The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
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Art class about the Bombay School
Art aficionados in the city, who've been keen to learn more about the Bombay School of Art and its legacy, have much to cheer. After months of toil, the Circular Gallery for Visual Art at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya opened its doors yesterday for its first exhibition, Pravaha: A Glimpse from the Early Phase of Sir JJ School of Art and Progressive Art Movement (late 19th to mid 20th century CE). Going by the preview that this diarist was privy to, the exhibition will be a showcase of landscapes, portraiture and the early works by the Progressive Artists' Group of Bombay. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, director-general of CSMVS, shared an anecdote to reiterate how British minds and Indian artists coexisted to inspire some of the works on display. "John Griffiths, one-time principal of Sir JJ School of Art, encouraged his students to visit and study the art on the rock edicts of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Others, like art historian and administrator, EB Havell spent time at Santiniketan to understand Indian art," he reminded us. Art knows no boundaries, and here's another reason why.
A journey around the world in 300 days
He is the first Indian, second Asian, and 79th person to complete a solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation under sail. And now, Cdr Abhilash Tomy, Navy officer, is attempting another, far more expensive feat. He is one of the participants, the lone Asian, at the 2018 Golden Globe Race. It's a solo, non-stop, unassisted race through four oceans, 57,000 kms, and 10 months. To do this, he needs, according to his estimate, about R7.5 crore. He has started a crowdfunding campaign to help him achieve at least part of the target. The money raised will go towards food, equipping the boat with correct technology, training, courses, insurance, registrations, organisers fee, hiring a communication team, among other things. "There may or may not be prize money at the end of the race. But, I am doing it for the honour. Of the 30 people, only one Asian was invited. How could I turn it down?" Tomy told this diarist. We hear that his boat is ready, and will set sail from Goa on August 5.
Pic/Satej Shinde
If it weren't for the beard
Brothers Rajiv Lakshman and Raghu Ram at the launch of a reality show at an Andheri restaurant yesterday.
Mahesh Bhatt
On stage with Mahesh Bhatt
When it comes to the performing arts, the shift is usually from theatre to the big screen. So, it came as a pleasant surprise to see Mahesh Bhatt reach out to script writing and directorial candidates for his theatre group recently. "Looking for an original voice in echo land," said the filmmaker, who has presented some interesting plays in the past including The Last Salute - based on the events that led an Iraqi journalist to hurl a shoe at former US President George W. Bush - as well as the theatrical adaptation of his film, Daddy. The writing will be judged by Bhatt and script writer Suhriti Sengupta along with other theatre personalities. Now, this is one production we are keen to watch on stage.
Mandar Bhanage in Hamlet
Hamlet goes Marathi
While regional theatre is facing tough competition from other forms of entertainment, it's heartening to learn that some artistes are striving hard to keep it alive. One of them is Kolhapur-based Mandar Bhanage, who launched a 60-day crowdfunding campaign yesterday on Wishberry.in. He is seeking '3 lakh to travel with his Marathi play, Hamlet, to Mumbai, Pune and Goa. Based on a script penned by Parshuram Deshpande - he adapted the Bard's classic in Marathi - the play features 17 local artistes from Kolhapur, including Bhanage, who has also produced it. "We performed a preview in May at Kolhapur's historic Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagraha and Deshpandeji was also present. The production value is high, with authentic set design and medieval-style costumes that have been imported from UK and Germany. I exhausted my funds and turned to crowdfunding. The tour will also help me reach out to audiences and show them the magic of Shakespeare in Marathi," shared Bhanage.
Luke Kenny
A voice for the voiceless
A few days ago, a Lower Parel restaurant hosted an evening of music, Eat Some Good and Do Some Good, for the welfare of our furry friends. The evening featured food and an eclectic line-up of musicians performing through the evening - Caralisa Monteiro, 2Blue, Luke Kenny, and Mahalakshmi Iyer. Proceeds from the event, we hear, were donated to YODA, a Mumbai-based non-profit that works towards the benefit of strays. It's not often that we see city restaurants hosting an event for the love of animals. Here's hoping to more woofs for the city's canines.
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