Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” cries Jo March in Little Women. Marmee, the mother, quietly tucks a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress under each of the little women’s pillows, bound in their favourite colours. There is no better present to give than books this time of the year; even better is a Christmas book. We bring you 10 such titles to gift to your loved ones: For grown-ups >> A Poem for Every Day of Christmas: From Benjamin Zephaniah’s Talking Turkeys to EE Cummings’s little tree and Christina Rossetti’s A Christmas Carol, this book (Pan Macmillan) celebrates all that the season brings with it: hope, joy, peace, and love. Filled with 31 Christmas poems for each day of December, it is a part of Allie Esiri’s A Poem for Every Day series. Festive décor at a Crossword store >> The Christmas Appeal: A murder strikes the town of Lockwood, where the Fairway Players theatre group lives. As the members busy themselves with their upcoming production, they get involved in solving the mystery, too. This fun Christmas novella (Viper) by Janice Hallet is written in the form of e-mails, text and audio messages, police transcripts, etc. >> A Christmas Memory: Truman Capote writes about friendship in these short stories (Penguin Classics) that celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Seven-year-old Buddy finds a friend in his 60-something, older cousin Sook. Together they bake fruitcakes for Christmas and make kites for each other in the title story. It is a heartwarming collection that finds joy in simple living. >> A Christmas Carol (A Search & Find Book): Charles Dickens’s classic story comes to life, courtesy an inspired approach and gorgeous illustrations by Louise Pigott (Studio Press). This story has been reimagined by Sarah Powell. The reader must find and follow characters, objects, and sub-plots, from Scrooge’s counting house to the arrival of Jacob Marley’s ghost. Pics Courtesy/Instagram >> Small Things Like These: Claire Keegan’s book (Grove Press), now a film adaptation, is set in 1985 Catholic Ireland. It follows the life of Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, weeks before Christmas. On his delivery trips to a local training school, he begins to get suspicious of something untoward happening to the girls admitted in the institution. Children’s corner One Christmas Wish: While his parents are out, Theo wishes Ms Goodyere were taking care of him, instead of his new babysitter. She would give him chocolate cake with cheese and sing him to sleep. He makes a wish: not to be alone on Christmas eve. Katherine Rundell spins a magical story about Theo’s wish with illustrations by Emily Sutton (Simon and Schuster). >> The Christmasaurus series: When the meteor shower destroys dinosaurs on the planet, including Mumosaurus and Dadlodocus, there is one that survives. Tom Fletcher’s words, accompanied by illustrations from Shane Devries (Puffin UK), take readers on an adventure with Christmasaurus (the dinosaur who lives with Santa) and the Trundle family that loves dinos. Gift the joy of reading to your loved ones. Representation pic >> One-A-Day Christmas Stories: Enid Blyton’s 25 warm tales are filled with Christmas treats, vanishing nuts, Santas stuck in chimneys, helpful goblins, magic stockings, and children spending their Christmas pennies wisely. Countdown to the festivities through these bite-sized stories, illustrated by Mark Beech (Hodder Children’s Books). >> A Bite before Christmas: Nandita da Cunha’s desi tale around Christmastime is set in a typical Indian home. Artfully illustrated by Swarnavo Dutta (Karadi Tales), it follows Kyra’s family around the hectic days that lead up to the festival, including the highlight for most children — the delicious sweets! >> Charlie and the Christmas Factory: Inspired by Roald Dahl’s classics and illustrated by Rikin Parekh (Penguin), this collection of tales by various authors brings back Dahl’s characters with a Christmas-y spin. Matilda must do some thinking about naughty and nice lists, Charlie celebrates inside his factory, Frankie, the fantastic little fox, prepares a winter feast. Inputs from Fiona Fernandez Bookstore hop >> The White Crow Books & Coffee, BKC>> Crossword, Juhu and Kemps Corner>> Kitab Khana, Fort>> Trilogy Curated Bookshop and Library, Bandra>> Title Waves, Bandra Other must-reads >> Everyone This Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson>> The Secret Santa Project by Tracy Bloom>> Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie >> Nut-Cracker and the Mouse King by ETA Hoffman>> Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Blue Carbuncle by AC Doyle Sign up >> Storytelling session by Apeksha Harsh ON December 22; 11 am to 12 noon At Kitab Khana, Fort.Entry Rs 500 >> Bandra Reads’ Secret Santa ON December 22; 9 am At Jogger’s Park, Bandra West.
18 December,2024 10:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaLast weekend saw the release of Mismatched Season 3. The trending scene from season one showcases Mumbai-based Prajakta Koli (Dimple) throwing cold coffee all over Rohit Saraf (Rishi), in response to the iconic “Hello, future wife.” dialogue. We saw a repeat of the coffee fiasco in season two and might just see one in the new season. While these coffee incidents became the unexpected foundation of the Dimple-Rishi bond, here are our picks of the best places in Mumbai for a cold coffee date, where the coffee will be too good to waste. On-the-go coffee dates While this is predominantly a chai-lover’s hangout, they are also known for fresh-brewed bottled cold coffee. This café, while light on the pocket, is known for its comfortable ambiance, and the cold coffee comes in easy-to-cart glass bottles, so your date can be on-the-go as well.TIME 8 am to 11.30 pmAt Parichai Espress Yourself, Tilak Nagar, Chembur.LOG ON TO @parichaiespressyourself COST Rs 60 onwards Dessert-coffee therapy Cold brews and tiramisu iced latte. Pics courtesy/Instagram This Asian-inspired café frees you from deciding between a coffee and a dessert, with their tiramisu iced latte, in addition to their pre-existent cold coffee selections. With what today’s generation would call an ‘Instagramable’ aesthetic and well-known location, this café makes for an ideal coffee date.TIME 8 am to 11.30 pmAt Mokai Cafe, St Sebastian Colony Bandra West. LOG ON TO @mokaiindiaCOST Rs 220 onwards Home-brewed comfort coffee Popular for its cold brews, this hotspot opened in late October. Owner Colin Myers states, “Our classic cold coffee [below] is shaken, not blended. Brewed using Ratnagiri Estate AAA grade beans, it’s incredibly luscious, with notes of nougat, chocolate, and caramel.”TIME 8 am to 11 pmAt Colin’s, Gold Coin CHSL, Orlem, Malad West. LOG ON TO @colinsmumbaiCOST Rs 200 onwards Coffee escapades Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, there’s a spot that offers you some calm and quiet. Complete with a wide range of cold brews and iced lattes and a homely ambience, this spot is our pick for slow dates, or a family get-together.TIME 7 am to 12 amAt Iteeha Coffee, Dr E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi. LOG ON TO @iteeha.coffee COST Rs 200 onwards Caffeinated comfort Coffee paired with comfort food and a cosy ambiance can be the perfect ice-breaker to lower your guard and enjoy the moment. With a refreshing coffee menu that complements its multicuisine menu, this restaurant could be a hot pick for a date with a coffee lover.TIME 12 pm (noon) to 12 am (midnight)At 1BHK Brew House Kitchen, Oshiwara Link Road, Andheri West.LOG ON TO @1bhkmumbaiCOST Rs 215 onwards Healthier choices Vietnamese iced coffee This SoBo café offers dairy-free options with oat milk and almond milk. With specialty coffee sourced from Chikmagalur, it could easily become the go-to spot for a true coffee lover.TIME 9 am to 7 pmAt Cravin’ by Andy, opposite Bombay House, Kala Ghoda. LOG ON TO @cravinbyandyCOST Rs 140 onwards Hot dates over cold brews This spacious and buzzing café is fairly new to Mumbai’s coffee-scape. It offers a multicuisine palate, to pair with a delightful array of cold brew coffees. It has a picturesque, modern ambiance, making it a date worth posting.TIME 8 am to 11 amAt Journal, North Avenue, Potohar Nagar, Santacruz West. LOG ON TO @journal.bombay COST Rs 280 onwards European twist Here is a café in the heart of suburban Mumbai that offers a European-styled aesthetic, with a range of cold coffee selections and vegan choices. Step in for a date, a friendly meet-up, or a mid-day break.TIME 8 am to 11.30 pmAt August Cafe, Sundervan Complex, Shastri Nagar, Andheri West. LOG ON TO @augustcafe.in COST Rs 210 onwards
18 December,2024 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Evita Roche‘TIS the time of the year when children end up scurrying around, looking for pens, and notepads to write their annual letter to Father Christmas. For all its celebration, scrumptious dinners, diverse desserts, and plentiful shopping, Christmas is also a season of giving and thinking of others around us. Walk down St Andrews Road, past the Bandra Gymkhana, and you will come across a unique initiative. The neighbourhood residents have gathered to create a special postbox for ‘Letters to Santa’. If you are looking to keep the dream of Santa alive in your little one, head over to help them drop a letter to St Nick (Nicholas, for the uninitiated). Bring along pre-loved toys as well as stuffed cuddly bears and speedy toy cars that might find new homes among less fortunate children. After all, that’s the true spirit of Christmas. Till December 25At Delima Apartments, St Andrews Road, next to Bandra Gymkhana, Bandra West.
