The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Pic/Atul Kamble
Look who's been excused from taking the exam!
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As aspirants prepare for the Mumbai Police examination, a four-legged companion prefers to squeeze in a snooze at Shivaji Park
When Busan came calling
The actor in a still from Mariam
Amid the lockdown, actor Chitrangada Satarupa slipped into the shoes of Mariam, a domestic worker living with her three kids and husband in a slum in the heart of Mumbai. The eponymous feature film by independent filmmaker Arvind Pratap follows the journey of Mariam and her family as they navigate the blow of the pandemic and struggle to keep their head above the water. The film was recently showcased at the A Window on Asian Cinema section of Busan International Film Festival. “I’ve always heard of the Busan fest, but it’s only when you’re there can you understand what a massive festival it is. It was great to see films from stalwarts and independent filmmakers alike. The audience was insightful, and helped add a new meaning to the film,” she told us.
Grate win for city cheesemaker
The award-winning Moony (right) Mausam Jotwani Narang with Brunost
Last year, when Mumbai-based Eleftheria Cheese bagged silver for their fudgy, toffee-like Elef Brunost cheese at the World Cheese Awards, they put the Indian artisanal cheese-making community on the map. This diarist was thrilled to learn that they have done an encore; only this time, they have made it cheesier by winning gold and silver at the World Cheese Awards 2022, held in Wales. While their Moony, cloth-bound cheddar, secured the gold rating, the trusty Elef Brunost wowed judges again and brought home a silver. This time, the Mumbai cheesemaker was not the only Indian name at the competition. Chennai’s Käse Cheese was awarded a bronze rating. In the run up to the results being declared, the team at Eleftheria Cheese was a nervous bundle, constantly checking the website for updates, shared founder Mausam Jotwani Narang. “It’s really special. India is home to many artisanal cheesemakers who are doing a fairly good job. But we don’t have any such competitions or platforms here. So, we thought we must participate and put ourselves out there,” Jotwani Narang told us. Moony, she revealed, is inspired by the UK’s tradition of farmhouse cloth-bound cheddar which is wrapped in muslin and pressed into moulds. “It’s truly a labour of love. It has a beautiful complex flavour profile,” she added.
Paint it platinum
Rappers battle it out at a previous cypher in Marol Art Village
The Marol Art Village has been at the heart of Mumbai’s hip-hop ecosystem for the past year. Yesterday, the neighbourhood witnessed a star turn. The award-winning collective, Bombay Lokal, turned up at the weekly Sunday cypher to support rapper Farhan Khan’s upcoming single, Platinum, which drops on November 10. Tasheer Khan, the organiser, told this diarist, “We have cyphers in the village every Sunday, and Farhan had heard about it. He thought it would be a great idea to bring in his group, interact with rappers and also share some of his ideas.” In addition to Khan, the event also saw other popular names in Shaikhspeare and Rashmeet Kaur joining the gang.
Set for a dramatic return to the stage
One of the most popular theatre awards and festivals is coming back on ground after a digital showcase amid the pandemic. The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) will be held in March 2023. The annual theatre gala has put out a call for applications, inviting theatremakers from across the country to submit their plays. Sanjoy K Roy (inset), managing director, Teamwork Arts, the organisers, shared that META is coming back onstage in Delhi in its signature grand and inclusive style. “We thank everyone who supported this festival of stagecraft during the pandemic when it was showcased in its digital versions. We hope to reach out to all theatre groups across the country and receive new plays that have been produced in the last two years,” Roy added. Theatrewallahs can look up the details on @metawards to send in their applications.
Turning Singham to fight triggers
There’s a new Singham in town. In the spirit of International Stress Awareness Day, and in line with today’s fast-paced life, graphologist and performance coach Aditi Surana launched her new live show, Aata Majhi Satakli. In her crisp Marathi, Surana — in a Khaki uniform and with a badge that reads: Mental Fitness Officer — introduced viewers to her show that’s aimed at identifying stress triggers. “The idea for the character and title derives from what happens when we lose control over the smallest of things. Through these weekly sessions, we aim to break the cycle of triggers. Mental health is always presented in serious terms. This fun representation would help us to do away with that kind of stigma,” Surana said, adding the first episode airs tomorrow.
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