Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

Pic/Bipin Kokate

My friend ganesha

Five-year-old artist Aham Siddhesh Patankar helps his parents paint a miniature Ganesha idol at the Shreeganesh Kala Mandir in Thakurdwar, Girgaon.

Devon on Dexter: The overflowing cup of gratitude

Devon Malcolm and Ted Dexter

Cricket selectors are not ones who are always remembered with fondness by the players who they pick. That's because the same player often gets the axe from the hand that picked him and the bitterness stays. Not that England's former fast bowler Devon Malcolm faced the axe from Ted Dexter, who passed away earlier this week, but the former England captain, known as Lord Ted, did refer to him as Malcolm Devon which caused some laughs in 1989. Malcolm said in his Twitter tribute that he didn't take offence to Dexter's then faux pas and preferred to elaborate on the support he received from Dexter. "I've been called worse," he stressed. "I can now remember the big smile on his face in Trinidad, when I took three wickets in an over in their [West Indies'] second innings to get us back in the game. His smile was a picture to behold," wrote Malcolm, ever grateful for the faith Dexter showed in him. "I did not have a great debut [1-166 against Australia at Nottingham] and that could have been it in those days, but he picked me for that [1989-90] West Indies tour which set me up," Malcolm added. Gratitude came shining through is all we can say.

Copper Chimney's new kulfi QSR

The pandemic has led to a boom in cloud kitchens. North Indian restaurant Copper Chimney, which has seven outposts in the city, is set to join the bandwagon with Joshh. It will open with innovative kulfi flavours such as Kolkata paan, caramel chikki, chilli peru and kala khatta. Usual suspects like sitaphal, chikoo, tender coconut, jamun berry will also be available. Apart from this, Joshh will have a collection of decadent kulfi sundaes and milkshakes, topped with sprinkles, gems and nuts. Traditional sweets, including gulab jamuns, rabri, malai and halwas, will also find their way into the kulfi creations. Bring it on, we say.

Reflections on light

Dayanita Singh. Pic/Wikimedia Commons

Dayanita Singh has launched Portrait of a House: Conversations with BV Doshi (Spontaneous Books) this week. The book is a series of conversations between the Pritzker Prize Laureate architect and the award-winning author and photographer. Singh shows Doshi photographs she has taken of Kamala House in Ahmedabad, the home that Doshi built and named after his wife. Doshi, in turn, reveals the connection between photography and architecture.

Art that's affordable and fun

Follow her on @ayeshabroacha

Of late, the Instagram handle of photographer Ayesha Broacha (inset), wife of actor-comedian Cyrus Broacha, has been flooded with gorgeous, illustrated hand drawings, which can make for a wonderful addition to any collector's wall. From a lover's meeting at a window, to a woman exploring the "big city" and ladies enjoying a picnic, Broacha's eye for detail has us ask her, why has she kept this talent a big secret till now?

"I am a graphic designer by training, but veered into photography at some point. When my photography became commercial, I continued with my drawings, but this time for myself. It kept me busy," she shares, adding that she, however, continued illustrating for magazines and books. Many of her drawings, especially of women, emerged from her work for a close friend, Renu Bothra, who she says is her "ardent fan", and wanted her to do illustrations for her boutique, You.

"I have often tried to create enough work for a gallery space, but that hasn't happen yet. But, I don't stress about that. I have books filled with these drawings. They just happen. I always like my drawings to have some element fun and humour." Her illustrations are priced above Rs 15,000. Interested buyers can contact her on her Instagram handle.

Jab we bhet

Pune boy Aditya Mahajan has started a short story series titled, Bhetistaan. Launched on Storytel platform this month, the first season comprises 15 stories. But what has got Pune raving about these stories? "These are very relatable stories. They are based in different locations and situations and talk about the emotions, aspirations, misunderstandings, misconceptions, awkwardness and the beautiful attraction between a young boy and girl. The first episode is about two childhood friends who have a crush on each other. They accidentally find themselves helping people in Pune after the 2019 floods." Every Wednesday, a new episode of Bhetistaan releases on the Storytel app. The audiobook experience has been enhanced with the voices of Mahajan along with Sayali Kshirsagar.