Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Pic/Shadab Khan

Bye bye, bubble

A girl tries to burst a soap bubble at Marine Drive, while her friends look on

A wall of stories from the old chawl

The illustration of the chawl by Priyanka Menon Melchis. Pic Courtesy/Instagram

The skyline of Mumbai might constantly be in a state of flux, but the city's heart is still evidently middle-class. Naturally, when this diarist spotted city-based illustrator Priyanka Menon Melchis' latest work, it revived memories of wooden lattices and railings of vernacular architecture. "I create custom illustrations, and a client had asked for a portrait of life in a chawl. They wanted a feel of looking out a window and observing the chawl where they grew up," Menon Melchis shared. For inspiration, the illustrator turned to another Mumbai legend, the late PuLa Deshpande. Quite like her illustration, Deshpande grew up in a chawl in Vile Parle which he immortalised in the play, Batatyachi Chal "I tried to bring out the characters and a glimpse of their stories in it," she said. Avoiding any marker to the modern world or gadgets, Melchis added, "I wanted to portray how the atmosphere felt back then with its oddities and characters."

Take a musical note of this

The choir group at the National Centre for Performing Arts

World-famous choral ensemble, The Paranjoti Academy Chorus that's also one of the city's oldest choirs, has led many concerts in India and abroad. And they are now looking to add to their numbers via a call for auditions. "We are looking for anyone who can sing in the choir for our upcoming Christmas concerts in December. Knowing how to read music is not mandatory, but having a good ear and being able to blend in with others is vital," says Yasna Mistree, chorister, who has been with the choir for the last 23 years. The auditions will take place every Saturday of this month. Interested folk can dial 9820942610 for details.

James Ferreira's sepia-toned memories

A photo dating back to around 1989. Here, Ferreira is getting ready for a party; spot his artworks on the wall. PIC COURTESY/CEDRIC DORDEVIC

Recently, fashion designer James Ferreira (inset) received photographs of rooms in his Khotachiwadi house clicked by photographer Cédric Dordevic, which he shared on Instagram. One portrayed a young Ferreira with ombre-dyed saree skirts laid out over his cane furniture for his Mahendra show at the Taj Hotel. Others from the 1980s and ‘90s showed different looks that adorned the space, with grandfather clocks and Ferreira's own paintings.

"I had forgotten how my room looked and lit up because now there's a tree in the front garden that cuts the light from the room. But I will not cut that tree. My room has metamorphosed into different things as I have in my career. It's wonderful to see things I've collected over the years find a place in my home," Ferreira continued, "I would also like to get back to painting."

All shades of colours and rights

The murals on the office walls of IPPF, South Asia Region

The Gaysi Family recently collaborated with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) South Asia Region to bring to life the latter's office space using myriad colours and murals. The idea of murals on the walls was conceptualised by Priya Dali, creative director of The Gaysi Family and illustrator Mrinalini Godara. "It took us roughly 10 days to finish this amazing project and the murals reflect IPPF's extensive work in gender rights, human rights, reproductive health and other subjects. It reflects the non-profit's work that they do in different capacities and how they interact with people to help," Dali told this diarist.