Black grouse and the lek When it is mating season for the black grouse males, they gather in a flock at fixed spots between March and June and wait for the first light. This phenomenon is called a lek. At the break of dawn, the males dance and sing for hours, preparing for the females to arrive. When the females do, frequently from their neighbouring flocks, they leap into the air with what Ridley calls a ‘flutter-jump’. This is accompanied by a call that sounds like a “Tshu-wee”; it’s between a sneeze, a hiss, a squawk, and a screech. In the dark, these black grouse males are identifiable through their white bottoms, which resemble chrysanthemums. Riddle of the ruffs Ruff. Pics Courtesy/Youtube Ruffs are birds found across Eurasia. Ridley spots them in Arctic Norway. They look rather Elizabethan because of the ruff of feathers around their necks that act like ornaments. Ridley notices that each male ruff is distinct; no two wear the same outfit. Their feathers can vary in colour; they can have different patterns (flecked, plain, striped). Their head tufts can be of a different colour and pattern as well. Additionally, they have wattles around their eyes and beaks that can be shades of red, yellow, or orange, setting them apart from their fellow ruffs. Peacock displays Peacock plumage. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Ridley visited North India to confirm peacock behaviour and patterns. He notes that in peafowls, males display when a female approaches, but they do not follow it when it leaves. Females enjoy their freedom and wander about. Males are territorial among themselves, and stick to their own patches and spots. During displaying hours, when a peacock observes a peahen approaching, it makes an alcove in a bush and faces away to conceal a part of itself. When the peahen is close enough, it puts on a show by turning around and displaying all its feathers in full glory. Curlews and composers Long billed curlew. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons To Ridley’s ears, curlews sound like trained western classical singers during their mating season. They sing complex songs, and their crescendos are joyous. Ridley compares their call to genius composer Beethoven’s phrases. A curlew’s ode to joy begins with a slow single chord like that of a cello. It then rises and speeds up till the chords break into a “rich bubbling trill”. Much like humans, curlews prefer pure notes over squawks and harmonies over disharmonies. They are nature’s composers and share ideas of beauty in music with humans. Matt Ridley Shape-shifting lophorinas Vogelkop Superb Lophorina. Pic Courtesy/Youtube The super-black feathers of the Superb Lophorinas contain deep, curved cavities that capture all light and release none of it. With no reflected light, the male appears as though it vanished within its feathers during the display. We can only see two little dots (its eyes) and a fluorescent blue-green smile. It bounces back and forth on its log, to impress the female, with loud clicks. Available: At all leading bookstores and e-stores Cost: Rs 599
14 May,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWhy the name Queer Rated Comedy? — is the first question we ask city-based stand-up comedian Navin Noronha as he speaks to us on a late morning call, fresh from his foreign tour. “That is a pun on curated comedy, which is what most comedy gigs are,” he quips. From what started as Zoom call sessions with openly out comedians during the Covid-19 pandemic to touring Indian cities with all queer line-ups — Noronha has charted quite a journey with the show. Aayushi Jagad, Navin Noronha, Ritushree Panigrahi and Madhvendra Singh “When you travel to Australia, Europe or the United States of America, you can see how queer comics flourish there. In India, there is obviously a lack of representation. The idea was to create an inclusive environment where these brilliant artistes can test their material. Over time, you notice how everybody is bringing different perspectives to the table, and developing their own content, which is lovely to witness,” Noronha tells ahead of another set of Queer Rated Comedy that he is hosting alongside fellow stand-up comics Madhvendra Singh, Ankur Tangade, Ritushree Panigrahi and Aayushi Jagad at a Bandra venue.An extension of the ongoing exhibition, To Make a Home With You curated by Mihir Thakkar that explores the human need for acceptance, comfort and belonging, for the queer community as well as allies, the stand-up show seeks to build the momentum for the evening on a similar idea, seasoned with humour and punctuated with anecdotes. “It is amazing to host an event that is solely based on queer comedy. Contemporary art should provide an immersive experience to people, which is what the comedians in the show will try to do with their sets,” elaborates Ayesha Parikh, the curator of the gallery. Ankur Tangade For Tangade, a Dalit, queer stand-up comic and the co-founder of Blue Material, an