Mumbai Diary: Wednesday whispers

Think pink
On your marks, set, flamingo! The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is conducting a Flamingo Watch at the Sewri Mudflats on Sunday, January 11.

Every year in winter, Lesser Flamingos and other birds migrate from the Rann of Kutch in Rajasthan to the warmer weather in Mumbai and feed on the mudflats. They are mostly seen at Sewri, but in the past few years, they have also been seen at Airoli. This picture was taken in Airoli. Pic/Sameer Markande

The BNHS says this is a unique opportunity to view graceful Lesser Flamingos and Greater Flamingos feeding at the Sewri mudflats. Sewri is also the place for many migratory birds such as Broad-billed Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, and Eurasian Curlew, so it is not just Flamingos but of course, the pink birds are the main attraction or feature of this morning.

If you think this is worth sacrificing a Sunday morning lazing in bed then, make your way to Sewri for the flamingo trail. Some details are:

Charges: Rs 100/- for members and Rs 150/- for others.
Registration: On the spot.
Reporting: Outside Sewri railway station (east) at the railway crossing junction at 7:30 am.
How to Reach: Sewri railway station is on the harbour line accessible from CST, Andheri, and Navi Mumbai. By road, reach Sewri (east) from Parel or Dadar up to Sewri and cross over at the railway level crossing or from the bridge at Wadala or Reay Road to the Mumbai Port Trust road to reach Sewri Jetty.

The programme will conclude by 9:30 am so you still have a chunk of a Sunday morning left over. One is advised to carry a hat/cap and adequate water. Click on www.bnhs.org for details on BNHS trails. Or call: 022-22871202/22821811, Mon toFri: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm or e-mail at bnhs.programmes@gmail.com.

A sticker saying Patrakar or ‘press' on an autorickshaw is doing the rounds on social media. It certainly caught our attention. So, who is the patrakar the driver or the commuter?

Play and park
For your ears only. Correction. This is first for your eyes, only. The stars of the Indian classical music world, vocalists Dr. Prabha Atre, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, along with sitar maestro Nayan Ghosh and santoor maestro Pandit Satish Vyas are coming together to perform at the CR Vyas Vandana 2015.

This is on the occasion of the 13th Barsi of late legendary Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit CR Vyas. This program is part of the 90th birth anniversary celebrations of Late Pandit CR Vyas, in commemoration of his phenomenal contribution to Hindustani classical music.

To be held on Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Veer Savarkar Auditorium, Shivaji Park, Dadar (W) at 7 pm, both days. Perhaps best of all for music aficionados, entry is free. Passes are available at Veer Savarkar Auditorium and Rhythm House.

So who sez, the good things in life do not come free? Who indeed? Contact: Rhythm House: 43222727 and Veer Savarkar Auditorium: 24465877 for details. Suddenly, Shivaji Park seems to be alive to the sound of music.