Mumbai Diary: Friday Dossier

Lock, stock, and barrel

The pouring rain is no deterrent to these boys playing cricket at Shivaji Park

Music, masti, and drama

A moment from the rehearsals. Pics Courtesy/@anushamani; @mrids_

Singer Anusha Mani has caught a serious bug — the acting bug. After making her acting debut in the OTT series, Hai Junoon, last year, the singer followed it up with a stage debut with Model Town Deewaney on Wednesday, and at Prithvi Theatre to boot.

Pankaj, Mridula Tripathi and Anusha Mani

“I never wanted to act, let alone do theatre. But life has a strange way of making things happen. I met Pankaj [Tripathi] sir briefly earlier this year, and he was producing the musical with his group, Roopkatha Rangmanch,” Mani shared. Produced by Pankaj and Mridula Tripathi, directed by Mukti Das, the play is built around two short stories by Harishankar Parsai. For those who missed it, the troupe will return to the city for another show on September 27, the singer told this diarist.

All about Shikhandi

The cast gets together for a reading of the script before the showcase. Pics courtesy/KArwan Theatre

A slice of mythology is set to glide into into an immersive session of conversations and entertainment. This evening, artiste-producer Samikssha Bhatnagar (right), in collaboration with The Trans Café in Andheri, is hosting the Shikhandi Table, where members of the transgender community will share life stories and reflect on Shikhandi, the Mahabharata warrior associated with courage, gender transformation and Bhishma’s defeat.

“Audiences were curious about our play, Shikhandi, and the characters who shaped the story. That curiosity inspired us to create this intimate gathering,” Bhatnagar told us. Guests can meet the artiste, enjoy delish fare, participate in games and stand a chance to win discounts on tickets to watch the show scheduled for September 26.

Ganpati’s ocean adventure

Marine decorations at the Ganesh pandal at the Chitnis family home

This diarist was happy to stumble upon the Chitnis family’s green Ganeshotsav themes in Parel. Since 1970, the family has used creative film-like scenes during the celebrations to highlight pressing social issues.

A mooshak collects trash. Pics Courtesy/@aksharganeshkalakar

This year’s theme, ‘We are Mumbaikars too,’ draws attention to Mumbai’s hidden intertidal biodiversity through an installation made from recycled materials. The Bombayana sea slug, rediscovered near Haji Ali Dargah in 2018, is among the marine creatures featured.

The recent garbage accumulation at Juhu Beach also inspired the display. Abhishek Chitnis (right) shared, “The sea slug is a Mumbaikar. It is a part of us.” Protecting these creatures also means safeguarding Mumbai’s ecological future for the coming generations.

Deco, a book!

The city’s first moment of architectural self-determination finds new voice in Art Deco Mumbai: Writings on a Modern City (Bloomsbury), an anthology of essays from historians, researchers, and architects.

The first comprehensive title about these UNESCO World Heritage Site landmarks, the anthology is shaped by Atul Kumar (above left), founder-trustee Art Deco Mumbai, and Mustansir Dalvi (above, right), professor, Sir JJ School of Architecture.

* This article was originally published here