18 December,2024 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWith Christmas preparations reaching full swing in the city, your furry friends have surely sniffed out the festive spirit in the air by now. Dolly Bhavsar, a professional photographer is ensuring this Christmas is a memorable one for all, with a special Christmas-themed pet photography session at Thane’s Doolally Taproom. “Not all pets are wired the same. Some are calm and composed in front of the camera, while some require extra love to warm up to the photoshoot,” she reveals, further assuring us that she has a trick or two up her sleeve to get the perfect shot. “I’ve had to imitate all kinds of animal sounds to calm my excited subjects down in the past,” she laughs. Come Saturday, she will deck the venue with simple Christmas-y backdrops and props, but for four-legged visitors who wish to bring their own pizzazz, there are no restrictions on looking good, the photographer says. This season of giving, Bhavsar hasn’t forgotten the ones who need some extra loving. For older pets who cannot step out amidst the bustle, Bhavsar offers home visits and personal sessions. “I was in Bengaluru a few years ago to cater to a senior indie dog. By the end of the photoshoot, the parent was teary-eyed because it was her old friend’s first portrait. I can’t put the sense of fulfilment I felt that day into words,” Bhavsar reminisces. We’ll call it a Christmas miracle. ON December 21; 11 am to 5 pmAT Doolally Taproom, Hiranandani Estate, Thane West.LOG ON TO @woofwoofstories (to register) COST Revealed on registration
18 December,2024 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIt’s the elephant in the corporate boardroom that no one wants to address, and yet, must contend with every day — the workplace spouse that you repeatedly reassure your significant other to not worry about; but know that they would do well to more than worry about anyway. We’re talking about office affairs which, as recent data reveals, are far more common than you’d think. The survey explained that the long work hours and high stress levels that corporate employees must contend with, were the main causes for extramarital workplace affairs. REPRESENTATION PICS A survey by Gleeden, an extramarital dating app, reveals that nearly 25 per cent of Indian users, especially those in corporate jobs, have been unfaithful — the numbers are much higher in metro cities, with Kolkata and Mumbai leading with 35 per cent of respondents answering in the affirmative with Delhi coming a close second at 32 per cent. An unhealthy outlet? The makers of the survey cite the long work hours and high stress levels that corporate employees must contend with, as leading causes for extramarital workplace affairs. They contend that stepping outside the boundaries of marriage (whether in the form of casual flings or more serious relationships) offers an easy outlet to alleviate this stress. Taylor Elizabeth Taylor Elizabeth, an emotional intelligence coach, agrees with these observations. “Professionals, especially in corporate settings, often juggle demanding schedules, high stress, and the constant need to prove themselves. This can create emotional gaps in their personal lives, making them more susceptible to seeking connection and validation elsewhere. Long hours, frequent collaborations, and shared challenges in the workplace often blur boundaries, leading to deeper-than-expected relationships,” she explains. She adds that many professionals describe these affairs as a means of escaping feelings of monotony or dissatisfaction — especially when in the throes of a mid-life crisis that may cause them to question their life choices or seek excitement beyond their typical routines. According to her, such affairs signal deeper emotional struggles that often go unaddressed, which may include feeling stuck or undervalued. Filling a void Sohini Rohra Paucities in existing relationships — whether actual or perceived — can further cause either partner to go astray. Sohini Rohra, a counselling psychologist, notes that, in her practice, many corporate employees report feeling uncared for or emotionally neglected, especially if their partner is frequently away or constantly preoccupied with their job. “For others, the dynamic shifts may occur when one partner becomes controlling or overly dependent, making the other feel trapped and desperate for freedom. Further, when physical intimacy is lacking or unfulfilling, the disconnect becomes even harder to ignore, leading some to seek what’s missing outside their marriage,” she clarifies. The situation becomes further complicated in major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, which have a culture of individualism. “People in big cities are juggling high-powered careers and endless opportunities, and this privilege can sometimes lead to entitlement in relationships. It’s easy to believe, ‘If this isn’t working for me, I have other options’,” she says. Let’s keep it real Namrata Jain Even though it may seem as though extramarital affairs are simply individuals seeking what their heart truly desires, counselling psychologist Namrata Jain warns against romanticising the notion. “In my practice, I have observed that extramarital affairs rarely last long; even if they do, the partner who has strayed often ends up miserable. Such affairs are fuelled by the thrill of secrecy. Once that initial excitement wears off, the relationship can be difficult to sustain and often falls apart. People eventually realise that the same emotional patterns they were trying to escape in their marital relationship exists in the affair as well,” she cautions. What makes such affairs particularly damaging is that their fallout almost always spills over into the professional realm. “I have seen clients lose their drive, their sense of purpose and even their passion for their work. When your personal life feels unstable, everything else starts to feel unstable too. It’s almost as if your foundation is missing and nothing seems to hold firm anymore,” she adds. The saving grace Claiming ownership and accountability when it comes to extramarital relationships isn’t easy; but if you’re genuinely concerned about moving forward, Elizabeth suggests taking it slow. “It’s important to pause and reflect, and to ask yourself why this happened and what you truly want as you move forward. Avoid acting impulsively out of guilt or fear; instead, focus on handling the situation with maturity and responsibility,” she says. Should you decide to end the affair and focus on your marital relationship, here’s how you can go about it: Be honest: Approach conversations with those who are impacted by the affair with empathy and respect. Taking accountability, without placing blame elsewhere, is key to moving forward. Get support: Talking to a therapist, coach, or trusted mentor can provide clarity and help you process emotions in a healthy way. Rebuild trust: Whether it’s with your partner, family or colleagues, focus on actions that show integrity and reliability. Set boundaries: If the relationship involves a colleague, it’s important to establish and maintain clear professional boundaries moving forward. “Remember, moving forward from an affair is not about erasing what happened but learning from it and making choices that align with who you want to be,” Elizabeth signs off. Containing the fallout An extramarital affair, especially in the workplace, can have serious implications for your reputation, says Rohra. “If your colleagues learn of it, it could lead to damaged trust, strained relationships, or even disciplinary action if company policies are violated. Gossip can overshadow your achievements, making it harder to maintain credibility,” she advises. The experts suggest relatable strategies: >> Stay professional: Keep the personal out of office dynamics. Focus on your performance and demonstrate your reliability. >> Address concerns: If rumours emerge, address it discreetly and professionally. Staying silent or defensive can escalate matters. >> Learn and grow: Take the opportunity to reflect on your values and ensure your actions align with them, moving forward. Colleagues and peers tend to respect those who own up and try to improve. >> Take it slow: Consistency and integrity will help restore professional relationships. Let your consistent, ethical behaviour rebuild trust over time. >> Seek help: Guidance from a mentor or counsellor can help you navigate smoothly; the opportunity can be used for personal and professional growth. Also Read: Politics in dating: Is political opinion a determining factor while choosing partners?
