Life & Style

The fifth edition of the Green Literature Festival (GLF), the country’s only literary festival dedicated to environmental literature, will be held in Bengaluru on November 29 at the Century Club, Cubbon Park, from 10 am to 7 pm.

“When it comes to green literature, we are the only ones,” says Benedict Paramanand, GLF’s founder, adding that while other literature festivals may have a couple of sessions dedicated to the environment, GLF is unique because it focuses exclusively on this genre.

“We try to touch on every aspect of environmental literature, not just the usual, popular themes of wildlife and conservation. There is much more to climate change and environmentalism.”

At a previous edition of the festival
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Special Arrangement

Some of the sessions this year include an address by writer Sujatha Padmanabhan on her experiences in Ladakh, a conversation between journalists Priti David, Arathi Menon and Chintan Girish Modi on environmental journalism, a presentation by Pankaj Sekhsaria, the author of Island on Edge: The Great Nicobar Crisis and a panel discussion on eco-fiction.

Other key highlights include talks on AI and the environment, on how cartoons can serve as a handshake between ecology, conservation, and the lay reader by Swaroop Madhavan and Rohan Chakravarty, respectively, as well as a panel discussion on reimagining Bengaluru as a greener city.

In addition to events at the main venue, Wadiyar Hall, there will be a Children’s Green Literature Festival and a Green Business Literature Festival at the other venues in the club. “We wanted to make the scope of conversations bigger and broader,” explains Benedict. Additionally, “we wanted to make some of the verticals we have introduced wider and deeper.”

At a previous edition of the festival
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Special Arrangement

For instance, while GLF has always had one or two sessions on green business, this year, “we have three hours or separate independent content for that,” he says, delving into the reason behind this development.

According to him, since climate change is so closely connected to business, it is essential to examine how businesses evolve and become more responsible. “We wanted to drive that home by having multiple sessions on this particular theme,” says Benedict, who is also looking forward to the interactive experiences that will be part of the larger festival, “workshops and quests and things like that, because we don’t want people to keep speaking.”

The festival will end with the GLF Grand Evening at Sampige Village in the club, comprising a green poetry session, several green book launches, and finally the GLF Honour Book Awards 2025.

“They are one-of-a-kind awards…are well-respected, and people look forward to participating in them,” says Benedict, pointing out that awards will be given under multiple categories: Children, Adult Fiction/Non-fiction, and Green Business.

Benedict Paramanand, GLF’s founder
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Special Arrangement

While the conversation around the environment has strengthened considerably in the last few years, thanks to “schools and colleges emphasising it… original documentaries and good films coming out that make this segment engaging…and, of course, social media,” there is still a long way to go. The GLF is playing its part in the realm of literature by ensuring that literature gets its own platform. “The written word is one of the most powerful influences on behaviour and policy, and we want to drive this as much as possible.”

GLF will be held at the Century Club, Cubbon Park, on November 29 from 10 am to 7 pm. To know more, log in to greenlitfest.com.

Published – November 25, 2025 05:01 am IST

Aarthi with her painting depicting the rare kriti of Dikshitar.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

If you like sticking to tradition and gift family and friends in your city traditional Christmas treats, why should loved ones in other cities be left behind? This year, the classic cake and pies can travel with you and spread cheer. From nut bars and gingerbread mug holders to a Tipsy cake and a fruit variant with caramel, we bring you a selection of travelling treats for the season.

Planters Fruit Cake at Taranaki Bakery
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Special Arrangement

Planters Fruit Cake @ Taranaki Bakery, Kerala

At Mathew Vallikappen’s bakery at his estate in Vagamon, Christmas is the season that brings with it the aroma of spices and vanilla. “The name Taranaki, meaning ‘Luck to the Mountains’, originates from my time in New Zealand, where the lush landscapes and artisanal craftsmanship inspired me to pursue my passion for baking,” says Mathew who did his culinary training in the island country. He is especially proud of the Planters Fruit Cake (₹1,300 for 650 gms), a recipe passed down through five generations and a tradition that began in the early 1900s.

