Chennai's performance space witnesses a new generation
On choosing Chennai as their second outing, he says, 'We usually conduct a lot of our events in cities like Bangalore and Chennai. Chennai has a dedicated crowd for our open mics, and the responses have always been great and encouraging. So we decided to have the Senior Spotlight's second edition in Chennai,' says Vishwas, a Bengalurean by birth, a Chennaite by heart.
For Vishwas and his team, the realisation hit during one of their regular open mics, when a few senior participants performed eagerly among an intergenerational audience. 'They performed really well,' Vishwas recalls. 'But they were also slightly hesitant as they felt a little out of place. When we asked what made them attend the event, they said they were looking for a platform.'
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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
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The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Tender coconut chicken and prawn ghee roast, exploring the bar bites in iconic pubs of Bengaluru
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Prawn ghee roast is priced at ₹460. At Cox Town Mutton sukka Established in 2011, Doff became popular for its breezy ambience and sport screenings. The interior, with flags of various countries hanging from the ceiling and multiple television screens tuned in to the match of the day, gives off a sports bar vibe. However, it is the food that truly stands out. With a multi-cuisine menu, Doff offers a range of options to suit every taste. I try the mutton sukka with Doff special naan. The mutton is slow-cooked overnight in a tandoor, resulting in a rich, tender dish full of flavour. For those seeking healthier options, Doff also serves guilt-free dishes such as raw banana tikki, sauteed chickpeas, broccoli kebab and dal kosambari . Some of the crowd favourites here include beer-battered onion rings, a variety of chicken kebabs, nachos, pizzas and prawn peratti. Mutton sukka is priced at ₹389. At Indiranagar Tender coconut kabab Ujwal Restaurant has been serving customers for 18 years, with branches in Vasanth Nagar, Sanjay Nagar and RT Nagar. While modest in its interiors, the restaurant and bar is known for its outstanding food. A signature dish here is the tender coconut kabab. Introduced 15 years ago, it features boneless chicken pieces cooked in a spicy green masala (best paired with neer dosa) and served inside a tender coconut shell. Ujwal is also popular for Mangalorean dishes such as prawn tender, crab masala fry, anjal masala fry, and pot fish curry. Although the interiors are minimal and the vibes are old school, this bar can easily become your everyday hangout spot. With its delicious food and affordable alcohol, it is the perfect place to enjoy without burning a hole in your pocket. Tender coconut kebab at Priced at ₹320. At Vasanth Nagar Lobo's pork chilli bafat Opened in 2018, Bob's Bar quickly became popular for its affordable alcohol and unique food offerings. After the first outlet in Indiranagar, there have been branches across the city including Koramangala and J.P. Nagar with the latest one opening on Wood Street. Instead of generic bar snacks, Bob's serves a variety of dishes from various South Indian cuisines. A popular choice is Lobo's pork chilli. The pork is succulent, juicy, and coated with just the right amount of spices. Also worth trying are the naked fish masala, crispy ladies finger, kottu parotta, and the Gowda mutton chops. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, the place is always buzzing with energy, making it a challenge to find a table on weekends. Lobo's pork chilli bafat priced at ₹185. At Indiranagar Rava fried prawns Started in 2014, Watson's Pub is another staple in the city's pub circuit. 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First Post
7 days ago
- First Post
‘Real Heroes', Saluting Our Seniors An Original Sony LIV Series Honoring India's Armed Forces Veterans and Freedom Fighters
Real Heroes is more than a tribute—it is a bridge between generations. Through unfiltered voices and lived experiences, the series reminds us that the courage of our seniors read more Sony LIV proudly announces the launch of Real Heroes, an eight-part original docuseries that brings to life the powerful personal stories of India's freedom fighters and armed forces veterans. Directed by Anirban Bhattacharyya, it is streaming exclusively on Sony LIV's YouTube channel. The series is a moving tribute to the generations of Indians who have devoted their lives to safeguarding the country's sovereignty and values. Real Heroes marks a significant step in Gen S Life's broader mission to honour, amplify and preserve the voices of India's senior citizens. By capturing the memories of these national icons, the series serves not just as documentation but as legacy-preserving stories that have remained unheard or under-celebrated for too long. From the snow-covered silence of Siachen to the historic resistance of the freedom movement, these narratives offer