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Third wheeling

A trio of parakeets spotted on the branch of a tree at Shivaji Park in Dadar

It’s all about the symbols

TM Krishna (right) in conversation with Manu S Pillai during the event. pic courtesy/@tmkrishnaofficial

Celebrated vocalist and author, TM Krishna was the guest at a special session the previous week at the contemporary art space, G5A warehouse in Mahalaxmi. The author launched and discussed his new book, We the People of India: Decoding a Nation’s Symbols with historian Manu S Pillai. An aspect of the book highlighted during the session was the many symbols that have played an influential role in shaping Indian history. This includes the evolution of the colour blue in the national flag, the symbolism of the lion, and the story behind the Ashoka Chakra, as well as the complex history of the National Anthem and the National Song, Vande Mataram, amongst other factors. India has an intriguing past, to say the least, with artistes continuing to shape its socio-political realities.

Calangute foodie codefor chef Kunal

Kunal Kapur at the new outlet (right) the Portuguese bungalow. Pics courtesy/@chefkunal

There is something new cooking up across the sands of north Goa. After the success of Pincode UAE last year, chef Kunal Kapur is on the move. He has now repurposed a quaint old bungalow in Calangute. Titled The Pincode Bungalow, the restaurant continues Kapur’s objective of ‘mapping India’ through flavours. While the chef was too busy shooting to give us time, we are sure the menu will carry the signature flavours from the Pincode kitchen. But it is the vintage aesthetics of the Portuguese space that caught our eye. Needless to say, the new food haunt is on our Goa itinerary this summer.

Bold works for a bold artist

Ted – Ode to Keith Haring, by MR.APE_X. Pics courtesy/The designera; Wikipedia

Today (February 16) marks the 36th death anniversary of American artist, Keith Haring (below). We are pleased to see contemporary artists taking inspiration from him, with their own creativity. Worli-based art gallery, The Designera is paying a tribute to Haring’s iconic creations through a series of artworks. “His work transformed pop art as we know it — breaking it out of galleries and onto the streets, using bold lines and vivid colour to turn art into a universal language of activism and joy. These pieces honour his legendary dancing figures, reimagined with the same fearless expression that defined his legacy,” gallery founder, Amrita Deora, shared with us.

Let’s talk history

Dr Pradeep Waghmare addresses the audience at the conference. Pic courtesy/ICHR

History took centre stage at the two-day conference hosted by the Department of History at Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, Matunga, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) on February 13 and 14. Themed ‘Trade, Religion, and Pathways of Cultural Exchange’, it featured nearly 120 research papers and 20 invited speakers. Convener of the conference, Dr Pradeep Waghmare told this diarist, “The conference was designed to meaningfully integrate undergraduate research with larger historical debates.”