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Khaleej Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
‘Mourning Air' explores the randomness of grief
Such tiny words for such big feelings: Grief. Guilt. Loss. Rage. Hurt. When someone close to you dies, sorrow clings to you, first like a suffocating blanket, next like a sheet, and finally like a shadow. It ebbs and flows and sometimes, seems to fade away. But then when you least expect it, it's the claw tugging at your heart. The pain, the defeat, the candyfloss of memories, how do you express yourself in a way that will not glorify or demonise your subject? Leena Magdi, the Sudanese-American author of Mourning Air, found her way to cope required a reporter's mindset and a writer's arsenal of narrative – poetry, prose, storytelling. Her brother was all of 21 when he was murdered by a national security officer in 2022 in Khartoum – and her tome is her way of processing this feeling of loss that is at once a singular and everyman experience. 'I've always had this idea of writing a book, but it's never come to me. But after everything happened, I had this feeling like there was so much in me and I needed to get it out,' she explains, adding that she had to navigate difficult terrain to get her story out. 'I felt like it wouldn't just help me to write about it, but it also helped to share.' In her book, she deals in facts, about her life and her family's, anecdotes that speak of an unbreakable bond between siblings. 'What I ended up doing was just writing exactly what happened,' she says. She tells City Times about the 6 things she learned while writing her book about home, grief, and family: Grief is like a jack-in-the-box 'A lot of what makes grief so heavy is that it shows up randomly -- you could be driving in the car and everything is okay, and then you see something, or a song comes on the radio, and you're brought back to the depth of the emotion, even though it's always on your mind.' 'As time goes on, it kind of becomes like an umbrella. You're not always looking up at it, and you're not always aware of it, but it's there. But then in daily life, just tiny little things will remind you…it's not just this big, big thing that makes you sad or it's so many little things that are always going on that remind you of your loss.' It's an uncomfortable conversation 'People would do this to help, but it actually just made me feel worse. I would start to say something, and then start to get teary eyed, and then they'd immediately be like, 'We don't have to talk about it.' But you need that talk about it. I remember I had this one friend who the same situation happened to, and she just sat next to me, and said, 'I'm okay to keep going. If you want to keep talking, I'm okay. If you don't, that's fine, too.'' Home is people 'It expanded my understanding of home, moving from California to Sudan, and then moving out of Sudan and moving back… it made me understand that home isn't defined by a place; you can create home wherever you go. It really helped me understand what I do want my home to be, or what was the feeling that I want to come with home and then create that wherever I go. It also gave me this understanding that you can't be too attached to anything because sometimes life forces you out of that comfort zone. You can't spend your life being upset about it, you're not helping yourself doing that. It took me a really long time to get to that conclusion, and I feel like that also goes into loss, like everything that we have we're going to lose, so it just makes you feel like, 'okay, I should take care of it while it's still here and while I'm still here'. Two sides of the same coin 'I started thinking about so many other things in our life... there's always something good that accompanies that something bad or something bad that accompanies something good. It made me be like, 'whatever bad is happening, I can look for something that's good in it.'' Heal with joy 'The other one was the idea of breaking open and, and that was something that was triggered for me by one of my friends told me about this concept called Kintsugi (a centuries-old Japanese technique that uses lacquer and gold dust to restore broken ceramic and porcelain).' You just heal stronger and better than before. Your relationship will evolve 'My relationship with grief has changed a whole lot. I think before I was scared of it. I didn't, I didn't want to show it at all. And that's because of being like, that's, that's because of who I am. I'm a very private person, ironically. But now I I feel like it's like a friend that's just that's always there with me and and I don't have to be afraid of. If it comes up and I'm choked up by tears and I have to cry, I don't feel like I have to hide it. It's fine.'
Khaleej Times
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Why Shaan is collaborating with a Dubai poet for his first ghazal album
As the elevator doors opened in the lounge of a plush five-star hotel in Dubai, Shaan emerged in smart casuals, presenting that famous toothy grin before giving his friend a warm hug. One of the highest-paid Indian singers who has some of the biggest chartbusters in Bollywood history under his belt, the 52-year-old was a picture of poise and humility, polite to every staff and guest who walked up to him for selfies. A glittering near-three-decade-long career in the glitzy world of Indian movies has failed to lure him away from the cocoon of his simple life. No wonder Shaan felt the warmth in the 'simple and pure' words of his Dubai-based Indian friend, Amaan Haider Zaidi, who he gave that warm hug to at the hotel lobby. Haider, 45, is not just a friend of a celebrated Bollywood singer — he is a renowned Urdu poet whose mellifluous renditions have warmed the hearts of diplomats and star international cricketers and captivated audiences at symposiums in Houston, Montreal, Manchester, Kuwait, Chicago, Toronto, Melbourne, Sydney, Delhi, and Kabul. The purity of his poems also struck a chord with Shaan who is now ready to release his first ghazal album based on Haider's poems from his book, Apni Amaan Main Rekhna, which was released at Expo 2020 by Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian ambassador to the UAE. In a freewheeling chat with City Times, Shaan opened up about Haider's writing which inspired him to dive into the world of ghazals. Can you tell us how you got connected to Haider? And when did you decide to make a ghazal album? I met Amaan bhai at the Expo 2020 in Dubai where he played a very strong role in organising everything because he works at VFS Global. At the Expo, there were so many Indian artists coming in regularly and he was organising visas for the entire groups. So he was one of the busiest people in the middle of all that. He's also a poet. So we got talking, and then, you know, he presented me with a book, a copy of his poetry, and I read it, and on my own, I called him up, and I said that I would love to compose his poetry. So he's like, 'Please feel free'. I have already composed five ghazals now, and there will be a sixth one soon. So now I hope in the month of May, we shall have the album launch. And this is going to be your maiden ghazal album… Yes, it is the first time. Actually, my father (late composer Manas Mukherjee) was wonderful in composing ghazals. And growing up, we had some legendary poets in our home. So I always wanted to dabble in the genre, but then I always felt a little intimidated because, you know, in ghazal you need a certain maturity, a certain sort of vocal prowess, you know, you just can't sing like an ordinary song. That's always been the way ghazals have been. But we've over the years, realised that you can simplify it. And so we've created a modern set of versions which I hope people will like. You have worked with some iconic lyrists in India. So what is about Haider's writing that appealed to you? Look, it's always when you read something you haven't read before, that excites you. Normally, in poetry what really intimidates you is not the thought, but the words. I would call those heavy-handed poetry, they use words that people are not familiar with. So you try to intimidate them with your words and heavy writing. But it was very different with Amaan bhai, it was not the words, it was the thoughts, it was the purity and the originality. It really surprised me. And what's even more beautiful is that he wrote them out of passion, it's not his profession. And that makes it more engaging, you know, someone is writing not to increase his work or increase his popularity or make more money, but he is writing because those thoughts are coming to him. Is Haider among your biggest discoveries in your musical career, considering the fact that he is not a full-time writer? I won't call him my discovery, but definitely a surprise package. Everyone has their own journey. At some point, they have their own release of how they put their emotions out. I think he uses poetry. He uses poetry as his release. He is a man with a very busy schedule doing a lot of things. So I think he uses poetry as his speech. He is not my discovery for sure. His book is out. He's been he's been invited to a lot of poetry symposiums across the world, so many people have discovered him. But I will have the honour of actually composing his poetry for the first, that's good. You said the simplicity of his words appealed to you. Do you find the simple things in life most appealing? Is that one of the reasons you have remained so down-to-earth despite being on top of your profession for such a long time? First of all, a small correction. I haven't really been on the top for a long time, but I have been around for a long time. You can say that. But yeah, this humility question I've been getting for the last 25 years for some strange reason, but I still have to answer it. I just like to say that, you know, I saw success from my father's point of view, I saw failure from my father's point of view, and I think I was prepared for both from a very early age, and I believe it's all a matter of chance. So if success gets to your head, which means that you believe that you have earned that success, then it's a very big disillusion. Success anyone can get, you know, if their stars are aligned in the right place at the right time, they can get success. So you can't let success get to your head. What should actually get to your head is gratitude. And I always feel that there's a lot more to be done. There's a lot more I want to do, more self-improvement, bettering myself and my heart. Final question. In your field, have you seen anyone using AI for better music, and better compositions? In music, I have yet to come across someone who is using AI. I'm not aware of the music producers who are secretly taking that aid. But when people started using auto-tune, our self-respect was hurt, we were like, 'Why do I need auto-tune? I will work harder and give the perfect take'. But then we realised we couldn't compete with auto-tune. So everyone joins the bandwagon. Similarly, once AI becomes a practice with a few, everyone else will have to fall in line and use it. You just have to figure out how we can save ourselves through patenting, maybe our voices, our styles and how legally you can protect yourself.