all Dalit line-up of stand-up comedians, the journey has been one of accidental discoveries. “Comedy happened to me by chance. I used to watch a lot of live comedy, open-mic events and felt that I can do this too. When I had just started performing comedy, I noticed how everybody in the room would be an upper caste person. For a long period of time I tried to follow the same pattern of comedy, in the hope of being relatable to the audience,” she recalls, adding how exploring her sexuality pushed her to talk about her own experiences. “It’s quite funny actually; I would make these jokes on stage as to why women are hitting on me, and if I am giving them queer vibes, and cut to now, where I openly talk about my pansexuality,” she explains. Travelling from her home in Beed to Mumbai this weekend, Tangade will explore the nuances of her identities and their interplay in the context of a small town to the metropolitan audiences of Mumbai — an idea that also informs the material of Ritushree Panigrahi. “My set is all about the experience of being a transwoman, in my personal as well as my corporate life,” Panigrahi shares. From finding humour in corporate spaces to talking about her gender identity, the HR professional’s journey from starting out with small gigs in Bhubaneswar to touring India and hosting many sets with this show is full of personal wins and sheer talent. “Though my family has been supportive of me, there is still a strong homomisic mindset that guides people’s prejudices. Hopefully, with awareness this will break” she explains, while also telling us about the AQA or Ask Queers Anything, a unique feature of the show where the comedians, armed with wit will answer questions related to the LGBTQiA+ community. ON May 17; 7 pm to 8.30 pm AT Art and Charlie, Pali Village, Bandra West. LOG ON TO www.artandcharlie.com (for tickets) COST Rs 350
14 May,2025 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaMuseums are important in chronicling a city’s history and shaping its culture. Avid Learning, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art and Kala Ghoda Association, will be organising a panel discussion titled What Makes a Museum: Reimagining Spaces and Redefining collections. Aparna Andhare is an independent art historian, curator and writer, who is one of the speakers at the session. She speaks about the core topic of discussion, “This session promises to bring diverse viewpoints, and across practices shaping museums today. We are going to talk about making and running museums, the ways in which various narratives are collected and retold, how museums build communities. We will also discuss the future of museums, and how the mandate of museums continues to evolve from repositories of the past to institutions that look into the future.” Aanchal Malhotra, Svabhu Kohli and Aparna Andhare Museums need to stay relevant to the current times and constantly evolve. Speaker Svabhu Kohli, a multidisciplinary artist and visual researcher, feels that museum spaces need to adapt to modernisation. They say, “It’s not just important — it’s imperative. For museums to remain relevant and reflective of contemporary society, they must embrace inclusivity not as a performative gesture, but as a core value embedded in their structure.” Aanchal Malhotra, oral historian and co-founder of the Museum of Material Memory echoes Kohli’s thoughts. “For a museum to remain relevant and meaningful, it must attempt to be more inclusive in representation and methodology — this requires listening to communities that populate and visit the museum and giving space to oral testimony and alternative storytelling.” ON May 15; 6.30 pm to 8 pmAT National Gallery of Modern Art, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall, Fort. LOG ON TO avidlearning.inFREE
14 May,2025 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiAs Mumbaikars like this writer cling on to the trademark ‘spirit of Mumbai’ to brave the sweltering heat, urban gardener Chetan Soorenji has found relief in a passion of a different kind. A tall rooftop draped in lush passion fruit vines watches over Soorenji’s home in Chembur; he suggests you stand under it someday. “When I first planted passion fruit in 2017, I was surprised by how well it grew in Mumbai’s hot and humid conditions. The thick growth has significantly cooled down summers for me in the city,” he smiles. Chetan Soorenji Fruit of labour If you grew up believing passion fruit was an ‘exotic’ fruit that was too cool to share the same table as the humble apples and oranges, the pulpy fruits are actually more familiar than you think. Known as Krishna Kamal locally, the passionflower has been long known among farmers as a supplementary crop. “Most plant species in India bear fruits in the summer or winter seasons. The pre-monsoon and monsoon phase is dubbed the dearth period in horticulture. Passionflower, and subsequently passion fruit, makes for the perfect filler,” Soorenji reveals. Bees arrive to