<h2>Playing the part</h2>
<p>Ahead of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, a mother and her child dress up as Rajmata Jijabai and <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-worker-crushed-to-death-at-csmia-cargo-centre-union-protests-23617110" rel="nofollow">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj </a>for a photo shoot in Dadar</p>
<h2>Ouch! Don&rsquo;t hurt the flowers</h2>
<p><img src="http://admin.mid-day.com/images/2026/feb/Flower-a_e.jpg" alt="Visitors catch Yellow Silk Cotton flowers (inset) at the garden. Pics courtesy/Abhishek Khan" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Visitors catch Yellow Silk Cotton flowers (inset) at the garden. Pics courtesy/Abhishek Khan</em></strong></p>
<p>Flower picking may sound sweet, but researcher and nature enthusiast, Abhishek Khan (right) cautions against this. &ldquo;I was at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo recently. Visitors were picking flowers, throwing shoes and bottles to knock Yellow Silk Cotton flowers off the trees. These are crucial for bees and the native bat population of the area. Throwing objects at the trees further exposes them to pathogens and long-term damage,&rdquo; he explained to this diarist.</p>
<h2>You Malayali, mee Marathi</h2>
<p><img src="http://admin.mid-day.com/images/2026/feb/Bharatanatyam-a_e.jpg" alt="A group of artistes perform a Bharatanatyam sequence at a previous edition. Pic courtesy/Nehru Science Centre" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A group of artistes perform a Bharatanatyam sequence at a previous edition. Pic courtesy/Nehru Science Centre</em></strong></p>
<p>The seventh edition of the Marathi-Malayali Ethnic Fest will be held from February 20 to 22 at the Nehru Science Centre, Worli. Organised in collaboration with the All <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/shivaji-maharaj-tipu-sultan-remarks-row-shiv-sena-ubt-hits-out-at-congress-president-sapkal-accuses-bjp-of-giving-row-communal-colour-23616867" rel="nofollow">Mumbai Malayali Association (AMMA)</a>, the festival anticipates large-scale participation from students. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a fusion of cultures via dance and drawing, amongst other things, where audiences can mingle and experience new things,&rdquo; shared Jojo Thomas, president, AMMA.</p>
<h2>Hula hoops in reverence</h2>
<p><img src="http://admin.mid-day.com/images/2026/feb/Shivani-a_e.jpg" alt="Shivani Dhopawkar balances a hula hoop on her forehead in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Pics courtesy/Shivani Dhopawkar" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Dhopawkar performs at a Gudi Padwa rally (right) Shivani Dhopawkar balances a hula hoop on her forehead in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Pics courtesy/Shivani Dhopawkar</em></strong></p>
<p>While Mumbai-based hula hoop artiste, Shivani Dhopawkar has performed at multiple rallies, celebrations, and processions around the city, tomorrow (February 19) will mark the performer&rsquo;s first time showcasing her skills in Gujarat. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m travelling to the town of Valsad, where I intend to perform at a rally in honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti,&rdquo; Dhopawkar revealed to this diarist. We were curious about whether she has showcased hula hoop presentations at any rally for this occasion before. &ldquo;Not at all; this marks my first time hula hooping at an event for Shivaji Jayanti,&rdquo; she admitted. Dhopawkar mentioned she will showcase a variant of Poi, a performing art, which will, in this case, involve ribbons. &ldquo;While I will, of course, perform to various songs with multiple hoops, including jumbo-sized hoops, my goal is to portray this activity [hula hooping] in a more interesting manner for members of younger generations. Especially considering that, while music, instruments, and dances have always been part of such processions, hula hooping has not,&rdquo; she shared. We wish the artiste a stellar show.</p>
<h2>Fight like a boss</h2>
<p><img src="http://admin.mid-day.com/images/2026/feb/Child-drawing_e.jpg" alt="A child paints on a canvas. Pic courtesy/Access Life" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A child paints on a canvas. Pic courtesy/Access Life</em></strong></p>
<p>On February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day, multiple centres of city-based NGO, Access Life hosted music, art, and storytelling sessions for children battling cancer. Founder Ankeet Dave said, &ldquo;Cancer treatment isn&rsquo;t just about <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-let-us-practise-modern-medicine-or-well-act-say-homoeopaths-23589081" rel="nofollow">medicine</a>, but emotional strength; we must remind kids that they are not alone in this journey.&rdquo;</p>

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