Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Pic/Atul Kamble

Matchbox maze

Windows of a building in Sion form a grid-like geometric collage.

Starry, starry night at CSMVS

Last week, the stars shone bright at architect George Wittet's Indo-Saracenic marvel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum). To mark their 15th anniversary, couturiers Monica Shah and Karishma Swali of JADE unveiled a spectacle, Legacy Of Deft Hands as a tribute to India's artisanal heritage.

Models at the showcase the giant loom is in the background

This was presented in collaboration with the Urban Heritage Committee of the Rotary Club of Bombay and JSW Foundation. Mumbai's swish list, in their chiffons and silks, Guccis and Chanels, showed up to support this worthy cause. The welcome note by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director-General, CSMVS, "I am Sabyasachi Mukherjee; not to be confused with my namesake, the celebrated fashion couturier," elicited chuckles from the gathering at the dramatically-lit crescent-shaped lawns.

Monica Shah and showstopper Mira Rajput

A giant loom from Benaras served as the backdrop for the marquee show. As strains of Bengali folk music by Vikram Hazra wafted through the balmy May night, models sashayed on the unique four-way ramp around the statue of the Prince of Wales (Later King George V). Styles were inspired by weaves displayed at CSMVS's Textile Gallery, where a preview had set things up for the gala night. Elements like the Kalgi/Ambi motif, Pashmina and Suzani and Dushala shawls, as well as bespoke techniques like Ikat from Pochampalli, liquid Kanjivaram, and Ahinsak handwoven Banarasi were on display. Fashion show regulars applauded as veteran model-actor Reshma Bombaywala sporting her elegant greys, walked the ramp. We also spotted plus-size and trans models in the mix, giving the show an inclusive touch. And it was a wrap when show stopper Mira Rajput took a bow with Shah.

Rasika Dugal with Shweta Tripathi. PICS/KIRTI SURVE PARADE

On the sidelines, as a continuation of the theme, we noticed panels highlighting India's weaving traditions installed in one section of the lawns. However, the influencer brigade played spoilsport; their crew denied ‘lesser mortals' from coming close, as they hogged the limelight [shouldn't textiles take centrestage?]. As culture czars hobnobbed with stiletto-heeled museum virgins, we also noticed how the latter were busy well after the show, as they gingerly negotiated new terrain in pursuit of that perfect angle for their midnight Instagram reel. Let's hope this stylish soiree paves the way for more collaborations that celebrate fashion and cultural heritage in Mumbai.

Salaams for Mumbai's big cat

(Left) The community painting; (right) visitors learn about collaring

Mumbai's most popular big cats, and frequent newsmakers, leopards, were the centre of attraction at a three-day-long celebration of World Leopard day organised by Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society India and Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Amidst a photo-exhibition and a community painting, two immersive experiences awaited the visitors.

A radio telemetry demonstration introduced them to the techniques of collaring leopards in the wild using soft toy dummies. "The process is the backbone of the leopard tracking system. The visitors found it intriguing," Dr Abhishek Satam (below), biologist, Mumbai Zoo, shared. Another booth at the venue guided visitors in identifying subspecies by their rosette patterns. "We printed rosette patterns on sheets and built a fun game around it to make it immersive. I was thrilled to see children ask questions at every step," he concluded.

Chelsea calls

A lot can happen over ice-cream. For city-based trader Mohammed Ishan, it brought him face-to-face with ex-Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso at an ice-cream shop in Barcelona last week. "I am a member of the Chelsea India Supporter's Club. I told him about the massive fan base in India. He was pleasantly surprised to learn about our existence," Ishan revealed.

Pedalling for change

(Left) Cyclists at the awareness drive; (right) a Mumbai Traffic Police officer holds up the cyclists' safety sign

Cyclists from Mulund, Bandra, and Borivali struck the perfect balance between two causes in the city last week. A voter awareness drive saw nearly 500 cyclists from various cycling communities join forces to spread the word. ‘Wake up young ones, it's time to vote' read the placards at the event. Another crucial cause, that of cyclists' safety, was highlighted during the ride using sign boards that read ‘Give 4 feet to cyclists'. Cyclist Ravi Agarwal (inset) revealed, "Four feet is the ideal distance one must maintain laterally from a cyclist while driving.

When cars zoom past us under that range, we risk losing balance." The signboards were handed over to motorists as well as RTO officials during the rally. This diarist learned that these officials have agreed to place the signs at driving schools across the city to boost the reach. "The concerning rise of accidents involving cyclists catalysed our efforts. Recently, an Andheri-based cyclist severely injured his hip in an accident. We strongly believe that the four feet rule can change things for the better," Agarwal summarised.