God knows where all the modaks have been disappearing from the Shree Siddhi Sai Ganpati pandal in Borivli this year. Actually, he doesn’t. The fictional case of Bappa’s stolen modaks becomes the foundation of forensic psychologist Krupa Nishar’s one-day pop-up at the 32-year-old pandal at Borivli’s Vazira. A stall, cordoned off with crime scene tape, will put devotees in the shoes of a detective. The premise is simple: Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya lock horns in a friendly face-off. Ganesha emerges victorious and bags a sweet modak reward from mother Parvati. All was good, until one night, a box of modaks vanished without a trace.

Participants examine the scene at Nishar’s forensic psychology pop-up. PICS COURTESY/KRUPA NISHAR

“The collaboration might sound unusual, but it’s important. For many of us who grew up watching television, the idea of a detective begins and ends with shows like CID and Crime Patrol. My aim is to debunk myths about real-life crime solving and sensitise participants to the challenges faced by the courts, police, prisoners, psychologists and families affected by a crime,” Nishar adds. The expert has conducted multiple workshops across the country before making her way to the suburb this weekend.