Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

Pic/Ashish Raje

A republic of masks
It's safety first as police personnel take part in a dress rehearsal for the 72nd Republic Day celebrations at Shivaji Park on Saturday.

A unique sign by Rahman

AR Rahman

If Instagram is anything to go by, then ace composer AR Rahman is now collaborating with a new A&R (artists and repertoire) firm, called Sign India. Founded my poet and writer Nirmika Singh, the platform's flagship IP, Futureproof, which is spearheaded by Rahman, is a series that focuses on the future of cinema and takes a deep dive into the processes that govern the representation of Indian cinema internationally. They are also representing others like actors Ruhi Singh and Tik Tok star Mr Faisu.

Nirmika Singh

When we spoke to Singh, she said, "Sign plugs a very pressing need gap in the music industry today-that of A&R, which is artistes & repertoire, an often-neglected aspect in the current world of numbers and views. Our aim is to empower artistes with creative resources and shape their artistry in unique and memorable ways. I am also very happy that Sign represents Rahman sir's creative initiatives. His faith goes a long way in cementing a bright future for the abundant talent in India."

Chintu guided Jinks too

Chintamani G Vaidya (encircled) with his Kanga League ‘B' division-winning Sunder Cricket Club in 1985

There is no better satisfaction for a coach than to see his ward climb to the very top. That's where India's stand-in cricket captain Ajinkya Rahane is after guiding India to their second series win in Australia. Chintamani G Vaidya, who was a prominent name in local cricket in the 1970s and 1980s, is thrilled over Rahane's rise. For, it was he, the former Bombay University player, who coached young Rahane at the Mumbai Cricket Association's under-16 camp at Kalyan in the early 2000s.

Ajinkya Rahane. Pic/Getty Images

Vaidya took to Facebook on Friday to let his friends know of the small role he played in Rahane's formative years. Vaidya, according to his Podar College (Matunga) teammate Avadhoot Zarapkar, was a fine batsman and slip fielder (also called the Gavaskar of Kalyan). "I remember Chintu coming all the way from Kalyan for our college nets that started at 7 am and he was invariably there well before time," recalled Zarapkar. Rahane is not known to fall short of dedication and commitment. Vaidya too.

This week's light moments

The week that gave us two meme-worthy events-"to collect water in the basins of my collarbone" and Bernie Sanders and his mitten-saw the best coming together of two worlds. American politician Sanders, resting in those collarbones. However, lest we forget that we are in the middle of a pandemic, the most hilarious response to the collarbone water harvesting comes from Mumbai's Dr Lancelot Pinto, consultant respirologist at the PD Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre. Dr Pinto, whom we have consulted for expert advice through the pandemic, tweeted on a lighter note: "Frequent handwashing will always be a good idea. But avoid doing it from the basins of your collarbones, you need more water than that for a good handwash." Now, we'd take this advice seriously.

Royal China is back in Bandra

In 2017, the Hill Road outpost of Royal China shut down due to a lease issue. Four years later, it's making a comeback. "Mumbai has been a favourable market for us since the beginning. Infact, we recently launched our first ever cloud kitchen for Royal China and Kuai in BKC. And now, we want to expand further. It's about bringing back the iconic dining experience in the heart of Bandra," says the culinary firm's director Neville Vazifdar. The restaurant will open later this month.

Ganjad tribals going places

Warli artists and brothers, Mayur and Tushar Vayeda, who hail from Ganjad village in Dahanu, have scripted a success story, which is one of a kind. The duo, known to work on every canvas together, is constantly adapting the Warli style to create new meanings and symbols. Their journey from a tiny village to Mumbai, and later even to Japan, where they spent a long time at an artist's residency is now being brought to life in a new book, The Deep by Tara Books, which was launched virtually on Saturday.

Mayur Vayeda

"It doesn't just have illustrations in Warli, but also reflects on the many experiences we had during our travels," Mayur told this diarist. What's interesting is that the hand-bound book has been silkscreen-printed by hand on recycled cotton paper.

Tushar Vayeda

The marbling pattern on each cover is also made by capturing colour on the surface of water at a moment in time. While the brothers are constantly trying to push the boundaries with Warli art, the goal, says Mayur, is "to present it using traditional materials", so that the experience authentic. "The publishers have tried to the same here."