Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Caught in the act

A pair of schoolgirls caught with their masks off shield their faces with their hands at Nehru Nagar-Sion road

A pink petition for Navi Mumbai

In a bid to conserve the Navi Mumbai wetlands that serve as the nesting ground for flamingos, NatConnect Foundation, a city-based NGO, is urging the suburb to be recognised as Flamingo City. "The NRI and TS Chanakya wetlands have been marked by CIDCO for a commercial project and a golf course, despite a High Court ruling in favour of their conservation. In fact, the State Mangrove Foundation has already expressed its desire to protect the wetlands as part of the extended Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary management proposed by BNHS," explained BN Kumar, director of the foundation, adding that the wetlands also serve as carbon sinks and facilitate rainwater drainage, thus preventing flooding. Kumar also told us that while the NMMC has started to create murals depicting flamingos and even plans to erect a statue of the bird to emphasise its significance to the region, unless the necessary steps are taken towards preserving the habitat of the flamingos, these actions are meaningless.

Goa goes the Japanese way

Izumi's Bandra outpost

When Izumi first opened in Bandra in 2018, the Japanese eatery created an immediate splash despite its tiny space. Then, when it shifted to a bigger spot, people started thronging to the restaurant even more. Now, the joint is set to create waves in the neighbouring Goa, after the announcement that it will launch an outlet there, in Assagao. Co-founder Nooresha Kably told this diarist that it's located on the premises of a hotel called Botanique, and there will be a few additions to the menu. She added, "It's a beautiful setting overlooking a pool and we'll have a larger bar programme. We don't have an exact date yet, but it will launch soon enough."

SoBo's 23-year-old art landmark

A photograph that's part of the new exhibition

Colaba-based gallery Jamaat will soon mark its 23rd anniversary. The space is the brainchild of Pravina Mecklai, who described it as a gathering or meeting point for the fraternity to connect and create. "Even as a child, I had always been interested in art and wanted to study it. However, my mother was against it and insisted that I, the eldest of four sisters, join my father in our family business.

Jamal and Pravina Mecklai

When my father passed away in 1994, my husband Jamal suggested opening an art gallery since I'd already started collecting art and was familiar with the circle. That's how we took off in January 1999," Mecklai shared with this diarist. To mark the milestone, they've curated an exhibition featuring designer Vaishali Shadangule, whose couture creations have been photographed underwater by Alessandro Giuliani.

Music in uncertain times

The Bacardi NH7 Weekender that was scheduled for February 5 to 6, has been shelved for now. Previously, organisers were in two minds about holding the on-ground fest. After delaying an announcement on the fest for a while, Nodwin Gaming, the firm that facilitates the event confirmed with this diarist that the event has not been cancelled; they're still looking for a suitable date.

Celebrating Bollywood all 365 days

While their Bollywood-themed murals are familiar landmarks especially in and around Bandra, for those who can't make the trip, Bollywood Art Project has created a calendar commemorating some of their most iconic paintings. "From Amitabh Bachchan to Helen to Sridevi, the calendar has beautiful photos of our best-loved murals. We've also marked the birthdays of iconic stars for each month," said Ranjit Dahiya, its founder. To get your copy, visit @bollywoodartproject on Instagram.