmas cheer Here, kids will learn to make hot chocolate, blueberry muffins, brownies with chocolate mousse, and decorate cookies. The little bakers can carry home their treats, a recipe book and a certificate. Age limit: From 8 years to 16 yearsON December 15; 9 am to 12 pmAT Nolita Cacao, Ground floor 1st Road, Govind Dham, Ram Krishna Nagar, Khar West. Log on to: @nolita.inCall: 9380500300Cost: Rs 2,500 Light up the holidays Brighten up the season with Christmas-themed candles. Let the kids get creative at this candle making workshop and craft tree, Santa, snowflake, and gingerbread man-shaped candles. Age limit: From 6 years to 16 yearsON December 15; 4 pm to 6 pmAT Revealed on requestLog on to: @martinibynidhiCall: 9867673627 Cost: Rs 1,500 Tree-time fun Build a tree that lasts beyond this holiday season at this woodworking workshop. Guided by experts, kids will learn to safely craft and decorate their own wooden Christmas trees.Age limit: 10 years and aboveON December 15; 10.30 am to 12.30 pmAT Museum of Solutions; Victoria House, Lower Parel. Log on to: @museumofsolutionsCall: 8828481000 Cost: Rs 999 Also Read: Meet Mumbai’s OG Christmas bakers Also Check Out >> This stitch-it-yourself weekend workshop lets children tap into their creativity to create personalised stockings, and festive decorations. Age limit: Above 7 years ON December 21 and 22; 4.30 pm to 6.30 pmAT The Hab by Usha, G 1 no 444 Corporate Lounge, Khar West. Log on to: @thehab_ushaCall: 7777026367Cost: Rs 2,499 >> A three-day workshop lets kids create festive crafts like 3D Christmas trees, clay models, canvas paintings, and more, with an optional DIY Christmas card kit available. Age limit: From 3 to 15 yearsON December 13 to 18; 3 pm to 5 pmAT Hema’s Hues, 1st floor, Chandrabhaga Housing Society, Anant Vishram Nagvekar Marg, Prabhadevi. Log on to: @hemashuesCall: 9967773558 Cost: R1,500 >> Sign up for workshops on tote bag painting, mug design, gingerbread house decorating, and cookie decorating.ON December 10 onwards;12 pm onwardsAT Hue by SLA, 47, St Francis Avenue, Willingdon, Santacruz West. Log on to: @huebysla Call: 9082462997 Cost: R1,099 onwards
13 December,2024 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaPhysical stores . From festive greetings to custom keepsakes, this shop has been spreading holiday cheer for five decades. They offer a wide range of options, from Christmas designs featuring Santa and his elves to Christmas cards featuring the Nativity scene with a variety of different embellishments inside some. Cards with custom text are also available for orders of minimum 50 cards, while photo personalisation begins at minimum of 100 cards. AT Satyam Collection, Chheda Sadan Building, Churchgate. TIME 9.30 am to 8 pm (Monday to Saturday)CALL 242138800COST Rs 30 onwards . A craft shop brings back the charm of old-school Christmas cards with sacred illustrations and blessings. Sold in as single-buy cards as well as in packs of five with vintage floral envelopes, these cards are perfect gifts for spreading festive cheer to your loved ones. AT Itsy Bitsy, Korum Mall, Mangal Pandey Road, off Eastern Express Highway, Thane West. TIME 10.30 am to 9.30 pm CALL 6366951536 COST Rs 50 onwards . Head here for Christmas-themed cards in the classic red, green and gold shades. They also sell Christmas décor and festive merchandise. AT Satyam Gallery, Lakhamsi Napoo Road, Matunga Railway Colony, Matunga East. TIME 10 am to 9 pm CALL 9321489062 COST Rs 60 onwards . This has been a go-to gifting haunt for years, offering over 50 unique card designs, including pop-up cards and Christmas tree-themed styles, it’s a treasure trove for Christmas shopping.AT Archies Gallery, Natasha Shopping Centre, Hill Road Bandra West. TIME 10.30 am to 9.30 pm CALL 9820797337 COST Rs 50 onwards . This veritable goldmine offers a wide range of cards designed to capture the festive spirit. Choose from 12 different types of prints and traditional motifs to a variety of card sizes with options available across price ranges.AT St Paul Book And Art Centre, St Paul Media Complex, Duruelo Convent School, Bandra West. TIME 9 am to 7 pm (Monday to Saturday); 9.30 am to 7 pm (Sunday) CALL 226407127COST Rs 12 onwards Take the e-route . With an eclectic range of hand painted and illustrated Christmas cards which have been digitised for the perfect wish, this platform has cracked the code of Christmas warmth. They