Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Pic/Kirti Surve Parade

If looks could kill

Two Maine coon cats gaze into the camera during an event at Mumbai Press Club near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Staging an ode for Ratan Tata

A moment from the play, Karn: Women's Series Part One that will open the theatre festival. Pic Courtesy/Karwan Groupp

Ratan Tata might have left the city for his heavenly abode, but the exemplary life and work of the legend continues to inspire Mumbaikars. City-based theatre and film company, Karwan Groupp in collaboration with Curated Classics is organising Natya Ratan, a multilingual national theatre festival this December, which seeks to celebrate Tata's enduring legacy through the theme, Adhunik Yug ke Daanveer Karn the Shri Ratan Tata. "We will be shortlisting eight theatre groups from all over India for the festival. His [Ratan Tata] work and ideas on philanthropy has had a big impact on my life. This is our way to pay a humble tribute to the icon," Abhishek Narayan, the platform's founder shared with this diarist.

Ratan Tata. File pic; (right) Abhishek Narayan

The vintage way

Vintage pieces from the exhibition. Pic courtesy/47 A Gallery

In one of the city's most quaint neighbourhoods, Khotachiwadi, 47A Art Gallery is currently the venue of an exhibition of designer vintage accessories from across the globe. Old is Gold includes classic yet sustainable antique jewellery and other interesting collections. Krisna Krishnankutty, who is co-partnering this exhibition with Pranav Sood, shared that the exhibits are not just vintage beauties but also sustainable.

Pranav Sood and Krisna Krishnankutty

Comic confluence

Ken Akamatsu with Hamza Sayed. Pic Courtesy/The comic book store; (right) the cover of UQ Holder! by Ken Akamatsu. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons

Hamza Sayed, co-founder of The Comic Book Store had a memorable moment earlier this month, when Ken Akamatsu, the Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology who happens to be a celebrated Manga artist, visited the Bandra outlet for an entertainment conclave. "The Consulate General of Japan reached out to us prior to the official visit expressing Mr Akamatsu's desire to visit the store. We talked about Indian comics and the growing readership of Manga in India which has strengthened the bond between both the countries," Sayed said.

Before the big guns came out

A moment from the band's performance before the concert

Minutes before Guns N' Roses kicked off their power-packed show in Mahalaxmi last Saturday, concert-goers got a desi welcome outside the venue. A traditional brass band featuring trumpets, clarinets and tubas belted out classics like Sweet Child O' Mine, causing fans to stop and groove. The excitement was short-lived, however. Contrary to the assumption that things will move slow in accordance with Mumbai Standard Time, word had spread that the American rockers were taking stage right on time. As another hurried latecomer told this diarist between struggling to catch his breath and jogging towards the main gate, "We need to get used to this." We're unsure if they were referring to the unexpected punctuality, or the endurance. Either way, it was a ‘yes' from us.

A step towards health and fitness

A visitor attempts a new equipment. Pic Courtesy/Nehru Science Centre

Last weekend, prior to International Museum Day (May 18), Nehru Science Centre in Worli inaugurated Fit zone, a new arena in the children science park of science centre that intends to promote fitness amongst the young and the old. "The idea behind this addition is to show people how to properly use fitness instruments. We have posters across the space that clearly mentions instructions and the science behind exercising to help people understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle," Yogesh Dudurkar, education assistant at the centre told this diarist.