The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Pic/Satej Shinde
Ho Ho Ho... Mee Mumbaikar
An inflated Santa Claus balloon at a divider on Hill Road, Bandra West is a reminder that Christmas is around the corner
When Queen Marians assemble
The Tata Theatre at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman Point will see an assemblage of well-established women from The Queen Marian Association of ex-students today (December 11), who will gather to celebrate 150 years of their alma mater, Queen Mary School, located in Girgaon.
Persis Madon, Pravina Mecklai and Brinda Miller
Pravina Mecklai, veteran gallerist, convener of the event, and a school alumna, was excited about the big celebration. “The idea for this get-together stemmed from the desire to tap into the abilities and accomplishments of our alumni,” she informed us.
Geeta Kantawala in a rehearsal. Pic courtesy/Manasi Sheth (right) Shaina NC. File pic/Shadab Khan
“The evening begins with an Art Walk on the upper foyer of NCPA’s Tata Theatre by Queen Marian artists, Ayesha Taleyarkhan and Brinda Miller, among others. The Alumni Choir will perform hymns, followed by a chat with authors Shobhaa De and Bhawana Somaya.”
Shabana Azmi. Pic/Getty Images (right) Shobhaa De
Mecklai herself will have a natter alongside Dr Shirin Irani, a women’s health specialist, ace swimmer Persis Madon, corporate law expert Rea Zaiwala, and entrepreneur Devita Saraf. “Eminent fashion designer and politician Shaina NC will also attend; her outfits will be showcased in a fashion show by Queen Marians (alumnae) of all ages, the eldest being 80-year-old Geeta Kantawala. “The finale will witness actor Shabana Azmi in her acclaimed play, Broken Images,” Mecklai revealed. Now that’s what we call a queen-sized gathering.
Parkinson’s can’t bother Border
Allan Border. Pic/Getty Images
What happens when old foes like legendary England all-rounder Ian Botham and iconic Australian captain Allan Border (both 70) meet? Nostalgia flows, of course with leg-pulling thrown in and some talk about the not-so-good present times. Border was recently invited as a guest on the Beefy & Beaumont Old Boys New Balls! podcast. Bill Beaumont is an English rugby stalwart. Botham was also Border’s teammate at Queensland in 1987-88. Border has been battling Parkinson’s since 2016, and typical of the gritty former captain, he isn’t complaining. “It’s very hard to control as a result of the problem of parts. I call it living with Parkinson’s rather than suffering from it,” says Border. “It’s not a bad life cycle. People still play a game of golf.” That Border is a commentator for the ongoing Ashes series is proof that he isn’t allowing Parkinson’s to affect his life too much, slight slurring notwithstanding. And that’s no surprise, considering Border is the captain, who in the words of celebrated cricket writer Mike Coward, gave “Australian cricket the kiss of life.”
The magic of Mahakali Caves
Dr Suraj A Pandit (centre) addresses participants during the walk. Pic courtesy/Department of AIC and Archaeology, Sathaye College
It is imperative that citizens know and learn more about [the richness] of our cultural heritage in this city,” this diarist was told by Dr Suraj A Pandit, Vice Principal of Parle Tilak Vidyalaya Association’s (PTVA) Sathaye College, Vile Parle. The academician conducted a heritage walk at Mahakali Caves, Andheri East last week. Recounting the visit, Dr Pandit shared, “It was part of the Archaeology Fortnight Celebration, held in honour of renowned Indian archaeologist, Professor HD Sankalia’s 117th birth anniversary. I introduced participants to the site’s archaeological history, highlighting its significance in the context of ancient Indian art, and how the architecture within reflects the evolution of Buddhism.”
Words that spark change
Safeena Husain, Nandita Das and Inakshi Sobti. File pics
It was a busy Wednesday in Worli as the Asia Society India Centre and Dalberg launched Re: Orient, a series of six episodes featuring 26 experts across diverse fields to discuss the developmental challenges facing South Asia. The first session witnessed filmmaker Nandita Das joining Apar Gupta, founder director Internet Freedom Foundation, and Safeena Husain, founder of Educate Girls in a riveting conversation. “Each episode brings together voices that do not often share a platform and invites them to think across their own fields,” Inakshi Sobti, CEO, Asia Society India Centre, told this diarist.
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