Jam at Taranaki Bakery
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Special Arrangement

Blending British baking influences with Kerala’s rich produce of fruits soaked in Old Monk rum, spices, cashews, and vanilla grown on his estate, their family’s unique recipe also includes caramel sauce and pineapple. Alongside a chocolate plum cake (₹1,400 for 650 gms) that draws from European techniques, other offerings include shortbread cookies (₹350 for 200 gms), choco-chip cookies (₹350 for 200 gms), almond cranberry granola (₹450), cocoa date granola (₹550) and banana, pineapple spreads (₹450 each).

To order, call 6282673682 or visit vanillacounty.in

Gingerbread aunties at The Hill Station Co.
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Special Arrangement

Gingerbread aunties @ The Hill Station Co., Bengaluru

Before Vaidika Wadhera founded The Hill Station Co. in 2020, she was a “globe-trotting chef”. After stints at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Gaa in Bangkok, and Kinara in Dubai, she launched her brand in New Delhi and then brought it to Bengaluru in March 2025 with one simple idea: to make food that feels like a gift. “We’re a bakery that loves to have fun with flavour, with a razor-sharp focus on keeping everything genuinely delicious,” she says.

Hot chocolate bombs at The Hill Station Co.
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Special Arrangement

Her Christmas menu is vegetarian and features gingerbread aunties (₹165 each), sari-clad cookies that are a playful spin on the classic gingerbread man. “We also make tiny gingerbread houses (₹190 each) that perch on the rim of your mug, edible baubles for your Christmas tree (₹500 for a set of three), and mulled wine cake pops (₹400 for four) that pair well with our hot chocolate bombs.” There are also cinnamon apple pies (₹3,200 for a 12-inch pie), a Christmas fruit cake (upwards of ₹700), yule millionaire brownies (₹225 each), a mini panettone (₹165 each), and a Christmas focaccia (₹450).

@thehillstation.co on Instagram

Cakes at Global Theeni, Mysuru
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Special Arrangement

Kalkals and chivda @ Global Theeni, Mysuru

Smitha Kuttayya has been baking wholesome cakes and other sweet treats for the last 25 years, and recently made the shift from Chennai to her hometown, Mysuru. Her Christmas menu this year includes a royal plum cake (₹2,500 a kilo, and with vegan, gluten-free versions also available), and a range of brownies including Boston brownies, cheese brownies, etc (₹1,000 for half a kilo). “This year I will be working out of a new kitchen and that gives me equal parts of fear and excitement. The Christmas goodies, especially the cake, are very sensitive to the atmosphere and this time for the first time in forever I did a trial run. I also have a range of chocolate bombs this year,” says Smitha, who also has pinwheel cookies, shortbread cookies, gingerbread men, gingerbread cookies, kalkals, nutty chivda (all at ₹300 for 150 gms), and mince pies (₹300 for four) on her menu. All products can be shipped pan-India, and custom hampers are also available. 

@global.theeni on Instagram, or call 9444385425/9176190210

Cholo-nola at The Huda Bar
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Special Arrangement

Nut Jobs @ The Huda Bar, Bengaluru

At this women-owned and run business, promoting healthy, conscious eating has been at the forefront since they launched in 2014 with an energy bar. The product range has expanded since to include granolas, raw honeys, teas, nut butters, and more. “We’re a sustainably-run business and our food is handmade in our Bengaluru kitchen. Most of our ingredients are locally sourced from Indian producers,” says co-founder Pratibha Panth. This festive season, new launches include crackle bites (peanut butter rice crispies at ₹450 for 120 gms), choco-nola minis (chocolate coated mini bars at ₹500 for six), anytime crunch (a savoury trail mix at ₹500 for 250 gms), and Christmas hampers that can all be shipped pan-India. “We also make a range of fresh produce such as hummus, garlic toum, mustard, pesto, and a nut seed bread sold only in Bengaluru,” she says, adding that all products are packed in either 100% recyclable or reusable packaging. 

Details on thehudabar.com

A cake at House of Sapor
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Special Arrangement

English Christmas Cake @ House of Sapor, Bengaluru

Launched in November 2020 by Ashwini Gowra and her daughter Raksha, this cloud kitchen has been popular at birthday parties and events in the city. “During the pandemic, we started making birthday cakes for our neighbours, and people in the neighbourhood, and slowly, through word of mouth, it grew. Today, we run a cloud kitchen and also supply to cafés and restaurants across the city,” shares Ashwini.