Khaleej Times
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Les Misérables in Abu Dhabi: Key cast members on what makes the show timeless
For the first time in its storied four-decade history, Les Misérables —one of the world's most beloved musical—is coming to Abu Dhabi. From April 10 to 20, 2025, audiences at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, can experience the grandest version of the musical yet: Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular. With a staggering cast and orchestra of over 65, this is more than just a musical—it's a full-scale theatrical event reimagined for massive stages and modern audiences. Ahead of the premiere, City Times caught up with several key cast members: Killian Donnelly (Jean Valjean), Beatrice Penny-Touré (Cosette), Jac Yarrow (Marius), Luke Kempner (Thénardier), and Linzi Hateley (Madame Thénardier), who gave a powerful glimpse into why this version of Les Mis is unlike anything we've seen before. 'An intimate performance on a grand scale' Irish actor Killian Donnelly, a Les Mis veteran now taking on the lead role of Jean Valjean, describes this arena adaptation as a beautiful contradiction: 'It's something that's never been done before—an intimate performance on a grand scale.' While the orchestra has tripled in size from the West End production and the stage is designed to tower over thousands, Donnelly reveals that cameras allow the performers to deliver nuanced, close-up emotion to even the furthest rows. 'You still can have a far more intimate performance,' he says. Now 40 years old—the same age as the show itself—Donnelly reflects on having literally grown up with Les Misérables. 'I started as one of the students on the barricade... now I'm Valjean. So I have aged with Les Mis.' That generational connection extends to the audiences, too. 'Fifteen years ago I saw six-year-olds watching it. Now those kids are in their twenties and still coming back.' For Donnelly, who is now also a father, the emotional resonance of the show has deepened. 'There are definitely bits more of me I put into scenes with Cosette. A little hug, a hand-hold—those fatherly moments. They're not choreographed; they're just me.' 'A dream come true' For Beatrice Penny-Touré (Cosette) and Jac Yarrow (Marius), this production marks their first time performing Les Misérables —and their first time in Abu Dhabi. 'It's surreal,' Penny-Touré says. 'To not only do the show but on this scale is like... wow. Especially in a place as grand as Abu Dhabi. This version of Les Mis is the grand version—it fits perfectly here.' Yarrow, who previously had a short run with Les Mis in London, says the joy of performing the show globally lies in introducing it to new audiences. 'In the UK, it's so ingrained in the culture. But in places like Luxembourg, Italy, and now the UAE, many people come in not knowing the story—and they leave in love with it.' Both actors agree that the show's longevity is rooted in its universal themes. 'It's about human spirit,' Yarrow explains. 'It's about people from all walks of life coming together. That's always going to be relevant.' Penny-Touré adds, 'And the music. It's perfect. It speaks to your soul. I've loved it since I was a kid, and I love it even more now.' 'These stories grow with you' Comic relief meets grit in the form of the Thénardiers, played by Luke Kempner and Linzi Hateley. Both are no strangers to Les Mis and both bring a unique emotional insight to their roles. Kempner first joined the show in 2009 and is currently playing Thénardier. 'You connect with the story in different ways as you get older,' he reflects. 'Back then, I resonated with the young love—the passion. But now, as a father to a little girl, I connect more with Fantine's story and her relationship with Cosette. And I know, as I continue to age, it'll evolve again. That's what makes it timeless.' Hateley has a unique bond with the show that spans nearly its entire history. 'I first played Eponine 36 or 37 years ago—I was the third Eponine in London,' she says. 'Now I'm playing Eponine's mother. That kind of legacy—it's rare. It's personal.' For her, the show's staying power lies in its relatability. 'They're all human stories, as much as it's a tale from many years ago. Life is hard. There are always challenges, but Les Mis is about solidarity—about people coming together and trying to get the best out of a difficult situation. That's universal.' With the show celebrating its 40th anniversary, does that legacy come with added pressure? 