pollinate a passionflower; Passion fruit in the home garden; The fruit consists of a tangy pulp and a spongy white pith Birds and bees Soorenji’s garden is home to more than just the seasonal fruits. “I was surprised to see pollinators like bees of the Apis cerana indica (Indian hive bee), and Apis dorsata (Indian rock/giant bee) species, and butterflies like the Acraea terpsicore frequent my rooftop garden once the flowers bloomed. Soon, my garden had turned into a micro-ecosystem,” he recalls. An aerial view of the garden Pollination, aka the most vital step in reproduction for flowering plants, is the reason any flora thrives in the city, Soorenji tells us. The gardener recently turned to beekeeping to house these pollinators, and even launched his own line of natural honey. “But I have had to slow down after a heavy construction project was undertaken outside my home. You see, the bees like some peace,” he sighs. With a surplus of the fruits of labour, some buzzing company and a cool rooftop arrangement, it’s no surprise that Soorenji has now formulated a passion fruit wine to drink it all in. “Passion fruit wine has distinct sweet, fruity notes, and can be made by beginners without complex equipment,” he assures us. Sounds like one spirit of Mumbai we’re ready to get behind. LOG ON TO @forestgardenmicrofarmsindia on Instagram Passion fruit wine INGREDIENTS. Passion fruit pulp. Sugar (to taste). Yeast (1 tsp). Water METHODAdd the pulp, yeast and water to a container and mix well. Add sugar as per taste and the sourness of the fruit. Let the mixture sit for a month for primary fermentation. During this period, swirl and stir the mixture once in two days. After a month, transfer the mixture to a bottle for secondary fermentation. During the five to six-month long process, rack the wine. Racking involves straining the mixture until no visible sediment remains. The more you rack the wine, the smoother it will be. For a pleasant taste, rack the wine until it achieves whiskey-like colour and consistency. Before you grow Passion fruit vines can grow in testing conditions, but only with due monitoring and caution. Soorenji shares tips to consider before you sow the seed . Unlike many fruiting plants, you cannot plant a passion fruit sapling once and reap its benefits for decades. They usually have three-five year cycles after which they die. The climbers are highly susceptible to pest attacks. Home-made kitchen composts can help your climbers thrive. In the flowering season, the plants are vulnerable to fruit fly attacks. Consult an expert to learn more about pheromone traps
14 May,2025 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIt was well past midnight when Virar-based 37-year-old businessman Chirag Chauhan shook his wife Neha awake. “We had just gone to bed after a tumultuous Saturday, although I kept checking my phone for updates. The official handles on X were all quiet, which I found very strange. I was quite convinced that something sinister was afoot,” he reminisces. His concerns about being the latest victim of the incessant news cycle (or social media algorithm) were further substantiated when he checked his phone’s digital wellbeing feature. Chirag Chauhan “While, on an average day, my screen time is about three-four hours, this figure has now gone up to 12 hours! I was shocked to find how hopelessly addicted I’d become to my phone,” he adds. And although Chauhan may have caught on to his doomscrolling, many others like him continue to continually hit refresh on their apps, eager to devour every bit of information that comes their way. A phenomenon that rose to prominence during the pandemic, doomscrolling continues to be one of the primary ways that many people deal with stress and the fear of the unknown. Decode the currency of information “While doomscrolling is often described as the cycle of refreshing endlessly, scrolling compulsively and staying tethered to every alert, update and speculation, it is not just a digital habit; it is a nervous system response to collective uncertainty, grief and helplessness,” notes psychologist Namrata Jain. She further explains that doomscrolling is our attempt to create predictability in a world that feels unstable. As human beings, our brain seeks information to feel safe, as a survival instinct. But when the exposure is constant, overwhelming and devoid of resolution, this instinct becomes dysregulating. Namrata Jain Interestingly, this behaviour does not only impact those directly affected by the conflict. Jain points out that people across the nations are experiencing vicarious trauma or the emotional residue of bearing witness to the suffering of others. Through endless digital exposure, feels of fear, anger and grief are internalised, often subconsciously. “What many of us don’t realise is that doomscrolling has now become a performative form of empathy. There’s a growing and understandable guilt around switching off. Many people feel that disengaging from the news is equivalent to disengaging from suffering. This guilt-traps people in a cycle of overexposure — staying informed to prove that they care. It is compassion that converts into self-flagellation,” she says. The third layer, as Jain describes it, is emotional displacement. For people already living with unaddressed anxiety, helplessness or emotional distress, war coverage becomes an outlet to project and channel those feelings. It gives form to an otherwise invisible inner turmoil, offering a clear narrative of: ‘This is why I feel unsafe.’ The price of screen addiction Post-Operation Sindoor, my social media habits have transformed dramatically. I’m constantly hooked to my phone, eager for updates. This has had an impact on my physical and mental health. I find it hard to fall and stay asleep. My deep-seated fears combine with overthinking to make me restless. More recently, the alternating ceasefire proclamations followed by attacks create and magnify my sense of distrust,” shares 31-year-old Soumita Saha, a singer-songwriter. Chauhan echoes her concerns, also sharing that the presence of fake news further adds to the frustration. “By the time the news has been verified, the damage has been done. We’re left wondering what to do… Do we do anything at all? What’s going to happen? What is even true?” he laments. Soumita Saha Rakesh Raghuvanshi, CEO and founder of Sekel Tech, observes, “Economic incentives drive the fake news ecosystem. Content creators earn revenue through clicks, views, and engagement metrics on major platforms, regardless of accuracy. During crises such as military tensions, audience attention spikes dramatically while critical thinking often diminishes due to heightened emotions. The information vacuum during developing situations creates opportunities for speculation and fabrication to fill gaps faster than verified reporting can. Algorithm-driven platforms reward sensational content that generates strong reactions, not necessarily truthful content. Low barriers to entry in digital publishing mean anyone can create convincing-looking ‘news’ without journalistic standards or accountability.” Rakesh Raghuvanshi “Over the last few days, I’ve come to realise that even the sources we believed were trustworthy are falling prey to fake news. Now, from a customer’s point of view, we can spend several hours believing what these sources say, only to be dismayed when the news is proved false. To safeguard against this, I advocate what I call a Zero-Trust Policy, a concept that’s borrowed from cybersecurity best practices. Just as you wouldn’t trust a QR code or message implicitly, don’t take any news at face value. Remember that your social media algorithms only push more of what you are already viewing, while taking zero responsibility for the veracity of the content,” warns Gautam S Mengle, security awareness strategist at CyberFrat, a firm that specialises in cybersecurity awareness, education and advisory. Gautam Mengle He also warns that the consumption of fake news does not just affect your sanity or peace of mind; it also influences your decisions or your actual actions that could include being drawn into fraudulently seeking funds in the name of relief to families of the martyrs or towards the upgradation of the armed forces. “It is a very real outcome and one that can only be addressed by changing your consumption patterns at the source,” Mengle signs off. Find your calm Disrupted sleep, chronic worry, irritability and even physical symptoms such as headaches or gut issues can result from screen exposure or media saturation. Jain suggests a few strategies to cope with doomscrolling: 1 Choose one-two reliable sources. Check updates at a fixed time (e.g., 10 am and 6 pm). Avoid news before bed. 2 Set locks or use apps that lock applications that you are addicted to or doomscroll on. 3 Disable breaking news alerts, instead opt for intentional checking rather than reactive scrolling. 4 After news exposure, intentionally engage in a grounding activity — deep breathing, stretching, sipping a warm drink or stepping outside for five minutes. 5 Mute accounts that sensationalise. Prioritise fact-based, calm reporting. 6 Remind yourself that staying online 24/7 does not change the outcome. But attending to your well-being allows you to show up in more sustainable, meaningful ways for yourself and for others. 7 Talk about it: Process it with someone you trust or a therapist to reduce its hold on your attention. 8 Use breathwork, cold water on your wrists or hands, or use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique (name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell and 1 you taste) To calm your urges 1. Delay the impulse: Tell yourself, “I’ll check in 15 minutes”. Often you will notice that the urge passes.2. Substitute behaviour: Keep a book, activity or playlist handy to redirect the habit.3. Remind yourself: “My grief is valid, but my survival does not depend on my vigilance.”
