<h2>On the golden pond</h2>
<p>Silhouetted against the setting sun, a fisherman tosses his fishing net into the sea at Juhu</p>
<h2>Leaves of literature</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Abhishek-Khan-a_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>Trees anchor India&rsquo;s storytelling traditions, shaping art and memory. A curated walk by nature education venture <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/railways-promise-700-more-local-trains-double-express-services-for-mumbai-23609649" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mumbai</a> Vann at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan, Byculla last Sunday explored this unique connection. Researcher Abhishek Khan (below) shared, &ldquo;Trees have allowed us to communicate farther than the voice, across time and space. Through the walk, we traced the transition of Indian society from oral to written history, and the origins of Indian literature, art, and script.&rdquo; The walk emphasised how the Palmyra Palm or tadgola trees offered raw material; eucalyptus supplied wood pulp for paper, while teak yielded the red pigments often used in paintings.</p>
<h2>Grooving into the New Year</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Ta-Dhom_e.jpg" alt="The group at a previous performance. Pic courtesy/TA Dhom Project Live" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>The group at a previous performance. Pic courtesy/TA Dhom Project Live</em></strong></p>
<p>City-based music group Ta Dhom Project, will kick off their <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/new-year-2026-wondering-where-to-party-in-mumbai-heres-your-complete-guide-23608926" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">New Year </a>with a performance in Colaba on January 4. Composer-percussionist and project leader, Viveick Rajagopalan, shared, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been performing for 10 years now. I train group members to present poetry and rap using the vocal percussion form, Konnakol; I&rsquo;ve worked with a rapper from Dharavi as well, amongst other artistes from different parts of Mumbai. As a vocal form, Konnakol is accessible and can be applied by a diverse range of practitioners. This concert will see artistes who will spotlight their art in mainstream performances.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>A rap for the mountains</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Mahi-Aravalli_e.jpg" alt="A still from the video. Pic courtesy/Mahi Ghane, RFM studios on Youtube" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A still from the video. Pic courtesy/Mahi Ghane, RFM studios on Youtube</em></strong></p>
<p>Music speaks when nothing else can. Mumbai-based rapper, Madhura Ghane aka Mahi G&rsquo;s new track, titled Aravalli, touches on the issue that is a hot topic on social media. It unabashedly speaks out against the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/supreme-court-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-concerns-surrounding-definition-of-aravalli-range-23609595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Supreme Court</a>&rsquo;s recent height-based redefinition of the Aravalli mountain range, that has sparked off conversation across the board. Revealing her approach to the concept, the rapper said, &ldquo;I shot the video near Pune, and included some Rajasthani lyrics as well. I&rsquo;ve always been interested in creating works that speak for the environment. There has been no clear statement given regarding the reason behind this redefinition, but the implication would be obvious to many.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Back to the stage in Versova</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Durgesh_e.jpg" alt="Durgesh Kumar (left) in a moment from the rehearsal. Pic courtesy/The Poor Theatre Company" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Durgesh Kumar (left) in a moment from the rehearsal. Pic courtesy/The Poor Theatre Company</em></strong></p>
<p>Ka&hellip;Kha&hellip; Ga,&rsquo; is an odd message to receive, and especially if it comes from Durgesh Kumar (below). Look up the name online and you&rsquo;re likely to be met with a flood of memes, courtesy his viral role as Banrakas in the popular web series Panchayat (2020). However, the actor stepped back on stage at the popular theatre outpost of Veda Black box in Andheri last Sunday with a performance that added context to his response.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Durgesh-Kumar_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>A National School of Drama graduate from the batch of 2011, Kumar presented his new solo show, Haan Mera Gala Baith Gaya, at the space. The production is a tell-all exploration of a time in the actor&rsquo;s life marked by emotional turmoil. &ldquo;These days, people are battling throat infections and losing their voices for different reasons, but the play talked about how bottling up your emotions can also render you voiceless,&rdquo; the actor told this diarist, reminding us that he&rsquo;s very much in touch with his humorous side post his comeback to the stage after OTT fame. Those keen to keep up with his upcoming plays can log on to @durgeshkumarnsd.</p>
<h2>Poetic Christmas</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Omkars-film_e.jpg" alt="Cast members during a shoot. Pics courtesy/Taufeeq Qureshi" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Cast members during a shoot. Pics courtesy/Taufeeq Qureshi</em></strong></p>
<p>Christmas will not end with 2025 for poet Omkar Bhatkar. The theatremaker will carry the experiences and memories of the Goan Christmas tradition to January with his film, Iktsuarpok, that will screen at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival between January 9 and 15. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the only English film from India at the festival, and is set against the backdrop of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/photo/in-photos-festive-cheer-lights-up-mumbais-khotachiwadi-during-christmas-2025-108862/3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Christmas </a>and the upcoming New Year in Goa: Two siblings travel to Goa, to visit an estranged, unlikeable relative. The concept was initially for a play, but I later transformed it into a film,&rdquo; Bhatkar specified. Mainly, the film places Goa as a site of solitude and contemplation, using it to deliver a message about the human psyche. &ldquo;These are aspects you can rarely find in the fast-paced city of Mumbai,&rdquo; the now-filmmaker opined to this diarist.</p>

A guided walk at Byculla’s botanical garden explored how trees shaped India’s storytelling traditions, influencing art, literature, scripts, and cultural memory

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