Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Head over heels

A fitness enthusiast caught in action during a workout at Bandstand, Bandra, on Tuesday

Her self, her brush

The times they are a-changing, at Method, Kalaghoda. Women have long been sidelined as muses in art, but this gallery is looking to change the status quo. Its new show, Muse, will feature artworks of women as seen by women from April 7 to 24. There is no dearth of women with vibrant artistic vision, co-curator Aparna Varma told us, and yet, "Be it through art, film, or literature, we have done so much celebrating of how men portray women. Why is that?" Muse will feature works that express emotions ranging from angst and sadness to poetic vulnerability. It will feature works by 17 female artists, with their own take on women. "We aren't going to wipe away centuries of patriarchy with one show, but we hope it begins to record people witnessing women representing women."

Let the children play

Three years ago, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) set up the Children's Museum inside its premises, giving the city its first-ever museum for the kids, by the kids. Over the years, the exhibition hall, amphitheatre and the terrace came alive with little ones engaging with and expressing themselves through thoughtful displays and fun activities.

A session on block-printing at the Children's Museum yesterday

Yesterday, the Children's Museum turned three. Looking back on their journey, education associate Meagan Vaz shared that the aim has been to create an inclusive space. "In a city like Mumbai where children don't have enough space to have fun, express themselves and enjoy, this is a creative cultural lab," remarked Vaz. The bachha party celebrated the anniversary by indulging in block-printing, lac bangle-making and pottery.

"We have a lot of upcoming activities in the outdoors and gallery including kaavad storytelling, art and craft sessions, miniature painting demonstrations, and a new exhibition," she added.

Andheri, are you game?

The gaming and clubbing scene in the western suburbs is set to get a Shott in the arm with an indoor entertainment and culinary hub in Andheri. Opening in April, Shott Mumbai is an outpost of its Surat and Ahmedabad counterparts. The 25,000-sq ft space will feature India's first interactive bowling lanes powered by Spark technology, COO Smeet Shah told this diarist. The gaming hub will host a restobar, along with more than 70 arcade games, a virtual reality zone and laser war games. "Mumbai is India's largest consumer of active entertainment, and Mumbaikars have been passionate about bowling and arcade games. So, we thought that it would be the right fit to introduce an indoor amusement centre in Andheri West," Shah told us. He added that the restaurant and bar will be operated by The Rolling Pin, who will offer diners a patisserie, chocolaterie and boulangerie.

Crossword Kemps Corner is back

A previous event at Crossword, Kemps Corner, before it shuttered

Mumbai's bibliophiles had a collective heartbreak when the landmark Crossword at Kemps Corner shut shop last year. It's where the best in the literary world descended to launch their titles, where the cool kids hung out, and remember the mezzanine floor where you could once tuck into Moshe's delicacies? This diarist is pleased to report that Crossword at Kemps Corner is returning this April, at the same address - Mohammedbhai Mansion. Not just that; the bookstore will also turn over a new leaf with a fresh look-and-feel, as well as a more focused vision. Aakash Gupta, CEO & MD, Crossword Bookstores, shared, "It's an iconic, legacy bookstore; it's been almost 20 years that the Crossword flagship has been at Kemps Corner. When we acquired the brand from Shoppers Stop around six months ago and learnt that the store was closing, we moved quickly to renew the lease." At the 20,000-sq ft store, Mumbaikars can sip on brews and grub by Third Wave Coffee, a popular roastery from Bengaluru. "The idea is to bring the focus back on books, and the store will be a reflection of that. We've made a Crossword tree in the children's section where reading sessions can take place. We'll have a more dedicated events space to build community. An inclusion that we're launching is Crossword 100 must-reads of all time," Gupta revealed. The store opens doors to the public at 5 pm this Friday, and this diarist hopes to see the city's book-lovers back at their old favourite haunt.