Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Dark secrets
All those of you who would go blank the moment your sci-fi-loving friend would mouth gyaan about ‘dark matter', this is your chance to get even.

Professor Basudeb Dasgupta, a dark matter aficionado, will hold a session at Kitab Khana today on this relatively new area of physics that forms 80% of all matter, believed to be one of the greatest mysteries of science.

Professor Dasgupta will share his passion and reveal a few glimpses into his practice that will hopefully, open up windows to the endless possibilities that lie out there.

A taste of India at T2
This month, if you have relatives flying in from overseas, we suggest you ask them to drop in at the GVK Lounge at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport's Terminal 2 before heading into the city.

A live mukhwaas counter

There, they'll get a chance to check out indigenous handicrafts and relish flavours from Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bengal, Punjab, South Indian and Mumbai - courtesy The Indian Touch, an ongoing fest at the lounge, operated by Travel Food Services and Performa. The guests can embark on a walk-through to catch some live action, which includes an artisan working on a loom, puppet-making and even take selfies with a Kathakali dancer.

A Kathakali dancer

While at it, they can tuck into Prawn Koliwada, Bengali Chingri-Malai, Rajasthani Laal Maas and Kashmiri Dum Aloo. Wash it down with Aam Panna Martini or Kokum Fizz. A memorable Indian welcome, this.

Being second to none
In 2014, Jhaveri Contemporary showed 55 original photographs by Sri Lankan modernist Lionel Wendt at the prestigious Frieze Masters. It was the first time that such a comprehensive exhibition had been seen outside Asia.

Yakshi (1984) by Mrinalini Mukherjee

But, the Jhaveri sisters - Priya and Amrita - are not the kind to rest on their laurels. Now, their young gallery has entered Frieze Masters - known for its elegance and contemporary perspectives on historical art - for the second time, making them the only Indian gallery so far to do so.

This October, they will show three fiber works and one ceramic piece by noted sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee in the spotlight section at Frieze Masters. "We are so excited and honoured to exhibit rare works by Mrinalini at Frieze Masters. Frieze Masters is a beautiful and important fair and as a young gallery, we're really fortunate to be among the heavy hitters. It's also a real feat to access the material we have - three works in fibre - by the artist."

I've saved a seat for you

Pic/Satej Shinde

Actress Radhika Apte caught in a candid moment by our photographer at an event held yesterday to promote her upcoming film in which she plays an uneducated woman unable to bear children.

Vir Das fires up the net
The Indian stand up scene cannot be imagined without Vir Das, the man who made it cool before it was cool. Now, there is another international laurel in the comedian's hat.

After two successful tours in America, Das becomes the first Indian comedian to have a Netflix Original Comedy Special. Netflix has, in the past, produced a select number of comedy specials with top comedians in the world like Kevin Hart, Louis CK, Russell Peters. The Special will soon be filmed in India, in his hometown Delhi. The show will be streamed on Netflix across over 100 countries.

When First Ladies shared the stage
On the last leg of her term as FLOTUS (First Lady Of The United States), Michelle Obama (centre) shared the same stage as former First Lady, Laura Bush (left) at America's First Ladies in Service to our Nation conference in Washington.

Both women spoke on a range of topics from military service to mental health. Going by her official Twitter account, she sure left a telling impression on the audience. FLOTUS rocks!