Chocolate chip cookies at House of Sapor
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Special Arrangement

The festive menu this year includes the English Christmas cake (₹750 for a loaf) with raisins, currants, and candied orange, that is aged and soaked in brandy, and pecan-double chocolate cookies (₹1,000 for a pack of six). While these can be shipped pan-India, the moelleux au chocolat (₹1,800 for 650 gms), a molten chocolate cake served with wine-poached pears, and the trifle pudding (upwards of ₹475) are available only in Bengaluru. 

@houseofsapor on Instagram, or call 9845350671, 9880773371

Sapa Bakery’s panettone
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Special Arrangement

Stollen and more @ Sapa Bakery, Mysuru

Dina Weber is back with her trademark stollen (₹2300+ taxes), a rich, fruit-filled German Christmas bread. “Its flavours deepen and mellow as the days go by, making it the perfect indulgence for breakfasts, afternoon gatherings, and festive celebrations,” says Dina, who is also launching a classic vanilla panettone (₹1,400+ taxes), and gingerbread cookies as well. “The latter, called Elisen Lebkuchen, is our take on the classic German treat, featuring a blend of in-house spices and honey, topped with a bright, lemony glaze.” The stollen and panettone can be shipped pan-India, and the cookies are available only at the outlet in Mysuru. 

@sapabakery on Instagram

Mexican hot chocolate cookies at Over The Top
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Special Arrangement

Spiced granola @ Over The Top, New Delhi

A brand born out of founder Tanaya Sharma’s health struggles in 2021, it aims at making indulgent desserts healthy and easy on the body. “Living with endometriosis, PCOS, insulin resistance and pre-diabetic conditions made it difficult for me to find treats that were both delicious and genuinely good for the body. What began in my kitchen as a necessity soon became a purpose: to make nourishment joyful,” says Tanaya who launched the brand with chef-partner Ravi Shukla. Their winter menu for 2026 has festive granola with warm spices, and toasted nuts (₹750 for 250 gms), seasonal brittle (₹500 for 250 gms), spreads (₹450 for 200 gms) with flavours such as apple mince pie, strawberry vanilla bean preserve, strawberry black pepper preserve, and a cookie and berry nut butter. Also available are dog biscuits (₹250 for 100 gms). While these can be shipped across India, for Delhi-NCR residents there are also cookies and cheesecakes. 

@ott_thegoodstuff on Instagram

A cake at Almond Butter Cakes
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Special Arrangement

Tipsy Cake @ Almond Butter Cakes, Mumbai

At this homegrown bakery in Maximum City, husband-wife duo Bhavya Srinivasan and Luth have been baking a storm, quite literally. The duo launched the brand in 2020 that specialise in gluten-free almond flour cakes and cookies. “Inspired by our passion for travelling and adventures, our cakes became a part of our high altitude treks and biking escapades. Soon, we received messages from fellow travellers, and that is how our baking journey began,” says Bhavya, of their creations made with almond flour, organic jaggery, dates, and premium chocolates.

Cookies at Almond Butter Cakes
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Special Arrangement

The Christmas season brings the Tipsy Cake (upwards of ₹2,800 for 500 gms) on their menu that is rich with spiced rum, soaked raisins, and almonds. Other bestsellers (upwards of ₹2,000 for 500 gms) on their menu include the fudge cake, butter cake, coffee date walnut cake, orange almond cake, apple cinnamon cake, and monster cookies (upwards of ₹1,200 for two), that can all be shipped across India and overseas.

@almondbuttercakes on Instagram

The arrival of the Bullet 650 marks a rare moment in motorcycling: a pivot without reinvention, a leap forward without abandoning the familiar silhouette generations have grown up with. The Bullet is not just another retro-themed motorcycle; it holds the distinction of being the longest-running production motorcycle in existence, with a lineage that stretches unbroken all the way back to 1932. Few machines in the world can claim such uninterrupted lineage, and even fewer can evolve without losing the essence that made them historic in the first place.

Its first public outing in India at Motoverse 2025 sparked understandable excitement, yet, the motorcycle itself stays rooted in the design language that has defined the Bullet for more than nine decades. Royal Enfield’s intention is unmistakable: this is not a reinvention—it is a respectful continuation of a motorcycle whose identity has become timeless through restraint and relevance rather than constant reinvention.

