<h2>Nature finds a way</h2>
A touch of green brightens up a mural about the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-bmc-yet-to-secure-tree-in-middle-of-road-near-dahisar-station-locals-spark-concerns-23635167" rel="nofollow">Maximum City near Dahisar Subway</a>
<h2>Leaving art behind</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Graffiti-a_e.jpg" alt="Srushti Bansode creates on the board (right) the finished artwork. Pics Courtesy/@_srush_tea" width="1280" height="720" /> Srushti Bansode creates on the board (right) the finished artwork. Pics Courtesy/@_srush_tea
The sight of trash, leftover debris across the city and its adjoining urban areas, is a known phenomenon. So, it was no surprise that graffiti artist Srushti Bansode encountered her share of debris during a recent art escapade in Kalyan. The difference is that Bansode decided to turn it into a gift. &ldquo;I spotted this perfect square piece of wood, and decided to graffiti on it. We left it behind as a sign, and perhaps someone will pick it up to take that art further,&rdquo; she told this diarist.
<h2>Moroccan flair in Mumbai</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Alright-mela_e.jpg" alt="A moment from a music video by the band. Pic Courtesy/@Alright Mela on YouTube" width="1280" height="720" /> A moment from a music video by the band. Pic Courtesy/@Alright Mela on YouTube
The monsoon might be delayed, but music remains the flavour of the season this June. The French trio of Alright Mela will stopover in India for a tour with a powerful live act built around rhythm, trance, and their signature Gnawa nomadic influences. &nbsp;The band, founded by Markus, Cheb Xavi, and Gnawa artiste Jaouad El Garouge, will perform in the city on June 24 for the French Institute in India&rsquo;s Fete de la Musique 2026.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Alright-mela-a_e.jpg" alt="(From top left) Markus, Cheb Xavi, and Jaouad El Garouge" width="1280" height="720" /> (From top left) Markus, Cheb Xavi, and Jaouad El Garouge
They will perform as part of a three-band group, alongside baLLLad and Kelly ou Moi. While baLLLad will transform a public space into an immersive participatory performance, Kelly ou Moi will blend music and storytelling into an intimate showcase. &ldquo;Our<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/celebrity-life/luxury/article/vintage-charm-and-musical-vibes-a-look-inside-vedang-rainas-rented-mumbai-home-23634994" rel="nofollow"> music was born from unexpected encounters </a>between traditions, instruments, and influences from different parts of the world. What matters most to us is the collective energy of a live performance, and India feels like the kind of place where that energy can take us somewhere entirely new,&rdquo; shared Alright Mela.
<h2>Mangrove patrol</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Vasundhara-Gupta_e.jpg" alt="Vasundhara Gupte" width="1280" height="720" /> Vasundhara Gupte
Plastic pollution continues to threaten Vashi&rsquo;s mangroves, with volunteers warning that the scale of the crisis is far worse than most people realise. Around 30 volunteers from Urvari, a youth organisation, and Mangrove Marshal, the environment wing of Vrajj Foundation, recently conducted a clean-up drive near Sagar Vihar, removing plastic wrappers and other waste from the area. &ldquo;The waste we collected represents only a fraction of what remains. It is alarming that many people still fail to grasp the true extent of the problem,&rdquo; said Vasundhara Gupte, co-founder of Urvari. Rohitt Malhotra, founder of Mangrove Marshal, highlighted the persistence of the issue, saying, &ldquo;Every weekend we remove nearly half a truckload of garbage, yet it barely dents the problem. Single-use plastics, biomedical waste, diapers and sanitary pads make up much of what we find.&rdquo;
<h2>Stories that shaped her</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Love-Stories_e.jpg" alt="Pics Courtesy/Speaking Tiger" width="1280" height="720" />
Pics Courtesy/Speaking Tiger
Wendy Doniger (right), one of the world&rsquo;s foremost scholars of mythology and Hindu traditions, turns the lens inward in her memoir, For The Love Of Stories: Confessions of an Accidental Feminist (Speaking Tiger). Scheduled to release on June 25, it blends personal reflection with intellectual history, tracing her journey from New York to India, and beyond.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Wendy-Doniger_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Rich with anecdotes, humour and candour, the book explores academia, feminism, censorship and storytelling, while offering an intimate portrait of a life shaped by myths, memories and meaningful conversations.

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Nature finds a way

Leaving art behind

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier