The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Pic/Ashish Raje
Twenty, and growing taller
Readers at the bookstore
In a city that rarely pauses, a children’s book space in Prabhadevi quietly marked two decades. Co-founder Sangeeta Bhansali reflected as Kahaani Tree turned 20 on April 4. “This was something so out-of-the-blue. Back when I started in 2006, there were hardly any dedicated literature spaces or bookstores around town, especially for kids.
Messages of appreciation and notes displayed by regulars during the celebration. Pics courtesy/Kahani Tree
Even in the ever-growing digital space, we don’t see many bookstores that are only for children. To my surprise, the space was full of illustrators, authors, library educators, and publishers like Deepa Balsavar, Richa Jha, Tanvi Bhat, Lubaina Bandukwala.” Many of the children who once sat cross-legged when the store first opened have since returned, only taller and older now, she reminisced.
Meet the young notaphilist
Early notes after the Independence (right) a 1874 silver coin by the British East India Company. Pics courtesy/Ved Singh
Ved Singh, a 22-year-old MBBS student from Pune has a unique passion as a collector. For him, it is currency, specifically, notes and coins spanning from the East India Company era to early issues of Independent India.
“I’ve always been fascinated by travel, photography, and world cultures. My passion for collecting banknotes began in childhood when my mother gifted me my first currency album. That moment sparked something within that has never faded. Till now, I have collected banknotes from 195 countries, plus several territories and unrecognised nations; I have over 3000 unique notes in total,” revealed Singh.
Like father, like son
Sukant Deepak. Pic courtesy/Yasmin Hussain
Culture writer and translator Sukant Deepak has been awarded the Karan Singh Foundation Fellowship for Translation. His next project will be a translation of select stories by his father, Swadesh Deepak — a pioneering Hindi writer who explored anxiety and social insight through his works. Swadesh was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder. “Translating my father’s stories is both a tribute to his work and an effort to understand his world,” shared Sukant, who previously translated his father’s works for the anthology, A Bouquet of Dead Flowers (Speaking Tiger).
Hit the right note
Participants and attendees sing together on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the centre. Pics courtesy/Yash Charitable Trust
Yash Charitable Trust will host its first karaoke night with a purpose on April 11 at its centre in Vile Parle inviting anyone in the city to take the mic for something more meaningful. “Open to all, and not just neurodivergent individuals, the event aims to create an inclusive space. Since this is the first time we are doing it, it is a free and open night to promote awareness and to spread more awareness regarding the topic,” said founder and managing trustee Sushama Nagarkar.
Sushama Nagarkar
Each participant gets about three minutes to sing, sway, or simply soak in the music. Café Arpan will keep the snack counter stocked with thoughtfully prepared treats. For more details check out @yashcharitabletrust.
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