30 May,2026 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Ashish Raje
A 50-member violin ensembe harmonises at the Guruvandana showcase at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi.
With a new executive committee in place for the 2026-27 season, INTACH Greater Mumbai is looking to deepen the city's engagement with its heritage through restoration projects, educational outreach and curated cultural experiences. The committee includes architect Kirtida Unwalla, mythologist and author Utkarsh Patel, and Nayana Kathpalia of OVAL Trust, known for their relentless work in preserving the Art Deco precinct.
Speaking about the plans ahead, co-convener Anita Yewale said, "We are working on the revival project of Khadi Bhandar in Fort to make it sustainable because of its prime location, and use the space for workshops, cultural events and seminars." The chapter also plans to revive Heritage Clubs in schools and colleges. "We hope to sensitise the young generation about our heritage through hands-on learning and experiences," Yewale shared. Upcoming initiatives include an exhibition on ancient Indian games, visits to restored institutions including the General Post Office, artist-studio interactions and documentation of Art Deco buildings. "We also want citizens to take ownership of their surroundings and reach out if they feel a heritage space needs attention," she added.
This diarist was back at her favourite hunting ground - Shivaji Park, late Friday morning when she spotted a group braving the blazing sun clicking away at an installation showing lungs with a cigarette in between placed outside the Shivaji Park Gymkhana. The âQuit to Live' installation, designed as a larger-than-life depiction of damaged human lungs aimed at raising awareness about the impact of smoking and tobacco consumption on lung health.
As visitors and walkers, most sweating profusely, thanks to merciless mercury levels, looked intrigued, Gautam Khanna, CEO, PD Hinduja Hospital said, "We hope to encourage more conversations on the importance of lung health." Dr Lancelot Pinto, consultant, pulmonologist and epidemiologist at the hospital, added, "Through this installation, we want the public to understand their lung health, and recognise the importance of early intervention." The spokespersons for the installation, âQuit to Live', said it was a shout-out to public awareness and community engagement. It brought a new, sobering dimension for late Friday walkers at the popular Dadar ground with apt timing, given that World No Tobacco Day falls tomorrow (Sunday).
How is it being in the studio with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, System of a Down, Aerosmith, and the legendary Prince? You'll have to wait another month to ask celebrated Grammy Award-winning music producer Sylvia Massy, who has laid down tracks for these stalwarts in the studio. Massy will head to Khar's Abbey Road Institute for a masterclass in July. Varun Parikh, studio director, confirmed Massy's plans, adding, "The masterclass is designed to give participants direct exposure to global production standards, workflows, and decision-making processes that are rarely accessible in traditional learning environments."
An unfortunate accident in Khar on Tuesday took away a familiar superhero from Mumbai's close-knit comic book community. Adrien Alves, a 26-year-old enthusiast who worked at The Comic Book Store in Bandra, is now remembered by patrons for his enthusiasm and patience with new comic book readers. "His exceptional gentleness made him stand out. He embodied a true comic book fan," a patron said, while another reminisced how a single conversation with Alves turned him into a Superman fan. Owner Hamza Sayed remembers Alves's "giddy optimism that made him too good for this world." With Alves's loss, his family is now raising funds to get back on their feet. Those keen to donate can find the page on milaap.org.
