Dance of devotion
Devotees at the Pushpanjali Durgotsav in Borivli West perform the Sandhi Puja with traditional dhunuchis in their hand
Abhishek walks into a Pole
Majka Zawadzak and Abhishek Bachchan in Wroclaw. PIC COURTESY/MAJKA ZAWADZAK
This diarist got a filmi scoop from an unlikely Bollywood fan all the way out in Poland yesterday. Majka Zawadzak, a Polish national with a passion for all things desi bumped into Abhishek Bachchan in her hometown of Wroclaw. In a new, trendy hairdo, Bachchan is rumoured to be shooting for his next film, King, in Europe. “I had become a fan when I watched the Dhoom series as a child. Abhishek was really kind, taking photos with me, and other fans. I was a little disappointed though, that he went for lunch to an Indian restaurant instead of trying Polish food. Since I speak Hindi, I asked him: “Dada, apne Polish khana kyu nahi khaya?” He smiled and replied that he would give it a try in the evening.”
Canvas call at Durga Puja
Chetan and Mitali Advirkar present their artwork to Rani Mukerji at a pandal in Santacruz. PIC COURTESY/Mitali Advirkar
AMID a steady flow of devotees at the North Bombay Durga Puja pandal on Monday, an artist duo turned quite a few heads with their canvas. Artists Chetan and Mitali Advirkar set up their easel at the heart of the Santacruz pandal to create a live painting over the period of three hours. “We were on a mission to cover nine pandals on the nine nights of Navratri. The pandal was more than happy to host us,” Mitali revealed to us. The duo’s experiment coincided with the days film stars like Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor descended upon the celebrations organised by the families of actors Rani Mukerji and Kajol. “We were starstruck while presenting our artwork to Rani and Kajol. Kajol had a close look at it. and remarked that it looked like a spitting image of the idol,” Mitali told this diarist.
Suraj frames it for an old friend!
India hockey goalkeeper Suraj Karkera (left) presents the jersey signed by the 2025 Asia Cup-winning Indian hockey team to Ronnie D’Souza. PIC COURTESY/Ronnie D’Souza
India hockey goalkeeper Suraj Karkera paid a surprise visit to his friend and restaurateur Ronnie D’Souza of UK United Sports Association at Malad on Tuesday with a gift — a neatly framed jersey signed by the Indian hockey team that won the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 at Rajgir, Bihar, recently. D’Souza, who owns rink hockey and rink football teams that participate in tournaments across the city throughout the year, had played Karkera at the Mount Carmel’s rink hockey tournament in Bandra a few years ago which they went on to win. “This gift is a token of my appreciation for Ronnie, who does good work at the grassroots level for sport in the city. I love playing rink hockey and UK United is a very good team,” Karkera told this diarist. D’Souza was overwhelmed. “Mumbai hockey has always contributed great players to the national team and I’m so proud that Suraj is the latest addition,” said D’Souza.
Be a good guest
Dharmesh Barai with the bottles collected on a previous drive. PIC COURTESY/DHARMESH BARAI
Mumbai’s extended monsoon this year has brought an unusual challenge for its environmentalists. A ‘waterfall clean-up’ this Thursday in Khadyachapada in Karjat will see city-based organisation Environment Life Foundation clear the Vana Laxmi waterfall off plastic bags and bottles. “On World Tourism Day last weekend, there was tall talk about responsible tourism. We must learn to walk the talk. The piles of beer bottles and chips packets that people leave behind, is shameful,” said founder Dharmesh Barai. Those keen to join, can call 9773274296.
On song for Ladakh
Sonam Wangchuk. PIC/ANI
The Dharavi Dream Project (TDDP)’s latest single, Ladakh, is not an attempt to garner eyeballs. “It is all about hip-hop. The genre has historically been a voice for justice,” shared Dolly Rateshwar, founder, TDDP.
Sonam Wangchuk’s SECMOL School. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons
Incidentally, Rateshwar was on a visit to Ladakh as part of a conference for changemakers when the protests sparked.
“I even visited Sonam Wangchuk’s SECMOL School. We met so many people, post the conference, during our travels, and learned of their strong feelings. It felt right as a community collective to use hip-hop to echo their voices,” she summarised.