13 May,2025 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulIn an age where OTT platforms and cinema theatres are constantly vying for viewership, dealing with dwindling attention spans and changing storytelling formats, movie buffs might find a refreshing alternative in short film screenings that seek to bring the best of both worlds. The Mumbai Short and Documentary Film Festival, a two-day film festival conducted by city-based film community, FilmyBees Cine Club will bring a set of 33 short films, including regional movies, documentaries and international hits from 12 countries to audiences at a suburban venue this weekend. A scene from Go in Peace by Jean Gaspa. Pic courtesy/London International Pan-African Festival on Youtube Founded a year ago by cinephiles Aditya Raj and Gary Panjabi, the platform is a passion project aimed at celebrating independent cinema through screenings, festivals, and community conversations. “The idea has always been to celebrate the stories of independent filmmakers by giving them the space they deserve. Many powerful indie short films go unnoticed due to the lack of backing by mainstream platforms. While full length feature films have the privilege of theatres and OTT platforms, short films rarely get the spotlight they deserve. We believe short films can deliver impactful stories in a concise format and deserve to be experienced on the big screen,” Raj explains. Carefully curated by a jury consisting of filmmakers Anne Thorens, Hu Li Huai and Farhaan Colabawalla among others, the curation has been modeled on the narrative strength, visual storytelling, and emotional resonance of the films. “The idea is to present a wide spectrum of stories and cinematic styles, ensuring an engaging experience for all types of attendees,” he adds. (From left) Aditya Raj and Gary Panjabi A quick browse of the list reveals regional films like the 2024 Marathi short film Loop Line by Renuka Shahane and the Hindi-Santali documentary Ladai Chhodab Nahi by Astha slotted alongside international selections like Jean Gaspa’s Go in Peace (French) and Mostafa Yeganeh’s Just a Fist (Persian). “On the second day of the festival, we have interactive sessions with some of the directors where people can learn more about the filmmaking process and the creative journey of each film. We are also planning to host a LGBTQiA+ themed film festival in June to celebrate pride month,” Raj summarises. On: May 17; 1 pm to 4 pm, May 18; 4.30 pm to 10 pmAt: Veda Black Box, Bada Maidan Road, behind Ganpati Mandir, Aram Nagar Part 2, Versova, Andheri WestLog on to: @filmybeescineclub
13 May,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaSpeaking on an unprepared topic in front of a large crowd can scare many. It’s a skill that requires tons of practice. Mumbai-based social skills workshop, Flutr, is a public speaking platform that helps master the technique of improv speaking. They are having a three-hour workshop called Love the Stage that will prepare you for unpredictable situations where you have to make sense to a large audience. This weekend session is open to people above 18 years old. The co-founder of the platform, Nasir Engineer, has a decade of experience in the field, and will be one of the co-facilitators and coaches. He talks about the key elements of the workshop: “It’s an interactive session where the participants get to engage in activities. These are application-based activities where they are not just absorbing but also applying what they are learning.” A comfortable atmosphere is important for the participants to open up. He adds, “We try to keep the atmosphere light and humorous. The selected venue is a lovely space in Juhu. The nearby garden adds to the calm vibe of the space.” Improv speaking can be one of the ways to handle stage fear Engineer uses improv sessions as he considers it to be the best way to master the art of public speaking. He explains, “Suppose you are told to give a presentation in a room full of people. You know the content and you have prepared it. But what if there’s a moment for which you are unprepared? For example, if there are technical glitches or the light goes off. How will you tackle situations like these? How would you react to a distracted crowd? How will you use your presence of mind in such moments? The improv session helps you navigate and prepare for such situations. It helps you adapt to a change in the environment.” Engineer is conducting the session with Jasmine Chabria, who is also a co-facilitator and coach at the workshop. She is a motivational speaker and trainer. She explains, “Many have good thoughts and ideas, but the moment they have to speak in front of a crowd, it feels tough. Public speaking isn’t some scary punishment; the workshop is an investment that will help you grow.” Nasir Engineer and Jasmine Chabria She adds, “Whether you’re a team lead, founder, stage speaker, or fresher, we aim to make speaking in front of a crowd easy, enjoyable, and freeing. Through our workshop, we help you manage internal fears and external unexpectedness by using body language, speaking spontaneously, and remembering the words you have to deliver. There’s plenty of research, easy-to-implement techniques, and the art form of improv — all to help you speak with confidence.” ON May 18; 11.30 am AT Flutr, Chandni Plot 14, Road 13, New India Society, Juhu, Vile Parle West. LOG ON TO district.inCOST Rs 1,900