intimate insights into the human cost of service, courage and conviction. The series is an absolute eye-opener with the veterans revealing never-before-heard first-hand experiences of some of the biggest military operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Among the featured voices is Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni PVSM, AVSM, SC, SM, VSM (Retd), a veteran of Operation Meghdoot (1984), and a war-hero, reflecting on the life-threatening conditions he faced, shared, 'Siachen is not a place you conquer; it is a place that tests your will to survive. We went there not just to hold ground but to uphold India's honour in the harshest climate on earth. Here Great Courage and Fortitude is the Norm.' Col. DPK Pillay (Shaurya Chakra), from Kannur, Kerala, recalled his time in Manipur in 1994, 'In the chaos of battle in Manipur, I learned that true soldiering means saving lives, not taking them. Wounded in Operation Rakshak, I gave up my evacuation for two injured children. The villagers' gratitude stayed with me—and years later, they called me back, not with bitterness, but with honor. In their resilience, I saw that even in war, humanity speaks without words, and gratitude never fades.' Hailing from Punjab, Col. Jasbir Singh, who was grievously injured during the Indo-Pak war in Operation Cactus-Lily (1971), spoke with clarity and strength. 'When I stepped on a mine and lost my foot, I knew my life would change. But I did not lose my purpose. That war taught me to live with honour, no matter the cost'. Dr. G.G. Parikh, a 101-year-old freedom fighter from Mumbai, who was jailed for 10 months during the Quit India movement remembered the underground resistance during British rule. 'We fought without weapons, but with a relentless spirit. We were imprisoned, but never silenced. Freedom was earned by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And today, I fear we have forgotten the quiet strength of civil disobedience, of selflessness. That's why I speak—to remember, and to remind.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brig. Shamsher Singh (AVSM), who fought in the Battle of Haji Pir (1965), spoke of the mountainous terrain and his unit's bravery,'The Haji Pir pass wasn't just terrain—it was an identity, a cause. We were told to expect 100% casualty and we were prepared to die!' Gour Hari Das, from Odisha, who was blessed by Mahatma Gandhi, spent decades trying to prove his identity as a freedom fighter after Independence. 'I fought to free India before 1947, and I fought bureaucracy after. Both battles demanded patience and faith. I only ever wanted to be acknowledged as a freedom fighter.' Recalling the 1971 Battle of Basantar, Lt. Col. B.T. Pandit (PVSM, VRC), a decorated veteran from Pune Maharashtra, shared, 'I was sitting on the top of the tank and riding towards the enemy. I could hear the enemy bullets ricocheting off the tank. On the battlefield, you don't think of your life—you think of your nation.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From Mumbai, Commodore Medioma Bhada, a naval pilot who took part in an operation to bomb Chittagong in 1971, vividly remembers taking off in his Sea Hawk aircraft from INS Vikrant and heading towards the target, 'I was full of adrenaline. We were under strict radio silence, flying low over enemy harbours, knowing we might not return. But in uniform, fear takes a back seat to duty. We were young men flying into enemy fire and our brief was clear - destroy the targets at any cost.' Reflecting on the significance of the series, Meenakshi Menon, Founder of Gen S Life, said, 'This initiative aligns with Gen S Life's core mission—to serve and celebrate India's senior citizens. These stories are a powerful reminder that history lives in people. By honouring their voices, we are not only remembering the past but investing in a more grateful future.' Anirban Bhattacharyya, bestselling author and the director-producer of Real Heroes, added, 'Real Heroes has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. These are not just stories; they are legacies, lived and carried by men who gave a part of themselves for India. We owe it to our future generations to document this living history while we still can. This series is our way of saluting the spirit, courage, and integrity of India's true legends.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lt. Gen (Retd) Sanjay Kulkarni cited the series to be, 'An endeavour to motivate the present generation with deeds of yesteryears which have geo strategic reverberations for our future generations, I compliment and laud this great initiative of Gen S Life for honouring our great soldiers for whom Naam Namak Nishan is a call worth sacrificing their lives for the Nation. Jai Hind.' Real Heroes is more than a tribute—it is a bridge between generations. Through unfiltered voices and lived experiences, the series reminds us that the courage of our seniors is not just part of our past, but a legacy that continues to shape who we are as a nation. Their stories deserve to be heard, remembered, and passed on.
