Between me and god
A devotee says a quiet prayer at the Mumbadevi Temple on the first day of Navratri
Hedwig spotted in Kurla?
The Barn Owl at Holy Cross School. PICS COURTESY/RAWW
The Holy Cross High School in Kurla witnessed a Hogwarts-esque turn of events when a white Barn Owl, resembling Harry Potter’s trusted pet from the series gatecrashed its halls last week. The lost bird soon cast an Expecto Patronum, or as wildlife rehabilitator Ritu Sharma likes to put it, “The school reached out to us for a rescue operation.” After multiple attempts to create an escape path, the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare team comprising members Uday Karande, Rajesh Mahadik and Prathamesh Panchal finally secured the bird, and released it in its natural habitat nearby. “The bird was possibly looking for shelter between hunts when it got trapped in the hall. We are thankful to the curious students and their teachers who exhibited sensitivity,” the team told us.
‘Zubeen da was the kindest rebel’
(Left) The tribute piece; (above) Santanu Hazarika and late Zubeen Garg. PICS COURTESY/Santanu Hazarika
Mumbai-based artist Santanu Hazarika is in a sombre mood this week in his hometown, Guwahati. Speaking with this diarist about his new artistic tribute to late musician Zubeen Garg, he revealed, “Zubeen da was an icon for every young boy growing up in Assam. My artwork captures his calming presence. Every home here has a Zubeen da poster on display, and his songs haven’t stopped echoing in our lanes.” Among fond memories, he recalled anecdotes of Garg blending in with local residents at chai tapris, being one call away for his neighbours, and his concerts that brought Northeast India together.
“Zubeen da was the kindest rebel,” Hazarika recalled.
Jazz by their bay
PIC COURTESY/Rajeev Raja Combine
It’s Black Sea calling for jazz fusion band Rajeev Raja Combine. After treating Mumbai to a pre-international tour performance last weekend in Khar, the members have charted the long journey to the Bay of Gelendzhik in Russia to perform at the Gelendzhik Wine and Jazz Festival. “We are excited as the audience here is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about jazz. We will be featuring our original compositions inspired by the music of different world cultures,” Rajeev Raja (left) said, over a call from the scenic seaside town.
Keepers of the old flame
Sitanshu Yashaschandra; (right) Vinod Kumar Shukla. PICS COURTESY/wikimedia
The upcoming Literature Live! Mumbai Lit Fest will honour two poets whose words have kept the torch of poetry burning. Sahitya Akademi awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla and Padma Shri awardee Sitanshu Yashaschandra and have been announced as the latest honorees of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Godrej Literature Live! Poet Laureateship respectively, at the annual literature spectacle that begins on November 7. “Their work reinforces our belief in the importance and connections of works in different languages,” shared festival co-director Quasar Thakore Padamsee (left).
Brewing for India in the UK
Manu Gulati (right) in the UK; (right) Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire. PICS COURTESY/EFFINGUT
Cheers are in order for Indian brewery, Effingut. The brewery will present the first Indian beer at the JD Wetherspoon Beer Festival 2025 in pubs across the UK. Having collaborated with British Hook Norton Brewery to create a golden ale with Indian elements, Effingut founder Manu Gulati told this diarist, “It’s a meaningful cultural dialogue where Indian spice and flavour philosophy meet the timeless precision of British brewing. [It] is both a tremendous honour and a responsibility.” The ale will be available at the brewery’s Colaba outlet from October 1 to 12.
