The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Pic/Ashish Raje
Charmer of a Snake
Ahead of the festival of Nag Panchami (July 29), artist Vinayak Dahitule applies final touches to a snake idol at Lalbaug
Swim till dawn
Participants prepare for the event. Pic Courtesy/MSS
The Mumbai Sea Swimmers’ (MSS) annual event of Dusk To Dawn might as well change its name. “Well, it has almost become Dusk to Dusk,” laughed co-founder Minesh Babla, sharing that the event, to be held in September in Dombivli, will now take place over a complete day. “This is a 24-hour version. The interesting part is that there are more swimmers participating in the longer endurance events than ever before,” he added. The session will also have Rupali Repale — the youngest swimmer to cross the English Channel in 1994 — joining in with her swim academy to oversee proceedings. With 12 swimmers attempting to swim for 12 hours, and over 100 participants already, the event has attracted its largest crowd. “It is comforting to know that the suburbs have started taking endurance swimming seriously,” revealed Babla.
Desert sounds in the Maximum City
(From left) Sadik Khan, Asin Khan, Tarini Tripathi (kneeling) and Zakir Khan in performance
Ever heard the sarangi in a duet with the saxophone? You might have a rare opportunity to do so on August 8 when the trio of SAZ (Sadiq, Asin and Zakir Khan) return to Mumbai for a performance of SAZ and Friends: When the Desert Plays. Hosted by Avid Learning along with Jodhpur RIFF, the perform-ances are part of the showcase comm-issioned by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, Jodhpur.
Rhys Sebastian. Pics Courtesy/Jodhpur RIFF; OIJO, Instagram
The trip will open the evening with Rang-e-Thar, followed by Inayat: A Duet for Four — a collaboration with Kathak danseuse Tarini Tripathi’s Kathak, adding texture to Rajasthani folk songs and Sufi kalaams. The finale will arrive with another Jodhpur RIFF commission, Mumbai-based saxophonist Rhys Sebastian teaming up with the trio in a performance titled The Cool Desert Project.
“SAZ have emerged through Jodhpur RIFF, as a brilliant trio. And their commissioned collaborations with Tarini Tripathi (kathak) and Rhys Sebastian (jazz) have proven to be very, very successful. When enjoyed together with SAZ’s own traditional/ original work, the three performances are thrilling and reflect the spirit of collaboration, the festival’s willingness to present music across genres and our commitment as a platform to positively impacting the livelihood of Rajasthani folk artists,” shared Divya Bhatia (above, inset), festival director, Jodhpur RIFF.
Hop, skip, and jump to fitness
A moment from the skipping session at Carter Road last Sunday. Pic Courtesy/Skip Revolution Club
If you have noticed quite a few youngsters armed with ropes at Carter Road in recent weekends, worry not. They are the latest in a long line of fitness enthusiasts who make the promenade their hub. Chetan Tambe, co-founder, The Skip Revolution Club, said, “I would often go to the promenade and shoot my videos. I noticed there are multiple running groups. But running in this city comes with its own issues. From pollution, to broken down pathways and the weather can be a challenge. The solution, Tambe found, was in skipping.
“It is a fun, interactive way to build mobility, and is scientifically proven to improve your cardiovascular health. It can also be applied to people across age groups,” shared the Jogeshwari-resident. Though the group started as an informal gathering, the response over the last few weeks has prompted them to start registrations. Those looking to join in, can head to @skip_revolution_club on Instagram for more details.
Once upon a mystery
Readers buried in books at the Vile Parle space
A bookshop and reading room in Vile Parle is hosting a special session for mystery lovers. Book Garden is hosting a bring-your-own book public reading session called Cozy Mysteries, an idea initiated by Anika Bhuta, a regular at the reading space. “The basic idea is for people to bring in books that fit the genre of cosy mysteries, discuss their favourite part in those books, what made them pick that book and why they prefer that genre,” Tanmayee Thakur, founder, Book Garden, told this diarist. With the session already housefull, keep your eye on @book_garden_ for future events.
Now in braille
Visually-impaired readers access an edition of the magazine
There will be stories galore for Mumbai’s braille readers this month. City-based monthly braille magazine White Print will soon expand its content pool with some help from well-wishers and volunteers. “Since we are a small team, it’s difficult to hire full-time writers. That’s when we turn to authors who wish to see their writings reach new audiences with visual impairment. The city has been kind with its sustained contributions, now we look to build on it,” shared founder Upasana Makati (right). Those keen to submit their stories can reach out to her at whiteprint.in for details.
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