<h2>Where there is a wheel, there is a way</h2>
<p>Differently-abled artistes of the group, Miracle on Wheels, perform at an awards show held at NCPA in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/as-aqua-line-takes-off-mumbai-s-taxis-and-buses-are-left-behind-23598198" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Nariman Point</a></p>
<h2>Raga and rhythm with Jon Batiste</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/John-Batiste_e.jpg" alt="Megha Rawoot (left) performs with Jon Batiste on stage. pic courtesy/megha rawoot" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Megha Rawoot (left) performs with Jon Batiste on stage. Pic courtesy/Megha Rawoot</em></strong></p>
<p>Hindustani had a jugalbandi moment with the Blues at a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-now-bandra-residents-seek-relief-from-two-wheeler-pain-23594902" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bandra</a> venue when composer Jon Batiste performed in Mumbai as part of his Maestro series tour on November 26. The composer even stole the show with a rendition of Bombay Meri Jaan. A fan of the artiste, sitarist Megha Rawoot had a chance to share the spotlight with him. &ldquo;Batiste&rsquo;s ability on multiple genres from Soul to Western Classical is unique,&rdquo; shared Rawoot. Accompanying the composer on tracks like Freedom, Butterfly and the iconic What A Wonderful World, she revealed, &ldquo;I paired the Keeravani Raga to go with Beethoven&rsquo;s F&uuml;r Elise, and after that, it was all about the interplay of Western harmonies and Indian melodies.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>
<h2>Boldly Japanese in the heart of SoBo</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Oju_e.jpg" alt="Pics courtesy/Neuma" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Pics courtesy/Neuma</em></strong></p>
<p>Mumbai&rsquo;s dining scene is about to get a Japanese twist with the launch of OJU by Neuma, at <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-not-so-smooth-sailing-for-jetty-at-colaba-23519019" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Colaba</a>, a new multi-specialty hospitality collective. The space is co-owned by filmmaker Karan Johar, alongside Truepalate Hospitality founders Ankit Tayal (below), Anshul Goel, and Vartik Tihara.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Ankit-Tayal_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>Co-founder Tayal didn&rsquo;t mince words about the current dining landscape, saying, &ldquo;Most Japanese places drift into Pad Thai territory, curries or different types of noodles, making it more comfortable for Indian taste buds, but at the new space, we&rsquo;re chasing authenticity, and the right amount of originality to our dishes when it comes to food, cocktails and the entire mood.&rdquo; Heading the kitchen is chef Mahmoud Mohamed Awadalla Gaber (popularly known as &lsquo;chef Moh&rsquo;), with his Michelin-starred experience at Nobu, Mimi Kakushi, and Kodo, along with chef Nitin Bhardwaj. We&rsquo;ll be keeping tabs if this Japanese eatery whets the appetite of Mumbai&rsquo;s discerning foodies.</p>
<h2>Hitting the streets for streeties</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Vaccinate_e.jpg" alt="A member (seated) comforts a dog during a vaccination drive. Pics courtesy/Pasujeeva-The soulful love Foundation" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A member (seated) comforts a dog during a vaccination drive. Pics courtesy/Pasujeeva-The soulful love Foundation</em></strong></p>
<p>Animal lovers will march on the streets of<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-versova-bandra-sea-link-likely-to-open-by-july-2027-23566193" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"> Versova</a> today (November 29) to generate awareness about the plight of strays in Mumbai.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Suchismita_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>&ldquo;This is for the Supreme Court&rsquo;s November 7 order to clear strays from public premises,&rdquo; said Suchismita Ghosh, founder, Pasujeeva &mdash; The Soulful Love Foundation, which is hosting the march. &ldquo;It will be a peaceful march, conveying to authorities the need to consult people who care for strays, instead of removing them altogether.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Calling Marathi translators</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Illustrator-workshop_e.jpg" alt="Participants at a previous illustrator&rsquo;s workshop hosted by the initiative. Pic courtesy/Parag Initiative of Tata Trusts" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Participants at a previous illustrator&rsquo;s workshop hosted by the initiative. Pic courtesy/Parag Initiative of Tata Trusts</em></strong></p>
<p>A unique &nbsp;workshop to highlight regional Indian languages is coming to Pune in January 2026. Titled Bimb Pratibimb, this edition focuses on Marathi. &ldquo;Translators can hone their skills by learning the key to translating children&rsquo;s books into Marathi, to create literature for children in their mother tongue,&rdquo; informed Maulshree Kalothia, lead, Parag Initiative of Tata Trusts, which will organise the workshop. Those interested can log on to paragreads.in to fill their applications by November 30.</p>
<h2>Back in the village</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Pankaj-Sharma_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>In July 2023, this section had reported on the closing of the Bandra comedy hub of J-Spot. Two years since, and following a successful run in Juhu, founder Pankaj Sharma (inset, above) informed this diarist that the little space is back in the Queen of the Suburbs. &ldquo;Well, we did tell you we will be back in Bandra,&rdquo; he reminded us. Now, the comedy venture has tied up with the Chimbai Village Theatre to host open mic stand-up sessions in the suburb.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Urjita-Wani-a_e.jpg" alt="Urjita Wani during a performance  at the new space early last week.  pics courtesy/Pankaj Sharma" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Urjita Wani during a performance at the new space early last week. Pics courtesy/Pankaj Sharma</em></strong></p>
<p>&ldquo;The space was looking to explore comedy as an art form, and we wanted to return to our old neighbourhood. We opened on November 18, with a few friends, and have yet to set up a programme,&rdquo; revealed Sharma. With a focus on new talent, and open mics, the space will look to tap into fresh voices. &ldquo;Once the word spreads, old friends will also return, and the programming will get more interesting,&rdquo; the founder shared. As for the Juhu space, Sharma reassured that it will continue on. &ldquo;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-santacruz-and-juhu-residents-struggle-to-breathe-as-multiple-construction-sites-raise-dust-levels-23605249" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Juhu</a> has a different vibe to this space,&rdquo; he concluded.&nbsp;</p>

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce: Differently-abled artistes of the group, Miracle on Wheels, perform at an awards show held at NCPA

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Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

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Raga and rhythm with Jon Batiste

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