Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Pic/Sameer Markande

Mending the skies

While birds fly, repairmen work on a high-voltage electricity pole at Kanjurmarg on Friday

French connection

Charles Baudelaire. Pic/Wikimedia Commons (right) Meenal Kshirsagar

If French poet and essayist Charles Baudelaire were alive today, he would have completed 200 glorious years old. To celebrate his bicentenary, the Literary Club of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai (ASM) has joined hands with University of Mumbai's Centre for European Studies. The event that will be held today at the Society's Durbar Hall will begin with a short talk on French poetry and continue with readings of some of Baudelaire's poems in French. Meenal Kshirsagar, vice president of the Society and chairperson of ASM LitClub, said, "We invite attendees to find out that Les Fleurs du Mal, which so scandalised 19th century Paris is not just gathering dust on a shelf. It still has universal appeal across cultures and beyond borders."

Giving fiction its due

AS Panneerselvan, Mita Kapur and Janice Pariat

Bibliophiles who seek a recurrent dose of literary nudges to breeze through the year will be excited to note that the JCB Prize for Literature is ready to celebrate contemporary fiction yet again. Their recently released list of jury members comprise art historians, writers, editors and translators who can use their nuanced perspectives to assess book submissions. Chaired by AS Panneerselvan (fellow, Centre for Study in Public Sphere, Roja Muthiah Research Library), the jury comprises writers Amitabha Bagchi and Janice Pariat, academic Rakhee Balaram and historian Dr J Devika. Speaking about the honour that enters its fifth year, literary director of the prize Mita Kapur, told us, "Our jury is waiting to delve into stories yet unheard of, from different parts of the country. We wish to lean into strong and sensitive narratives with magnetic characters in English, and in translations."

New dig to head to

How do readers grow their tribe? By reading and sharing. Bookelphia, a crowdsourced book reading and sharing platform that operates digitally, was founded on a similar principle five years ago. But, they have a new plan. Founder Reetu Bhagat shared, "When we envisioned this unique idea of lending and borrowing books, readers were iffy. They weren't sure if another person would care for their book.

We addressed those factors. Often, members of our digital library have approached us asking if we have an outpost or if they can visit with their children. That's how the idea for our physical library came up; it will be operational throughout April." The library is based out of Bookelphia's Thane office. Interested folk can call 9004359025 for more details.

G&T with a view in Thane

Tipplers in Thane can raise a toast to this news. A watering hole will soon pop up in Thane West, where we hear there'll be cocktails and grills, along with a view. Overlooking the scenic hills of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Grill and Tonic will serve grilled delicacies from across India, Turkey and Japan. Think tandoori rassile aloo, thecha paneer tikka, Turkish lamb adana, chicken yakitori with orange miso glaze and more, along with bar nibbles such as kadak roomali and animal prawns.

Founder Purvesh Sarnaik (inset) shared with this diarist that the rooftop bar and restaurant aims to offer the residents of Thane a much-needed space to party and unwind. "We are not aiming to be good just in Thane, but among the best in the country. The idea is to deliver to you great food, wine and awesome experiences," Sarnaik shared with this diarist.

Global acclaim for Dayanita Singh

This diarist recalls discovering a novel gallery format when Dayanita Singh launched her ‘pocket museum' at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum in 2017. The Delhi-based photographer was recently awarded the prestigious 2022 Hasselblad Award for her extensive oeuvre, wherein she has tried to find more engaging ways to present photography. Through books, installations and mobile museums, the artiste has welcomed the viewer into her frames, and depicted images as interconnected narratives. Singh is the first artist of South Asian descent to have won this two million Swedish krona- award. Our congratulations.