Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Pic/Sameer Markande

Fit and fine

Two women make use of an open gym at Reclamation in Bandra West.

Remembering a pal

This paper had lamented the loss of culinary icon Henry Tham when he succumbed to cancer last week. What most people don't know about Tham is that apart from running institutions like Henry Tham, Kamling and Mandarin, he was also a part of the group instrumental for the Olive chain of restaurants, of which restaurateur AD Singh remains the face. Singh paid a heartfelt tribute to Tham after the latter passed away, acknowledging this lesser-known side of the man. He shared, "We were all reassured as he's been fighting cancer for some years now and had always been beating it, and I can't imagine that it ever beat him. Much love, my old friend, and I look forward to opening more great restaurants together in an even better place."

Drum it up

Last weekend saw The Steps - a spot at St Stephen's Church in Bandra that has been converted into a community space for locals to enjoy the arts and culture - come alive with the sound of percussion instruments at a drum circle organised there. This was one of the first few events held at the location after the lockdown restrictions were eased. Anca Florecu Abraham of Love Your Parks Mumbai, the group behind the spot's transformation, told this diarist that she hopes to host a multi-arts festival there soon. The weekend's event witnessed a group called African Art of Drumming performing. "It was the first time they played together in two years," Abraham shared.

City film takes a reel turn in the US

This diarist had been privy to Anuj Gulati, a Mumbai-based director, putting the nuts and bolts in place before releasing The Wingman. It's an independent movie about a man who loses the love of his life, and consequently his mind, before he tries to pick up the pieces. The film has now reached the global stage since it will be showcased at two festivals in the US in the space of one week - DFW South Asian Film Festival over last weekend, and NYC South Asian Film Festival on October 24. Gulati shared that he's spent a lot of time this year reaching out to different platforms to showcase the movie. "Someone recently told me that it's hard enough to make a film, but it's even harder to get it released," he said. We are happy that his endeavour is finally finding its place under the sun.

Poetic justice

The TS Eliot Prize is an annual honour that is accorded to poets. The shortlist for this year's edition has now been announced and it features Raymond Antrobus from England (in pic) and Kayo Chingonyi who is of Zambian origin, among others. Glyn Maxwell, the chair of judges, shared, "We are delighted with our shortlist, while lamenting all the fine work we had to set aside." Last year, Indian-origin poet Bhanu Kapil's sixth book, How to Wash A Heart, won the prize.

Art makeover for Koliwadas

Before and after photos of a building transformed as part of the project

Versova Koliwada is an area that lies in the nether regions of Andheri, an urban village that dates back to more than 400 years ago. It has seen many transformations over the years, but right now, the infrastructure there is crumbling because of population density. Bombay 61 is a design think tank that has done its bit to remedy the situation. It joined hands with creative collective Ministry of Mumbai's Magic for a range of place-making activities in the area that has now culminated into dilapidated buildings being spruced up with artwork that local Koli artists have envisioned, to cite just one example. "We are trying to restore the place back to its original condition," shared Bombay 61 co-founder Jai Bhadgaonkar, adding that he aims to extend the same project to other Koliwadas in the city, and is looking for funding for the same.