<h2>What a view!</h2>
<p>Mumbaikars soak in the sight of a vibrant sky at Nariman Point</p>
<h2>Pause the gig</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/3_e.jpg" alt="Girish and The Chronicles. Pic courtesy/@Bandland" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Girish and The Chronicles. Pic courtesy/@Bandland</em></strong></p>
<p>We come bearing bad news. Bandland 2026, a rock and alternative <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/sunburn-music-festival-moves-from-goa-to-mumbai-for-2025-edition-23588291" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">music festival</a>, featuring artistes like Karnivool, James and the Cold Gun, Girish and The Chronicles, among others, scheduled for February 14 and 15 at Bengaluru, has been officially cancelled after Muse, one of its two headliners, pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/john-mayer_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>The news was followed by the much-anticipated <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/john-mayers-mumbai-performance-gets-rescheduled-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-date-and-tickets-23612032" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">John Mayer</a> (above) gig being postponed. The organising team of Bandland put out a statement: &ldquo;The organisers chose to cancel the festival rather than compromise the experience and promised all ticket holders a refund within a week to 10 days.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Be yourself, be whimsical</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/Painting_e.jpg" alt="Attendees at an art-based activity hosted by Self Pivot in Kolkata. Pic courtesy/Self Pivot" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Attendees at an art-based activity hosted by Self Pivot in Kolkata. Pic courtesy/Self Pivot</em></strong></p>
<p>At a time when mental health conversations are often centred on fixing what is wrong, Self Pivot (a mental health platform) is offering something far more gentle &mdash; a space to simply be. Founder Richa Mohta (below), a clinical psychologist, said, &ldquo;The Festival of Inner Whimsy scheduled for January 24, at Candies in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/tata-mumbai-marathon-mumbai-police-issue-advisory-traffic-curbs-on-mumbai-coastal-road-bandra-worli-sea-link-and-key-routes-check-details-23612037" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bandra </a>is a celebration of emotions, laughter, and human connection.&rdquo; Designed as a festival rather than a workshop, the event encourages participants to reconnect with spontaneity as they grow older.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/2_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>Through relay races, interactive games, and mask-making sessions, people will explore their inner worlds in ways that feel expressive rather than clinical. The aim is to replace self-consciousness with curiosity. Mohta sums it up and concludes, &ldquo;We are going to allow our weirdest, most childlike, and even our vulnerable sides to be revealed &mdash; especially the ones that never get room to be seen.</p>
<h2>Bose Krishnamachari steps down</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/Bose_e.jpg" alt="Bose Krishnamachari. File Pic/Shadab Khan " width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Bose Krishnamachari. File Pic/Shadab Khan</em></strong></p>
<p>The festive vibes of the ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) were dampened by the news of Bose Krishnamachari stepping down from his role as president of the Biennale, and as member of the board of trustees of the Kochi Biennale Foundation. In an official statement released by the foundation, the artist-curator cited &lsquo;personal and family reasons&rsquo;, as the reason for parting ways with the art spectacle that he co-founded in 2010. A replacement hadn&rsquo;t been announced at the time of going to press.</p>
<h2>Dharavi dreams in Bikaner</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/Dharavi-kids-2_e.jpg" alt="Children from the Dharavi Dream Project perform the musical, Dharavi Dreams. pic courtesy/Neha Singh" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Children from the Dharavi Dream Project perform the musical, Dharavi Dreams. pic courtesy/Neha Singh</em></strong></p>
<p>From the narrow lanes of Dharavi to stages across the country, Dharavi Dreams is carrying stories of grit, hope, and creativity to new audiences. The Mumbai-based hip-hop collective and youth empowerment initiative, The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-diary-friday-dossier-23607371?button=next" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dharavi Dream Project</a>, with the help of BookAChange, will perform in Bikaner from January 16 to 18, after having performed in Ahmedabad and Delhi. Writer-director Neha Singh (above) said, &ldquo;The kids are very excited, and it is intimidating for children ranging from 11 to 17, with the youngest being seven years old.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/Neha-Singh_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>The group will present an 80-minute show that combines hip-hop, rap, and break-dance, aimed at building confidence, resilience, and a sense of community among participants and audiences. Singh also shared about the journey being transformative for its performers. The rehearsals took seven months. &ldquo;After performing at National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), multiple universities in Mumbai, and also scheduled for a performance at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026, the kids seem confident, and have honed their skills well. This initiative bridges the gap between street talent and mainstream recognition, proving that art knows no boundaries,&rdquo; concluded Singh.</p>
<h2>Art for the community</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/Kids-paint_e.jpg" alt="Children work on the mural. Pic courtesy/The Steps Bandra" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Children work on the mural. Pic courtesy/The Steps Bandra</em></strong></p>
<p>Nearly 40 children came together to paint a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/this-mumbai-initiative-aims-to-make-indian-folk-art-more-accessible-to-people-23483776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gond art</a> mural at the St Stephen&rsquo;s Steps near Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra this week. &ldquo;They had planned it with Gond artist Kailash Pradhan and Aradhana Nagpal from Asivero Community. On January 17, we have another community session open to people of all ages, facilitated by local artist Danette Gomes,&rdquo; shared Anca Florescu Abraham, co-founder, Bombay Greenway, and core team member of the Festival at the Steps.</p>

Bandland 2026, scheduled in Bengaluru on February 14–15, stands cancelled after headliner Muse pulled out citing unforeseen circumstances, organisers confirmed

Mumbai Diary | Thursday Dossier: Bandland 2026 cancelled after headliner Muse pulls out

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The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

What a view!

Pause the gig

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