Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Pic/Anurag Ahire

Flippin' in the sun

A boy helps his friend perform a back flip at Juhu Beach

There's a Carr halt in Mulund

Jimmy Carr. Pic courtesy/Instagram (right) Urjita Wani

Brit comic Jimmy Carr has posted dates for his Mumbai show and it has already taken the Internet by storm. To the surprise of many, Carr, who is loved for his controversial one-liners and dry-witted humour, will be performing in Mulund. Urjita Wani, a comedian from the central suburbs said, "I don't think anyone of this stature has performed in central Mumbai before. We're surprised, but we see it as a small win." Dismissing concerns about mismanagement after the recent Trevor Noah fiasco, Wani added, "Mumbai has always been ready for big shows. I'm positive that no mismanagement will happen here."

You can eat cake

Mocha caramel cake in a can

Giving her sugar-free and gluten-free cakes a new avatar, nutritionist Simran Bapu (right), and founder of cloud kitchen The Paleo Bakes, has introduced cancakes. And as the name suggests, it comes sealed in a can. "My clients usually ask me how to eat mindfully; especially when it comes to cakes. So, in order to reduce the portion, I introduced cakes in a can. They have a longer shelf life, are easily portable, less expensive than other healthy desserts, and keep a check on your consumption," she told this diarist, further claiming that this is the first of its kind in the country. "One can of cake takes nearly an hour, so we reserve one day of the week to prepare nearly 500 at once," she added.

Say it in blue

Winner Manika Tamang of Antar Bharati Balgram School, Lonavala

Last week, students from 17 schools across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Lonavala participated in an online infographic competition by GreenLine's Green School Campaign for World Wildlife Week 2023. "Students created digital and handmade infographics on aquatic ecosystems like wetlands, rivers, mangroves, coral reefs, deep sea, intertidal zone, etc. The aim of this competition was to learn about water ecosystems through self-learning activities and raise awareness about water conservation in the digital age," shared Neha Bhandare, programme officer. She added, "The campaign's theme Saving Blue is inspired by a key action area of the Mumbai Climate Action Plan."

Music, masti ki paathshaala

A kid sings at a previous concert as Shyama Panikkar encourages him (right) an illustration by Radhika Tipnis from Panikkar's new book

It's time to put taal se taal to the test. This concert with nearly 50 kids from ages three to thirteen will hit all the right (and cute) chords with you on Sunday at Dadar's Savarkar Auditorium. Shyama Panikkar, founder of Sur Taal Aur Masti, where she teaches kids Hindustani classical music, is set to host her biannual concert Classical Baithak. Professional musicians on tabla and tanpura will accompany the kids. Panikkar has been practising classical music since she was four and wanted to teach it in a fun way and unique way to kids so that they don't lose interest. "We have a lot of fun," she said. The highlight of this event, she adds, will be the launch of her third music-centric children's book The Secret Songsters. "My seven-year-old son will launch this book immediately after the first performance. He is the reason why I started writing in the first place. He loves reading and felt that there was a dearth of music books for children. So, as a music educator, I decided to start filling this gap. My first book was released in 2021. This one is about how to gain performance confidence and overcome stage fear," she told this diarist.

Get ready to fight

A moment from the fifth Warrior's Dream series (right) Sanjivan Padwal with the championship belt

The sixth edition of the Warrior's Dream Series at Fit and Fight Club in Nerul is back, where nearly 180 fighters will display their Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) skills in adrenaline-filled matches on October 28. "It's a chance for fighters to prove themselves on a national stage, and leave a lasting legacy in the world of MMA. For the first time, we are introducing championship belts for the flyweight and featherweight categories," said founder of the club, and a promoter of the event, Sanjivan Padwal.