Mumbai Diary: Friday Dossier

Pic/Sameer Markande

Mini Driver in Mumbai

A girl takes her toy car for a drive on Mahapalika Road near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station.

Kids sing the Blues

(Left) The children at a practice session; (right) the group at a performance

Felix Hug (right), director and head of Arts Department at Kanakia International School in Chembur, and conductor of Nanhi KaliXBeatz Crew project, lead an all-girls ensemble to perform at the upcoming Mahindra Blues Festival in February.

"This is the first time it is a girls'-only team on stage. While the boys were disappointed, they read and understood the importance of representation, particularly in Blues music. I cannot reveal the songs, but they are built around a powerful theme of inclusivity and strength," he shared.

A city of his own

Bhatnagar sets up a LEGO building

LEGO designer and founder of India Film Project, Ritam Bhatnagar has decided to build a world of his own. Over the last four years, Bhatnagar has been slowly collating LEGO bricks and structures shaping them into a city that spans over 20 feet in length. "I grew up on The Sims, and always wanted to design a city where I could shape things the way I wanted to," he shared.

New year, new settings

A view of the exhibition in the current gallery space

The new year has witnessed Gallery XXL take up permanent residence at the Arsiwala Mansion in Colaba. The space opened on Thursday with a visual exhibition, sans sentense, which looks at post-graffiti art and artists such as Al Qawi Nanavati, DO, Hanif Kureshi, Khatra, Lakshmi Madhavan, Latheesh Lakshman, Sowat, Tanya George and ZERO.

The show will examine questions surrounding the politics of language and its role in shaping social fabric. Joe Cyril (inset), director of the gallery, shared, "This is an important milestone for us as well as for the promotion of urban contemporary and post graffiti art in the country. Situated in an architecturally significant part of Mumbai, through regular programming, we hope the gallery adds to the cultural art district."

Igniting the future

Children show off their new books

Recently, NGO Nanhe Haath Foundation conducted a survey across Zilla Parishad schools on Vajreshwari Road, including areas like Parol, Lendipada, Vadghar and Ambode, where they also distributed 700 stationery kits to children. Founder Sanjay B Vaishnav revealed, "There are many schools but the number of students is very low. Most students are seventh or eighth grade drop-outs, who then begin working for a daily wage. The survey helped us understand the issues faced and meet families with the support of the schools." Next week, the NGO will meet with 70 parents to counsel them on the importance of education, and offer to fund their children's higher studies.

From raagas to (green) riches

An earlier edition of Mumbai Green Raaga

Call it from raagas to riches, on perfect pitches. We are enthused that gardens across the city are going to come alive with the sound of classical music this Sunday morning. Young musicians are going to perform as part of the third edition of Mumbai Green Raaga (MGR). This is taking place in eight gardens, from 7 am to 9 am. What is more heartening is that these are gardens in the western, central and middle city as well as South Mumbai, making it truly inclusive. The dual use of these gardens, some of which have performance spaces within is a welcome initiative. The young artistes get a platform and an audience. Adding more sheen to this green is that the concerts are free and open to all. They may ignite a spark in a morning walker, who stops mid-stride to hear them. Even marathoners, on their runs in gardens and elsewhere on Sunday, for whom running is riyaaz are likely to stop mid-stride, moved by the music. If you think this sounds like something you may have an ear for, call 9223231359 for details. Some of these young musicians who may go on to reach the level of a maestro can truly say that their initial music performances (literally) took root in a garden.