'I think as actors we always bring a certain pressure—we want to do our best,' says Hateley. 'But with this version, there's also a sense of celebration. It's a privilege to be part of something so iconic, and to help carry it into the next chapter.' Kempner adds, 'I still remember my mum explaining the story of Valjean to me as a kid. He steals from the bishop, but instead of being punished, he's given a second chance. That idea of redemption—it's what drives the whole show. And that's a message that never stops being powerful.' Behind the barricades Despite the heavy emotional content of Les Misérables, the cast says the backstage energy is surprisingly light. 'You have to keep it fun behind the scenes,' says Yarrow. 'What happens on stage is so intense, so backstage we balance that out.' And while the cast is large, it's also deeply experienced. 'Everyone has done Les Mis somewhere in the world,' he says. 'So we can relax and trust the show—it's going to hold up.' Penny-Touré's personal journey with Donnelly adds another layer of magic. Years ago, she played Christine Daaé opposite Donnelly's Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. 'He was so kind to me back then,' she recalls. 'Now to share the stage as father and daughter, as leads in Les Mis, it's honestly a dream.' A legacy renewed Marking its 40th anniversary in 2025, Les Misérables continues to evolve while honouring its legacy. 'There's a responsibility, for sure,' Yarrow admits. 'But producer Cameron Mackintosh encourages us to bring our own essence to the show. I think that's part of why it's lasted so long—it evolves with the people performing it.' For first-timers and lifelong fans alike, Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the thundering orchestra to the raw emotion of iconic songs, this show is set to move hearts and stir souls in the UAE like never before. As Donnelly puts it, 'You're a custodian of these songs. You stand there, perform someone else's lyrics and music, and 7,000 people give you a standing ovation. That's the gift of this show. That's Les Mis.'
Khaleej Times
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Chef Vikas Khanna: 'Every dish has a reason it exists in a certain way'
Chef Vikas Khanna is as much a chef as he is a make-up man, out to give what we know as Indian cuisine a much-delayed makeover. He's dragging flavours that have tantalised generations with their five rich elements — sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and umami — out from the shadows of Indian households, dressing them up in finery and presenting them to a global audience that is ready to tease new tastebuds into existence. Take Khanna's dahi ke kebab (yoghurt kababs), for instance. It's wrapped in a cocoon of vermicelli thread that's placed over a drip of sauce made using milk and turmeric. When you spear the dish, after a crunchy snap, it reveals fluffy, spiced up yoghurt that melts in your mouth. So the essence of the dish — once fed to the elite of Lucknow remains, even though it's dolled up differently. 'When I innovate, I don't want to change the essence of the dish; rather, I want to enhance it. I ask myself — how do I make this more accessible? How can I tell a new story while respecting the tradition? That's how I approach creativity,' Khanna tells City Times in an interview. The celebrity chef — he's the owner of Kinara in Dubai and Junoon and Bungalow in New York; has hosted MasterChef India for years; and was one of the first Indian chefs to earn a Michelin Star – was recently in Dubai to meet media at the city's branch of Kinara. Considering the 53-year-old's spot on the charts of Indian food history, one could expect to find a chef with a self-important air. What we find instead is a man whose smiles result in crinkles around his eyes, the laughter lines poking through. He speaks about the impact his family has had on him, why he loves food, and offers sage advice to the students of cooking: 'Stay hungry, stay curious, stay humble.' Excerpts from the interview: Chef Vikas, your culinary journey has been extraordinary, from your grandmother's kitchen in Amritsar to Michelin-starred success. Can you tell us about the moment you knew that food would be your life's passion? My passion for cooking was ignited in my grandmother's kitchen in Amritsar. As a child, I was born with club foot, a condition that delayed my ability to walk until I was six. I used to sit in