offer regular and express deliveries pan-India.LOG ON TO @skyforapalette on Instagram COST Rs 125 onwards . From classic Christmas designs to quirky and cute Santa cards, they offer an affordable and festive range of greeting cards for everyone.LOG ON TO thepeppystore.inCOST Rs 100 onwards . Switch to sustainable gifting options this Christmas with these seed-based cards and envelopes made with 100% post-consumer waste cotton. These greetings are available in the form of single-buy cards as well as sets. LOG ON TO plantables.storeCOST Rs 149 onwards . With Christmas postcards in sets of five, a special secret Santa card with a hidden surprise, and even a light-up card, this e-store is sure to add a touch of magic to your holiday greetings.LOG ON TO oyehappy.comCOST Rs 200 onwards
13 December,2024 08:06 PM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamThursdayA royal platter Indulge in the rich flavours of a royal Malwa feast curated by chef Anuradha Medhora (right) with an elaborate spread that aims to revive the old recipes of Madhya Pradesh’s khansamas.TIME 8 pm onwardsAT KMC Bar and Bistro, Kitab Mahal, Azad Maidan, Fort.LOG ON TO in.bookmy show.comCOST Rs 3,599 Sporting frames A photograph from an IPL match Relive the glorious history of Indian sports across different disciplines through an extensive exhibition featuring photographs by mid-day’s chief photographer Atul Kamble. Atul Kamble TIME 12 pm to 7 pm AT Mumbai Press Club, Mahapalika Marg, Azad Maidan. FridayFresh jokes Dive into a comedy set that promises an evening of unfiltered jokes as stand-up comics, Shreya Priyam and Devanshi Shah (below) try out their new material to set the mood for the weekend. TIME 8.30 pm onwardsAT 3 Art House, Ajanta Building, Ram Krishna Nagar, Khar West.LOG ON TO @3arthouse on InstagramCOST Rs 350 SaturdayChristmas conversations A moment from a previous session Attend a special workshop hosted by educator Bhavna Faizullabhoy at the Just B Library that celebrates the spirit of Christmas through a session where children’s stories are used as a bridge to offer a safe space to adults. In addition to the special display of Christmas books including JRR Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas among others, the session will feature two key illustrated children’s books, Kid Christmas of the Claus Brother's Toy Shop by David Litchfield and What do you do with an idea? written by Kobi Yamada and Illustrated by Mae Besom. The read-aloud sessions will be followed by an extension activity and art activity along with fun treats for participants.TIME 4 pm to 6 pmAT Just B library, Seagull building, Carmichael Road, Malviya Nagar, Tardeo.EMAIL [email protected] (prior registration mandatory)COST Rs 3,000 Mumbai story-hop From stories and anecdotes about the city by authors like Shabnam Minwalla and Katie Bagli, to fun sessions in English, Hindi and Marathi, let your kids have an immersive time at the Mumbai Masala festival at CSMVS. TIME 12 pm onwardsAT Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Kala Ghoda, Fort. EMAIL [email protected] (to register) SundaySongs of the season Attend a musical evening by the India chapter of Pueri Cantores, an organisation encouraging young singers towards sacred music to usher in the festive season this year.Time 11.45 am onwardsAT St Peter’s Church, Hill Road, Bandra West. What a dilemma! Attend an insightful one-man play, Defending the Caveman, featuring Vishesh Arora (below) about the often misunderstood dynamics of a relationship seasoned with humour and relatable anecdotes. Time 6 pm onwardsAT Veda Kunba Theatre, Andheri WestLOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 360
13 December,2024 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaIf you catch someone doodling like their life depends on it at an art gallery in SoBo this weekend, give them a pat on the back and cheer them on; they’re possibly racing against time in art educator Anika Goenka’s The Amazing Art Race. Conceptualised with co-founder Madhumita Srivastava, the art gallery-hopping trail returns for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic with new visual clues, activities, and tasks, tomorrow. “As an art educator, I know that the quickest and most efficient way to get someone interested in art is to leave the classroom and head to an art gallery,” Goenka, a Parsons School of Design alumnus shares. To that