Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Monster or Hooman?

A stray looks at a kid wearing a mask as he alights from a car in Chembur

Here goes the sun

A graphic visualisation of partial solar eclipse today. Pic Courtesy/ Nehru Planetarium (right) Arvind Paranjpye

The festival of lights quickly followed by an eclipse can often raise the hackles of the superstitious. But Arvind Paranjpye, director of the city's own Nehru Planetarium, shared with this diarist, "Eclipses occur when the moon comes between the sun and earth. These are natural phenomena which take place." The natural phenomenon will begin to dawn on the city after 4.30 pm today. This is not new though, the director clarified. "This is usually the time when the festivals based on the lunar cycle take place. I remember in the '90, the total solar eclipse took place on the day of Dussehra," he recalled. Of course, for astronomy enthusiasts it is a rare opportunity to observe the eclipse, but beware of catching the phenomenon without proper eyewear such as eclipse goggles, he warned.

The hills are calling

Simran Ankolkar

Mumbai-based arts platform, Harkat Studios, is on its way to the hills. The upcoming Dharamshala International Film Festival (November 3 to November 6) will see a four-day celluloid workshop hosted by the studio. Simran Ankolkar, one of the facilitators, informed us that the studio will work with filmmakers on understanding the 16mm black and white medium to document the festival, which will later be screened at the venue. "The workshop will focus on helping them create positive prints, developing reels and getting an overview of the medium," she explained. Curator Karan Suri Talwar said, "The festival is a natural collaborator in the space of independent cinema and art."

New grammar for cinema

A moment from the film TISS' recent student elections

A community of scholars from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai, have launched Begumpura Productions to highlight stories and filmmakers from historically oppressed communities. "Filmmaking remains an elite medium dominated by a few communities. This leads to the absence of stories told by and for the oppressed communities and from their perspective," documentary filmmaker and founder, Somnath Waghmare (in pic), told this diarist. "Our aesthetics will focus on the Ambedkarite movement and Dalit literature," he added. The production, also co-founded by Suraj Niramale and Hossein Sabzian, started with a video about results of the most recent student's election at TISS, Mumbai.

Light, bright Shivaji Park is a sight to behold

Shivaji Park has put its brightest foot forward this Diwali. The iconic ground is looking resplendent this festival of lights. While the landmark open space is usually lit up, this time the bling is back with a vengeance; after a relatively dim scenario for two years thanks to COVID-19.

The brightly lit entrance; decorations at Shivaji Park on Diwali

Don't miss the flowers at each gate of the park and canopies of lights in the bylanes, off the venue. The area near Meenatai Thackeray's statue has become a selfie point. Shivaji Park locals who crowded the spot last evening seemed to be bathed in golden hues. All that glitters is not gold - you've often heard that being told, but this is surely a spectacle to marvel at.

The Army speaks up

Korean group, BTS, at the American Music Awards in 2021. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons

The K-pop revolution is more than just a fandom. Mira Road-based restaurant, Bang Tan Shef's new initiative is an example, says business head, Riya Goon (inset). "After we opened the restaurant two years ago, we came across a lot of Army [BTS fans] who have individual stories of struggle," she said. Goon explained that they wanted to give these fans that opportunity to voice their individuality. "We are also looking for people who have something to say," she added. They will collect interviews in the written, audio or video form. Applicants also have the option of sending anonymous experiences that will be shared through November on their Instagram page. "It will inspire those in the community who are struggling to find courage," she said.