the kitchen with my Biji, watching her cook, observing the alchemy of ingredients transforming into something magical. That's when I first fell in love with cooking. Those childhood memories and the aromas of her dishes have stayed with me, inspiring everything I do today. Her warmth, her hands kneading dough, the stories she told while making flatbreads—those moments shaped my journey. You've worked in kitchens across the world, from India to New York City. What were some of the key moments in your career that have shaped the chef you are today? There are a few moments that define my journey. Moving to New York was one of them. I arrived with very little, worked as a dishwasher, slept on subway platforms, and faced struggles I could never have imagined. There were days when I had nothing to eat, but I held onto the dream of one day owning a restaurant that celebrated Indian cuisine on a global platform. The opening of Junoon and receiving a Michelin Star against all odds was another defining moment. It was the result of resilience, faith, and the lessons my grandmother instilled in me. With your success, how do you stay grounded and continue pushing the boundaries of creativity? I have never forgotten my roots. Regular visits to Amritsar and time spent cooking in my mother's kitchen bring me back to the essence of why I started this journey. When I create, I let my heart lead. Food is an emotional connection for me — it tells a story, evokes memories, and creates a bridge between cultures. And of course, my mother is my biggest inspiration. Even today, I can't start cooking in my restaurant until I hear her voice. She must be there, either physically or virtually, to bless the first pot. That ritual keeps me connected to my purpose. What do you think is the biggest misconception about Indian cuisine? A lot of people think Indian food is all about heavy curries and just being spicy. But Indian cuisine is a tapestry of history, culture, and regional flavours. Every region has its own identity, its own spices, its own techniques, its own food philosophy. The world is still discovering the depth of Indian cuisine beyond butter chicken and naan. Our food is about the perfect balance of flavours — sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and umami. And that balance is what makes it so special. How do you balance tradition with innovation when creating new dishes? For me, the most important thing is respect for the dish. Every dish has a history, a reason it exists in a certain way. When I innovate, I don't want to change the essence of the dish; rather, I want to enhance it. I ask myself — how do I make this more accessible? How can I tell a new story while respecting the tradition? That's how I approach creativity. The dining experience at your restaurants is known to be immersive. How do you bring that storytelling element into your food? When you dine with us, it's not just about eating — it's about understanding where the food comes from. We use storytelling, visual elements, fragrances, textures, and sound to bring our dishes to life. A simple dish like 'Raan' isn't just lamb, it's the history of the Mughals, the warmth of Indian hospitality, the spices that travelled the Silk Road — all on one plate. I want my guests to feel like they are travelling through India with every bite. You've been an advocate for sustainable cooking. What are some simple steps people can take at home to be more eco-friendly in the kitchen? 'We need to respect ingredients — every part of them. That means using vegetable peels to make broths, consuming seasonal and local produce, reducing food waste, and understanding the impact of our choices. Small steps like composting, supporting local farmers, and reducing food waste can make a big difference. What excites you about the future of Indian cuisine? We are experiencing a global awakening to the complexity of Indian food. The world is recognising that India is not just one cuisine, but a collection of countless regional flavours and stories. The future is about bringing those hyperlocal, ancient traditions into contemporary culinary spaces and onto global tables. If you could share one piece of advice with aspiring chefs, what would it be? Stay hungry, stay curious, stay humble. Travel, explore, cook with your heart, and never forget where you come from. Cooking is more than just a skill; it is an emotion, a connection to something greater. Hold on to that, and it will show in your food.