end, four art galleries and six outdoor spots form part of the upcoming art trail. As for the beginning, that remains a mystery to be solved. “After we gather at the meeting point, participants will receive a written clue coloured in wordplay and rhymes that points them to their first checkpoint,” she reveals. A mother-child duo observe an installation at CSMVS For anyone who has ever stood in front of a painting and whispered “I could’ve made that,” the clues and tasks should be a test of their confidence. At a previous race, participants were tasked with making their own zines at art gallery Chatterjee & Lal, and later recreated etchings of the towering statues at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya to work their way through the trail. “Through these activities, the gallery and museum staff also become a part of the experience. Our clues are framed in accordance with the ongoing exhibitions at the galleries. In that sense, no two trails are the same,” the organiser adds. The art race involves doodling and sketching as part of the tasks; (right) a girl marks lines on a sheet of paper at Malla Park in Bandra to solve a clue during an earlier edition of the race You can’t possibly walk the streets of Colaba and not talk about its architecture, says Goenka. Ironically, most Mumbaikars have been doing exactly that. “I want the participants to stop and marvel at the intricate Art Deco, Gothic and post-Independence-style structures in Colaba. Our outdoor clues encourage people to interact with these structures and read the signage and texts engraved on them to find the answers. “When Watson’s Hotel [Esplanade Mansion] was in better shape, one of the tasks was to capture a panoramic shot from its rooftop,” Goenka reveals. If art and its many isms and layered interpretations are a puzzle in the first place for you, you’re not alone. Goenka reassures us you don’t have to be an art connoisseur to win the race. “If you can hold a pen and take notes and doodle, you’re fit for the race. We have hosted parent-child duos, teenagers, working professionals and art students in the past. On most trails, it’s the children who emerged victorious,” she laughs. Anika Goenka In the seven years since the last race, the average Mumbaikar’s view of art has evolved, she believes. “There has been an uptick in the interest towards art and museums. Social media and the increased visibility art exhibitions get as a result have played a vital role,” Goenka remarks. To sustain this rising interest, the trail ends with an art appreciation discussion at a popular café in Colaba. While we know where to catch the discussion, we’ll leave you with a clue to rack your brains over: Where the sea meets the city, a gate stands tall. Think of an iconic cartoonist, and you’ll find him on these walls. AGE GROUP 13 years and aboveON December 14; 10.30 amAT Colaba (meeting point revealed on registration)CALL 9820191354 (to register)ENTRY Rs 1,200 (includes art supplies)
13 December,2024 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIt’s that time of the year, when the mind does a quick recap if you’ve out-maxed yourself when it comes to Christmas décor, especially if you’re the kind who slants towards quirk and off-beat. It was typically in one of those moods that this writer went into browsing overdrive, and stumbled upon Santa Claus. Except that this version is a desi one, from Kerala to be precise. Dressed in a mundu and his iconic red jacket, this version has swapped the sleigh and reindeer and appears all set to vroom around in an autorickshaw to distribute gifts to children from different parts of the state. The quirky find is hand-painted individually, using marble dust and resin. It definitely grabbed the eyeballs for reimaging Santa in a desi avatar in every sense. We’re pretty close to bringing him home this Christmas; what about you? LOG ON TO memorytrain.comCOST Rs 3,600
