Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Colours of a cityA crowd on a shopping spree moves in a frenzy at the flower market outside Dadar stationStyle meets substance for a causeGlamour met goodwill as the 13th Annual MCAN Charity Gala lit up the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai last weekend Glittering gowns dazzling diamonds and heartfelt generosity came together to raise an impressive Rs 428 crore in support of underprivileged cancer patients through the Maheka Mirpuri CauseAid Network MCAN hosted by Karan Johar below rightMaheka Mirpuri centre at the Charity Gala Pics courtesyMaheka MirpuriThe cityrsquos finest and most stylish lent their star power to the cause mdash Gulshan Grover Madhoo Shah Mansi Scott Daisy Shah Shaina NC Poonam Dhillon Sunil Gavaskar Ramesh Sippy Jimmy Mistry and Madhur Bhandarkar among others Designer Maheka Mirpuri below shone brighter than ever mdash not just for her style but for her compassion What began as a heartfelt tribute to her late father has evolved into one of Mumbairsquos most anticipated galas where fashion philanthropy and purpose unite in perfect harmonyldquoEvery year the MCAN Gala reminds me how collective compassion can transform lives What began as a personal mission is now a movement of courage empathy and hope Raising over Rs 428 crores this year is a testament to what happens when fashion and philanthropy walk hand in handrdquo she shared Karan Johar added ldquoThis event is deeply personal I understand the emotional and physical challenges patients and their families face Joining Maheka for the third year in a row has been an honour The impact of the funds raised here will change lives I urge everyone to support such initiatives and give hope to those who need it mostrdquo The charity auction added extra sparkle to the evening featuring Sanuj Birlarsquos Frida Love and Love Lock Birkin sculptures Renu Oberoirsquos yellow sapphire paveacute hoops Sanjay Arorarsquos Sansaar living room setup and Mahesh Notandassrsquos bluestone choker In a powerful show of generosity Piloo Tata made the highest openbid donation of the night truly embodying the spirit of giving and making a differenceFaking a wedding ceremony almostA dance session held at an actual wedding previously conducted by the hosts Pics courtesyAlistair DsouzaMumbaikars had the chance to experience the vibrancy of a Catholic wedding at an event on October 20 at Malad Gymkhana except sans the bride and groom The lsquofake weddingrsquo introduced attendees to a typical Catholic wedding Host Alistair Dsouza below told this diarist ldquoItrsquos the first time wersquore holding such an event for which wersquove started a platform NoVowsOnlyWows The event includes music dance including the Jive a wedding march and various food options all representing what a Catholic wedding could have We want to host such an event every six months preferably on public holidaysrdquoThe Ramayana gets a manga makeoverThe illustration of Ayodhya Kandam depicting Ramarsquos departure to the forest and the ensuing anguish Pic and Illustration courtesyDoodle MapulsThis Diwali citybased art studio Doodle Mapuls is retelling the Ramayana through a series of illustrations one for each Kandam chapter of the epic Kirthi Pillai one of the artists told this diarist ldquoIdeation drawing making the collage per Kandam takes about three daysKirthi PillaiScenes of tension and transition are highlighted in redrdquo She added ldquoWersquore illustrating the story in manga style and want to compile this as a souvenir book after we are done for those unfamiliar with the epicrdquoBeyond cricket at Shivaji ParkAn earlier session by Yooti Bhansali in Bandra Pic courtesyy00tiCurator Yooti Bhansali right will host Mumbairsquos newest silent reading community Shivaji Park ReadsldquoWith the construction and traffic plaguing the city people crave green and quiet space I donrsquot want to travel to Bandra or Churchgate for the next readrdquo the Shivaji ParkOshiwara resident said To learn about their next session readers can follow shivajiparkreads