The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
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A regal unveiling of the Dark Mistress
After making quite a splash with the London unveiling of her collection, Dark Mistress in September, Delna Poonawalla is poised to unravel it on home shores today at the grand Umaid Bhavan in Jodhpur.
The designer’s equestrian connection came in handy for this one, because as it appears, it was British Polo Day founder Edward Olver who invited her to showcase at the royal Jodhpur venue to mark the British Polo Day.
Speaking to this diarist, Poonawalla said, “Five years ago, I walked up to Philip Treacy (London’s famous hat designer) and told him how I was an ardent follower of his work. His partner Edward (Olver) attended my show at the London Fashion Week and we kept in touch. One day, he calls to ask me if I’d like to showcase in Jodhpur. Who can say no to that!”
When seven was heaven for Mumbai cricket lovers
History was made earlier this week when, for the first time since this country started hosting Test matches in 1933, there was not a single city player in the India playing XI for a Test in Mumbai.
In Picture: Australian stalwarts Neil Harvey (seated) and Richie Benaud (left) chat with Vijay Merchant (centre) and India skipper GS Ramchand in 1960
Cricket followers here thought it was a bitter pill to swallow and were convinced that Mumbai's best days are well and truly behind. Other enthusiasts took things in their stride, citing that the no-Mumbai player-in-team situation was only caused by the finger injury to local boy Ajinkya Rahane. That said, Mumbai's lesser representation in India’s playing XIs has declined over the years. Now here's the difference.
The playing XI for the India vs Australia Test at Brabourne Stadium in January 1960 had Mumbai written all over it as it were. Five players in the XI were representing Mumbai at the time — skipper GS Ramchand, Polly Umrigar, RB Kenny, Bapu Nadkarni and Ghulam Guard. And two players — Budhi Kunderan and Nari Contractor — had become India players thanks to their cricketing development in this city. That 1960 Test which started on New Year’s Day must have been some game for city cricket lovers!
Bringing back a Goa of the past
If you’re planning to flock to Goa this season to let your hair down, Dj Nikhil Chinapa has something in store that is off the beaten track. Wonderwall, Goa’s new boutique beach festival at Sunset Ashram on Ashwem Beach, is an intimate gathering for the bohemian Indian, free from the trappings of mass festivals.
Nikhil Chinappa
Organised by Chinnapa along with Goa-based entrepreneur Shailesh Shetty and Oum Pradutt, founder of Phase 1 Experiences, the festival will feature Grammy award-winning house music producer Roger Sanchez and Brussels-based house music producer Kid Crème. “What we are trying to do is go back to the space where Goa was beautiful without being corporatised. Think hand-painted signs, easy furniture and hammocks,” said Chinapa.
Fans in all sizes
Pic/Poonam Bathija
Actor Shah Rukh Khan interacts with a young fan at a film launch in Bandra on Saturday.
Hosting memories
If you had been a participant of Thukral and Tagra’s Memoir Bar earlier this year in the city, you would have certainly tripped on making their ‘Memory Tiles’. The installation went all the way to Dubai Design Week, after which it has been chosen to be a part of the Middle Eastern city’s upcoming design district.
Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra
Sumir Tagra, one half of the dashing duo, says that they have been sought out to host similar Memoir Bar events and co-create memory tiles with attendees next year at India Art Fair (in collaboration with The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art), Sharjah, Palestine and, most probably, Bahrain as well. With six shows coming up in the next three months, these leading contemporary artists are on a roll, we think. What’s more, you can now check the tiles you made for Memoir Bar at www.memoirbar.com
A prequel to Baahubali
Even as we await the sequel to 2015’s mega blockbuster Baahubali, Mumbai-based author Anand Neelakantan of Asura fame, has brought more cheer for fans of the historical drama. The writer said that he’s working on a trilogy, also titled Baahubali, which will throw light on the back-story of the epic saga.
Anand Neelakantan
“It’s a prequel,” he explains, adding, “The series takes off from where the last book ends.” Neelakantan says that the trilogy was actually the brain-child of director SS Rajamouli, and will deal with Katappa and Sivagami’s childhood. For now, he’s giving final touches to the first book, published by Westland. And, we are told that it’s going to release along with Baahubali 2. Double treat!