Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

A republic of masksItrsquos safety first as police personnel take part in a dress rehearsal for the 72nd Republic Day celebrations at Shivaji Park on SaturdayA unique sign by RahmanAR RahmanIf Instagram is anything to go by then ace composer AR Rahman is now collaborating with a new AampR artists and repertoire firm called Sign India Founded my poet and writer Nirmika Singh the platformrsquos flagship IP Futureproof which is spearheaded by Rahman is a series that focuses on the future of cinema and takes a deep dive into the processes that govern the representation of Indian cinema internationally They are also representing others like actors Ruhi Singh and Tik Tok star Mr FaisuNirmika SinghWhen we spoke to Singh she said ldquoSign plugs a very pressing need gap in the music industry todaythat of AampR which is artistes amp repertoire an oftenneglected aspect in the current world of numbers and views Our aim is to empower artistes with creative resources and shape their artistry in unique and memorable ways I am also very happy that Sign represents Rahman sirrsquos creative initiatives His faith goes a long way in cementing a bright future for the abundant talent in IndiardquoChintu guided Jinks tooChintamani G Vaidya encircled with his Kanga League lsquoBrsquo divisionwinning Sunder Cricket Club in 1985There is no better satisfaction for a coach than to see his ward climb to the very top Thatrsquos where Indiarsquos standin cricket captain Ajinkya Rahane is after guiding India to their second series win in Australia Chintamani G Vaidya who was a prominent name in local cricket in the 1970s and 1980s is thrilled over Rahanersquos rise For it was he the former Bombay University player who coached young Rahane at the Mumbai Cricket Associationrsquos under16 camp at Kalyan in the early 2000sAjinkya Rahane PicGetty ImagesVaidya took to Facebook on Friday to let his friends know of the small role he played in Rahanersquos formative years Vaidya according to his Podar College Matunga teammate Avadhoot Zarapkar was a fine batsman and slip fielder also called the Gavaskar of Kalyan ldquoI remember Chintu coming all the way from Kalyan for our college nets that started at 7 am and he was invariably there well before timerdquo recalled Zarapkar Rahane is not known to fall short of dedication and commitment Vaidya tooThis weekrsquos light momentsThe week that gave us two memeworthy eventsldquoto collect water in the basins of my collarbonerdquo and Bernie Sanders and his mittensaw the best coming together of two worlds American politician Sanders resting in those collarbones However lest we forget that we are in the middle of a pandemic the most hilarious response to the collarbone water harvesting comes from Mumbairsquos Dr Lancelot Pinto consultant respirologist at the PD Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre Dr Pinto whom we have consulted for expert advice through the pandemic tweeted on a lighter note ldquoFrequent handwashing will always be a good idea But avoid doing it from the basins of your collarbones you need more water than that for a good handwashrdquo Now wersquod take this advice seriouslyRoyal China is back in BandraIn 2017 the Hill Road outpost of Royal China shut down due to a lease issue Four years later itrsquos making a comeback ldquoMumbai has been a favourable market for us since the beginning Infact we recently launched our first ever cloud kitchen for Royal China and Kuai in BKC And now we want to expand further Itrsquos about bringing back the iconic dining experience in the heart of Bandrardquo says the culinary firmrsquos director Neville Vazifdar The restaurant will open later this monthGanjad tribals going placesWarli artists and brothers Mayur and Tushar Vayeda who hail from Ganjad village in Dahanu have scripted a success story which is one of a kind The duo known to work on every canvas together is constantly adapting the Warli style to create new meanings and symbols Their journey from a tiny village to Mumbai and later even to Japan where they spent a long time at an artistrsquos residency is now being brought to life in a new book The Deep by Tara Books which was launched virtually on SaturdayMayur VayedaldquoIt doesnrsquot just have illustrations in Warli but also reflects on the many experiences we had during our travelsrdquo Mayur told this diarist Whatrsquos interesting is that the handbound book has been silkscreenprinted by hand on recycled cotton paperTushar VayedaThe marbling pattern on each cover is also made by capturing colour on the surface of water at a moment in time While the brothers are constantly trying to push the boundaries with Warli art the goal says Mayur is ldquoto present it using traditional materialsrdquo so that the experience authentic ldquoThe publishers have tried to the same hererdquo