12 May,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiIndulge in Cantonese cuisine with a twist with this Yum Cha menu. Tuck into delicate dim sum varieties, a petit gateau, fragrant teas as well as a selection of macaroons. They serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. On: May 3; Monday to Friday, 4 pm to 7 pmAt: Yauatcha, Raheja Tower, Bandra Kurla Complex. Cost: Rs 988 (vegetarian); Rs 1,088 (regular)
12 May,2025 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamTitle: Dream CountAuthor: Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGenre: Modern and contemporary fictionPublisher: HarpercollinsCost: Rs 599 Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes about love and human frailties in her new novel Dream Count (4th Estate, HarperCollins). Her signature style of multivocal narratives brings us stories about four women whose lives are interlinked. She begins and ends the novel with sections dedicated to Chiamaka, a Nigerian woman who lives in Maryland, comes from wealth, and is in search of love. The other women, Omelogor (her cousin from Abuja), Zikora (her lawyer friend from Washington DC), and Kadiatou (a Guinean asylum seeker and Chiamaka’s housekeeper), come to know each other through Chiamaka and live lives on different spectrums. Adichie sets her novel in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although not all of it takes place during this time, it helps establish an underlying mood of uncertainty in the lives of each of these characters. The women in the book straddle various romantic and familial relationships. Some choices take them away from who they are; some are unusual but necessary for them to find themselves; some are snatched away from them. Adichie’s women are not perfect. They are complex and yearn for things that keep slipping away from them — a desire to be “truly known by another human being” in Chia’s case, or a desire to work in Kadiatou’s case. The most heartbreaking narrative in the novel is Kadiatou’s story of loss and violence. Through it, Adichie asks her readers what righteousness can do. She nudges us to think if justice can look different to us as outsiders than it does to the one in pain? She is conscious while writing class and power. This is most noticeable in Kadiatou’s section, though these are also present in the others. Each section of the novel can be read as a novella on its own, but that would silence the hum of the bond shared by the four women echoing underneath the individual stories. Adichie is also a master of bringing contradictions under one roof. She often opens conversations about identities in her novels over a dinner, a party, a meeting — a gathering with multiple people to bring out differing views. She uses this tool to sometimes mock some of them, and sometimes to simply show plurality. This book is a sharp comeback from Adichie into the world of fiction. Available At: All leading bookstores and e-stores
12 May,2025 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaMID-DAY: Why a museum of beer after the Museum of Goa?Subodh Kerkar: I saw a few beer museums abroad and wondered why there weren’t any here in India. Just imagine, 140 billion litres of beer is produced every year globally. India also produces beer. I am always thinking of museums; even now I have an idea for a museum themed on the Indian Ocean. I gradually felt I could combine contemporary art with a beer museum and start one myself. I feel art is not elitist. It is not only for the affluent; it is for everyone. So those who walk in for the beer will also get to see art. There will also be works by other artists besides mine. Subodh Kerkar in his office at Museum of Goa. The work under which he is sitting will be displayed at the beer museum MD: What will the visitor find at the beer museum?SK: Spread across 6,000 sq mts at Parra in Goa, it will be the world’s largest, and India’s first beer museum. I have been working on it for the past few years and I plan to open it by August. It will showcase the history of beer, but not in the ‘traditional museum way’. I think differently when I design a museum. There is no need for a display of artefacts or objects related to beer or those that are used in its making. I might put up very few such objects for display, but I will showcase the history and story of beer differently. I might even have a beer belly installation! Did you know it’s the most drunk liquid after water? The first beer brewery in India, in Kasauli, Lion Beer, was owned by Edward Dyer. He was the father of Colonel Reginald Dyer who was responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. There will be a short documentary shown screened at the museum that will include such interesting facts and anecdotes about beer. We have even created a god and goddess of