Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

Pic/Satej Shinde

In full flow

Wankhede stadium is where all the WC action was on Wednesday. A group of boys played cricket at Girgaum Chowpatty, with the iconic venue in the distance

Dead serious

A participant lifts weights at an earlier edition of the DeadLift Party

Over 200 deadlifters, novice and experts alike, are expected to converge at a Bandra venue on November 26 for DeadLift Party 3. "In the past three years, Solus Sovereign [fitness community] has hosted major events across Bangalore, and in Mulund and Andheri last year. We aim to reframe powerlifting in a favourable context," shared founder Palash Gaur. While their goal is to take a departure from the competitions and focus on growing fitter as a community, this year will have three lucky draws valued at Rs 30,000 each.

Shave in the city

Vaughan gets a shave at Dindayal's roadside barbershop on Orminston road in Colaba

For most city folk, a cosy salon with trained hairdressers and hot tea to sip on is the bare minimum. Former English Test captain, Michael Vaughan prefers a more hands-on Bambaiya experience. In a recent post, Vaughan was seen getting a quick shave and massage at a roadside barbershop in Colaba. "I was in Mumbai earlier this year for the IPL, and I was walking to my padel tennis practice session when I spotted Dindayal's roadside barbershop set-up. I walked in for a haircut and got a shave to follow it. I have been going there ever since. He is fantastic!" he told this diarist.

Looking like a wow

Festive light installations illuminate the roundabout in Dadar

While Shivaji Park has been all decked up for Diwali and so much and more has been written about the landmark space, putting its brightest and best foot and face forward this festival, there is an adjacent area that may be bypassed by many that is all aglow and captivating too. The roundabout near the Light of Bharat Irani restaurant and Oven Fresh restaurant, is bedecked beautifully, with light strings emanating from the circle in between. A stop-and -stare-moment, this diarist suggests you do not miss it on the way towards or while exiting the popular maidan. Glares are recommended, we say.

The more, the merrier

Foodies in Mumbai have reason to celebrate. The OG MasterChef Australia judge trio of (from left) Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris have landed in the city for a cooking and dining workshop organised by Conosh next week. "I have been to Mumbai quite a few times. What makes this visit stand out from the rest is reuniting with George and Matt to explore the city. I love the diverse taste of Mumbai folk, which now includes Japanese, and even Korean cuisine," Mehigan shared. When asked about the trio's plans, "George has been on my back asking me to introduce him to my favourites from the city," he revealed to this diarist.

A fortified festive tradition

Kids build a miniature mud fort (right) a finished fort decorated with miniature dolls spotted by Railkar

It's a well-documented fact that traditions change shape and form as they trickle down to urban centres from the hinterland where they play a vital role in people's lives. In Mumbai, these traditions make themselves heard through deafening fireworks every Diwali. Shruti Railkar, a Vile Parle resident, took to Instagram to share her excitement when she spotted kids ditching this practice to participate in the quaint, productive tradition of building miniature forts out of mud in Andheri. "I was thrilled to see the current generation taking to old traditions. The practice was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj when he built small forts for his soldiers to study and strategise for upcoming battles. It slowly became a Diwali tradition over the years. Children learn the importance of forts and their rich histories through this activity. They are re-introduced to the cultural and natural heritage of the state," Railkar shared.