13 December,2024 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamEver imagined Maa Durga taking your child on a ride on her tiger or Lord Ganesha helping your little one pluck mangoes? Chitwan Mittal’s My First Shloka Book Collection (AdiDev Press Pvt Ltd) introduces children to the world of Sanskrit shlokas in a fun and approachable way. Illustrated by Bhargavi Rudraraju, the six-book series explores shlokas related to Hindu deities — Durga, Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Vishnu. Designed to make ancient verses accessible, the books aim to teach children more than just the words, fostering a deeper connection to the meaning behind them. Mittal was inspired by her own childhood experiences of reciting shlokas with her family, “The goal was to engage the next generation’s curiosity, ensuring kids understand the prayers rather than just memorise them.” Annapurna Todi Each book includes the original Sanskrit verse, an English transliteration, a child-friendly translation with word meanings, and colourful illustrations. When seven-year-old Devanshi Todi from Thane picked up the book, she was instantly hooked. She breezed through all six books in the series over the weekend, sneaking in shloka readings between school homework. “When I first opened the books, I loved how bright and colourful the books were. I didn’t know we could read shlokas in English that too with a pop of colour,” the child tells us excitedly. The shlokas were chosen based on their popularity and their strong associations with specific deities. For example, Vakratunda Mahakaya is included for Lord Ganesha. “It would be helpful if they showed us where one shloka ended and the next one began since it was a little confusing sometimes,” the little reader suggests. The book set. PIC/ASHISH RAJE The set comes in a compact design, with all six books fitting neatly into a sleeve. “Every aspect of the book’s production was carefully thought out for the kids. From the illustrations to the size and weight of the book, to the colours, every detail was deliberate. The colours were chosen to reflect the hues associated with each god. We show the gods interacting with children in the illustrations, which helps make the books relatable and approachable,” Mittal reveals. The illustrations link the text to the deities. For instance, Lord Ganesha is drawn with his characteristic large ears and riding his Mushak (mouse), while Maa Saraswati teaches a child to play a tabla. Devanshi, however, noted that some illustrations were harder to understand at first. “I had to think for a bit to understand how they matched the shloka,” she adds. Each book includes a QR code that unlocks two options: an audio version of each shloka or the complete audiobook. The latter features a detailed translation, including the Sanskrit verse and its English transliteration. Chitwan Mittal Devanshi received guidance from her mother, Annapurna Todi, to understand certain words and access the QR code. “Hearing the shloka in Sanskrit helped her attempt the pronunciation. Although she was incredibly enthusiastic while reading, she struggled with a few words. This set is visually appealing, and with the English translations and a bit of parental support, children will find it engaging and be able to understand and learn the shlokas,” Annapurna summed up the experience. Also Read: Book review: Ditch the cape, lungi is cooler
13 December,2024 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Kanisha SoftaWe have all grown up hearing stories about the brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci. From the hugely popular Mona Lisa and its many renditions, to movies and books that go deep into the mind of the polymath, there has been no dearth of conversation around him and his oeuvre. Over the years, people have found their own creative ways to engage with the artist, even when his artworks stay tucked away in the halls of The Louvre in Paris. A girl interacts with the painting of Mona Lisa at the show One such show at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon attempts to bring da Vinci closer to people through an interactive and experiential interface. Produced by London’s Phoenix Immersive and introduced in the country by Theia Enterprise India and Black Tie Production, the show’s debut in Mumbai has captivated people of all ages. “The idea behind our show, Da Vinci-Genius is to bring an artistic experience to India that people have not seen before. I first saw the show in Amsterdam and immediately thought that people would also love it here. It is beyond an art show; it is an educational experience for the 40 to 60 minutes that you would be spending at the centre,” Tabish Khan, director, Theia Enterprise India tells us. Visitors view the immersive experience in one of the zones Making a strong departure from the traditional ways of interacting with an artwork, the show