16 May,2022 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
A woman police constable goes about her day in Ghatkopar East
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Architects from Abha Narain Lambah Associates (ANLA) have got their hands on a key part of Maharashtra's history. The city-based architecture firm, in association with the Maharashtra government, is now working on the site management plan for the 17th century Shivneri fort - the birth place of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Principal architect Abha Narain Lambah described the historical fort as a centrally protected monument; it is also on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. "Team ANLA is also assessing schemes for the beautification and facility provision for tourists in the entire locality of Shivneri fort," she revealed. The project will focus on the fort, but also extend to the rock-cut architecture and water systems in Junnar that date back to 1st century AD. As the saying goes, never forget the past if you wish to secure a future.
If you are a visual artist in India, and your project needs a stimulus of funds, basic funding to start off, or any financial support, Space118 might have a lifeline for you. Applications are invited from artists across the country for a production grant amount between R15,000 and R1,00,000 towards the realisation of an ongoing or newly conceived project/artwork. Saloni Doshi, its founder, shared, "Owing to the pandemic, we transitioned into a grant-making organisation two years ago. That birthed Space118 Fine Art Grant that provides monetary impetus as well as mentorship sessions, jury review sessions, and is a great platform to engage with other artists." Interested folk can log on to space118.com for more details.
Do your eyes search for the familiar even while absorbing new sights in a strange land? A twinkling reminder of amchi Mumbai greeted this diarist when she recently stepped into Four Seasons DIFC, Dubai. There, in a busy hotel lobby amid the throbbing commercial heart of the emirate, was the life-sized installation of Dabbawala, adorned with around 3,000 watches, carrying a peculiar dabba. Of course, lunch was momentarily forgotten. We stepped closer to find the detailed artwork was created by Mumbai boy, Valay Shende, who has immersed his practice in the issues concerning the common man.
The watches, which covered every inch of the installation, invoked sweet memories of hot tiffin boxes that would punctually reach us at the office, come rain or shine, thanks to the men who remain the lifeline of Mumbai. And here too, the Dabbawala's shiny stomach-shaped dabba quickly prompted us that lunch was waiting. As we snapped the moment and headed to our meal, we said a silent prayer for the resilient community that battled a rough time in the pandemic. Well, long live the Dabbawala.
A man from the Bhistee community at work in old Mumbai's bylanes; the picture is a part of I Remember Water Worldwide Exhibition. PIC COURTESY/ASLAM SAIYAD, LIVING WATERS MUSEUM
What does water mean to you? Does it transport you to childhood days spent frolicking on the banks of a stream? Or does it remind you of a polluted nullah that was once a sweet-watered river? The global exhibition I Remember Water will explore memories of humankind's relationships with water. With 462 images contributed by water museums, individuals and artists working with water issues, it will digitally premiere on May 18 - International Museum Day. The project is an initiative by the Global Network of Water Museums, and is supported by the Living Waters Museum, India. Sara Ahmed, founder, Living Waters Museum, told us, "The exhibition is divided into six sections - life, play, heritage, spiritual, belonging and transformations. There are submissions from Iran, Morocco, China, India, Italy, The Netherlands, and other countries." To explore these memories and your own, check out irememberwater.watermuseums.net.
From Hakkasan to Yauatcha, CinCin and Nara Thai, restaurants owned by Karyna Bajaj have carved their niche in the city and beyond. Now, word on the grapevine is that the restaurateur is eyeing a spot in the heady foodscape of Bangkok for her new eatery. Bajaj remained tight-lipped, and neither denied nor confirmed the news. Too soon to let the cat out of the bag?
