12 January,2021 04:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Sameer Markande
A little girl begins her morning on a playful note at Carter Road on Monday.
While great emphasis is being laid on social distancing and wearing a mask in public, people also seem to be getting serious about sanitisation at home. A new survey by a leading multinational manufacturer of home appliances revealed that 87 per cent of the 500 respondents said that they wash their clothes more often now, and Mumbaikars are most worried about their clothes being germ-carriers, followed by Chennai and Kolkata. In addition, 79 per cent of respondents vouched for the fact that hot water helps in sanitising clothes, and 96 per cent would want a washing machine that has an advanced option for sanitising.
Like several musicians across generations, percussionist Karsh Kale grew up idolising drummer Phil Collins, the former frontman of English rock band Genesis. As a hat-tip to Collins ahead of his 70th birthday, Kale is set to drum up a tribute to him in his own style, which is part of a virtual concert series, next week. "Growing up, he was one of the first drummers that I started emulating when I was learning to play drums. He and Genesis constantly put great music out. The older I got, the more respect I've had for the man as an artiste, songwriter, producer, and of course, as one of the greatest drummers in the world," shared Kale, adding it will be a special experience creating an original take on Collins.
Food is inextricably linked not only to the place it comes from but also the people who make it happen. So, yes, a bun maska and a bun maska from Yazdani mean two different things, which is why the news of the passing of Zend Meherwan Zend, who helmed the iconic Irani bakery in Fort, has created a void in the city's foodscape. The 86-year-old passed away on Sunday. Even though he was ailing from Parkinson's disease, he ensured he dropped by the bakery regularly.
Zend was a former boxer who hung up his gloves soon after he was married. His son Zyros told this diarist, "He used to take my mother to boxing matches to impress her. But my mom used to feel sorry for his opponents getting a bashing from my father! He gave up boxing then. He then participated in the Mumbai marathon in the senior citizen category, at least twice, I think. He simply wanted to run because the marathon route was past the bakery."
Zyros also shared that his father was always up for a challenge; he went trekking and hiking, and often cycled to the bakery from our Colaba residence. "At times, he even went beyond. One reason for that was that he wanted to be on par with his delivery boys who often thought, if sir can cycle everywhere, even we can go cycling to deliver bread," he added.
The image of him standing by the counter is crystal clear in the minds of loyal visitors as well as fellow Irani restaurateurs. Parvez Patel of Ideal Corner recalls Zend as the strongest man he's ever known. Having first met him in 1985, he remembers him as being "courteous to a point." Gustad Dinshaw, owner of Café Dela Paix, regards Zend's passing as a big loss to the Irani community and all those who patronise Irani restaurants. "He was a treat to be around. You'd always find him talking about how the aroma of his bakery items would flood the street."
The 12th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is being flagged off with a global poster design contest. The winning poster, says festival director Sridhar Rangayan, will set the visual theme for the festival's collaterals. "The late designer Wendell Rodricks was an active supporter of our festival. He would judge the contest and sponsor the cash award. Following his passing last year, his partner Jérôme Marrel decided to continue the contest in his memory. He will be judging the winning entry this year," Rangayan said. Participants are invited to submit their designs based on this year's theme - Unlock With Pride.