seeks to explore da Vinci’s craft in novel and exciting ways. “Usually immersive experiences are limited to animation being spread over the wall and floor of the hall. You’re just sitting there and watching. But this show uses LiDAR technology, which is a remote sensing system that enables people to touch the wall and see it react to their touch. We have also incorporated AI in the show to make the experience more interactive. You can scan a QR code and ask questions to Mona Lisa and she will respond to you with a voiceover or you can ask da Vinci to paint Mona Lisa over the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and he’ll do it for you. With AI and LiDAR, we’ve created an atmosphere where animation is generated on a real time basis, something which is completely new to India,” Khan explains. A picture of Leonardo da Vinci at the show; (right) a wall showcases Leonardo da Vinci’s writings using projection mapping technology The process behind curating the show was a mammoth task itself. As Khan tells us, “Getting people to do something that they had not seen or experienced before was very challenging. We invited the team from Europe to fly down here in order to teach our staff the technology and logistics required to run the show. All of them had to be taught and trained over months.” Tabish Khan Da Vinci-Genius is scheduled to premiere in major metropolitan cities in the coming year, with the next production slated for Bengaluru. “The idea was to make art more accessible with the use of technology and given the fantastic response in Mumbai, we’ll bring the show to other cities in India as well. Right now, the show is premiering in Florida and Mumbai, and we are happy to see people in India experiencing the quality of shows that the world is watching. I also believe that it is a matter of time before we bring up something of our own, something local and situated in India as well. The world should also experience India’s rich history and culture,” he concludes. Till January 29; 10.30 am onwardsAt Hall 7, Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Mhada Vanrai Colony, Goregaon East. Log on to: insider.in Entry Rs 900 onwards
13 December,2024 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaThere is much abuzz amidst the serene oasis of Pirojshanagar in Vikhroli. The annual event of Godrej Design Lab, Conscious Collective returns this week with the new theme of Bridging Horizons. Nyrika Holkar, executive director, Godrej Enterprises Group, states, “When curating the sessions and experiences for Conscious Collective, we focused on key facets that align with our overarching mission of fostering a more sustainable future. The idea of building a community is for everyone to come together to find solutions that can address the pressing needs of a warming planet.” On: December 14 and 15; 10 am onwardsAt: Godrej and Boyce, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli East. Log on to: insider.com INSTALLATIONS Leather talesThis installation, titled Luminous Lore, will bring together the ancient art of leather used for Tholu Bommalata and ancient shadow puppet theatre in the Deccan with the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast to create a perpetual play of light.ON December 14 and 15Also Read: From food to sports: Explore these unique events in Mumbai this weekend Of green spacesThis spatial experience created by the Design Village will bring to visual reality the slow degradation of soil, life and the ecosystem in the absence of Mumbai’s mangroves.ON December 14 and 15 An example of the terra cotta installation. Pics Courtesy/Godrej Design Lab Terra-cool itDespite temperatures being on the lower side of late, this bio-coolant installation, Coral, highlights the innovative concept of using material such as terra cotta and moss to reduce ambient temperatures.ON December 14 and 15 Deep in the wellsThe traditional baoris come alive in this installation, The Baori Cube, a multi-sensorial installation that will serve as a catalyst by triggering sense, sight and sound.ON December 14 and 15 TALKS Saving the mangrovesLearn the role and advantage of the city’s sentinel greens — mangroves — in this conversation featuring Anne Guerry (lead scientist, Stanford University), Lubaina Rangwala (WRI India), Suresh Babu (WWF India), Dr Ramasubramanian (MS Swaminathan Research Foundation) among others.ON December 14; 11.45 am to 