Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Pic/Satej Shinde

Smoking Good

A civic worker fumigates a road in Borivali East, as a precautionary measure against malaria.

Food for thought

Since the first lockdown last year, Mumbai's restaurants have been shut for 256 out of 496 days whereas, in Delhi, restaurants were shut for 180 out of 496 days. Moreover, although retailers are now allowed to stay open till 10 pm, restaurants are expected to close at 4 pm. These are some thoughts Pankil Shah, director and co-founder, Neighbourhood Hospitality Pvt Ltd which runs Woodside Inn and The Pantry Cafe, shared in a recent post on social media. He believes that the city's civic body considers the restaurant industry special. Special, because, although it's one of the worst-hit sectors, the industry hasn't received much help from the authorities in riding out this crisis. In the post, Shah highlighted several such reasons to feel special. "The industry was expecting a bit more relaxation, based on what's happening in other metros like Delhi. The problem for the majority of restaurants is that most of our business is done post 6 pm. So, restricting us to 20-30 per cent of our business isn't helping," he shared. He also reminded everyone that the future of 86,000 restaurants and 10 lakh employees is at stake.

A sweeter Rakhi

Together Foundation is a non-profit that not only works with young people with autism and other intellectual disabilities, but also runs an Andheri-based bakery which is managed by these adults. Founder-trustee Sangeetha Chakrapani shared that they're currently working with a group of 24 adults with disabilities, who earn from the enterprise. And for Rakshabandhan, they've whipped up fruit and nut chocolate bars that can be packaged in custom-ised wrappers bearing messages for your loved ones. "From a range of muffins to chocolates, laddoos, cakes and healthy bites, we have a huge variety of products. For the Rakhi chocolates, suppose you want to write a note for your sibling, we can do that for you. It lends a more personalised touch," she added. To lend them a hand when you celebrate the festival this year, call/text 7021184634 to order in, or drop by at their bakery.

A Goan tribute for Mario

Did you know that cartoonist Mario Miranda was a jazz aficionado? "He was always invited to the Jazz Yatra in Mumbai and given the front row seat every year. He would sit there and sketch the musicians," Goa-based jazz musician Colin D'Cruz told this diarist. And now, most of these sketches will come alive in an annual global event that Jazz Goa, an organisation set up by D'Cruz, is putting together virtually to mark World Goa Day on September 12.

An illustration by Mario Miranda. Pic Courtesy/Mario Gallery

"World Goa Day is celebrated by Goans spread all over the globe in an effort to stay united. This year, we came up with the idea of animating Miranda's cartoons depicting musicians, and tuning them to Konkani and Portuguese songs. This has never been done before," he added. The broadcast will also include performances by some of the best musicians of Goa, he revealed, adding, "Since it is World Goa Day, I thought of showcasing a Goan icon. Mario left behind a legacy that will now come to life in song." Look out for it on Jazz Goa on YouTube.

Streaming benefits

OK Listen, a platform for indepen-dent musicians, is offering artistes another platform to monetise their art form. Through their partnership with Gramrphone, a UK-based audio streaming app, they're enabling artistes to curate and host their own livestreams. "While hosting our live series, Music For A Cause, where nine artistes came on board to conduct livestreams, we found that the medium offered an intimate and versatile means for artistes to connect with their audience. Further, many musicians are reluctant to take to video livestreams; an audio-only format ensures a high-quality listening experience while removing any inhibitions or barriers on the part of artistes. Audience members will be able to share their feedback, making for an intimate listening experience. Artistes also get paid within two days of hosting and retain a 95 per cent share of their revenues," founder Vijay Basrur said.

What's brewing in Byculla?

Subko Coffee Roasters is slowly emerging as one of the hipster forces in the coffee roastery circuit. We now hear that after their Bandra outpost, they have set up shop in Byculla, with Subko: The Craftery. "It is a specialty coffee roastery, bakehouse, design and subculture-focused hub, adding to its original flagship specialty coffee experience in the bylanes of Bandra West," shared Rahul Reddy, founder, while co-founder Daniel Trulson added, "The space is located in a converted warehouse in Byculla East. An opening date for the public is expected soon."