Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Pic/Kirti Surve Parade

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Scorching heat calls for remedial measures as a worker assembles a new batch of ceiling fans at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

Shore full of delights

Bombay dorid and triple margined dorid were among the species collated in the database. Pics Courtesy/Shaunak Modi

Marine Life of Mumbai hit a milestone of 10,000 observations and 600 documented species from across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

"The narrative around our shores has largely revolved around trash and sewage. Despite this, they are a viable habitat for a plethora of marine life," assured Shaunak Modi (right), who manages the community.

Modi's favourite observation is finding five sea slugs from Mumbai that HC Winckworth had described in 1946. "He named two after the city [Bombay Dorid and Colaba sea slug]. These species had never been spotted since. But we managed to find them once again," he beamed. "I encourage people to explore our shores, and share pictures on iNaturalist.org," he added.

Ganesha on our mind

(Left) An abstract work by Sachdev (right) the installation. Pics Courtesy/Instagram

Monsoon showers still feel like a distant dream amidst a merciless summer, but the sight of a familiar figure on artist Jayesh Sachdev's works had immediate recall to this diarist. Sachdev is currently working on an installation of the Lord Ganesha in collaboration with the city gallery, Tao Art Gallery. Made of iron and glass fiber, the installation transcends the traditional form, the artist remarked. Sachdev said, "Over nine months in the making, this is not a deity, but a testament to the enduring spirit of transformation and modernity. I reimagine tradition with a vivid interplay of mediums, geometry and an avant garde narrative." For this Mumbaikar, the sight of the idol is a pleasant reminder that June is upon us, and rains are not far away.

Lost among the clouds

A previous event by the venture. Pic courtesy/Instagram

It is a new beginning in July for the Goa-based arthouse venture, Baadalghar. Started by Shailee Mehta and Aditi Kashyap in their Versova residence in 2021, the community quickly became popular among Mumbai residents. While the duo moved base to Goa post the pandemic, it seems the run has finally come to an end. Co-founder Mehta remarked, "We definitely see ourselves engaging with the creative community in different capacities, wherever we are." As to whether the venture will return in another form, she said, "As of now there are no definite plans of Baadalghar returning in a new form."

Marol's new cool school

Freshly painted graffiti on the walls (right) the new space in Marol

School began early for the kids around the Marol Art Village. Last Thursday, the Nayee Umang Charitable Trust and Dream Marol Project teamed up to open a new space to help educate the underprivileged children of the neighbourhood. "The team would often take over evening classes for these children. The momentum picked up, and since the number of children grew, we needed a larger space," shared managing trustee Suresh Nair (below). After two years of petitioning the administration, the space finally came through. "We are calling it Gurukul, since it will be a place where the children can perhaps learn more than just school work," he revealed. The volunteers and artists are already helping out. Omkar Dhareshwar of the graffiti group WickedBroz shared that they will be adding some colour and pop to the space this week before the classes begins.