12.45 pm Vikas Dilawari For a healthy balanceConservation architect Vikas Dilawari joins urban designer and architect Oormi Kapadia and Avid Learning CEO Asad Lalljee in a conversation about uniting heritage conservation with urban growth.ON December 14; 2 pm to 2.45 pm Ken Yeang Natural inspirationMalaysian ecologist and architect Ken Yeang will delve into the need to tap into existing ecosystems to design sustainable urban infrastructure for the future.ON December 15; 2 pm to 2.45 pm Bringing design to realityWith the city prone to climatic changes, architects Dr Kaiwan Mehta, Veerendra Wakhloo and Chitra Vishwanath discuss the need to translate passive design concepts to urban reality.ON December 15; 11.45 am to 12.30 pm Putting theory to practiceArchitects and educators Rohan Shivkumar, Vinu Daniel and Monish Siripurapu join Henry Skupniewicz of Godrej Design Lab on bridging the gap between practical and theoretical design for sustainability in a world driven by AI technology.ON December 15; 6 pm to 6.45 pm KIDS Walk in the wildStep into the green haven hidden in Pirojshanagar with naturalist Sunjoy Monga and experience its hidden ecosystem.ON December 14; 10 am to 11 am A child works at a city plan Bee the changeThe Pune-based waste-mining chain Advanced Nature will educate children on the process of pollination and its crucial role in our ecosystem using simple and fun exercises and recycled plastic bottles and bamboo sticks. ON December 14; 10.30 am to 11.30 am Little citizensLet your little ones free up their imagination at this workshop designing cities with forests, mangroves and residences on mock landscapes.ON December 14 and 15; 10 am to 7 pm EXPERIENCES Hooked by the GhatsJoin author and visual storyteller Svabhu Kohli, artist-musician Aaron Myles Pereira showcase the immersive installation of the Western Ghats through 15 endemic plant species.ON December 14 and 15; 11 am to 4 pm Music from the wildThe group of socially-conscious rappers from Swadesi bring their unique sounds and stories from the Warli experience to the fore.ON December 14; 1 pm to 2 pm Running wildJoin authors Lavanya Karthik and Shabnam Minwalla as they bring to life a tale of three lakes with an army of ants, a chorus of frogs and a mantis ballet to boot.ON December 15; 12 pm to 1 pm WORKSHOPS Taste the chocolateIf you want something for your taste buds, walk in to learn about the art of chocolate making, and the ecosystem that leads to its delicacies.ON December 14; 11.30 am to 12.30 am Experience the pastIf you are in need of a digital detox, sign up for this sustainability workshop that brings back the 17th century art of making handcrafted paper using waste and cotton rags. ON December 15; 11 am to 1 pm Wowed by Warli artArtist Dinesh Barap will introduce participants to the traditional techniques, indigeneous motifs and artistic heritage of the Warli community. Barap’s use of natural colours and materials adds to the experience. ON December 15; 4 pm
12 December,2024 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarIn Hannah Gold’s latest children’s novel, Turtle Moon (HarperCollins), 11-year-old Silver Trevelon’s artist father has been invited to the Turtle Beach Rescue Centre in Costa Rica for a painting project, which could contribute towards protecting turtles. Silver and her veterinarian mother travel with him. Living in the rainforest, Silver learns about the different species of turtles. She also encounters other creatures like jaguars, giant spiders, a monkey named Tickle, a sloth named Speedy, and bilingual parrots. Silver’s adventures truly begin when she meets a boy named Rafi, and becomes a member of a secret patrol club. She witnesses the miracle of a rare species of a turtle laying its eggs one night. However, something mysterious follows, leading Silver and Rafi on a perilous adventure. Hannah Gold Gold, alongside introducing young readers to turtles and their world, deals with emotions associated with the start and end of life with poignancy and sensitivity. Ana, the founder of the centre, and Gerrie, Silver’s mom, become crucial characters in this regard. Gold also paints smaller moments to portray this, like having Silver nurse a turtle named Luna and watch a sloth lose its young one. The dedication page at the beginning of the book hints at this. The most memorable moments include Silver’s conversations with Rafi, her mother, and Ana. They