Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Pic/Atul Kamble

Big little dreams

A child poses for the camera in a police inspector's costume, as his mother overlooks a photo shoot at Five Gardens in Matunga

Viewing the world

Choiti Ghosh filming her project, Khidkiyaan

Tram Arts Trust, an object theatre company based out of Mumbai and Delhi, is ready with their first object theatre film. Its founder Choiti Ghosh, told this diarist, "Our film titled Khidkiyaan is a product of our concentrated efforts during the lockdown. No points for guessing that the name is a reflection of the times we've been through. I like windows; they are like portals into other worlds. This film will be a portal to such fantasy worlds." It will keep viewers busy with skies, clouds, dinosaurs and Van Gogh art. She added, "The film medium makes it possible to develop a world filled with imaginings on a tiny table. It also renders the human element in direct association with the objects. The miniatures are only one-inch in height and with the benefits of the screen, a viewer can take a close, detailed look at them; this isn't possible on stage unless I curate a show for a few people." Ghosh is excited and curious to know how audiences will respond to their new work.

Long yatra

A moment from Jaa Jee Le Apni Zindagi

Recently, Hindi theatre group, Yatri Theatre, completed 43 years in the performing arts space. Its founder-director Om Katare shared, "To mark our anniversary, we staged a new production, Jaa Jee Le Apni Zindagi. Is there any better way to celebrate drama? I penned the play based on a nugget I had read on the internet.

Om Katare

A woman wanted to have a child with a sperm donor, as her husband doesn't look smart or intelligent. Our play re-instils faith in values." He added that their recent festival at Prithvi Theatre to commemorate this milestone was a success despite the shadow of the pandemic.

An arty return

Artwork by Akbar Padamsee

The 2022 edition of the Mumbai Gallery Weekend will be held February 13 onwards. The event will highlight the best art being created in India and beyond, and comes back after it had been put on hold last year, owing to COVID-19 concerns. Ranjana Steinruecke, one of the event's organisers, shared, "Regulations permitting, we would proceed with Mumbai Gallery Weekend. The exhibitions are in private galleries, and each is taking utmost care to provide a safe environment with social distancing, and the use of masks."

People power

The food and beverage industry has been one of the worst-hit since the pandemic began. Pankil Shah, director and co-founder at Woodside Inn and The Pantry Cafe, recently posted about the 10-pm deadline being reinstated for city eateries, and at only 50 per cent capacity. "Community awareness can create pressure on authorities to develop a scientific solution that doesn't constantly put F&B players in a spot. Local trains have more viral load, but they are allowed to operate. People should voice their opinion on hospitality services, as they have favourite places to eat at. That way the deciding bodies would know," said Shah.

Folk art camp for a cause

A folk performance at the Meri Kala Meri Pehchaan campsite

This diarist learnt about a cultural camp that was held recently to bring folk artistes from Maharashtra into the mainstream. Meri Kala Meri Pehchaan is a unique idea conceptualised by Mahesh Babu and Nandini Mahesh, co-founders of Banyan Tree Events. "The camp was concluded only yesterday. It provided a platform for performers, who have suffered throughout the pandemic. This camp saw scholars in performance studies coming at close quarters with the faces of folk art forms. The two-day long camp was hosted at Jambhulpada, near Pali Ganpati," shared Harshada Kalelkar, AGM, events, Banyan Tree. She further said that the gathering allowed them to plan folk concerts that will aid their bigger plan of transforming the centre at Jambhulpada into a multi-functional music facility. The event hosted folk forms such as Bharud, Lavani, Gondhal, Halgi Vadan, and others.