<h2>Gauri on our mind</h2>
<p>A shopkeeper at Lalbaug in Parel sets a Gauri idol on a shelf, on the eve of Gauri puja as part of the ongoing <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/ganesh-chaturthi/" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Ganeshotsav</strong></a></p>
<h2>Second to none</h2>
<p><img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2023/sep/Axomat-championships_e.jpg" alt="The group earned praise for their self-made finale outfits" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>The group earned praise for their self-made finale outfits</em></strong></p>
<p>The All India K-pop Contest finally ended last weekend with a Delhi team taking the lead, followed by <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/search/mumbai-articles" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Mumbai</strong></a>&rsquo;s Axiom. As previously reported on this page, the five-member team faced multiple challenges including a last moment song change, one of their members undergoing a surgery, and having to shuttle between ongoing exams and rehearsals. The group of 20-year-olds managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. &ldquo;We did not have any expectations; in fact, we were more focused on enjoying the experience, and it was nothing short of a mini concert of our own. Axiom has a lot more to show and give back to the K-pop community,&rdquo; they shared with this diarist.</p>
<h2>Many a trip walking into town</h2>
<p><img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2023/sep/Water-pump_e.jpg" alt="A hydrant which is as low as a dachshund" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A hydrant which is as low as a dachshund</em></strong></p>
<p>A tipping point, the digital dictionary tells us, is defined as the point at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change. So, then what is a tripping point? Quite self-explanatory, really. This is what we thought this fire hydrant at Colaba Causeway was (you see these defunct hydrants at several spots in the city). Buried right into the pavement, this one had its head poking out. Much below eye level, it may cause passersby rushing through to experience a painful fall. What can we say except: it will be a trip down memory lane? And a not so pleasant one at that. Well, ouch.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/12-years-on-mumbai-police-rank-and-file-await-dream-homes-23310128" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Also read: 12 years on, Mumbai police rank-and-file await dream homes</strong></a></p>
<h2>Mural magic for Bappa</h2>
<p><img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2023/sep/Ganpati-art-ad_e.jpg" alt="The mural features the distinctive fa&ccedil;ade of Lord Ganesha with a Sanskrit verse" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>The mural features the distinctive fa&ccedil;ade of Lord Ganesha with a Sanskrit verse</em></strong></p>
<p>Amidst the gigantic idols that make an appearance in the city for the annual Ganeshotsav celebrations, we were equally thrilled to notice a humble, but colourful addition to the neighbourhood of Vile Parle last weekend. Along the busy Hanuman Road right next to Western Express Highway, graffiti artist, Rahul Maurya AKA Alchemy has created a mural to commemorate the elephant god. &ldquo;I had worked on this design earlier. When I walked past this old two-storey building in Vile Parle, I thought it would be the perfect setting. We worked on the walls for four days and finished it right in time for the festival. This was my way of representing the contribution of artists to the festival,&rdquo; shared Maurya.</p>
<h2>Mumbai&rsquo;s art call in Slovenia</h2>
<p><img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2023/sep/Tejswni-woodprint_e.jpg" alt="A woodcut print etching by Tejswini Narayan Sonawane at the biennale" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A woodcut print etching by Tejswini Narayan Sonawane at the biennale</em></strong></p>
<p>The recent Ljubljana Biennale saw an amchi Mumbai connection on the first week of the art festival. Artist Tejswini Narayan Sonawane was honoured with the Grand Prize for her exhibition that captured the theme of femininity and migrants. Submitted through the city-based gallery, Gallery Art and Soul, Sonawane&rsquo;s work impressed the jury.</p>
<p><img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2023/sep/Sonawane_e.jpg" alt="Sonawane (centre) receives the Grand Prize from the jury" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Sonawane (centre) receives the Grand Prize from the jury</em></strong></p>
<p>&ldquo;They were moved and told me that [they] felt a soulful connection to the works,&rdquo; shared the Sir JJ School of Arts alumnus. Her work featured woodcuts and etching prints on cloth, a signature of the artist. &ldquo;I have also been invited to the next biennale with a solo show, and will be part of the residency programme till then,&rdquo; she told this diarist.</p>
<h2>Not bad for a debut tournament</h2>
<p><img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2023/sep/Sandeep-Mohan_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>Back in March, we had written about filmmaker Sandeep Mohan&rsquo;s (right) ventures with the sport of badminton. Mohan had participated and finished with a bronze medal at the 45th Indian Masters (Veterans) National Badminton Tournament. It allowed him to qualify and participate in the World Championship held from September 11 to 17 in South Korea. Sadly, Mohan&rsquo;s debut on the international stage did not earn him a medal. &ldquo;We [Mohan and his doubles partner Ashish Khedikar] lost in the pre-quarterfinals to the third seeds from Denmark and Norway. We took the first set, which is a slight comfort,&rdquo; shared the filmmaker. &ldquo;The level is definitely higher. The eventual winner in the singles category was a yesteryear great, Tony Gunawan,&rdquo; said Mohan, &nbsp;who now plans to participate in the next tournament as well.</p><p>
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Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

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