open a window into the way children deal with inner conflicts, some of which include understanding their relationship with their parents. Through such episodes, Gold creates intimate and soft spaces in a book filled with adventure. She also refrains from making it read like a mere educational tome on turtles. The photograph-like, black and white illustrations by Levi Pinfold punctuate the book and amplify Gold’s masterful atmospheric writing. Reccos by Mumbai’s young readers The Wild Robot: I loved reading this book by Peter Brown because it’s so exciting to see an alien robot like Roz learning to live on an island with animals. It felt like I was on an adventure with her. The story is fun, and I liked how everyone became friends, even though they were so different from each other.Krshna Lodha The Magic of the Lost Temple, and Malory Towers: Sudha Murty’s book gives me the perspective of village life. It also takes me to a magical place in Somanahalli. I love reading Malory Towers by Enid Blyton too. It shows me the other side of life, which is in a boarding school, and allows me to live in the world of Darrell Rivers for a while.Arianna Rawal Harry Potter series: I enjoy reading the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. It transports me to a magical world of creatures, wizards, and spells. It shows how an ordinary boy turns into an extraordinary wizard with the help of his friends and of course, some magic.Hrivaan Doshi The Land of Stories series: I like these books by Chris Colfer because they contain everything: fantasy, drama, betrayal, and my favourite part, comedy. The first book is the Wishing Spell. It gives the readers an introduction to the Bailey twins and tells them about the Fairy Godmother. The next books involve their adventures in the fairy tale world. The last book tells the last tale of the twins.Veda Mehta Log on to: All titles are available at leading bookstores and e-stores
12 December,2024 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaThe Catholic neighbourhood of Immaculate Conception (IC) Colony in Borivli (West) is known for its community-centric initiatives and football is close to most of its young residents. Hence, a bunch of youthful football-lovers of the Holy Cross Sports Federation (HCSF) in the locality are planning a unique Christmas Flea Market on December 21 and 22; proceeds of which will be re-invested into maintenance of the small football ground in the Holy Cross ground in IC Colony. Youngsters enjoy a game of football at the Holy Cross Ground in IC Colony, Borivli “The land prices in IC Colony are skyrocketing, so protecting open spaces from real estate sharks is tough. Somehow, we, Holy Cross residents have managed to secure this small ground for our children to play for free. But it’s expensive to maintain such a ground as trucks filled with mud have to be brought in regularly. Besides, levelling and cleaning jobs need to be undertaken. The average cost of maintaining this ground is around Rs 3 to lakh annually. That’s why we thought of this Christmas Flea Market to double up as a fundraiser, to help in the upkeep of our ground,” says Rohit D’Costa of HCSF. Local resident Ozy D’Costa adds: “While most football grounds have been taken over by artificial turfs, the Holy Cross ground is one of the few mud grounds in the area. Also, besides regular football practice in the evenings, even the IC Church’s zonal football team trials [for the intra-parish sports festival] are conducted here for free.” (Left) Lovelino Lobo, (second from left) Rohit D’Costa and (right) Sheldon Pires of the Holy Cross Sports Foundation Thirteen-year-old Jothan, footballer from Don Bosco High School, Borivli West, is among those who play here daily. “While I attend football coaching in school, I also need to practice, and this ground being close to home is the perfect venue. Many of my school friends, who live in different parts of Borivli, have to borrow money from their parents to play football on turf grounds. We are lucky to have this free playground,” says Jothan. The two-day (December 21 and 22) Christmas Flea Market will have a lot more than just stalls selling handicrafts and decorative articles, informs Rohit. “Community bonding is at the forefront of this initiative, so we will be having live music, carol singing, dance performances and fun games for kids and adults alike, catering to an audience ranging from tiny tots to senior citizens. Basically, everyone can come and join in the festivities for free. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly.” On December 21; 4 pm to 10 pm; December 22: 10 am to 10 pmAt Holy Cross Ground, Shubh Jeevan Circle, IC Colony, Borivli West. Call 9930357405/ 9930237876 (for details about the Christmas Flea Market)
11 December,2024 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroA city that never sleeps, a city of dreams, Maximum City — titles for Mumbai that become familiar with those even before they arrive in the city. And while all these are true in their own way, a part of this writer’s immigrant experience also strongly believes that despite the constant hustle, and the reality checks, Mumbai, is also a dreamy city. A rainy evening walk through the beautiful lanes of Colaba after a movie or a stroll along Marine Drive brings out the beautiful cultural construct of the city. Poster of the 1964 film, Leader at a theatre in Nashik. Pics courtesy/Hemant Chaturvedi Following a similar vein of thought, Colaba’s APRE art house is organising a session where photojournalist Fawzan Husain, photographer Hemant Chaturvedi, and architect Nikhil Mahashur will discuss the changing aspects of Bombay through the lens of cinema, architecture and transport as part of the exhibition, Urban Palimpsest. “The panel discussion seeks to critically examine the evolving essence of Bombay through an exploration of its cultural and architectural markers. Iconic symbols such as the now-discontinued Padmini taxis or kali-peelis, and the single-screen cinemas, once highlighted the city’s distinctive character. By situating these elements within the broader socio-historical and cultural context, the panel aims to foster a critical dialogue on the shifting identity of Mumbai and its implications for the city’s collective memory and urban fabric,” Prerna Jain, gallery director, shares. A moment from a previous session at the gallery From single-screen theatres to iconic movie sequences, old Bombay has lent itself to the visual medium in more ways than one, reaffirming its presence in a common space between architecture and films. Mahashur tells us, “Architecture and cinema are very closely linked. When we talk about changing landscapes, photos and cinema are the foremost mediums to witness it. There is a scene in Amitabh Bachchan’s film, Deewar where he says the iconic dialogue, “Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi uthata...” and you can see the whole stretch of Marine Drive in the background. These movies serve as great reference points in architectural practice as well.” Prerna Jain and Nikhil Mahashur For Hemant Chaturvedi, one of the panellists in the session, his passion project of documenting single screen theatres has taken him deep into the anatomy of a theatre house. “I have been documenting the single screen theatres in the country for six years now. From these Art Deco structures like Regal cinema in Bombay to today’s multiplexes, there has been a huge evolution of the cinema space in the city.” Hemant Chaturvedi, Fawzan Husain Covering 1200 old cinema single-screens across the country, Chaturvedi’s pieces in the exhibition document a rapidly vanishing cultural space. “In my tours around the country as part of the project, I have seen posters of films from the 1960s on the walls of these old theatres. This makes you realise how there has been a gradual erasure of actual entertainment spaces in the country. For people of my generation, cinema was one of the most elaborate entertainment options. There would be a whole process to it— buying tickets, planning the day, dressing up. Now that culture has died with single-screen cinemas taking a backseat, and the advent of OTT,” he shares. Photo exhibits from Fawzan Husain’s collection at the gallery Mumbai’s connection with cinema culture is inextricable, as is the role of architecture in providing a space to establish such strong roots in public memory or as Jain says, “These historical trajectories are interwoven with the city’s evolution, capturing its spirit, resilience and complexities as it transitioned from a colonial outpost to a modern-day urban sprawl.” On December 13; 6 pm onwards.At APRE Art House, 3rd Pasta Lane, Colaba. Log on to @aprearthousemumbai on Instagram
11 December,2024 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaADVERTISEMENT
