18 July,2023 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Sameer Markande
Despite the downpour, devotees participate in traditional ritual offerings at Banganga on the first day of the month of Shravan.
Finding a seat on Centre Court at SW19 might need a connection with Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig or the British royal family. Unless you are singer-songwriter Raghav Meattle whose friendship saw him witness a once-in-a-lifetime moment at the recent Wimbledon Championships in England. The singer was among the lucky few who witnessed Carlos Alcaraz stamp the arrival of the post-Federer-Nadal-Djokovic generation in the tennis world. "A friend of mine from college - Rajat Maheshwari - who lives in London won the ballot and asked me to join him," Meattle shared. As a former tennis player, Meattle couldn't refuse. "I have played tennis all my life; including being part of the Indian tour when I was younger," he told us. The experience was definitely worth every penny. He was part of the majority on court who were egging Alcaraz to a first win. He said, "I am an Alcaraz fan, and was thrilled to be present at the change of guard. I have been an ardent admirer of Federer and Nadal, and of the present generation, Alcaraz's forehand comes closest to Federer."
Bombay Theatre Company founder Raveesh Jaiswal is in good humour these days. The theatre maker's first short film, Domestic Help has made it to the short list of two reputed national film festivals - Bengaluru International Short Film Festival and International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala. "We were confident that the film would only be sent to a select few film festivals, Bengaluru, Kerala and Dharamshala International Film Festivals among them," Jaiswal (inset) shared. Revealing that he had always wanted to be a filmmaker, Jaiswal said that the 15-minute short film began as a project in the pandemic. "We were hosting several short online plays, including a few with playwright Julianne Jigour. The film's script emerged from one of her short plays that we thought fit the theme," he shared. The niche film, Jaiswal described, explores themes of mental health, loneliness and class difference. "It is not a mainstream film, but it will certainly force people to think about such issues," he remarked.
Luxurious yet cosy is how Shalini Rattan, from Cremeyum Creamery, described her new Khar-based gelateria and café Affogato that opened yesterday. Co-founded by Rattan and Suresh Joshi of Joshi House, Javaphile and Pali Village Cafe, the 600-square-feet space will star affogato al caffe unlike anywhere seen in the city where the dessert-beverage isn't gloriously highlighted. The menu includes traditionally-prepared gelatos, coffees and bakes, this diarist has learnt. Rattan shared, "We want to introduce people to the world of affogato. We have an affogato bar with a list of gelato - hazelnut, almond praline, and my favourite, salt caramel. The bakes too are crafted to suit the flavours; the pecan butter cookies go perfectly with the Snickers gelato."
Things are changing at the popular adda of Bagdadi in Colaba. Thankfully, the change is no more than a few cosmetic additions. "Necessary ones," added Saud Ahmed, son of owner Atique Khalil Ahmed. "As the structure is over 130 years old, it needs to be maintained. It was a matter of sooner, rather than later," Ahmed added, saying that they have retained the feel and character of the restaurant. Among the changes, patrons will notice a new vintage-styled flooring to compliment the space, and some changes to the roof. "The original roof has been a part of the restaurant since the British era, and was in need of some repair. So, we retained the original aesthetics, while painting it over," he revealed. Regulars need not worry though. The menu remains unchanged, he promised.
Last weekend, the halls of Sir JJ Arts campus saw a renewal of old friendships. To celebrate the birth anniversary of the founder, Sir JJ Tata, the alumni of three institutes - Sir JJ School of Architecture, Sir JJ School of Arts and Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art teamed up to form a common alumni. "Ek JJ will have an important role to play as the institutes are set to move towards autonomy in the coming future. We discussed the right way to use resources, placements and contribution towards the university," revealed Professor Mustansir Dalvi.
