It's a bumper show Sunday

Two new plays and a performance that returns to the city after a year vie for your attention today. Aditi Sharmau00a0 helps you make your pre-dinner plans, right here

These guys want you to do the math, in Gujarati
After the success of the first Saat Tari Ekvees series, where seven monologues were executed by teams of three, writer-director-producer-actor Manhar Gadhia is back with a sequel. Experimental productions are a rarity in Gujarati theatre (sequels even more so) but Gadhia is taking a calculated risk. "Even if you don't understand Gujarati you will love the performances in Saat Tari Ekvees (Part 2) -- Fari Ekvees! I guarantee that," he says. The seven monologues explore interesting storylines. In Vatsayayan Gujarati Hato, Sanjay Chhel mulls over what would happen if Kamasutra had been written by a Gujarati author, while Prakash Kapadia's Jaanbai traces a prostitute's experiences with fouru00a0 customers.
At: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, 6.30 pm
Tickets: Rs 300
Call: 22824567

Krutika Desai rehearses for Saat Tari Ekvees. Pic/ PRADEEP DHIVAR

A woman stuck between doors
Jyoti Dogra's performance art is a far cry from her work in TV serials and films. When she first performed The Doorway last April, theatrewallahs hailed it as a "refreshing take on experimental/absurdist theatre". Today, Dogra does an encore to show how the play has evolved since then. "There are no thematic changes, but there are bound to be experiential changes," says Dogra. She has picked an art gallery for the performance to maintain a level of intimacy with the audience. "The proscenium set up does not work; audience members are almost like my co-actors so they need to be close to me," she says. That also explains the insistence on pre-registration.
At: Gallery Beyond, near Lion's Gate, Fort, 7.30 pm
Call: 9867557014


Shakti and Padmini meet in afterlife
Debutante writer-director Naveen Bawa places the characters of Aasmaan Se Gire ufffd Khajoor Pe Atke in the most unlikely location -- the afterlife. Bollywood baddie Shakti Kapoor is businessman Kunwar MS Rathod, actress Padmini Kolhapure is housewife Kanchan, and Bawa is encounter specialist Babu. The three have to stick it out with each other to make it to the next stage in (after)life, but fail hilariously in keeping their secrets to themselves. "I believe that life after death is very beautiful but most people are too scared to discuss it," says Bawa.
At: Rangsharda Auditorium, Bandra (W), 7.45 pm
Tickets: Rs 300
Call: 26430544


Ray's gems play in multiplex
"For me he is the filmi voice of India... And it can truly be said in his case that when we honour him we are honouring ourselves." Immortal words uttered by A Streetcar Named Desire director Elia Kazan on Satyajit Ray, will be echoed today (also Ray's birthday) and for subsequent Sundays through a film festival honouring the filmmaker. Organised by the Taj Enlighten Film Society, the Satyajit Ray Film Festival will get you three of the movies made by one of the greatest auteurs of Indian cinema: Agantuk (Ray's swan song), Jalsagar (considered one of his most important works) and Charulata (his personal favourite). The second part of the festival, to take place in June, will feature the famous Apu Trilogy.
At: Cinemax Versova and Metro Big Cinemas, 10 am
Passes: Rs 500
call: 42141414


Amble around Girgaum today
Way back in 1893, Lokmanya Tilak thought up a new way to infuse the spirit of nationalism in his countrymen. He started celebrating the Ganpati festival in public, to bring diverse groups together. In Mumbai, it was the sedate Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaum that saw the first public spectacle. This buzzing area of Girgaum is an important part of the urban fabric even today.


Khotachiwadi makes for a pretty picture. Pic/Sanjeev Devasia

As thousands assemble the world over this weekend for Jane's Walk -- a series of free neighbourhood walking tours in memory of urban activist Jane Jacobs -- station yourself opposite Metro Theatre for a stroll around the Girgaum area.

"This is one of the prime areas to have given Mumbai its cosmopolitan nature. It is important to know what it is going through today and how the old fabric is being displaced by the new buildings coming up," says Swati Sanghavi, urban designer and research associate with PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action and Research).

Let Swati and Kapil Chavan take you around the area famous for having housed several freedom fighters. The walk closes with an interaction with a resident of landmark heritage village Khotachiwadi.
Outside Framjee Cawasjee Institute, opposite Metro Theatre, 4.30 pm to 6 pm
Call: 26474870