At first glance, the motorcycle feels instantly familiar. The long, uninterrupted tank line, the upright stance, the weighty metal construction, and the visual simplicity all reaffirm its lineage. But take a moment to observe and the evolution reveals itself. The 650 twin nestles within a steel spine frame, giving the motorcycle a more planted, muscular profile. The casquette headlamp housing returns, now with an LED setup, supported by the nostalgic “tiger-eye” pilot lamps that anchor the front end. The wider bench seat, the taller handlebar, and the mature stance make the motorcycle feel more regal—almost as if the Bullet has finally grown into the image it has projected for generations.

The Bullet 650’s familiar stance is elevated by subtle design updates, from the casquette headlamp to the wider bench seat.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The most significant change sits beneath the tank. The iconic thump of the single-cylinder Bullet, once a soundtrack of Indian roads, steps aside for the brand’s 647.95cc parallel-twin engine. The familiar beat is gone, and there is no pretending otherwise, but what arrives in its place is a deeper, smoother note that brings its own charm. And with 34.6 kW at 7250 rpm and 52.3 Nm at 5650 rpm, the engine delivers a level of performance that past Bullets simply never attempted. The power arrives steadily, the twin-cylinder character makes long-distance cruising effortless, and the refinement opens up a new dimension to what a Bullet can be.

The six-speed gearbox, paired with a light slip-assist clutch, makes the riding experience more fluid in city and highway conditions alike. This is a motorcycle that invites calm, measured riding, just like every Bullet before it, but with enough reserve to make overtakes and high-speed stretches far more composed than the older singles ever allowed.

The chassis reinforces this updated character. A steel tubular spine frame underpins the motorcycle, with a 43 mm telescopic fork offering 120 mm of travel at the front and twin shocks with 90 mm of travel at the rear. This set up is not engineered for aggressive sport riding; they are tuned for comfort, stability, and predictability—attributes that have always defined the Bullet’s loyal following.

A steel spine frame, 43 mm fork and twin shocks give the Bullet 650 the planted, composed ride it has long been known for.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The wheels, follow the familiar formula: a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear setup. With 100/90 and 140/70 section tyres respectively, the motorcycle retains the classic stance while ensuring contemporary levels of grip and assurance. Braking comes via a 320 mm front disc and a 300 mm rear disc, paired with dual-channel ABS for confident stopping power.

Dimensionally, the Bullet 650 makes its presence known. At 2318 mm long with a 1475 mm wheelbase, it has the stature of a proper big-capacity retro motorcycle. The 800 mm seat height and 154 mm ground clearance strike a practical balance, while the 243 kilogram kerb weight contributes to the Bullet’s characteristically planted feel on the road.

In the cockpit, a large analogue speedometer sits alongside a compact LCD panel offering essential information—fuel, trip, gear position, and service data, without disturbing the old-world charm. A USB-C port adds practicality without compromising aesthetics. Available in Cannon Black and Battleship Blue with a catalogue of factory accessories, the Bullet 650 remains a motorcycle riders can mould to their personality — just as they have done for generations.

The new Bullet 650 retains its classic silhouette, even as modern engineering reshapes what lies beneath the tank.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

In the end, the Bullet 650 goes far beyond displacement or power outputs. It represents the continuation of a story that began in the early 1930s and never paused. It is proof that a motorcycle can modernise without losing its soul. The thump may be gone, but in its place arrives a more capable, refined, and long-legged machine — one that carries forward the legacy of the world’s longest-running production motorcycle with dignity, confidence, and a brand-new heartbeat.

Expected Price: 2.5-2.8 lakh (ex-showroom)

Motorscribes, in association with The Hindu, brings you the latest in cars and bikes. Follow them on Instagram on @motorscribes

Published – November 24, 2025 02:01 pm IST

“I started right here, in my little room in London where I grew up,” says the 31-year-old British singer-songwriter Jacob Collier. “I never really had big dreams as a child of being a big music celebrity or anything like that.”

If you know Jacob, you would know the room — the shelves stacked with instruments, the warm fairy lights, and the quiet chaos that has birthed one of the most fascinating musical experiments of our time. On a late Friday evening in Chennai, I find myself on a video call with him in that very space, ahead of the Djesse Vol. 4 India tour. Before the interview begins, the tabla on his shelf catches my eye. Jacob proudly swivels his camera, giving me a closer look. 

