Say it with flowers

A large pookolam (floral rangoli) created by the All Mumbai Malayali Association (AMMA) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus for Onam, pays tribute to victims of the 26/11 terrorist attack. The railway station was the first location targeted by the terrorists and witnessed the loss of 58 of the 175 victims in 2008

Hula hoops for Bappa’s farewell

Shivani Dhopawkar (centre) performs with her students at the Ganesh pandal. Pic courtesy/Coconutcha Raja

THE Coconutcha Raja Ganesh pandal in Andheri West witnessed something different on August 31 as five hula hoop performers put on a spirited performance for Bappa. Shivani Dhopawkar, founder of Hulahoop Academy at Charni Road, led the performance with her students. Dhopawkar told this diarist, “I was invited by the pandal, and decided to take it up with four of my students. Their parents were thrilled to watch.” She added, “It was a new vibe for me as I performed with my students for the first time. We first performed to songs and then, to a dhol, going along with the parade. I have done many solo Ganpati performances before, and wanted to do something different this time to bring a cultural element to it.”