Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Pic/Ashish Raje

Who is the fairest of ‘Em all?

Members of Shree Maharashtra Ramleela Mandal get ready for a performance at Azad Maidan

All set for LA 2028 Olympics

The news of cricket and squash being part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics gladdened the hearts of sports aficionados on Monday. No less, we can assure, when it came to Mumbai-based Vaman Apte (below), who has represented the country in squash and worn Bombay University, Bombay U-19 and U-22 colours in cricket. "It's great… we've been at it [squash] for a while and it's good to hear about cricket coming into the Olympics. Yes, they'll play the T20 variety, but that's fine," said Vaman, the son of deceased Test cricketer and sheriff of Mumbai, Madhav Apte. Vaman has no doubt that the willow game will get a fillip in America through this announcement and LA will leave no stone unturned in building cricket infrastructure for the big event. Vaman is well-travelled, so don't be surprised if he boards a flight in a few years' time to witness history for two of his best-loved sports in LA.

You've got this, girl

A performer at a recent cypher

There are more women in the city's hip-hop scene than most people realise. They're supremely talented but unfortunately don't get the attention they deserve," shared Shafi Shaikh, one half of the Street Hiphop collective that is organising the All Women Rap Cypher. The event, which is set to go live on 20 October at the Marol art village, will be a platform for women in hip-hop to showcase their talents and share their stories through their artform," explained Shaikh. City rapper Demyth, who has been roped in to head-line the event told this diarist, "I am stoked to be performing at the cypher. It's a unique initiative. I'm looking forward to freestyling with the girls."

And for my next trick...

Alex Black at an earlier show in India

Many flock to Mumbai to find magic. Russian magician Alex Black brings it with him. Magic is in the air this week as the Russian magician and illusionist makes his way to the city. "I love performing in Mumbai because the crowd reacts so animatedly. I can tell that they really enjoy themselves," Black told us. The magician, who takes pride in his eye-popping self-made tricks, will perform three shows in the city.

The magician shows a trick to a boy from the audience

"I have a few new tricks up my sleeve this time. I am excited to perform them for my audience and see how they react." Black was previously seen in Mumbai in August last year. "I loved the city so much, I decided to come back. This will be my final tour in Mumbai for a while at least, so it's special for me. My favourite memory of the city is when there was a huge queue of people waiting to take a picture with me, and get my autograph after a show," recalled Black.

Nine days filled with nine colours

Participants practise

Pick up your colour pencils because it is Navratri. City-based art start-up Rooftop is approaching the festival of dance with colours. Their nine-day cost-free workshop across nine venues in the city aims at reuniting art buffs and introducing them to mata ni pachedi, the artwork on the cloth behind the idols, which features nine avatars of the Goddess, one on each day.

Mata ni pachedi art on postcards

"Our focus is on letting people tap into their creative sides by practising folk art. Our meet-ups introduce participants to community, tradition and history via art and candid conversations. They paint designs by Kirit Chitara of the Chitara family, where this artform was birthed," said Harshali Pagare of Rooftop.