Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Let's go bananas

A girl steals a quick selfie with a monkey at Kamala Nehru Park in Malabar Hill

They see me rollin'

Mishti Vora finishes a lap during a practice session

This diarist caught glimpses of Mishti Vora zooming past her teammates on a skating track in Mumbai, while featuring her in a story about the city's roller-skating community. It comes as no surprise that the 14-year-old is back to making waves on the scene. The newest feather in her cap is a gold medal in the Under-17, 500m category and a silver in the one-lap road event at the recently concluded Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations National Games and Sports 2023 in Pune. "I have been training rigorously for months. All the nights of practicing on wet tracks in the monsoons have come to fruition. I'll be heading back to training tomorrow," she told us. That's some dedication.

Diyas that illuminate lives

Differently-abled individuals make diyas at the foundation

A mental health organisation in the city is making sure this Diwali is a happy one for those who offer creative and caring initiatives. An exhibition by the Bhumika Foundation at Sailors' Cafe in Belapur is showcasing diyas hand-sculpted by autistic and differently-abled adults. The organisation, led by psychologist Dr Vishal Ganar has been working towards creating employment for persons with disabilities since 2015. "The process of making the diyas and handling the packaging, marketing and sales trains them in entrepreneurship. Our goal is to empower them with financial independence," Dr Ganar shared with this diarist.

Brewing ideas at baithak

A participant recites her works at a previous edition of the baithak

If you're an artiste who likes to let your ideas brew in their own sweet time, formal open mics might not be the right place. For such reticent writers, Bol The Collective organises baithaks or small-scale gatherings, where half-baked ideas flow freely. Their monthly baithak acts as a rendezvous of sorts for writers, poets and other creatives to share their thoughts openly. Neha Bahuguna (inset), founder. told this diarist that the theme for the baithak today is Diwali mithai.

"Mumbai is a mixed bowl of cultures and traditions. The writers who attend the baithaks are usually folks who have moved to Mumbai from across India to make a living here. It will be fascinating to see what thoughts the writers pen down about their favourite memories with sweets." Describing the sessions, she remarked, "We often encourage writers from all walks of life and backgrounds, professional or otherwise, to join us and channel out whatever they have been working on that month."

Phool of Indian colours

An illustration from the collection

Thane's 33-year-old Soumya Mujumdar wrapped up a challenge where she illustrated 28 states of India in 28 days using flowers that are the most visible there. For Maharashtra, she picked tuberoses and chrysanthemums.

Soumya Mujumdar

"If you head to any flower market in Mumbai, these will be the most commonly sold ones," she told this diarist, adding that this experience opened her eyes to the prominence that different flowers hold across states and cultures. Now that's what we call a beauty-phool experience.

A taste of the Carnatic

Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi at a previous edition

The arrival of winter marks the beginning of a special season for classical music lovers in South India. But for Mahesh Babu (below), managing director of Banyan Tree Events, the challenge is to replicate the same in Mumbai. They will host their Margazhi Mahotsavam, a two-day annual celebration of all things Carnatic in the city on January 6 and 7 next year.

"I have been a regular at the Margazhi season in Chennai for the last 30 years," he told this diarist. This year's edition will not only bring artistes like Ranjani Gayatri, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, but also include lecture demonstrations and South Indian cuisine for Mumbaikars. "People love it, and we are committed to bring it to Mumbai for lovers of music." he said.