<h2>Lights, Camera, Action</h2>
<p>A fly-past and operations demo by <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/photo/in-photos-indian-navy-showcases-strength-and-heritage-at-gateway-of-india-in-mumbai-108618/1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Indian Navy</a> helicopters in progress near the lit-up dome of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel at the Gateway of India on Monday</p>
<h2>Bangla treasures</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Handmade-jewellery_e.jpg" alt="Handmade jewellery at Bengal Haat; stills from the opening ceremony from the previous edition. Pics courtesy/shahana organisation" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Handmade jewellery at Bengal Haat; stills from the opening ceremony from the previous edition. Pics courtesy/Shahana Organisation</em></strong></p>
<p>Here are dates that craft nerds would want to slot on their 2026 calendars. The Haat of Bengal, a curation of timeless crafts, is scheduled to open at the Tagore Lit-<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/five-activites-to-explore-at-serendipity-arts-festival-2025-23606619" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">ART Fest</a>, and will be held from February 20-22. This event, hosted by Shahana organisation for its 50th year, brings exquisite handicrafts, handwoven textiles, and creations such as batik, kantha, dhokra, and terracotta from Kolkata and Shantiniketan. Anusree Bonnerjee, the honorary creative head and an alumnus of Shahana, shared with this diarist, &ldquo;The motive of Bengal Haat is to promote the local products and artisans from Bengal to Mumbai.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Reliving Harappa&rsquo;s history</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Harappan_e.jpg" alt="Harappan Civilisation seals made with terracotta clay. Pics courtesy/Aditi Dixit" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Harappan Civilisation seals made with terracotta clay. Pics courtesy/Aditi Dixit</em></strong></p>
<p>Aditi Dixit, an artist from Titwala, is steadily gaining national visibility after her craft-driven start-up was selected for the National Women&rsquo;s Startup Exhibition in Delhi. Her handcrafted pieces &mdash; notably the wooden tiles inspired by Harappan civilisation seals &mdash; drew viewers who lingered over their fine detailing.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Aditi-Dixit-a_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a pottery artist first, but revisiting my art history book, and rediscovering the Harappan seals changed the course of my work. What started as fridge magnets, became two-inch tiles, and eventually, seven-inch pieces, which were then exhibited in Delhi from November 13 to 27,&rdquo; said Dixit.</p>
<h2>Listen to me now</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Listen_e.jpg" alt="Free listening in a Mumbai local. Pic courtesy/Preeti Birla Nair" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Free listening in a Mumbai local. Pic courtesy/Preeti Birla Nair</em></strong></p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re carrying the weight of words and want someone to simply listen, keep an eye out for personal growth coach Preeti Birla Nair. As part of a social experiment, Birla Nair stood in spots across the NM College complex and Vile Parle railway station holding a sign that said &lsquo;Free Listening&rsquo;. From nervous job aspirants, and collegians stressing out about their <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/mumbai-female-students-open-up-about-disturbing-sexual-harassment-experiences-in-college-festival-committees-23589820" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">college fests</a>, to businessmen in suits, and security guards letting off some steam, the experiment lent an ear to a mix of voices. &ldquo;A child selling pens on the street became my marketer for the day. She&rsquo;d walk up and down, urging collegians to visit us and speak freely,&rdquo; Birla Nair recalled her favourite memory. Calling it a revelatory experience, she hopes to return to the neighbourhood this week.</p>
<h2>Italian honour</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Walter-Ferrara_e.jpg" alt="Walter Ferrara (left) with Karishma Swali. Pic courtesy/Chanakya International" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Walter Ferrara (left) with Karishma Swali. Pic courtesy/Chanakya International</em></strong></p>
<p>Karishma Swali, creative director, Chanakya International and founder, Chanakya School of Craft and Chanakya Foundation, was awarded the Cavaliere dell&rsquo;Ordine della Stella d&rsquo;Italia, by Sergio Mattarella, President of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/in-form-retegui-out-of-italys-clash-v-germany-23502841" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Italy</a>, and Consul General Walter Ferrara for advancing Indo-Italian cultural dialogue at Ferrara&rsquo;s residence. Swali shared, &ldquo;Over decades, our collaborations have rooted in trust and deep respect for craft.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Lit pow-wow in Powai</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Powai-1_e.jpg" alt="Young readers and their parents attend sessions as a part of Stories By The Lake in Powai. Pic courtesy/Atharva Mahadik" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Young readers and their parents attend sessions as a part of Stories By The Lake in Powai. Pic courtesy/Atharva Mahadik</em></strong></p>
<p>Young readers and parents hailing from the tony suburb of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/powai-hostage-incident-our-studio-was-filled-with-laughter-not-controversy-23602584" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Powai </a>were in for an entertaining and informative Sunday on December 7. This was thanks to Stories By The Lake, a new literature festival for children across age groups that was organised by Brainologi, an early learning publisher. The day-long itinerary was packed with immersive art, storytelling and craft workshops, quizzes as well as panel discussions with respected educators.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Powai-2_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>Held at a charming, elevated green, shaded open-air space called <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/buzz/article/5-reasons-to-visit-phoenix-palladium-mumbai-today-4696" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Palladium Podium</a> in the heart of the buzzing suburb, it turned out to be an oasis of learning, fun and edutainment. This diarist, also a suburbanite, was thrilled to note that this new offing meant that young minds had access to authors like Lubaina Bandukwala, Katie Bagli, Devdutt Pattanaik, Vikas Dimri as well as illustrators like Urvashi Dubey. &nbsp;It was also heartwarming to learn from Shubhada Dayal, author and founder of Brainologi that plans are afloat to make this children&rsquo;s festival an annual affair.</p>

Bengal Haat, held February 20-22 at Tagore Lit-ART Fest, brings Kolkata and Shantiniketan crafts, textiles, and terracotta to Mumbai, celebrating Shahana

Mumbai Diary | Wednesday Dossier: Bengal Haat to showcase timeless crafts at Tagore Lit-ART Fest, February 20-22

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