Waari Waari happy
On the ocassion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, children dress up as warkaris at a nursery in Lower Parel
Message on a mural
A rough draft of the artwork that will form the base for Rohini Bhadarge’s (inset) upcoming mural. Pics Courtesy/Rohini Bhadarge
Earlier in February, this diarist wrote about muralist Rohini Bhadarge flying down to Colombo as part of a collaboration with an art venture, Fearless Foundation. Now, the Chembur-based artist is looking to create a new work for the Sri Lankan collective in Mumbai. “The foundation has picked 15 artists from South Asian countries to work on murals based on specific themes.
The idea is to create a mural in your neighbourhood that captures the issues faced by the people,” Bhadarge shared. With climate change/caste as her focus, Bhadarge held workshops with women from Dalit and tribal communities last week to understand the issue. “These issues will be part of the mural on the walls of Swami Vivekananda High School that I will begin work on tomorrow,” she revealed.
The Bard comes to town
Hamlet, Macbeth, Duncan and Romeo might come visiting Khar next week. The characters will be part of a new creative writing series by MYNA Academy of Performing Arts, starting July 17. Stating that the idea is not to approach William Shakespeare’s works from a ‘fixed view point,’ writer-director Anjali Karpe (below) said, “We will take a look at theatrical storytelling through the lens of some of Shakespeare’s most compelling plays. We will unpack Shakespeare’s important themes, characters and language and understand his original approach to writing and the stage.” The special programme will offer an insight into the Bard’s plays, themes, languages and performances through films too. Those interested can call 7977011717 for details.
Goa’s streeties spotted in Khotachiwadi
Guests appreciate Rohit Chawla’s (top, inset) exhibition, Rain Dogs, at Gallery 47-A in Khotachiwadi
As if it had a whiff of the buzz around the corner, this diarist noticed an indie pup tail her as she made her way through an alley in Khotachiwadi on a wet July evening. We, like the many who had dropped by on opening night at the heritage gallery, 47-A, were soaking in award-winning photographer Rohit Chawla’s visual tribute, Rain Dogs, a photo exhibition of his works of Goa’s beachside beauties (read: streeties) that he had captured during the three years of the pandemic, when he made the state his home.
Artist Brinda Miller views Chawla’s works on display at the gallery. Pics/Ashish Raje
A photo book by the same name was another reason to celebrate these frames, the proceeds of which go to animal welfare NGO, The Welfare of Stray Dogs. Inside, familiar faces across the arts, advertising, politics and photography, from Brinda Miller to Sanjay Jha, discussed the rain-washed frames with the wizard; each frame had evocatively captured the many moods and the magic of the protagonists.
“These dogs and the minimalism of the seascapes was my metaphor during the pandemic. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” admits dog-father to Marco, Polo and Hero. Amidst the pitter-patter that was the perfect background score, for dog lovers like us, this was the best love letter from Goa, gift wrapped with solitude and susegad.
Art served on a platter
Dr Jayanta Sengupta speaks to the visitors
The concluding week of People of Bengal: Etchings by F Baltazard Solvyns witnessed Dr Jayanta Sengupta, director of Alipore Museum, drop in for an immersive experience titled Melting Pot at DAG, Colaba. Dr Sengupta shared, “It was the concluding event in which many of his etchings — on Bengal’s grains, fruits, and vegetables, and occupational groups like milkmen, confectioners, and bawarchis — were scoured to arrive at an approximate understanding of what Bengal’s foodways might have looked like around the turn of the 18th century, and how those might have been shaped by cross-cultural influences.”
Kanakchur khoi-er bora. Pics Courtesy/DAG
With a tasting platter designed by Sujoy Chatterjee and Amar Khamar, guests were treated to dishes such as Aakher gur-er murki (sweetened puffed rice) and Kalirai dhan-er murki (savoury puffed grains). Ashish Anand, MD-CEO, DAG, added, “We hope to curate more such immersive programmes as they bridge various disciplines to create new ways of understanding art and its connection to our shared histories.”
Let’s move with pride
A moment from a previous session. Pics Courtesy/Suhail Abbasi
Here’s some good news if you like to dance. The Humsafar Trust is conducting a special session called Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke, on July 11, where members of the LGBTQiA+ community can participate in performances and also network. Director, Suhail Abbasi, told us, “We organise themed programmes on two Fridays of every month.
Suhail Abbasi
These are safe spaces for the community to hang out together and dress up as they wish. In the past, we had sessions on mental health and yoga. This is a space where they are not judged. Being the monsoon season, we titled it, ‘Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke’.” To know more, log on to @thehumsafartrustofficial on Instagram.
