Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

Mortimer Chatterjee

Mi gallery es su gallery
Next month, one of our favourite galleries, Chatterjee and Lal, will give up their space - don't be alarmed now - for three weeks.

The Colaba space will be taken over by New York's sassy Aicon Gallery, which will bring works from its roster of artists curated by Projjal Dutta and Andrew Shea. Mortimer Chatterjee says that this model of gallery-exchanges has been something he and partner Tara Lal have been discussing for almost a decade now.

After the first exchange - with NYC's Thomas Erben Gallery in 2008 - this is round two for Chatterjee and Lal, who will take over Aicon's space next year. Whoever said you can't bring NYC to amchi Mumbai?

When we got to be a caricature!
Not so long ago, this diarist was on the sets of blockbuster Marathi TV show, Chala Hawa Yeu Dya, to meet its whacky cast. While chatting with Nilesh Sable, the show's young writer-director, he revealed that most of the characters are inspired by the people he meets. And, who knows, someday he might just portray a character inspired by us.

Chala Hawa Yeu Dya

And By Jove, he meant it! In last week's episode with the Sairat cast, Shreya Borde played a journalist who, apparently has been inspired by this writer. Amusingly enough, from a newspaper named ‘Good-Day'. From the hair and mannerisms to the awkward mash of Marathi and English, it was a job well done.

Ooh la la

Pic/Sneha Kharabe

Malaika Arora Khan caught in a candid moment at the launch of a patisserie in Bandra on Saturday.

A desi romantic at heart
Pinkey Ahluwalia, the Belgian Vice-Consul to India, can speak seven languages with great flourish including German, Italian and Russian. But, it's Hindi that holds a special corner. "I began writing poems in French as a teen.

But, after watching Bollywood movies, I realised Hindi is the best language for expression of the heart," says Ahluwalia, who has also translated 4,755 Dutch words into Punjabi. Next year, the 43-year-old will release a book of 21 poems in Hindi.

"The poems revolve around romance and melancholy. They are also inspired by the places I've lived in like Istanbul, Manila, Moscow and Casablanca," she tells us, adding that her tenure in India has been extended. "I was supposed to leave this year, but looks like I'll be staying longer. No complaints," she smiles.

Runway to wardrobe, all in a jiffy
Designer Payal Singhal isn't just content with flaunting her unique prints and cuts any more. She is set to launch the PS Diary this month, an online magazine that will, as she says, "make it easy for the everyday woman to translate trends". "I often encounter women who are excited about wearing a stylish outfit, but find themselves struggling to style it well.

Payal Singhal

So, that's why this magazine - to help make the transition from the runway to your wardrobe a seamless one. This is a project of passion that I have been working on for a while now," she told this diarist. And, as it gives you the inspiration, it will help you shop the trends right away.

The first issue is, of course, a bridal one, thanks to the wedding season. "A true fashionista is keen to understand the etymology of her ensemble. Hence, we've decoded the various styles and terminologies associated with kurtas, lehengas, blouses and traditional trousers, among other things. You have to read this issue!"

The Eiffel is now fashionable
This one is perhaps the biggest fashion coup ever. Atop the Eiffel Tower, in the heart of Paris, will play out the first French European Indian Fashion Week. It's orchestrated by the World News Network and will take place from October 21 to 23 with six shows every day.

Satish Reddy

Showcasing their creations will be designers from around the world, from Italy, UK, France, Netherlands, South Africa and, of course, India. From South Africa alone, there are seven designers, while the Indian fashion delegation is a handful comprising names like Rocky S, Nida Mahmood, Kanika Saluja, Poonam Bhagat, Karishma Jumani, Madhu Jain, Asa Kazingmei, to name a few.

The show will be inaugurated by Indian Ambassador in Paris, Mohan Kumar. The guest list is as premium as it gets and invites have already been sent out to French senators, mayors, a few Cannes delegates, and actresses from both India and France.

Satish Reddy, president of French European Indian Organisation, said, "The show will be held on the first level of the Eiffel, that can accommodate about 200 people - 100 sitting, 50 standing, the rest of course is taken up by the ramp. This is the first time a fashion show is being organised at one of the seven wonders of the world!"