Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

Pic/Sameer Markande

Don't make some noise

The Common Man statue at Matunga seems to be sympathising with plyers on a ‘hot day', as it sports its usual "No Horn Please" placard.

Gracian's Goa ticket

Diners at The Village Bistro

Mumbai boy and chef Gracian De Souza opened his new restaurant, The Village Bistro in Arpora, Goa, yesterday. The European fare-themed bistro boasts of a specially curated wine list and a relaxed vibe where foodies can gather around a large table of food. De Souza shared with this diarist, "The space is largely food-centric. Visitors will find classic cocktails here, as we are focussing on our wine bar and beer programme." The chef added that the food menu takes after his travels across Spain and Portugal, "The dishes are modern interpretations of European classics such as bubble and squeak risotto, handmade fettuccine carbonara and fish ‘n' chips." A true blue Goan, De Souza is trying to rebuild the area's dining culture with this new outpost.

Of strange worlds

Untitled by Sahej Rahal

If creatures from strange worlds that bob and bounce or creep and crawl fascinate you, this art exhibition is your jam. Artworks by creators Minam Apang, Sahej Rahal, Gagan Singh and Nityan Unnikrishnan will feature in a new show that opens today at Colaba's Chatterjee & Lal. Rahal, whose art pieces are on display, told this diarist, "My drawings are small format paper works that were made keeping video games in mind. The images look like they are fantastical figments from the future. In some, it seems that civilisations have been plucked from this planet and made to travel on spaceships." Rahal shared that the drawings can be viewed as art in a comic book but without the text. "They come in an abstract form, but can be seen as a series to build a connected story," he signs off. The exhibition that will continue till May 28 between 12 pm and 6 pm, looks at topics like jungle landscapes, black humour, graphic novels and crash sites. The varied collection also welcomes viewers to parallels to several contemporary moments in the current world.

Petting good times

A semi-halt to the pandemic has meant many things for pet parents. Long walks in the outdoors and playtime are back on the menu. SteppinOut x HUFT are doing their bit here with a PettinOut party. With a pool day, grooming, pet bakeries, and an enviable off leash zone, the event promises these pooches the time of their lives. Ridhima Coelho (inset), co-founder, HUFT, told us the pandemic was proof of the struggle pet parents had experienced, with mundane routines to keep their furry friends happy. This event, she explained, aims to bring back the joy of interaction. But pet parents be forewarned; their fitness will be tested. "Pet parents will accompany their pets through the obstacle course, negotiating hoops, and up and down these ladders. It builds their confidence and helps to create a bond between the pets and their parents." A more pleasant option would be to sit back and grab an ice-cream to chill out with your pooch, we think.

Sun and the sea

We recently spotted an eye-catching artwork of the outer façade of Rajjab Mahal in Churchgate, with its striking glass atrium created through a bottom-up lens. The artist, Rachita Vora, is a self-confessed fan of this Art Deco residential building. "I love its geometry, and the dark blue-and-green shapes on white. It reminds me of a clear day by the ocean." Vora had earlier made The Mumbaikar series that was inspired by The New Yorker.

Culture meets climate

With environmental degradation becoming our lived reality, ReReeti Foundation, which works with museums, cultural organisations and heritage sites, has teamed up with eight Indian museums to launch a programme called Indian Museums Against Climate Change (IMACC). "We've found that some museums are taking efforts to combat climate change, but when a collective comes together, it's more impactful," founder-director Tejshvi Jain shared. IMACC is a pilot test to figure out how culture and heritage can be used to talk about climate change. "We'll harness their collections and community to create awareness among visitors and the museum sector. Eventually, it will be nice if museums in a city can reuse and share their resources," she added. Museums from Delhi, Goa, Kerala and Chennai, among other places, are part of the drive. We would've liked to see a Mumbai museum participate in this challenge.