The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Owais with paint for Mumbai
Contemporary Indian artist Owais Husain has been confirmed as one of 11 select artists who will participate in [en]counters, the seventh edition of Mumbai’s public art festival scheduled for October 8-November 28, presented by ArtOxygen. The intent is to create a new wave of cultural initiatives bringing an array of engaging arts projects into public spaces in India.
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This year’s edition will celebrate the city’s diversity explored at one of its most iconic locations. While the press release didn’t reveal the name, it merely mentioned the venue as a ‘prominent railway station, which is an architectural embodiment of the city’s history and a social synthesis of its diverse and cosmopolitan nature.’ With such a lofty introduction, we’re sure this it is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus).
In Husain’s project (October 22-23), a canvas video wall will display static objects and transportation images, speaking of the station’s continual flow of goods and people since inception. This showcasing of shifting cultures from one place to the next, to absorb the essence of modern-day migration is something we are looking forward to.
All set for the big, brawny handshake
Pic/Sameer Markande
Arjun Kapoor and John Abraham look pleased to have bumped into each other at Mehboob Studio in Bandra, last evening.
A new song for Mother Mary
September is an important month for devotees of Mother Mary. On the first day of the novena before the her birthday that falls on September 8, the president of Maharashtra East Indian Christian Federation (MEICF) Herbert Barretto released Our Lady of Vailankanni Flag Anthem CDs.
Herbert Barretto (left) with Fr Savio D’Souza at the launch in Wadala. PIC/Shadab Khan
“The song was in Tamil so East Indians couldn’t follow it. Yet it was always played during the novena. I invited Juhu gaothan singer Cedric Tixeira to sing it in East Indian Marathi,” he said. The CD is being distributed free of cost at churches and gaothans wherever the novena services are held by MEICF.
An ode to all things offensive
We are wary of all that goes viral, because the content is silly or uninspiring. Then a poem on Facebook, shared by over 2,300 people, made us sit up and take note. Its author, Delhi based researcher, Shruti Ambast talks about the sanskaar of jean-wearing, skirt-loving women and pokes fun at those who are offended by breasts and bras.
Our favourite lines come at the end:
What if I cover myself
From head to toe?
*cough* secularism *cough* security *cough*
Sorry. But no.
Enough! I renounce clothing
From now I will be nude
No way! What do you think you are — A dude?
Sakshi’s on Instagram now
Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik has understood the power of media after her bronze medal win at the Rio Olympics. The 58 kg category grappler joined Twitter in May, but got active only after her medal win on August 17.
Sakshi Malik’s coach Kuldeep Singh carries her on his shoulder after her bronze medal win in Rio. Pic/PTI
The 23-year-old has posted 26 tweets since, and already has a following of over 72,000. Her tweets include pictures of her Olympic bronze medal, besides photos of her with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee, who presented her with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna this week.
Yesterday, she also officially announced her Instagram debut and posted its link with the message: “Waha aur active hone ki koshish karungi (I’ll try to be more active here).”
It’s time for Colombia
Most Mumbaikars may know the South American country of Colombia only because of Shakira or their infamous drug mafia.
Colombians hold signs reading ‘Peace is my, your, our business. Pic/AFP
Yet, the ceasefire declared in Colombia after the commander of the country’s Farc guerrillas said its fighters would permanently cease hostilities with the government, has one Mumbaikar smiling broader than the rest.
Pradeep Madhavji
As the ceasefire begins for a war-weary country, Pradeep Madhavji, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Colombia, was beaming because peace has been established for now. With peace comes prosperity, like a happy cocktail, and Madhavji says that he sees more investment coming to Colombia in the near future.
The Consul adds that the perception of the country too will change, long associated with the guerillas and drug trade. He hopes it will now be known for better things like that it is the second largest flower exporter in the world and has warm, friendly people. Madhavji at the Willingdon Club at Mahalaxmi raises his coffee cup in a celebratory gesture and says, here’s to Colombia.