<h2>At Ease, Griffin</h2>
Tourists click photographs as a Griffin stands watch at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
<h2>Class act for 50 years</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Veera-Rani_e.jpg" alt="A moment from the play Veera Rani Abbakka by Ank. Pics Courtesy/Ank Theatre" width="1280" height="720" /> A moment from the play Veera Rani Abbakka by Ank. Pics Courtesy/Ank Theatre
Fifty years of theatre calls for a fitting celebration. Founded by Dinesh Thakur (right) in 1976, the theatre group Ank marks its golden jubilee, bringing history to the stage by presenting Veera Rani Abbakka, its new production. The play revisits the 16th-century Ullala ruler who took on the Portuguese navy in her fight to protect her kingdom&rsquo;s sovereignty.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Dinesh-Thakur_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
The performances start from September 18, and continue through October. Writer-director Preeta Mathur Thakur shared, &ldquo;That a woman from a small coastal kingdom could stand up to a powerful foreign force is a story that deserves to be known, remembered and experienced on stage.&rdquo; Here&rsquo;s wishing another 50 to the theatre group that continues to break new ground.
<h2>Rollin&rsquo; it back</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/AP-Dhillon_e.jpg" alt="AP Dhillon in performance. Pic Courtesy/@apdhillon" width="1280" height="720" /> AP Dhillon in performance. Pic Courtesy/@apdhillon
After a successful debut, Rolling Loud will return to Mumbai shores. The festival will follow its Navi Mumbai debut last year with a two-day showcase on December 13 and 14. While the line-up for the festival is yet to be announced, the grapevine is already abuzz.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Rolling-Loud-concert_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Known for slotting international acts with desi hits, the showcase has witnessed names like Wiz Khalifa, Cee, DIVINE, and Yung Raja. If the rumours are to be believed, Mumbai fans might do well to prepare for Metro Boomin and AP Dhillon to take the Mumbai stage this year.
<h2>Go Keralam in SoBo</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Kerala-food-a_e.jpg" alt="A view of the restaurant in Lower Parel. Pics/Ashish Raje" width="1280" height="720" /> A view of the restaurant in Lower Parel. Pics/Ashish Raje
Soon, SoBo might have to witness an achappam versus croissants battle, courtesy Kerala Quarters. The Lower Parel favourite is shifting base to the art district in the coming months. Having opened in 2024, the restaurant soon found popular appeal through its regional fare from achappams to Chemmeen Koonthal Tawa Roast (above inset) and cocktails with Malabari twists.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Kerala-food_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
&ldquo;Yes, we are on the move,&rdquo; confirmed owner and restaurateur Pankaj Gupta (below). While the exact location is to be confirmed, this diarist can reveal that the restaurant&rsquo;s next destination will be in Kala Ghoda. &ldquo;We are looking at the neighbourhood around Kala Ghoda and Fort. Rest assured, we will retain the vibe, the flavours, and the menu,&rdquo; Gupta added.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Pankaj-Gupta_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
SoBo is not the only new destination. The restaurateur revealed that this move is part of a three-city expansion. &ldquo;We are also looking at spaces in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Hopefully, we shall have more news soon,&rdquo; he told this diarist.
<h2>The Dalai Lama in ink</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Dalai-Lama_e.jpg" alt="Pics Courtesy/HarperCollins India; File pics" width="1280" height="720" /> Pics Courtesy/HarperCollins India; File pics
He was born with great power, and took on great responsibility. If you thought Spider-Man, you are wrong. His Holiness The Dalai Lama is the subject of the latest graphic novel, The Path of The Dalai Lama (HarperCollins India) by Tom Taylor and Maty&aacute;&scaron; &nbsp;Namai. The graphic novel brings to life his extraordinary journey as a young boy from Tibet, leading the Tibetan people in exile, and becoming an advocate of peace in the 21st Century.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Dalai-Lama-book_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Namai previously illustrated an edition of George Orwell&rsquo;s 1984: The Graphic Novel, and Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad, has turned to Tibetan Buddhist art style for inspiration. &ldquo;Capturing a life so vastly inspirational and impactful is no small task, and this authorised graphic representation does it beautifully, bringing his story to readers through art as moving as the life it portrays,&rdquo; shared Poulomi Chatterjee, executive publisher, HarperCollins India.&nbsp;

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce: Tourists click photographs as Griffin stands watch at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquaters

Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier | The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai weather update: Light to moderate rain likely in city and suburbs on Saturday

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

At Ease, Griffin

Class act for 50 years

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