Finishing touches
Workers wrap up restoration of the Chaityabhoomi gate in Dadar West ahead of Dr BR Ambedkar’s death anniversary on December 6
Conversation across canvas
Untitled, 1948 by Ali Hassan. PIC COURTESY/BARJEEL ART FOUNDATION
A special dialogue has begun at the ongoing exhibition, Resonant Histories: India and the Arab World, by the Barjeel Art Foundation and Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation (JNAF).
“It’s the first time that modern art from India and the Arab World is being presented in an exhibition,” shared co-curator Puja Vaish, director, JNAF. Fellow curator, and director, Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah, Suheyla Takesh (above), added, “We traced shared modernist histories shaped by education, travel, and postcolonial exchange.”
Bean to Bandra?
The coffee bar at the new space. PIC COURTESY/@DOUGHandJOEbombay
It’s not just Mumbai’s weather that’s feeling a bit European these days. A new café in Bandra inspired by the Italian piazza and beanery concept is taking shape in Pali Hill. While the red Vespa we spotted in a sneak peek of Dough & Joe screams ‘Italian’, we were surprised to see a Thecha Prawns Pizza on the menu. “We don’t wish to compete with the popular cafés in Bandra. We want Bandraites to feel at home with a cuppa Joe and a hearty serving of pizza,” co-founder Priyanka Kotak told us.
Pace up to parkour
Chris Keighly. PIC COURTESY/INSTAGRAM
British parkour personality Chris Keighly, associated with the global coach training organisation ADAPT, will vault, hop, and roll into Mumbai this weekend to host a special one-day class with the Mumbai Movement Academy in Breach Candy. “Keighly is in the city for the ADAPT certification programme, and has agreed to make time to offer his guidance and coaching to anybody who is interested,” shared Dr Rishi Prasad, co-founder of the academy. Dr Prasad revealed that even beginners can gain valuable insight from the expert. “As long as you’re relatively fit, you can still take home a lot from the session,” he said. The event is open to enthusiasts pursuing high-level parkour and movement coaching. Check @mumbaimovement-academy for more details.
Candle-lit tunes in Colaba
The historic church in Colaba will host the Christmas-themed concert. FILE PIC/SHADAB KHAN
Christmas will come early at the historic Afghan Church in Colaba. As a festive detour from its popular choir recitals, the landmark is gearing up to host a candlelight concert lit solely by flickering (electric) candles on December 5. Silent Night, It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, and the pop favourite, Last Christmas are all on the set list, this diarist was told. “Bringing together the beauty of the Gothic masterpiece, the power of live music performed by a string quartet, and warm festive fervour should make for an unforgettable experience,” shared Pranjal Begwani, Candlelight Team lead, India.
Mind your head, Mr Soman!
Milind Soman cycles in Malhotra’s helmet. PIC COURTESY/VIJAY MALHOTRA
Actor and fitness icon Milind Soman got a generous ‘head’start at the Mumbai Cyclothon 2025 earlier this week. Scrambling for a helmet at the event in Azad Maidan, city-based cyclist and community leader Vijay Malhotra came to the rescue and gifted his own to Soman. “I had registered for the 15-km category, which I couldn’t eventually join. But I’m glad my gesture helped one of my icons,” Malhotra told this diarist. Kudos to both the athletes’ dedication to playing it safe.
