Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Home is where the hearth is: Bus driver Sayyed Sheikh, a Bihar native, cooks a meal for himself and his assistant inside the vehicle, which also doubles up as their bed and shelter, in Bandra. Pic/Nimesh Dave

A tale of India's khichdis

In 2018, khichdi was rumoured to become India's national dish. The popularity and diversity of the humble, nutritious comfort-on-a-platter dish among Indians inspired Jaipur-based food consultants and sisters Ratika Bhargava and Riccha Khetan to document the different khichdis of India. The result is Khichdi: Simple, Soulful & Soothing, a book of over 60 kinds of khichdis, including recipes by contributors such as Vicky Ratnani, Anahita Dhondy, Saby Gorai, Kalyan Karmakar and Saee Koranne Khandekar, among others. The duo has been directing the proceeds from the sale of the book towards different NGOs and charities, shared Bhargava. "Every state and region has its own kind of khichdi. For example, bajra khichdi in Rajasthan, masoor dal khichdi in West Bengal, laal channa khichdi in Punjab, black rice khichdi in Manipur and more. Khichdi is what binds India together. So, we decided to document it."

Windows into a home called Mumbai

(From left) The Evocative Object by Samanta Batra Mehta; Home Away From Home by Mario d'Souza in Colaba. Pics courtesy/Mihir Thakkar

Next time you're strolling by the many glossy, old-school shop windows that dot Colaba, don't be surprised if you come across one displaying a unique assemblage of collected antiquarian objects, or scaffolds in red. These are public art installations that are part of The Show Windows: Mumbai, presented by the programme SqW:Lab and gallery TARQ in collaboration with the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 and Coventry Business Improvement District. An extension of the ongoing project in Coventry, it brings to Mumbai six artworks by Avantika Bawa, Emma Critchley, Mario d'Souza, Ranjit Kandalgaonkar, Samanta Batra Mehta and Tarla Patel. Installed behind the windows of Le Mill, Essajee's Atelier and Raw Mango among other Colaba venues, the artworks offer portals into the multifaceted nature of Mumbai, and inspire narratives around the idea of home. Hena Kapadia, gallery director at TARQ, shared, "This has been a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community in Mumbai over public art installations."

A lit moment

Paro Anand

The Valley of Words 2021 Book Awards recently announced the winners across all eight categories of English literature and Hindi sahitya. The awards honoured works published in the year 2020. While Lavanya Lakshminarayan's Analog/Virtual (Hachette India) was named the winner in the creative writing in English (fiction and poetry) category, Paro Anand's A Quiet Girl (Penguin Random House India) was adjudged the best in writing and picture books for children. Jinnah by Ishtiaq Ahmed (Penguin Random House India) and Vidrohi Sanyaasi by Rajeev Sharma (Prabhat Prakashan) won in the non-fiction category for English and Hindi respectively. Congratulations to the winners.

Vocal for local

When chef Niyati Rao landed a stint at Noma, Copenhagen, one of the best restaurants in the world, she noticed the chefs focusing on celebrating local ingredients. She reconnected that to the potential of India - a vast repository of different cultures, climates, produce and gastronomies - and felt it wasn't entirely tapped. Celebrating local desi ingredients, seasons, cultures and techniques is Ekaa, a restaurant that she's opening with co-founder Sagar Neve in Fort. "We're not following any cuisine; it will be a chef-interpreted affair, drawing on their experiences and inspirations. The food will be inspired by indigenous ingredients and be season-driven," she added.

A Mexican's honour

Victor Manuel Murguia Mancilla, the executive chef at Bastian Hospitality Pvt Ltd, has been felicitated with the Distinguished Mexicans Recognition that is awarded to 31 Mexicans residing abroad, who've had an outstanding career. Born in Mexico City, the chef has spent around seven years in India, including over three in Mumbai. "This recognition makes me feel honoured. When you step out of your country, you become a representative - you have a responsibility as an ambassador of your family, culture, people and gastronomy. Mumbai has been a city where I can share and express myself more clearly through work," he said.