Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Pic/Satej Shinde

A splash of pink and blue

Holding a bright flamingo printed umbrella, a woman walks in the rain on Thane's Gokhale Road.

A study in art

Artist Rithika Merchant's (in pic) first monograph, The Eye, The Sky, The Altar will soon be published by Tarq Mumbai in association with Galerie LJ. Designed by Zeenat Kulavoor from Bombay Duck Designs, the book will review Merchant's work in detail. "It will cover the last five years of my art practice along with a special conversation with my friend, writer and poet, Fariha Roisín," the artist told us. Gallerist Hena Kapadia admitted that it is great to see a longtime collaborator find her work codified in a monograph that releases later this year.

The return of Mughal-e-Azam

When the pandemic hit a pause on in-person theatre performances, many turned to digital avenues to ensure that the show went on. Director Feroz Abbas Khan's Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical was one of the few productions that didn't. Would its glamourous costumes, dynamic dance sequences and creative vision of such scale translate on small screens? Hopefully, we never have to find out, because the show, which has toured the world, is back on stage next month for its 18th edition at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Bandra.

Feroz Abbas Khan

Designed by celebrity designer Manish Malhotra, the costumes worn by the actors will transport the audience to Emperor Akbar's court to witness a royal love affair. Celebrating its comeback and speaking about the costumes, Khan shared, "We come with great respect for the memories of the original Mughal-e-Azam; the costumes represent the Mughal era and pay tribute to the original."

Naturally young

A session organised by the BNHS. Pic Courtesy/Facebook

It is easy to forget that this ever-changing city is dotted with institutions that are older than memory serves us. One such institution, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) turned 139 years old on September 15.

Kishor Rithe (inset), honorary secretary of BNHS, told us that despite its age, the environment-focused society always has its eyes on the future. "We are facing a climate change crisis and need to ensure the ecological security of our country," Rithe noted. To this end, the institution celebrated the day with 18 cadets from the College of Military Engineering in Pune. Describing the session as a move to engage the youth and the armed forces with natural conservation, Rithe said, "BNHS has great expectations in conservation from the younger generation."

Take out your notebooks for a cause

Remember that unused notebook lying ignored in your drawers? Maybe it is time you put it to good use. St Peter's Youth Social Service in Bandra has kicked off its annual stationery collection drive to help underprivileged and tribal school children in Ashagad and Talasari. John Murzello (inset), honorary secretary of the association, told us, "This is part of our annual social outreach programme, and will serve 1,000 students in Ashagad, and another 1,500 in Talasari." The idea was to get the youth in the community to chip in and contribute to the cause. For those interested in extending a hand to them, call the Youth Social Service at 7738388187 by the end of September.

Flying solo on home ground

A photograph at the exhibit. Pics Courtesy/Ketaki Sheth, Keegan Crasto

Homecoming is always special. While her works have travelled the world, photographer Ketaki Sheth (inset) is set to showcase her first solo exhibition of colour photographs in the city at Chemould Prescott Road, from September 17 to 20. "I was born and schooled here," she shared. Titled Photo Studio, the exhibition captures Sheth's journey with the digital medium, which she turned to only in 2014.

"I was the last of my generation to go digital," she revealed. The exhibition highlights photographs of more than 65 photo studios across the country taken between 2015 and 2018. The artist's studio, PhotoInk, will also have the eponymous book on her works for sale at the exhibition. For visitors, the show offers a chance to turn photographers as a part of the gallery has been fashioned into a studio, where they can make their own frames. Get clicking.