Some epics continue to find a fan following, and The Mahabharata seems to have found a new generation of audiences in the distant shores of Italy. Musician Varijashree Venugopal joined fellow Indians BC Manjunath and G Guruprasanna on the Italian conductor Riccardo Nova’s eponymous opera in Cremona, Italy last Friday
Pic/Ashish Raje
Build my Bappa
Leading up to Ganeshotsav in the city, young participants shape eco-friendly Ganesh idols using shadu maati clay at a workshop in Mazgaon.
An epic opera in Italy
PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Some epics continue to find a fan following, and The Mahabharata seems to have found a new generation of audiences in the distant shores of Italy. Musician Varijashree Venugopal (below) joined fellow Indians BC Manjunath and G Guruprasanna on the Italian conductor Riccardo Nova’s eponymous opera in Cremona, Italy, last Friday. “The first time that Nova and I met was in fact when I was four-years-old. My father, celebrated flautist HS Venugopal, took me along with him for one of the rehearsals when he was in India,” Venugopal recalled. Though she has been working with Nova for almost a decade, the singer-composer added that the opera, with its blend of European music, Indian rhythms and Sanskrit, requires a different level of focus.
Jimmy, na jaa
Amidst news of iconic Fort-based Parsi café Jimmy Boy shutting shop, director of operations Shehzad Irani assured mid-day that the closure is a temporary hitch along the way. “We’re looking at options to set up an outpost in the vicinity. Moving a restaurant is quite different from relocating a shop. We’re taking our time but we’ll be back soon,” Irani confirmed.
A breakfast spread at Jimmy Boy’s popular venue in Fort. PICS COURTESY/@JIMMYBOYBOMBAY on Instagram
The 99-year-old cafe closed its doors after a recent BMC report deemed the building that housed the café unsafe. “Look around in a one-km radius around Jimmy Boy, and you’re bound to find multiple buildings that are in worse condition,” Irani remarked, adding that they’re fully cooperating with the official notice. This diarist also learnt that the iconic café’s Mahim outlet will now serve patrons from Colaba to Andheri depending on delivery partner availability. Baked favourites like cakes, pastries and puffs will be available at the Olive Greens outlet in Navy Nagar, Colaba. “One surprise side-effect of the news was the unprecedented outpour of love and wishes that patrons sent our way. We are touched by the love,” Irani told this diarist.
Tokyo calling
Frames from the exhibition in Japan. PIC COURTESY/PUSHPAMALA N
Indian artist Pushpamala N is currently exhibiting her photography work on feminist- women-centric roles in Indian cinema at Chanel Nexus Hall in Tokyo. She shared, “This is my first solo in Japan. It is in two parts — Dressing Up Part 1 in Kyotographie, which shows three sets of works based on history and mythology, while Dressing Up Part 2 in Tokyo shows three sets of cinematic works. Chanel has been funding Kyotographie for a long time, and presenting shows there. This is the first time that the same artist has been shown in Kyotographie and Nexus Hall, their gallery in Tokyo.”
Rap and rugby
Shreyas Sagvekar performs at the closing ceremony in Andheri. PIC COURTESY/Saurabh Narayan Rajam
Last Sunday, rapper Shreyas Sagvekar took Marathi hip-hop to the Rugby Premier League’s closing ceremony at an Andheri venue. Sagvekar is the voice behind the viral Taambdi Chaamdi tune that tasted unexpected worldwide fame earlier this year. He performed three rap songs to roaring cheers. “I was impressed by how many young spectators had shown up to cheer for a sport that is not widely popular in the country. It sparked an interest in me for the sport as well. It was equally surprising how many of them knew the lyrics to my songs. I’m looking forward to a month of new releases,” Sagvekar revealed to us.
Community bonds
A moment from a Pokemon event. PIC COURTESY/ANTHONY MENDES
Pokémon cards and Beyblade tops might evoke nostalgia in some of our young readers. Recently, a new Andheri-based club, Uhtend, organised events where attendees traded physical and digital Pokémon cards and set Beyblade tops spinning.
Anthony Mendes (inset), the founder of the club, told us, “The events helped in building a community of people who could revisit their hobbies in the company of like-minded fans. More than 40 people showed up for the Pokémon meet-up, while 24 participants attended the Beyblade tournament that was held at Cat Cafe Studio.” Those keen to join can reach out to @uhtend on Instagram.
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