Digital day out at Kala Ghoda

This picture has been used for representational purpose

"Last evening was such a harsh reality check, Pheroze; it felt so very odd…" Lady Flora, spoke haltingly, instead of her usual rapid fire-like delivery. She was sipping on chai with her old friend and walking companion Sir PM at their usual spot inside Horniman Circle Gardens.

"What do you mean, Lady Flora? I hope everything is okay with you," Sir PM enquired. She could read from his stressed forehead that he was worried. "I am fine but this wretched virus and its aftermath has really knocked the wind out of so many good things in Bombay. I was stunned when I decided to do a quick dekko of the Kala Ghoda festival last night, only to see an empty, quiet neighbourhood. It felt ghost-like. It wasn't until I bumped into our good friend Dr Viegas that he briefed me about the change in plan, and how no physical event was going to happen this year, thanks to the monster pandemic. Isn't that tragic?" she winced. Sir PM realised that once again, he'd missed the bus when it came to news updates.

Enjoy the fest at home
"Oh dear, that's unfortunate," is all he could manage, since he was clearly lost to add anything substantial. "Well, I am told that it is still happening but in an ‘online' affair this time, via all modern technology that this generation is so accustomed to. From what I gauge, you can sit in the comfort and safety of your home, and still continue to experience these events across your area of interest, be it a dance performance or a book reading. Viegas was explaining all these amazing new advancements but I lost the plot after a while. He said that such a decision had to be taken to avoid any assembly of crowds that is a common part of the festival. Honestly, I am glad and relieved that the organisers are keeping the festival alive. But please don't ask me anything beyond this," revealed Lady Flora before Sir PM could get too inquisitive about the whys and hows of this all-new format. ‘Better not to say something foolish while I am riding on a high,' she checked herself.

"It's a hat-tip to the resilience of this city," thundered Sir PM. He loved to make these grand, all-enveloping statements about his favourite city. By now, he realised that another member of their original gang, Gargoyle, had also joined in, and was all ears to their Sunday chat. "I recall how last year when things were looking challenging at one point. The organisers were facing hurdles to pull off another edition of the big-ticket, popular event, and then, like a miracle, everything came together at the right time. And this bit of news that you've just shared - that the organisers have created this new version; it says so much about our resolve, no? I must check it out for myself, get in the know of things…we need to move with the times, after all. Don't you think so?" Gargoyle, ever on the ball with city happenings, chimed in, "Oh, and I believe they've managed to invite a stellar line-up, including international names, and it is turning out to be cost-effective, too, since travel and accommodation costs are all negated.

A wonderful modern innovation, I must say. The pandemic might have played spoilsport, but look at how today's minds are finding magnificent ways to ensure everyone stays connected, and most importantly, that they lived up to the adage that the show must go on." Sir PM and Lady Flora realised that Gargoyle was more up to speed than they gave him credit for. ‘Perhaps I should chat him up more often for my khabar,' Sir PM made a mental note; he came across quite poorly today.

Remembering the past
The trio decided to walk down Ropewalk Lane as they relieved a few memories from earlier editions of the festival - when greats like Ustad Zakir Hussain and Mallika Sarabhai performed on an open stage, when artisans and craftspeople descended with a riot of colour and art to the locality, when the laughs of children would resonate across the lawns of CSMVS nearby, and when the city's literary alchemists bonded over words inside the Sir David Sassoon Library.

"I really hope the festival will be back next year in its original form," sighed Sir PM. They had reached the pedestal where the black horse stood. "Imagine how much this fella must be missing the buzz and excitement," reminded Gargoyle. "Just as much as every culture-crazed Bombaywallah," smiled Lady Flora.

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana. Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com