The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
PIC/RANE ASHISH
Heights of Divinity
A newly inaugurated 20-ft-tall crucifix, built in the memory of local benefactor Catherine Baptista Quinny, stands tall in Worli Village.
Bend it like Maddy
R Madhavan plays the sitar in the movie. PIC COURTESY/NETFLIX INDIA
Bollywood has come a long way from Salman Khan strumming an unplugged electric guitar in O Oh Jaane Jaana (1999) to R Madhavan taking sitar classes before acing his part in Aap Jaisa Koi (2025). When this diarist reached out to Mumbai-based sitarist Megha Rawoot (inset), who trained the actor at an Andheri studio, she revealed, “Madhavan was nervous because he had never learnt an instrument before. The piece we worked on was challenging even for seasoned musicians.” The sitarist, who recently trained pop star Ed Sheeran, admitted the British sensation was a better student. To Madhavan’s credit, he was only expected to get the hand movements right so it looked natural on screen. “But by the end of our sessions, he was able to play some part of the composition,” she revealed. As for her fangirl moment, Rawoot shared, “I waited until our lessons were done to tell him how amazing he is as an actor. ‘And you’re a wonderful teacher,’ he replied in classic Maddy style. I was gushing.”
Paws for freedom
A moment from a previous Independence Day parade. PIC COURTESY/DOG’s WORLD
Tails will be wagging high and proud this Independence Day at Meadow Cirlce, Thane. More than 100 pet parents accompanied by their furry friends will take over the streets for a half-km Independence Day pet parade ending at Khewra Circle. “Last year, we had some interesting domesticated animals like cows, horses and iguanas, beyond cats and dogs. We are open to all species of legally owned pets who wish to join us in the celebrations,” a member of organising group, Dog’s World Thane, told us. With registrations crossing the 100 mark last year, the group is hoping to break its own record this Friday.
Conversations on conservation
A view of a section of the FD Alpaiwalla Museum. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE
With the Independence Day week looming, the FD Alpaiwalla Museum in Khareghat Colony is set to host their inaugural lecture today. Understandably, restoration architect Abha Narain Lambah will lead the talk, along with fellow architect Kruti Garg. “Abha [Narain Lambah] has been a key contributor to the restoration and conservation work of the museum,” shared Dr Pheroza Godrej, advisor, FD Alpaiwalla Museum.
Dr Pheroza Godrej (right) Abha Narain Lambah
The talk will revolve around the museum, the evolution of the project, and the legacy of the Parsi community at the heart of it. “The community will also be a key part of the upcoming talk on Dadabhai Naoroji by Dinyar Patel at the Premchand Roychand Gallery of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya on August 14, a timely conversation on the Independence Movement and the role of the Parsi community,” Dr Godrej added.
The silent sentinel
(From left) Indrajeet Ghorpade and Reeta Ramamurthy. PICS COURTESY/INSTAGRAM
Reeta Ramamurthy and debutant author Indrajeet Ghorpade’s new title is an ode to an old warrior. Murarirao Ghorpade: The Accidental Catalyst Behind Robert Clive’s March Over India depicts the story of the eponymous Maratha warrior whose actions at the Battle of Arcot inadvertently led to the formation of British Raj in India. Set against the backdrop of 18th century Deccan, it explores themes of loyalty, thrilling military conquests and espionage.
From Elephanta to Byculla
(Left and right) The stone elephant is exhibited near the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum
With festival season here, and public holidays on the rise this time of the year, it’s a given that families will visit tourist attractions like Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo in Byculla. While the blockbuster draws are the Humboldt Penguins, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the crocodiles, don’t forget this one special elephant that stands a few metres away from all the live action. We are referring to the stone elephant near the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum. It once stood at the entrance to the Rajbunder Jetty on Elephanta Island. Home to the carved monolithic Hindu sculptures depicting key events in Lord Shiva’s life, these stunning rock-cut temple caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1864, the British tried to relocate this elephant to England. The crane gave way, and the elephant shattered into several pieces. These sections were brought to Rani Baug (then Victoria Gardens) where Sir George Birdwood, then curator of the museum, meticulously pieced it back to its current shape and form. Now, that’s an elephantine effort.
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