Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Games we play

Two children use a parked scooter to play a mobile game at Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, on Monday.

An ode to mother languages

Rainbow by Aravani Art Project; (right) Sweet by DoodleOBong

To mark International Mother Language Day yesterday, Google launched an initiative to celebrate multiple Indian languages in collaboration with artists from across the country. Among those selected were Aravani Art Project, a collective that represents women and trans-women artists, and Rukmini Sengupta, known online as DoodleOBong. Poornima Sukumar, founder of the collective explained her rationale for illustrating the Kannada word for rainbow: "It deeply resonates with the work we do. I drew inspiration from the typography we use in our artwork to create this piece." Sengupta added, "The Bengali word for sweet is nostalgic for me. Even the sweets I've illustrated are those I've grown up eating. Such initiatives are important as they encourage you to share your mother language with others beyond stereotypes." Visit @googleindia on Instagram to view the art and learn the meaning and pronunciation of these words.

Poornima Sukumar and Rukmini Sengupta

An Indian LOL moment in Dubai

Tonight, a few Indian comedians are set to deliver laughs on a global platform - the Dubai Expo. Performing at the event, which is dedicated to trade and culture, are stand-up comics Amit Tandon, Zakir Khan, Biswa Kalyan Rath and Atul Khatri, among others. Tandon told this diarist that it's an honour to be chosen to represent India in the field of comedy alongside other talented comics. "I guess the ‘clean comedy' has finally paid off," the comedian chuckled, adding, "I have always been quite fond of Dubai, so getting to perform a bit over there is a pleasure for me."

No CK at CCI's Nayudu Hall

The Cricket Club of India (CCI) was abuzz on Monday thanks to a festival match between CCI President's XI and a Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Press XI comprising Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) members. Post the 15-over match which the former won comfortably, a high tea was organised at the CK Nayudu Banquet Hall. However, this diarist was surprised - on yet another occasion, we must stress - that the famous painting of CK Nayudu that used to hold pride of place on a wall at the far end of the hall, was missing. The CK Nayudu hall used to also be decorated with photo frames of great players as well as that of accomplished writer KN Prabhu, the recipient of the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award. It's only fair that a hall named after India's first Test captain be adequately dressed. All those cricket-loving administrators of the CCI may want to set this right.

Going nuts over Kacha badam

From Bengal to Brazil, social media has been abuzz with peanut seller Bhuban Badyakar's song, Kacha badam, which he reportedly created to attract customers. While many demanded that he gets his due credit, Kolkata's Someplace Else (SPE), which recently opened an outpost in Mumbai, invited Badyakar to perform at the pub. When the iconic musical venue faced backlash for Badyakar's concert, it reminded people that music is beyond caste, class, religion and any kind of boundary. "It's wonderful that Mr Badyakar has made it to SPE, which has hosted iconic cover bands. For him to come up on stage and sing original music is incredible," said drummer Sambit Chatterjee, adding that venues in Mumbai can take note on how to evolve and open doors to all kinds of music to stay relevant. We agree.

Call for help with exam stress

According to a study in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, over 53 per cent Indian university students suffer from moderate to extremely severe depression while taking their exams. The pandemic has only made the scenario worse. Extending a helping hand to students suffering from exam stress and anxiety, city-based Aavishkar Center for Self-Enrichment has launched a toll-free helpline, Hum Aapki Sunenge (9172284386). Director Dr Nirmala S Rao shared, "We can offer support, discuss learning habits and coping strategies, and offer help in dealing with exam anxiety and stress."