Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Remembering TaiExactly a fortnight ago Marathi theatre lost its mentor philosopher and guide mdash Sulabha Deshpande To commemorate her contribution the actorrsquos family and close friends attended a Smriti Sabha at the Yashwant Nitya Mandir in Matunga organised by the Awishkar Theatre Group that she Sulabha and her husband Arvind Deshpande were closely associated withMusic composer Rahul Ranade right and actordirector Vijay Kenkre second right are all ears as Ratna Pathak Shah engages them in a conversation at a memorial for Sulabha Deshpande last evening Husband Naseeruddin Shah centre was also in attendance PicPradeep DhivarThe ceremony that saw her students drop by mdash some of whom she had taught as early as 1958 mdash as well as her family and friends mdash was attended by renowned names in the theatre circuit Actors like Naseeruddin Shah and wife Ratna Pathak Shah and Sulabha Arya made time on a Monday evening to spend in the company of Deshpandersquos memoriesThe group reminisced about some of the veteran actorrsquos finest performances mdash memories that brought to light examples of her selflessness and the profound joy that she found in her work For a while it magically felt like lsquoTairsquo was part of the group chuckling at the memories of herself flashing her wide eartoear smile that she will always be remembered forLetrsquos raise a BroastSeems like fast food in Mumbai is all set to get more exciting Another American fast food chain the Genuine Broaster Chicken is on its way to IndiaFrom what this diarist has heard so far the 60yearold company is all set to launch in India in the first week of July with an outlet in Versova Andheri It has already tied up with an Indian chef to churn out a few desi avatars of its American versions mdash we hope to tuck into bad boys real soonBut what got us really interested is the companyrsquos proprietary cooking process that involves dipping chicken pieces in a marinade and then frying them in a unique appliance thatrsquos part fryer part pressure cooker Its founder LAM Phelan called the process Broasting and its products as broaster chickenHeart of darknessNow that it has been established that the Islamist terror attack on Pulse Orlandorsquos gay pub it has the LGBTQ community everywhere on the edge For it and its supporters a club is more than a place to schmooze and cruisePallav Patankar and Sushant DivgikarBright lights pulsating music and flirtatious vibe notwithstanding these spaces are as much about activism as are for rainbow flag waving crusading parades known as Pride So with shockwaves reverberating in Mumbai too out actor Sushant Divgikar said that the US LGBT community has always been trailblazers for the rest of the world so the attack feels personalSushant recalls his friends in the US suggesting that he drop by and make a visit to Pulse but he hasnrsquot managed so far Even for Pallav Patankar of Mumbairsquos Humsafar Trust working for LGBT rights Pulse remains iconic although he says he has frequented other gay clubs in the US not this one in particularToday as the shadow of death falls across the rainbow and soft peddlers continue calling it a hate crime instead of saying it like it is mdash killing homosexuals for an Islamic motive mdash it is a moment of sobriety for a shaken up communityCulinary high in small dosesGourmands with tiny appetites have much to rejoice The duo behind Restaurant Week India Mangal Dalal and Nachiket Shetye have just announced their new culinary venture Small Plates Week that opens later this weekNachiket Shetye and Mangal DalalIt includes smaller portions of different types of food ldquoThis will be from a menu crafted specially by the chef and Cellar Door It allows the diner to experience the culinary philosophy of the establishment without having having to break the bankSmall Plates are also great for sharing and enjoying over conversation with friends and familyrdquo adds Shetye The Week will provide for unique dining experiences across 15 select restaurants offering a taste of each eateryrsquos signature fare plus two dishes made exclusively by their chefs for the Week and its guestsrsquoCause we singPicBipin KokateMusic artiste Mamta Sharma wowed the crowds at a concert titled Music for a Cause organised by The Cancer Patients Aid Association CPAA to create awareness about the illeffects of tobacco held at Birla Matushri SabhagarMarine Lines over the weekend Others who performed included music trio ShankarEhsaanLoy Aditi Singh Sharma Akriti Kakkar and Shadab FaridiIt takes two to tangoTop Deputy Consul GeneralArgentina Andrea Alba Gonzalez tries listening to Nira Benegal right amid the din as husband Shyam Benegal centre looks on left Couple sets the dance floor on fire with their movesPicsAtul KambleThe celebration over the weekend was part of an event centred on Argentina held at a South American themed restaurant in BKCPower walkPicSatej ShindeLeft Anand Mahindra and Neeraj Bajaj attend the IMC Ladies Wing AGM and awards presentation at a SoBo fivestar last evening