22 July,2026 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Satej Shinde
Commuters wait under the vernacular sloping, Mangalore tile-set roofs at Bandra station amid rains
A moment from an earlier performance. Pics courtesy/taktookmusic
Culturecon 2026 returns to the NCPA on August 6 and 7, bringing together artistes, musicians, filmmakers, designers, writers, entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners for two days of conversations, masterclasses and mentorship.
Among the panelists is musician and Taktook founder Pankaj Tak, who told this diarist, "With whatever resources one has, there is always something that's possible and I hope attendees leave with the confidence to build meaningful work that adds professional value while solving a real-life problem." He added, "Creativity flourishes when communities support one another whole-heartedly."
Aditya Patil dressed up at Spider-Man. Pics courtesy/Aditya Patil
IT's official, people - the friendly neighbourhood hero is multiplying by the minute. Last week, this section featured a Mumbaikar making web-shooters, and now we've stumbled upon Aditya Patil, aka Mumbai's Spider-Man, as people on social media call him. When this diarist enquired about his motive, Patil said, "Growing up, I've loved this superhero, but more importantly, I've always admired his never-give-up attitude towards life. If you look at it, Peter Parker faces a lot of hardships early in life, even ending with the loss of MJ (Mary Jane).
Aditya Patil
But the moment he puts on his mask, it's the people who come first. That's what I intend to do as well - quietly help people on the streets, with food, water, or even something as simple as art supplies." Adding to this, he said, "If even one person walks away inspired to help someone else after seeing Spider-Man, I think I've done my job."
When creativity finds the net. PIC/NANDAKUMAR MARAR
THIS is the FIFA World Cup 2026 story for sports aficionado Nandakumar Marar who had a creative take on the recently-concluded final. Marar told this diarist, "I wanted to capture the essence of starry Spain outclassing angry Argentina in a mismatch final littered with cards. Lionel Messi's jersey displays the score, caused by the ball rocketing into the roof of the net, resulting in the match-winner." Marar's creative arrangement is on a blue cloth. It has a sprinkling of rajma beans describing the two team's initials.
The sabudana pearl strips, alternate with the blue background, which is the colour scheme for the Argentina jersey, and the score 1-0 is a Ten, made of mustard seeds, was the number on Messi's jersey. Masoor dal is used to show a star next to Spain, bright and colourful it depicts the joy of the champion nation. The Argentines deserve a moong dal âyellow card'. A dry nimbu (lemon) replicates the new-age official World Cup football. The border is made with kulfi sticks. Marar's FIFA fun captures not just the score but (Lamine) Yamal ka Kamaal, and some dhamaal. He said, "I experimented with a sprinkling of different dals and seeds." Just like the final though, there was the famous Argentina jersey No 10 but no sprinkling of Messi-ssippi masala. Check out Nandakumar Marar's Instagram handle @nandudesigns.
An independent zine by Himanshu (right) Visitors browse the stalls at a previous zine festival. Pics courtesy/Himanshu S
WHILE patrons are eagerly awaiting the return of the Bombay Zine Library, zine artist and Fluxus Chapel owner, Himanshu S confirmed that the 10th edition of the Bombay Zine Fest is on track.
"We are yet to decide on the dates, but registrations are open. We've always had great support, and are keen to carry on. If you are keen to submit a zine, send it to bombayunderground @gmail.com before August 30," he revealed.