The performer’s walk to fame took off in 2013 at a time when YouTube was still a space of creative self-expression. He first captured global attention with his split-screen covers, densely layered vocal harmonies and arrangements that felt more like theatrical feats than mere songs.

His multi-tracked rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing’ in 2013 on YouTube did not just go viral; it caught the eye of American record producer and composer Quincy Jones, setting off a trajectory that would see him collaborate with the likes of Joni Mitchell, SZA, Bon Iver, Coldplay, Shawn Mendes, John Mayer, and many more. “I really concentrated on making things that I found beautiful. That was my whole goal,” he says.

Jacob is the first British artist to have won a Grammy for each of his first five albums.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“The more I tried to make beautiful stuff, the more I met interesting people, and that slowly expanded my sense of what was possible. I’ve always had an unusual attitude toward the idea of impossible — I’ve done quite a few things that hadn’t been done before, whether that means turning an audience into a choir, designing new instruments, touring as a one-man band, or whatever it happens to be,” he adds.

In 2016, Jacob took home his first Grammy for his debut album ‘In My Room’. Since then, he has held the record of being the first British artist to have won a Grammy for each of his first five albums.

Jacob’s harmonic imagination shows up everywhere in his tracks; his a cappella cover of the famous song ‘Moon River’ is a classic example. The multi-layered vocal arrangement features thousands of vocal tracks, including thousands of his own and contributions from numerous musical friends and fans. Same with ‘Bleak Midwinter’, which featuresa multi-tracked vocal arrangement of the timeless Christmas carol, released in 2016. The arrangement is noted for its complex harmonies, use of microtones, and dense textural layers. He states, “One thing that might set my sense of harmony apart is that I’m genuinely comfortable with dissonance. I love chords that are really spicy or vividly colourful. There’s so much beauty in those sounds, but for me, it’s less about the notes themselves and more about the attitude you bring to them.”

Jacob says “one the most beautiful things about the last few years is that I’ve actually been able to travel all over the world, meet musicians, and ask them questions and as a lifelong student of life and music, it’s a real thrill to listen to these incredible musicians and then meet them in person — and realise just how much we all have in common. At the end, we are all struggling after the same things.”

Volume four to me was like a love letter to human life and the music of the world, says Jacob.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Jacob is heading back to India, this time as part of his sprawling Djesse Vol. 4 world tour. Released on February 29 2024, it marks the grand finale of Jacob’s audacious four-part musical odyssey. From John Legend and Tori Kelly to Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, Brandi Carlile, and Lizzy McAlpine, the project is a musical universe in itself that Jacob has spent years building. Each track becomes a meeting point where pop, gospel, classical, folk and global traditions collide.

“Volume four to me was like a love letter to human life and the music of the world. As someone who loves so many different types of music, I wanted to pay homage to all these different forms.” For the album, Collier brought together more than 100,000 people from all walks of life — not just audience members but artists from every continent.

The project also features collaborators such as Anoushka Shankar alongside Varijashree Venugopal, as well as Camilo from Colombia, Aespa from South Korea, the Metropole Orkest from Netherlands, and gospel legend Kirk Franklin from the United States. “The kind of principles that power it are the same as the ones that powered my room. Within my room, I often like to layer my own voice on top of itself. So you’d have like five or six or 10 or 20 different Jacob’s singing different notes in chords, and that was how I created harmony.”

Beginning his India tour in Bengaluru, I can already sense the glint of excitement in his eyes. “I’ve always thought of India as one of the most legendary places for music. It’s so many things I care about, whether it is the rhythm and its incredible depth, the microtonal tunings, or even the spiritual dimensions of music. It’s such an amazing thing that I’m able to visit now, and to be able to learn first-hand from the greatness that comes from that beautiful place.”

Having watched him grow from a YouTube prodigy into a global phenomenon, I asked Jacob what guidance he had offer young musicians finding their footing — he admits there is no rulebook. “The truth is, no one really knows what’s going on, and no one knows what the ‘next best move’ should be. So the only real answer is to stay open and to be completely fearless about what you love.”

Djesse Vol. 4 India tour will begin in Bengaluru on November 28, then Mumbai on November 31, and finally Delhi NCR on December 2. Tickets at skillboxes.com