As the cooler months make a subtle entry, certain seasonal delights and cultural moments capture the imagination. From culinary traditions to parenting hacks and cutting-edge comedy, here's what's trending in the world of lifestyle and personal indulgence.
The Culinary Comfort of Winter's First Undhiyo
For many, the onset of winter is marked by the season's first mango or ilish. However, for Rituparna Roy, a long-time Mumbai resident, the true herald is the season's first undhiyo. This iconic Gujarati winter dish, a hearty medley of seasonal vegetables, holds a special appeal.
Roy, who admits to not being a fervent fan of Gujarati cuisine generally, finds herself drawn to this particular preparation when the temperature dips. The dish features a vibrant mix of ingredients like purple yam, sweet potato, flat beans (papdi), small brinjals, and fresh green pigeon peas (tuver). These are cooked in a spicy, oil-rich masala packed with coconut, chillies, and fresh green garlic.
She notes that a subtle hint of sweetness in the undhiyo resonates with her Bengali palate, making it a familiar comfort. The recent invitation to a special winter lunch was an opportunity she readily accepted, surrendering to the charm of this seasonal culinary ritual.
Parenting, ASMR and the Art of Braiding
In the vast world of social media, certain accounts stand out for their unique and heartwarming content. Jahnabee Borah, a new mother, highlights @Dad.Braids on Instagram as her current favourite. Run by US-based father Strider Patton, the account documents his journey of styling his daughter's hair in an astonishing array of braids, ponytails, and pigtails.
Among the numerous parenting accounts she follows, Borah finds this one particularly addictive. The process of watching hair being braided offers a pure ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) experience. The appeal lies not just in Patton's evident skill but also in the variety of tools—combs, clips, and scrunchies—that keep viewers engaged.
While she humorously doubts that her 'doom-scrolling' through these videos will translate into practical use, given the hectic schedule of new motherhood, she holds onto the dream. Borah hopes that one day, when her daughter's hair is long enough for pigtails and she has more time away from social media, these braiding inspirations might come in handy.
Wellness and Stillness in the Steam
Sometimes, the most practical gifts can transform into rituals of self-care. Shephali Bhatt recounts receiving a vapouriser from a friend during a period of illness. This device, which includes a facial steamer, started as a therapeutic tool but evolved into a weekly practice sought for both relief and comfort.
Bhatt began to romanticise the routine, viewing the act of taking steam as a meditative pause. It became a necessary break, often harder to achieve through more extreme measures like digital-detox retreats. This newfound appreciation for warmth and stillness extended to her recent swimming lessons.
She now eagerly anticipates post-swim sessions in the steam room. The warmth soothes tired muscles and nourishes the body. Most importantly, it offers a device-free zone of quiet where even thoughts seem to rise and dissolve like vapour, allowing one to emerge feeling quietly renewed.
Unfiltered Comedy in the Digital Age
In the realm of political satire, comedians are finding direct routes to their audience. On 2 January, multi-talented artist Varun Grover—known as a screenwriter, lyricist, and director—announced on X (formerly Twitter) the release of his first-ever full comedy special. Titled 'Nothing Makes Sense', he noted it was "too political to go on any streaming service" and is available on YouTube.
This path mirrors the one taken by fellow comedian Kunal Kamra for his special 'Naya Bharat' the previous year. Grover's 80-minute special kicks off with a meta-reference to the potential fallout from Kamra's video, jokingly warning the audience they might get a call from their local police station about the show.
The special tackles a wide range of topics, from hate campaigns and performative liberalism to the whimsical idea of secret India-Pakistan doorbell wars. Uday Bhatia observes that the release is a sharp reminder that Grover's deadpan comic timing remains intact and as incisively effective as ever, offering unfiltered commentary in today's climate.
