Martyrs take centre stage
Hutatma Chowk’s iconic statue stands tall with Flora Fountain in the background, as the overcast sky paints a stunning canvas
Six decades of Gulzar Saab
Gulzar speaks at a previous event. PIC COURTESY/NCPA
The National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA) is presenting Aamchi Mumbai, a special event on October 31, to celebrate legendary poet and lyricist Gulzar’s profound connection with the city. The evening will focus on how Mumbai has shaped his journey. Composer Amod Bhatt and singers Vibhavari Apte-Joshi and Hrishikesh Ranade will be in performance as well.
Pic Courtesy/@salim arif
“Mumbai’s eclectic spirit in Aamchi Mumbai is a collation of Gulzar Saab’s reflections on his last 65 years in the city that has shaped his sensibilities, and his multi-faceted creative journey in poetry and cinema. There will be a conversation with him on his views of the city from his early years, to now, as reflected in his poems and songs; the life on and off the streets, and the common man’s perspective and aspirations. This will be part of the evening that will be a conversation between him and me, interspersed with songs,” said Salim Arif (left), theatre-maker and event curator.
Homi Bhabha, the brilliant scientist-artist
Oindrila Raychaudhuri and Homi J Bhabha. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons
Scientist Homi J Bhabha created intricate artworks throughout his life, which are on display till October 31 at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, founded by Bhabha.
Untitled, an abstract painting by Homi Bhabha, on display. Pic courtesy/NCPA
Curator Oindrila Raychaudhuri (above) told this diarist, “The exhibition is titled, Homi Bhabha as Artist, with high-quality prints of his paintings, held in honour of the occasion of Founder’s Day, October 30, which is Bhabha’s 116th birth anniversary. He seriously pursued the arts, believing art made life worth living. Inspired by artists like Pablo Picasso, he painted abstracts, portraits, and landscapes, with a unique sensibility to his works.”
Mumbai overseas
Shehar Ke Beech, Aangan (2025). Illustration courtesy/Jaidev Tripathy; Pic courtesy/Jim Stephenson
City-based illustrator Jaidev Tripathy (right)has depicted a languorous snippet of Mumbai at a London exhibition, Beyond the Frame, which opened on October 28.
“The exhibition mixes photography with illustration. Six artists from different countries were invited, including me from India. We had to draw something outside the photo in continuity. I illustrated an urban jungle, where children exist and play in a liminal space with no definite boundaries. It’s Mumbai as a playground,” the artist shared with this diarist.
Age no bar on the carrom board
Prashant More (left, seated) plays with Sandeep Dive (right, seated). Pic courtesy/Senior Citizens’ Association
An interesting local contest is brewing this week at Dinanath Society, Andheri West. The Senior Citizens’ Association, RTO Area, is conducting a carrom tournament specially for elderly persons. This diarist had a word with founder-chairman, Major (Retired) Arun Shiriskar (below), who shared, “October 27 was the inauguration game, played by world champions Prashant More and Sandeep Dive. The tournament continues till October 30, which is the day the finals will be held, and includes Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, and Open Doubles. It’s a chance for senior citizens to exhibit their skills and connect with others.”
