Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Pic/Shadab Khan

Dummy's guide to walking

A man carries a mannequin on his shoulder as he walks along the Carter Road promenade in Bandra.

A golden ticket for Inktober treats

Joshi's chocolate in the making (right) final look of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired bar

Scrolling through artists' depictions of Inktober prompts can be an exercise in creativity for the viewer, too. Thinking about this audience, food blogger Pranav Joshi (inset) AKA @floydiancookery decided to up his game. His third edition of Inktober, the food series, has been elaborately planned. "This year, it's more ambitious. Viewers give me 90 seconds of their valuable time, and I want to ensure that they are entertained," Joshi explained, "I plan each interpretation of the prompt based on what will make for an interesting video that explains the connection."

With each video ideated, scripted and storyboarded in advance, the outcome has been truly adventurous. Take, for instance, the chocolate bar made from cacao pods for the prompt ‘golden'. Yes, it's the golden ticket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And there's a golden ticket wrapped within too.

Congrats, Waghmare!

A scene from the movie where Ambedkarites gather near Chaityabhumi in Dadar

Filmmaker Somnath Waghmare's Chaityabhumi will have its first international screening at the London School of Economics, which happens to be the alma mater of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Waghmare noted his joy at having the film receive this recognition. About the film, he shared, "Every year in Dadar, people from across the country visit Chaityabhumi [a Buddhist shrine where the final rites of Dr Ambedkar were held on December 6, 1956] from December 1 to 6, to pay tribute to their leader."

(Fourth from left) Somnath Waghmare with the crew of the film

This is the time when Shivaji Park is converted into a hub of cultural activities with visitors carrying forward Dr Ambedkar's legacy through music, art and the sale of books. He told this diarist, "There are many documentaries and fiction films that take up topics like caste and class but they ignore Dalit issues and Dr Ambedkar, and have their own [notions] about the community. I am from the community, and this film is made from our perspective."

HONY to sue HOB?

There seems to be more trouble in paradise. A little birdie told us that artistes who were slated to perform at The Bombay Storytelling Festival organised by Humans of Bombay (HOB), scheduled for October 28, have been told that the show has been canned. It seems that the recent controversy (that the platform is a part of), over copyright issues, led to the cancellation. Does this mean the entire festival has been called off? Rumour has it that Humans of New York (HONY), which had called out HOB and its founder on social media for unethical monetisation of stories featured on their platform, has allegedly sued HOB. If true, it looks like this issue just got more complex.

Music masala

The band at a previous performance

The East Indians (EI) are taking the brass band to a new location. "Usually, bands play at a local hall or ground but our upcoming concert scheduled for October 21, will be performed at St Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra," shared Melody Ferreira of Jesus Band, an Uttan-based brass band that is co-organising the event with musician Cedric Tixeira.

Cedric Tixeira

The set list includes rock and pop EI songs and a 12-minute medley of upbeat songs called masalas. Tixeira added, "We want to share the culture and traditions with everyone and breathe life into past memories through songs."

Let's serve some magic

Zenia Bhumgara (below) will tell you that magic is in her blood, this is because she was born into a magical family. "My sister and father are magicians, and my father taught me magic at the age of four," she shared. Bhumgara performs a weekly set called Illusion Nights every Wednesday at Ditas, a fine-dine in Lower Parel. "This is a table-to-table experience of mind reading and illusions with the mind that I perform with my father. We also have stage shows, the next one is on Saturday at Dorangos in Bandra. Stage shows are different from table performances, they are separate genres in magic. With the latter, you have a 360-degree audience, making it difficult to cover up a mistake; on stage, you have more control and bigger props." Having performed for all ages and across the globe, we are curious about Bhumgara's experience. "Internationally, people are more responsive to the art form; they are there to enjoy the show. Here, it is often that the audience wants to catch you at the trick and figure it out. But younger generations are beginning to understand that it is an art form and a respected occupation, and are giving it that appreciation," she explained to this diarist.