beer! There will be 12 kiosks where beer of different brands will be sold. There will be seven restaurants at the complex and a stage for concerts. We might even hold events like the Oktoberfest here. While the concept and content at the Beer Museum are mine, I am collaborating with Marquis Hotels, which will run it. MD: The concept is more like a cultural hub than a museum...SK: Yes, but all to get people to see art. At the Museum of Goa we have told the story of India through contemporary art. Here, the art will have no particular theme. The beer part of the museum will attract tourists, but locals and aficionados who are also serious about art will come for it. Every visitor will be treated to a unique experience, one for his palate and one for his mind. Log on to: www.subodhkerkar.com
12 May,2025 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashlesha AthavaleWhy are women missing from India’s music scene? — It’s a question that propelled Andheri-based rap artiste Krantinaari aka Ashwini Hiremath to traverse 47 regions across the country in search of female folk artistes has almost reached a point of culmination. With less than a week to the first premiere of Sound of Women, a grassroots music project helmed by Hiremath along with percussionist and singer Charu Hariharan under her company Folk Soul, we delve into the stories that led to the songs in this one-of-a-kind album. Taiji, the eldest musician in the group also plays Hudka, the folk drum of Uttarakhand “Nearly four years ago, when the COVID-19 restrictions had just been lifted, I set out on a journey to understand why the participation of women in music is so sparse. In urban setups at least, allowing women to pursue a musical career that isn’t focused on classical music, warrants all sorts of reactions from people. The lack of audience for female artistes as compared to their male counterparts often translates into paucity of opportunities too. This is a whole different scene in rural pockets of the country though,” the 29-year old rapper explains. The mobile studio in which the album’s tracks were produced During an artiste residency in Rajasthan back in 2022, Hiremath came across female artistes and musicians who weren’t allowed to touch musical instruments, let alone explore their creative careers. “Women are the drivers of culture and ethics in our society. We all learn it from our mothers — this is where language becomes all the more important, otherwise it would be all about one globalised identity,” Hiremath says. Fuelled by a passion to make space for their voice, she connected with Delhi-based organisation, Manzil Mystics and hopped on a mobile recording studio, hurtling across the mountainous landscape of Uttarakhand to land up in Jeolikote, finding a team of female musicians who have spearheaded the 17-track album with Hiremath. Hemanti Devi practises on a harmonuim Hailing from different villages in the Kumaon region of the state, folk musicians Kashti Devi, Ganga Devi, Hemanti Devi and Taiji are all magicians of their craft, as Hariharan tells us. “It is a wonderful, warm feeling to work with women. The feeling of compassion and fraternity that they brought to the project, from helping each other with the music to putting in all the effort for the tracks even in a biting cold was beautiful to witness. The entire idea was to provide a space to these brilliant artistes to express themselves freely and allow them the space to be vulnerable — which is integral to the creation of music,” Hariharan, the music producer of the project, shares. The musicians interact with each other during rehearsal Exploring the folk culture of the region along with ideas that also talk about nature and education, the tracks in the album provide reflections into the personal experiences of the artistes as well. “There are stories of pain, acceptance and politics that bind these songs together. These emotions have carried the soul of the album. The origins of hip-hop often talk about a certain discomfort with one’s situation, be it poverty, rejection or oppression. Folk and hip-hop in that sense, are rooted in providing a space for expressing one’s emotion, or the navarasa as they call it,” Hiremath explains. As the tracks transform into stories this Friday, preceded by an exhibition where homegrown artistes from the city will host a market of visual art, handmade textiles and natural beauty products — Hariharan and Hiremath along with the director of the show, Neha Singh will attempt to reform certain old rules. “Economic independence is one of the foremost values of liberation. If through the project, the artistes can move forward with their careers, and become equal partners in their household, then it will change the power dynamic for so many of them. The entire project was all about co-creation and letting the heart sing. Music is very empowering in this regard,” Hiremath concludes. ON May 16; 3 pm onwardsAT G5A Warehouse, G5/A, Laxmi Mills Estate, Shakti Mills Lane, Mahalaxmi West.LOG ON TO district.inEntry Rs 299
12 May,2025 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaADVERTISEMENT
