Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Taking stock
It's a date that most folk engaged in ‘bijnes' should have remembered! But we aren't conducting a quiz here. Back in 1875, on July 9 , a group of Indian brokers who did business in stocks and shares decided to form the Bombay Stock Exchange to protect the rights and interests of its members.

Bombay Stock Exchange. Pic/Bipin Kokate

On December 1887, some members formally established the stock exchange as a society that was called the Native Shares and Stockbrokers Association. Today, it is housed at the Pheroze Jeejebhoy Towers on Dalal Street.

Sallu's green thumb

Salman Khan seems amused by the antics of Sohail Khan's younger son, Yohan, at a tree plantation drive in Bandra yesterday. Also in the frame is Sohail's older son, Nirvaan. Pic/Sameer Markande

Amy's back!
Pun intended. At least, this diarist was tempted to give the headline a shot, after reading the title of stand-up comic, entertainer and actor, Amy Schumer's new book, The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo.

With tonnes of followers on social media, including Hillary Clinton, the popular actress went nude for the book cover shoot, we are told. As soon as publishers Simon & Schuster announced pre-orders, her fans went into a tizzy, to grab a copy of the tell-all. The book goes on sale in August.

Kathak calling
Last weekend, Delhi kathak exponent Siddhi Goel conducted an interactive workshop, The Kathak Nayika: Devotee, Courtesan, or Vamp? for Mumbai's enthusiasts of the Classical dance form.

Pic/Bipin Kokate

The 45-minute workshop explored the lesser-known heroines of the dance form across its history, and recognised their role in expanding its heritage. She hoped that workshop would break myths associated with courtesans.

Going by the applause post event, we think she succeeded.

Sounds from Mumbai's cine landmarks
The weekend witnessed a cinema walk with a difference. Led by retired Indian Navy commander Paramjit Singh (right), a bunch of cine enthusiasts did not just cover Liberty, Capitol, Excelsior and Edward cinemas as part of their trail into its history; they were also treated to original music compositions by Singh, a connoisseur of South Bombay cinemas who regaled them with his music.

The songs were a tribute to these theatres and were written by Singh who had been a poet from the years in service. Now that's what we call a novel way to learn about the city's cinematic history. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Sherlock on the tube
Our favourite train commuters are back! No, we aren't referring to the cool Koli women on the 6.06 Virar fast. They come close.

These are a different breed, courtesy, folks on NYC's tube who feed us (and a million others) with dishy photos of ‘Hot Dudes Reading', the viral project that is now a worldwide sensation that captures handsome men at their cerebral best while reading on their commute.

Recently, they posted this frame, with the tweet (we agree totally): ‘It looks like I found my very own Sherlock Holmes right here on the 4 train.' Elementary, Watson?