The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
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For posterity
It may have changed names from VT to CST to more recently, CSMT, but what hasn't changed is how it still continues to amaze Mumbaikars and tourists alike. Yesterday marked the day when 13 years ago, UNESCO inscribed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on its World Heritage List. "Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional and universal value of a cultural or natural site which requires protection for the benefit of all humanity" reads the document. And with its breathtaking stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and stone mesh work that blend Victorian Gothic Revival architecture with traditional Indian style, it is indeed heritage that generations deserve to enjoy. We hope the city's authorities take as much interest in preserving it as they do in its nomenclature.
Pic/Satej Shinde
Devi darshan
Actress Sridevi seeks the lord's blessings on the day of the release of her latest movie, at Juhu's Mukteshwar Temple last afternoon.
Play it loud, Siddharth
Siddharth vocalist and music director Shankar Mahadevan's son — is not only a good singer, but is also known for his sharp business acumen.
Sivamani, Taufiq Qureshi and Shankar Mahadevan on the opening night
Recently, Mahadevan Junior, 24, brought the house down at his new venture, Mojo's Bistro, a space in Lower Parel that hosts live gigs. The night opened in style, with powerhouse performances by Sivamani, Taufiq Qureshi, Manasi Scott, Louiz Banks, Loy Mendonsa and others.
Manasi Scott. Pics/Bipin Kokate
Bigwigs from across the entertainment industry, including Boman Irani, Ehsaan Noorani, Shaan, Mahalaxmi Iyer and Divya Dutta, dropped by to support the young entrepreneur-musician's venture. Singer Akriti Kakkar summed up the space in a single tweet: "Music, musicians, friends, love and amazing food! What more can one ask for?"
Another bestseller from Hanif?
If you relished his debut novel, A Case of Exploding Mangoes, and devoured Our Lady of Alice, there's good news in store. Fans of Mohammed Hanif can look forward to his new title, Red Birds (Bloomsbury) expected to hit bookshelves in September 2018. The Karachi-based writer's new story follows an American pilot who crash-lands in a desert, and a refugee living in a camp nearby. What ensues will be an interesting rollercoaster, as what tends to be with Hanif's wizardry with words. Unlike the last time, when his visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival was called off at the last minute, we're hoping he will promote his book in person at the next season of the literary spectacle.
India on your plate, in JVPD
Here's some good news for foodies of JVPD. Next week, the neighbourhood welcomes +91, a casual dining space that offers dishes from across India. It's a venture by Bipin Grewal, and Vipul D Shah, producer of TV shows Comedy Circus and Comedy Nights Bachao. The duo, we hear, travelled through the country to scour for recipes of dishes that are part of the menu. These include Amritsari Macchali, Langar Wali Kali Daal, Cumin Bhutanese Red Rice and the Gondhoraj Nimbu Duck. In company of black-and-white TV sets that rest behind the bar, sip on quirky-sounding concoctions like 91-2366-Jambhul Karvand Martini, a Vengurla special infused with Bengal currant, and +91-866-Avaki Mojito laced with spicy Andhra pickle.
Mahi and his mane
When it comes to sportspersons tinkering with their locks, the one desi name that comes to mind is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Known for his daring innovations, with both the bat and hairstyles, his buzz cut, styled spikes and edgy mohawk were instant hits with cricket fans. Yesterday, on Dhoni's 36th birthday, celebrity hairstylist Sapna Moti Bhavnani took his fans on a nostalgic ride as she shared a picture of the cricketer in her salon's chair all ready to sport a new haircut, and asked them to guess the year. We are leaning towards Dhoni's early days when he wore the hard-to-miss golden dreadlocks. What's your guess?