Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Pic/Satej Shinde

While he was sleeping

A senior citizen manages to catch a nap despite the activity around him at Yamuna Nagar in Juhu.

To be continued, in Mumbai

(From left) Two panels from Anis' upcoming chapters of the graphic novel

This diarist has been exploring the city through writer Aazar Anis' lens for nearly a decade. It started with city iterations and new reflections in Bombay Hectic, a digital graphic novel and an offshoot of Delhi Hectic, which the poet launched after he moved here. After 26 chapters in nine years, Anis, creative director at an advertising agency, will soon introduce three new chapters. And this time, the series will be on Instagram @bombayhectic. It's more than a decade in the city that makes Anis a Mumbaikar. "Although I'm from Delhi, I have roots in Mumbai. My mother grew up in Kurla 70, in the same neighbourhood as rapper Naezy. My childhood vacations always included visits to Juhu Beach and Essel World; the sea opening up in the city and an amusement park on an island blew my mind." Speaking about his observations, he concluded, "The city welcomes you and lets you be."

Aazar Anis

Return of pride

Participants at the Mumbai Queer Pride on Saturday. Pic/Atul Kamble

It was colour, dancing and smiles all around as the Mumbai Queer Pride March returned to the city last Saturday, after four years. At the march around August Kranti Maidan, the LGBTQIA+ community stepped out with placards that expressed their demand for equality, a right to be safe, and to end the stigma against people with HIV as well. "It was a fantastic event. The turnout was huge, especially seeing that the march is returning after a four-year hiatus. We hope that the community gains increased visibility and our voice for pending demands is amplified," said Saurabh Bondre, moderator of the organising committee. "Each of us have fought different battles all our lives to be accepted and to be heard. This is such a great platform to voice our opinions while celebrating our diversity," shared Anjali Siroya, assistant advocacy manager of The Humsafar Trust.

From India's tip to its toe

(From left) Rinkoo Singh during an earlier trip; Sunder Rathod

Despite being an avid cyclist, photographer Sunder Rathod's jaunts never extended beyond Mumbai. Yet, the Andheri-resident could not resist the urge to join hands with Colaba-resident Rinkoo Singh for a cycling expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari starting next week. "While the expedition has been a dream, it is also for a good cause. We hope to raise funds to finance supplies for an NGO in Vasai," Rathod said. The trip will start in Srinagar on February 12, and wrap up in Kanyakumari on February 29. "I have never done this, but Rinkoo has, and we hope to accomplish this feat without issues."

Pink survivors

This page had recently reported cases where flamingos were rescued by Resqink Association for Wildlife after being entangled in manjas. While speaking with founder Pawan Sharma, this diarist learned that they had rescued nearly nine flamingos till date, of which only two survived. "One of those was a victim of Makar Sankranti," he said, adding that the bird has been released into the wild. They are now investigating the recent accident that caused the death of four flamingos in the suburbs of Navi Mumbai.

Cine memories with Dev Anand

A poster of the film Kala Bazar features Eros cinema in the background. Pic Courtesy/Derivaz & Ives

This diarist has a soft spot for all things ancient. So, auction house deRaaz& Ives' online auction of memorabilia from actor Dev Anand's films feels nostalgic. The auction, being held from February 8 to 10, will feature a collection of posters, photographic stills, and publicity art from the icon's films. These include a rare set of Indian handmade show cards of the film Kala Pani (1958), and black and white stills from Guide (1965), among many others. "Dev Anand was a legendary actor and filmmaker whose memory lives on in the city. His charismatic aura and contribution to cinema is still celebrated," shared SMM Ausaja, senior spokesperson for deRivaz & Ives Film Department. Among this collection is an iconic poster of Kala Bazar (1960) with the now renovated theatre of Eros in the backdrop. "The poster with Eros Theatre in the background is iconic as he black-marketed tickets at Eros in the film," noted Ausaja. The return of the picture palace to the city's culturescape would have impressed the filmmaker.