Mumbai Dairy Page: Monday Musings

peacocks

Pose, for nothing
While most of the country, including the Prime Minister, seems obsessed with taking selfies at every chance they get, the home to Maharashtra's Governor, Raj Bhavan has banned them, and with good reason.

Raj Bhavan, the state Governor's residence, is home to 15 peacocks. Pic/Rane Ashish

When we visited this lavish property to check out the Sunrise Yoga Gallery, the first site in the premises to open to the public from tomorrow, we were told that patrons wouldn't be allowed to carry phone cameras and clicking selfies was completely banned. Since the gallery, essentially a platform with a short railing that offers beautiful panoramic views of the city, is set at a height, the authorities feel that over-enthusiastic crowds could topple over and hurt themselves in their attempt to get the perfect shot of the city skyline. While we couldn't agree with this more, it's also not fun to learn that now Mumbaikars won't get a chance to photograph one of the 15 peacocks who've made the space their home.

Not for me, thank you
Besides her strong acting chops, the other thing we love about Shabana Azmi is her frank-speak. We were privy to one such instance at the fashion week that just wound up yesterday, where the actress was spotted in the front row, rooting for her favourite designer. Post one such show, a fan cornered her near the elevator, asking to take a selfie with Azmi.

Shabana Azmi at fashion week. Shadab Khan

"Mujhse selfies bardaasht nahin hote," she stated matter-of-factly. However, not one to disappoint a fan, she obliged him by posing for a frame the old-fashioned way, by a third person.

....starting out young

We spotted this young fashionista strutting around the venue.

Taiwan, via Thane
For years, China has ruled the roost when it came to phoren maal on the local train. China ‘items' were sold everywhere, from CST to Bandra, Currey Road to Kharghar. Until recently, when we caught wind of a new entrant on the retail scene - Taiwan. Yes, China's tiny neighbour seems to have made an impact on the local shopping scene. On hearing the mention of this new country, a curious woman commuter asked her friend in Marathi, "Ha Taiwan kuthe aahe?" The friend replied, "Chinachya baajula aahe." Geography rarely sounded this fun.

From the heart
Theatre and film actress Sonali Kulkarni speaks at a session, The Cinematic and The Dramatic: Two Worlds, One Person as part of Mumbai Local event over the weekend at Somaiya Vidyavihar.

The session saw Kulkarni candidly take the audience through her personal experiences, giving a peek into the different mediums of film and theatre.