Under cover Comms
A mobile cover seller at Borivli takes shelter from the rain under a plastic sheet
New stage call
A session from a workshop in progress. PIC COURTESY/ STUDIO TAMAASHA
Veteran theatremaker Sunil Shanbag and Sapan Saran’s Studio Tamaasha hopes to simplify things for the next generation. The theatre group has launched a new initiative of workshops, titled Pehel, that aims to educate and help young theatre makers and actors acclimatise to the theatre circuit. Writer Atif Ally Dagman, who hosted the workshops for July, shared, “The workshops are held over four days every month to help young members learn to connect to the community.” The sessions in August will be hosted by actor-director Sukant Goel. Those looking to sign up, can log on to @studiotamaasha for details.
Lit moments with Thalaivar
Amish with actor Rajinikanth at the cover launch PIC COURTESY/@AUTHORAMISH
Author Amish was all smiles at the cover launch of his upcoming book, The Chola Tigers, in Chennai last Monday. Helming the unveiling of the cover featuring emperor Rajendra Chola of the Chola Dynasty was another Tamil icon, Rajinikanth. The new title will build upon the world introduced by Amish in Legend of Suheldev, and chronicle a surgical strike led by the emperor to avenge an attack on the Somnath Temple. “It was a great honour that the cover of this book was released by one of the greatest Tamilians alive, and an Indian treasure,” the bestselling writer said at the launch.
Be positive, wear positive
(From left) Mr Rainbow Queen 2022 Vaibhav Parab with Mr Rainbow Queen 2024 Urzaan Patel and show director Sagar Kadrekar at a previous pageant. PIC COURTESY/COLOR POSITIVE FOUNDATION
For all those who love pageants, there’s one happening this Sunday that not only serves fashion but purpose. Color Positive Foundation, an NGO advocating for the inclusion and upliftment of the LGBTQiA+ community proudly presents the 7th edition of Color Positive Fashion Pageant 2025, a one-of-a-kind platform projecting the voices of various branches of the community. “The idea of doing this is to talk about inclusivity in all forms,” shares Savio Mascarenhas, founder of the NGO, as well as the producer and director of the show. From dance performances, to beachwear rounds and honouring individuals who made an impact in their communities with Karmaveer Chakra Awards, the event strives to make a bold statement on standing up for inclusivity in the most fashionable way possible. Visit @color.positive if you’d like to know more.
Indie sounds like this
Singer Pulkit Jain at a previous performance PIC COURTESY/ @pulkitxjain
Popular Lower Parel-based gig venue antiSOCIAL will mark another first with its debut indie community showcase today. Featuring Lucknow-based Prateeksha Srivastava, Pune-based Anshu Shukla and Pulkit Jain from the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the line-up might be your chance to catch these up and coming musicians before they hop to the top of the charts. Listeners might be in for some familiar tunes, thanks to hits like Aap Jaisa Koi by Srivastava, who has been a finalist on a coveted singing reality show and has also collaborated with veterans like Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Mishra. For Jain, the performance marks a milestone with his trusted guitar by his side. “Mumbai has the most amazing audience an artiste can ask for. I’m looking forward to vibing with everyone,” he told this diarist.
Let’s make it a Moth Week
Actias selene aka Indian Moon Moth (right) Mothing in a previous NMW session. PICS COURTESY/NIKHIL KUNI
Are you an entomophile, looking for an interesting way to delve deeper into the world of moths? If your answer is yes, this diarist has some good news to share). Sign up for National Moth Week (NMW; July 19 to 27) a global event there you can not only observe moths in their natural habitat and learn more about their ecological role through expert-led sessions but trap one by making your own ‘mothing’ setup, and discover how moths can flutter in your own backyard!
“One can attend these events individually or publicly and observe the amazing diversity of moths using traps made of UV light and cotton cloth to witness the beauty of the often neglected species,” stated Nikhil Kuni, a volunteer at NMW. Go solo or bring your kids to watch the diversity among moths in their natural habitat and better understand their role in the environment. Head to nationalmothweek.org for more details.