16 December,2024 06:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulSince the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), conversations across the technological landscape have been imbued with a sense of thrill and anxiety. As AI continues to permeate important areas and revolutionise approaches to human interactions, the gaming industry also seems to have hopped on the bandwagon and quite robustly, might we add. Avid Learning and IF.BE’s Pixels and Play, a talk as part of an ongoing series of discussions on AI and arts will host videogame industry consultant Sameer Desai alongside co-founder and CEO of Duality AI Apurva Shah, and UI/UX designer, and game developer Frank Harmon for a stimulating session moderated by Sameer Pitalwalla, head of gaming, Asia-Pacific channel at Google Cloud, at the premises of IF.BE in Ballard Estate. “As with many other fields, AI is a major disruptive force in gaming and entertainment. In the panel, we will explore what the nexus of AI and gaming looks like from diverse perspectives —creative, thematic, business considerations, and technical enablers,” Shah breaks down the session for us. Sameer Desai and Apurva Shah The growing intersection of AI and gaming is predicted to change major pathways in the gaming industry, as Shah tells us, “The initial implementations of AI in gaming have been well received, such as techniques like denoising renders or realistic muscles in the game engine Unreal Engine developed by Epic Games. In terms of authoring 3D assets, we are seeing artists adopt generative AI techniques for texture refinement and tiling on tools like Adobe Substance. If we squint and look a few years into the future of AI in videogames, one of the areas that excites me is interactive storytelling. These worlds could have a level of depth, interactivity, and personalisation that has simply not been explored in any entertainment medium until now.” But there is a flip side. “Because generative AI is so nascent, many issues need to be tackled through regulation that protects human creativity and privacy without stifling innovation. Many of these AI platforms use aspects of human work to generate their creations, often without the explicit consent of the people concerned. It won’t be easy to wholly endorse the use of generative AI commercially in any medium — especially with videogames — when this content could potentially infringe on the copyrights of human work,” Desai opines. With increasingly blurring boundaries of real and virtual, how does human experience get impacted in the long run, we ask. “We believe that unlike games we play for fun, serious games should be based on digital twins, the accurate counterparts of real-world assets. This can include anything from commercial real estate to robots and self-driving cars. With the growth of AI and automation, digital twins will continue to become more critical as a way to go between the virtual and physical worlds. These kinds of virtual worlds and serious games are critical to training advanced AI models,” Shah explains. Desai informs us that India is the second-largest country in the world for game downloads, adding that Indians are now spending more on games, making it an increasingly attractive market for global players. “Our country’s game development industry is maturing and we’re starting to see great original games being created by independent developers in India, both for the Indian market and for the world,” he signs off. ON December 17; 6.30 pm onwardsAT IF.BE, Calicut Road, Ballard Estate.LOG ON TO avidlearning.in (to register)
16 December,2024 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha Panda“Peace at all costs”…In my father’s mantra, I find peace.In all languages, peace is peaceShanti, Paz, Pace, Shalom, Paix.” Poet and educator Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca invokes her father in her poem, ‘Peace at All Costs’. When we ask her about some of her fondest memories of him, she promptly inquires, “Just one or two?” The late poet Nissim Ezekiel, who passed away in 2004, is remembered today through the many ways he touched people’s lives. Some knew him as a mentor, some as a friend, most grew up reading his poems, reciting the words of Night of the Scorpion in Indian classrooms. Literature students studied his work further in their lectures. They would remember him as one of the pioneers of modern Indian poetry in English. Kavita with Daisy and Nissim; (right) Nissim Ezekiel at The Poetry Circle session. Pic Courtesy/Menka Shivdasani To Kavita, his eldest daughter, he was, most of all, “a gentle father, who never complained,” and always encouraged his children’s interests. Kavita loved music. The Ezekiels played it on their Philips turntable recorder, which he had purchased. “We would listen to The Mamas and The Papas,” once even winning an album as an award for a quiz on the radio. Ezekiel would walk briskly to the letterbox close to their Breach Candy home, so that “her postcard with the answer got there promptly. Daddy loved his children.” Ezekiel loved all children. In a poem, ‘Those Bombay Sundays’, Kavita recalls the early days of the black-and-white TV, when all the little ones from the neighbourhood would line up to watch the six-o-clock Hindi movie with him. ‘Daddy …/kept a few handkerchiefs ready,/for the ones with the runny noses…/“Please come again,” he responded to their thanks.’ To honour him, on his 100th birth anniversary this year, Canada-based Kavita has curated an anthology titled Nissim Ezekiel: Poet and Father (Pippa Rann Books & Media). It is a compilation of tributes in the form of essays, interviews, poems, and photographs, shared by those who had met, worked with, or studied under him. “I wrote to several people. Some replied, some didn’t. I sent a set of questions to those who wrote to me… just to get them started,” she shares. Ezekiel’s legacy echoes in the works of many poets and academics like Gieve Patel, Adil Jussawalla, Menka Shivdasani, Jeet Thayil and Shanta Acharya, who contributed to the book and began their journey much after him. The Ezekiel family watches a play From the 1970s to the 1990s, English poetry flourished in Bombay (now Mumbai). “At his Indian PEN office in New Marine Lines, my father would leave his doors open to young poets and students,” Kavita recalls. It would become a meeting space for The Poetry Circle, an initiative co-founded by Shivdasani, Akil Contractor, and Nitin Mukadam in 1986 to encourage young poets. Instead of the usual circulars through which one was informed of the meetings, now there was an understanding among the members of the circle that every second Saturday one was to gather at Ezekiel’s office. He was a regular at the readings. At one of them, he wrote: ‘Stop praising me, my friends.Let me learnto live without teaching,until I find my soul—or even lose iton that different road.’ A Bene Israeli Thanksgiving feast by Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca to be served at Nissim’s birth anniversary. Pics Courtesy/Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca “I owe him a great deal. I was 16 when I first met him,” recalls Shivdasani, who found a life-long mentor and friend in him. Ezekiel loved Bombay. “It was home to my father. He never wanted to leave,” says Kavita. “I have the same emotional connection to it as my father had, and that Bombay will always be my home, I was born and raised there. It’s hard for me to say Mumbai.” She reminisces about the time she spent with him in the city. From their house, they would “walk to the ice cream store. We would call it the Irani store. We also visited the Hanging Gardens frequently on holidays. My father loved to walk. After work, from his office at the Theosophy Hall, he would walk to the Churchgate station, and pick up mid-day and bring it back for us.” She adds, “He never forced us to read anything, but he insisted that we read the newspaper. He would say, “You have to know what’s happening in the real world.” A 2021 news article in mid-day by features editor Fiona Fernandez, which explored Kavita’s collaboration with poet-architect Mustansir Dalvi for the Marathi translations of two of Ezekiel’s poems and an ode to him, forms part of the anthology. Kavita Ezekiel MendoncaThe collection contains photographs, including many of the Ezekiels. In one, the family is seated to watch a play; the four attendees are grandma Diana, Kalpana (Kavita’s sibling), Kavita, and Ezekiel. They sit close to each other — an older woman in the background seems to identify the man in the suit and peeks from behind, taken in by his dignified presence. In another from a wedding, young Ezekiel sits with a knee resting on the floor, the other raised above, balancing little Kavita. Her head rests comfortably against his chest. In all, it is hard to miss his quiet demeanour. He smiles “gently from his fragile glasses”, and one can almost hear him whisper to us, peace at all costs. Available on Amazon Attend Remembering Nissim Ezekiel: Poetry reading and conversations about the bard, organised by the literary club of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai.ON Monday, December 16; 5 pmAT Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort. FREE
14 December,2024 04:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaFor Pabiben and Kuvarben, both master craftswomen from Varnora village in Kachchh, Gujarat the dwindling art form of Rabari embroidery and appliqué is more than a craft — it is a living history stitched into fabric. These talented artists have come together to showcase their craft at The Triumph Of Kachchh, currently on display at Khotachiwadi’s 47-A gallery. Compiled by craft mentor Satish Reddy, this curation aims to highlight the possibilities for traditional crafts, should they receive the right engagement and openness. Of the people. By the people. “For the Rabari community, embroidery was once an essential part of daily life, a language of love and identity. Each piece carries the stories of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the land. It is vivid and intricate, full of vibrant colours, geometric patterns, and motifs drawn from nature, like peacocks, butterflies, and flowers. Every stitch has a purpose, and every design has a meaning,” Pabiben explains, while Kuvarben points out that Rabari embroidery is deeply personal as well. In that, no two pieces are the same because they reflect the hands and minds that create them. “To me, it is an art form that bridges past and present — a tradition that evolves even as it stays rooted in heritage,” she adds. Kuvarben alongside one of her abstract applique creations An artist from the Debariya Rabari community, Pabiben specialises in creating miniature replicas of traditional clothing, preserving the vernacular costume history of her heritage. Her pieces evoke the artistry she grew up with, capturing a legacy that, once central to her community, is now at risk of being forgotten. Kuvarben, on the other hand, harnesses appliqué and embroidery to create abstract compositions that are inspired by her life and the world she witnesses around her. Elaborating further on the nature of this embroidery, Pabiben shares that although embroidery traditionally served as a way to adorn clothing and household items, it was also a storyteller — the placement of certain motifs or colours could signify a woman’s marital status or her role in the community. A stitch in the fabric of time Like most heirloom crafts, Rabari embroidery too was passed down from mother to daughter, a rite of passage and a skill that was transmitted across generations. Unfortunately, younger women in the community no longer consider embroidery as a viable path anymore. “It requires time, patience, and a commitment to detail —things that seem out of place in today’s fast-paced world. My daughters and granddaughters are not interested; they find it too time-consuming,” laments Pabiben. Kuvarben, however, has a slightly more pragmatic outlook: “It’s heartbreaking but understandable. They want to pursue education and careers outside the home, and embroidery doesn’t seem to offer them the same opportunities.” Her decision to display her craft to the wider world via exhibitions was to show to these young women that the beauty of Rabari embroidery could be valued and appreciated by urban audiences. “When they see our craft being appreciated, perhaps they will look at it differently,” she says. An untitled abstract; (right) a miniature costume by Pabiben For Reddy, the exhibition is a testament to the adaptability and depth of Rabari embroidery. “I hope visitors leave with a renewed understanding of this craft — not just as a skill but as a deeply personal and cultural expression of identity. Through their works, we see how embroidery becomes a form of storytelling, an exploration of memory, and a celebration of creativity. The pieces we’ve selected highlight the dynamism of Rabari embroidery: Kuvarben’s works as a canvas for creative rebellion and reinterpretation, and Pabiben’s as a beacon of preservation and adaptation. This duality is what makes the exhibition so compelling. It offers both a celebration of the past and a vision for the future of this art form,” he concludes. TILL January 5; 11 am to 7 pm (except Mondays) AT 47-A, Khotachiwadi, Girgaon. LOG ON TO 47agallery.com
