Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

Pic/Anurag Ahire

Another one bites the dust

A wrestler slams his opponent down at Krida Mahakumbh, a wrestling competition held in Andheri.

Beard's the word

Dame Mary Beard at CSMVS

Historic Greek and Roman sculptures came alive at the keynote lecture of the Ancient Sculptures: India Egypt Assyria Greece Rome exhibition by Dame Mary Beard at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) on Wednesday. "She unveiled the mystery of Greek and Roman sculptures with wondrous stories of the times they were created in. She encouraged the children to stay curious about the old times and challenge our perception of the past," shared Sabyasachi Mukherjee, director general of CSMVS.

Pancake time

Elijao; (right) Natasha Almeida

Natasha Almeida shared a sweet slice of her East Indian heritage on Tuesday through her food platform Jevayla Ye. On the menu was Elijao, a colourful coconut pancake. "It's the perfect end to the pre-Lent period. Growing up the whole neighbourhood would make them. It's like Christmas all over again, but instead of sweet boxes, you have sweet coconut-stuffed pancakes," she shared.

With best wishes

Vazirani serves lunch during the event; (right) a functional tricycle

Dinesh Vazirani's recent birthday bash is one that will be remembered for months to come. The co-founder of art auction house SaffronArt and Art Mumbai, spent his special day with nearly 150 differently abled well-wishers at the Fellowship for the Physically Challenged in Haji Ali. Vazirani informed this diarist that his father started the tradition of hosting lunches at the organisation on birthdays. "As he was keeping unwell, I joined my mother in conducting it this time," he shared. Vazirani also donated components required to build 90 tricycles that will be adapted for use by the members. "They [differently abled individuals] are highly skilled and motivated. Moreover, the organisation trains them in being independent through workshops and classes. I hope the tricycles make a difference in their lives," he shared, adding that the tricycles will be set up by the members within six weeks.

Ole aala re!

Ole Gunnar Solskjær interacts with fans at Mumbai's CSMIA airport

You are my Solskjær" chanted nearly 200 Manchester United fans as former player and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær finally landed in the city after a two-month delay. "Football icons often come to India and visit the same few places and head back. I wanted this one to be interactive for the fans," Tilak Gaurang Shah, the organiser, shared, adding that fans showed up with artwork, cakes and even tattoos dedicated to Solskjær. Sharing a heartwarming moment from the final days of the visit, Shah revealed, "Ole told me in person how he was expecting this to be just another weekend in India, but [he] was blown away by the fans' passion and love for him." On a lighter note, Shah shared how Solskjær, like a true Mumbaikar, asked for a vada pav while he was in the city, adding that the icon's staple lunch every day was chicken tikka masala. Shah shared their future plans, "There has been interest from legends like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidić who have been following this visit. I am hoping to make something work out soon."

Mumbai has designs on Delhi

Ankon Mitra with a paper installation

Sculptor and architect Ankon Mitra believes in making magic with paper. At the India Design ID, a week-long celebration of design and home decor, that began in Delhi yesterday, the curator is showcasing paper works by over 70 artists from across the country in a segment titled On Paper Of Paper. Mumbai's Ashiesh Shah and Rooshad Shroff will also be showcasing their works at this week-long gathering of architects. "Weave is a renewed manifestation of several signature pieces from our studio - marble lights, the C-Chairs and inlay plates," Shroff told this diarist about his exhibition. Shah, whose exhibition includes home decor, said, "A majority of our artistic endeavours draw inspiration from Indian cosmic geometry and celestial entities. We are also shifting our focus towards the exploration of lunar forms." To this end, Preeti Singh, brand director of India Design ID, added that the only aim of the platform is to celebrate the ingenuity of the Indian design community.