Khaleej Times
20-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai-based mother turned into an entrepreneur with a birthday treat
Muna Rahim started her journey when she elevated rice crispy treats for her daughter's birthday party—unintentionally sparking a demand that led to a full-fledged brand. Now, she's the founder of CrACKLES, a Dubai-based dessert brand which specialises in gourmet, hand-crafted rice crispy treats, carving out a unique niche in the F&B industry. As the UAE celebrates Mother's Day on March 21, we spotlight the inspiring mom who turned a simple homemade treat into a thriving business. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, Muna tells City Times how she turned a childhood favorite into a successful business, navigated the transition from corporate life, and secured a deal on Shark Tank Dubai. Excerpts from the interview: CrACKLES started as a treat for your daughter's birthday. How did that moment inspire you to turn it into a full-fledged business? I honestly didn't expect it to turn into a business at first. I just wanted to make something fun and different for my daughter's birthday. The guests loved them, friends and family started asking for more, and I saw an opportunity to take my favourite childhood treat and elevate it into something gourmet, customisable and fun. I recognised that rice crispy treats were (undeservedly) not getting the same love as cupcakes and cookies and I found a gap in the market for something nostalgic yet gourmet, so I ran with the idea. As a mother and entrepreneur, how do you balance running a business while prioritising family life? To be honest, it's not always balanced. Some days, work takes over, and other days, I make sure my family comes first. It's a constant juggle, but I always remind myself that my ultimate goal is to build something meaningful without missing out on the moments that matter most. How has motherhood influenced your approach to leadership and business decisions? Motherhood teaches patience and resilience, both of which are essential in business. It has made me a better leader because I see my team, and all the people who I work with closely, as a family. I listen more, nurture talent, and always think long-term. Plus, being a mom means I've mastered multitasking and problem-solving under pressure! What lessons from parenting have helped you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship? One of the biggest lessons I've learned, both as a parent and an entrepreneur, is that things won't always go as planned, and that's okay. It's actually inevitable. Kids teach you adaptability. You learn to think on your feet, problem-solve on the spot and pivot when necessary. These skills are just as crucial in business as they are in parenting. Also, patience is an invaluable lesson. Just as raising a child requires nurturing, time and unwavering commitment, growing a business demands the same qualities. And lastly, celebrating small wins. As parents, we cheer for every little milestone – first steps, first words etc. That mindset has helped me in business too. I've learned to acknowledge and celebrate every success along the way, no matter how small. This helps me keep my morale high, it fuels my motivation and reminds me that progress (no matter how little) is still progress. What advice would you give to mothers who want to start their own businesses but feel hesitant about taking the leap? Just start. You don't have to have everything perfectly planned out on day one. The most important step is to take action – test your idea, start small, and grow from there. Progress happens through learning and adapting, not waiting for the "right time." Don't let fear or guilt hold you back. It's easy to worry about whether you're doing the right thing. Always remember, your kids are watching and learning from you every day. They see your determination, your resilience, and your passion, and that in itself is a lesson in courage. You're not just building a business, you're showing them what's possible when you believe in yourself. Also, ask for help when you need it. Whether it's from family, friends, or hiring the right people, you don't have to do everything alone. Entrepreneurship isn't about being a one-person show, it's about building something sustainable. The sooner you accept support, the faster you'll grow, both as a business owner and as a mother. What motivated you to pitch CrACKLES on Shark Tank Dubai? I've always loved the show and when the opportunity for me to be on the Dubai rendition came my way, I jumped on it! I knew CrACKLES was something special, and I wanted to take it to the next level. Shark Tank was an opportunity to get exposure, mentorship, and strategic advice and support. Can you walk us through the moment when you secured a deal with three investors? It was surreal! I went in with an open mind, but I was determined to get the right strategic partners. When three Sharks came in with an offer on the show, it was validation that CrACKLES wasn't just a passion project, it was a scalable business. That moment was a mix of excitement and pride. What was the most unexpected or challenging part of being on the show? The pressure! It's one thing to pitch your business in a meeting and it's another to do it in front of cameras, investors, and knowing so many people will watch. The pre-show preparation and the anticipation of the unknown requires a certain amount of courage and resilience. And once you're in the tank, the negotiations move fast. You have to think on your feet, make high-stakes decisions in real time, and stay composed under pressure.
