Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

Pic/Sameer Markande

Let there be light

A man sets up kandils to mark the beginning of Diwali preparations at Shivaji Park in Dadar

In solidarity we stand

A ray of hope that had birthed among the LGBTQiA+ community was shattered after The Supreme Court's recent judgement of leaving the matter of same-sex marriage to the Indian Parliament. Amid this news, mental health platform Guftagu Therapy is using its reach to guide counsellors to help patients cope. Its founder Sadaf Vidha (inset) shared, "There is a sense of erasure and hopelessness. Counsellors must approach this with sensitivity. Responses like anger, sadness and emotional invalidation are valid. Do not rationalise or minimise it. Bear witness, make the community feel in solidarity and help them to contain those feelings. Avoid asking them to focus on the bright side. Now is not the time. Enquire if they would prefer to get away for a while."

Mapping Kala Ghoda

The illustrated map. Pic Courtesy/Art Lounge

There is no dearth of maps that trace their routes through the city of Mumbai. From its ancient history to modern food trails, the metropolis has been covered in tedium. Or so we thought. The discovery of a niche map by the stationery outlet, Art Lounge in Kala Ghoda caught our eye. The map, conceptualised by founder Anika Goenka (right), and designed by Tanvi Chheda, outlines the closest galleries and aesthetic buildings around the store. "Since we are in the business of art supplies, we often meet artists and patrons who showcase at these galleries.

Many of our visitors often ask us for directions. So, we thought of designing a map that shows solidarity with the artistic community. We came up with the places we wanted to be featured, as well as highlight the Kala Ghoda district," Goenka told this diarist. From the old landmarks of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) and Jehangir Art Gallery, to the newer haunts of The Method Kala Ghoda, the map is worth a look at on the next visit to the arty neighbourhood.

Need some space?

Lace up your space boots as cosmonaut Russian Denis Matveev (inset) is set to take you to outer space. In a cool idea initiated by the Nehru Science Centre (NSC), Matveev will interact with students in a virtual session tomorrow. "He will share insights about experiments in space, preparations behind the mission and his experiences of space-walking," Umesh Kumar, the director at the NSC shared. Students can call 24900518 to sign up.

Russell Arnold takes a paw-se

Arnold practises yoga at the session with puppies

Considering the recent roller coaster matches of the ongoing Cricket World Cup, heart rates are on a spike. While some might prefer a spa or a detox, international broadcaster and former Sri Lankan all-rounder Russell Arnold decided to spend his day off in Delhi earlier this week with a pet-yoga session. Hosted by Pawasana, the 30-minute session saw Arnold enjoy playing with homeless Indie pups. "The session was also an effort to raise awareness about the adoption of indie breeds. He enjoyed playing around with the pets. It was yoga for a cause, after all," shared Annanya Nautiyal, co-founder, Pawasana.

The ghosts of his father's tales

An illustrated moment from the short film

While Alia Bhatt, Pankaj Tripathi and co. grabbed the headlines at the National Awards on Tuesday, Mumbai-based studio Eeksaurus brought home a National Award for Best Animated Film for their short film Kandittund! (Seen it!). Collecting the award were animator Suresh Eriyat's 94-year-old father, PNK Panicker and director Adithi Krishnadas (inset).

Adithi Krishnadas, Suresh Eriyat with PNK Panicker

"The film is a tribute to my father's storytelling. He would narrate them so convincingly and with such detail," Eriyat shared. The animator revealed that he had been recording the scary stories narrated by his father since 2015, but only started on the project in 2019. "I never told him that I am making a film. It was only when Adithi came on board with her inputs, that we started working seriously." Watching the film win the honours was a satisfying moment, said Eriyat. "It was his stories that cultivated my creativity," he told this diarist.