14 December,2024 10:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulMumbai is a cacophony of languages. A five-minute stroll through any railway station will introduce you to a thousand different words in diverse languages. It is no surprise then that the season of joy in Mumbai is coloured with the harmony of different languages. Songs of migrants At St Paul’s Tamil Church on Clare Road in Byculla, the language is part of its origins, and the city’s. Founded in 1861, the church began as a simple prayer house for Tamil, Hindustani and Konkani migrants coming to the port city of Bombay. The arrival of Madras-based missionaries in the late 1920s gave it the name of St Paul’s Tamil Church. Current choir master Asher Stephen began his journey with the congregation in 1974 as an organist. Slowly progressing to bass singer, he took over the choir last year. “The worship and the service is also in Tamil, as are the songs for the Nativity and Christmas celebrations,” he tells us. The music is a mix of traditional and Indian sounds. “We do not alter the compositions in any way, but you will find the influences in the humming and vocals,” he points out. Yet like many regional choirs, Stephen faces a new need to adapt. “Many of the new generation cannot read Tamil. I do not blame them. In Mumbai, you hardly have the time. In such cases, we tend to use transliterations of the song to sing it phonetically. As long as they are being sung, the songs will live on,” he says. Members of the St Francis Xavier Church choir in a rehearsal From the gaothans For Raymond Creado, it was language that drew him to the choir. The choir master was among the founding members of the 50-year-old Marathi choir at St Francis Xavier Church in Vile Parle West. Having begun in 1974, the choir continues its tradition of singing Marathi missals (book of prayers) every Christmas. “I was 16-years-old when the choir was set up. Before that, the songs were often sung in English and a little Latin. Many of the older members from the gaothans would attend, but would hardly understand anything,” shares Creado who traces his roots to the Pond gaothan in Vile Parle.This changed with the initiative. With songs written by Fr Hillary Fernandes, the choir started out in 1974. Sung simply like bhajans, these songs were written in pure Marathi — different from the ‘boli bhasha’ that had an influence of East Indian and Koli dialects, says Creado. The music also has elements of taal similar to Hindustani folk music traditions. Raymond Creado; a Marathi hymnal choir book Things are changing though. With the next generation educated in English medium schools, and moving abroad, Creado admits the songs need protecting. “We still have a strong choir that performs and has won multiple awards. But we are training and helping the children learn these songs. After all, they are a part of our legacy and heritage,” he says. The coastal influence Across the neighbourhood at the CNI Ambroli Church, Vile Parle, Cecil Phillips shares a similar story. “I have been a part of the choir since my childhood. I grew up in Mahim and later, Vile Parle. I learnt the songs from my father, and he learnt them from his,” shares Phillips, now a resident of Chennai. Describing the choir’s traditional roots, the 55-year-old adds, “We have a song book of 500 hymns [called bhajans] that are almost 150 years old. In Gujarati, the hymnal book is called the bhajan sangraha.” Cecil Phillips This compilation has been enriched by works of Indians and foreigners as well. “In the 18th century, JVS Taylor was one of the influential scholars who translated songs from English to Gujarati. Others like Jaywantiben Chavan have since added to it.” “We have translated versions of the English carols like Joy To The World and Silent Night. The composition and scales remain the same. Then, there are Gujarati songs that are traditional Garba-type songs written for Christmas. One other song is ‘Alaame aaj ugyo soneri suraj’ praising the birth of Christ. This song is in Indian classical form,” he reveals. The Ambroli choir in rehearsal With a new generation on the move, is there a worry for the tradition? Not at all, says Philips. “The tradition is 120 years old, and the Gujarat Diocese and Tract and Book Society of India publish these hymnals. Now, there are a lot of audio cassettes as well, so the tradition will carry on.” From the gullies of Grant Road One rare institution for the Gujarati Christian community in the city is the Centenary Hindustani Methodist Church in Grant Road. “The community is spread across Mumbai, and this church has been a key part of the Gujarat Diocese for several generations,” remarks Phillips.
14 December,2024 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarTweet 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 TeamADVERTISEMENT
