This Week In Culture: Bengaluru's First Omakase-Style Kitchen, Naisha At UMF, & More

It’s a good thing animals can’t have lawyers, or we’d be in serious trouble. The reparations alone for what we have done to the planet would bleed us dry. But since they can’t, humans get to decide what happens to their homes. And so, over the past few days, Hyderabad saw yet another green expanse, the Kancha Gachibowli forest, flattened in the name of development. Hundreds of animals were displaced overnight. And when people protested to protect these creatures, the argument in court was about who the land belonged to, and that it wasn't "technically' a forest.

Watching it all unfold felt absurd and dystopian — like a world completely out of touch, devoid of empathy. When I was looking at colleges, my dad picked Hyderabad, and even though it wasn’t my first choice, I grew to love it for its greenery. We found a penthouse, and in the mornings, I was often greeted by peacocks perched on the trees near my terrace, moments I still fondly remember. So watching them howl and cry in the viral videos, as bulldozers rip through their home was deeply hurtful. The High Court eventually did order a halt, but by then, most of the damage was already done.

Lately, with AI-generated Ghibli trend and now this in Hyderabad, it feels like something colder, more industrial, is taking over. Like we’re trading humanity for efficiency, optimization, and a lifeless future. Little by little we compromise on our values, slowly slipping into a dark and destructive oblivion. And it all begins from not caring. In times like these, we need reminders of what it means to be alive. We need the warmth of humanities; we need music, culture, and art; real art that comes from heartache, joy, and loss to stop us from atrophying into cold, steel robots.

And you can experience a little dose of it in our Culture Bulletin. Here's what we have for you this week:

Borivali To Churchgate: Crab Culture x Baalti

Crab Culture turned a Mumbai local into a full-blown rave with the New York-based duo Baalti. From Borivali to Churchgate, the artists mixed '70s funk, drum and bass, UK garage, and old Tamil and Punjabi hits into a high-energy set, complete with Indian percussions like the dhol and tabla. It was a club mix that felt uniquely Desi — blending nostalgia with electronic music.

Listen to it here.

Naisha At Ultra Music Festival

Naisha Bhargabi made a powerful mark at Ultra Miami 2025, joining Skrillex on stage for his first Ultra set in over a decade. Performing Talk To Me — her latest collaboration with Skrillex, Four Tet, and Champion — she brought a homegrown energy to the festival, seamlessly blending Hindi rap with hard-hitting beats, and pushing South Asian representation further into global electronic music.

Read more about it here.

Deli Boys By Abdullah Saeed

Deli Boys is shaking up TV with its mix of crime and comedy. Created by Abdullah Saeed, the show follows two Pakistani American brothers, Mir and Raj, who stumble into their late father’s not-so-legal business. What starts as a family convenience store empire quickly turns into a full-blown drug operation, with guns, mobsters, and FBI agents in the mix. With Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh leading the charge, plus Poorna Jagannathan as the badass Lucky Auntie, the show blends sharp humor with high-stakes chaos.

Stream it here.

International Surfing Festival Kerala

The International Surfing Festival is hitting Varkala from April 10 to 13, and it’s open to everyone from pro surfers to total newbies. Hosted by the Surfing Federation of India and backed by the Kerala Tourism Department, the festival is all about epic competitions, surf lessons, and soaking in Varkala’s stunning coastline. Last year’s edition brought in 65 surfers from India and beyond, and this time, it’s set to be even bigger.

Find out more about it here.

'Summer Somethings' - Goa Open Arts x Pulp Society

‘Summer Somethings’ is an annual group show by Delhi’s Pulp Society in collaboration with Goa Open Arts that shines a light on fresh artistic talent from South Asia. This year, the lineup includes Asavari Gurav, Ashish Phaldesai, Diptej Vernekar, Nishant Saldanha, and Pakhi Sen — all artists who’ve been an integral part of Goa Open Arts over the years. The exhibition is all about contemporary paper-based practices, featuring stunning drawings, paintings, and prints. Also on display are works by Anish Nandy, Snigdha Tiwari, and Umesh Singh.

Read more about it here.

Crackle By Chef Vivek Salunkhe

Bengaluru just got its first standalone omakase-style kitchen and bar. Crackle Kitchen, based in Indiranagar, is an intimate 22-seater spot founded by Chef Vivek Salunkhe, whose culinary journey started on his grandfather’s farm in Karjat. Crackle is all about seasonal ingredients and an ever-evolving menu. With an open kitchen setup, guests get a front-row seat to the magic, watching their dishes come to life over wood-fired flames.

Learn more about it here.

Uncool By Safal & Neel

Meet 'Uncool', the brand that’s here to ditch the rulebook on style. Founded by Safal and Neel, it’s not about chasing trends or fitting into someone else’s idea of 'cool' but wearing what feels right. Offering oversized sweatshirts in a muted palate, Uncool is driven by authenticity and self-expression.

Follow them here.

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