Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we drop by a new art studio in Vikhroli that is dedicated to exploring love through mini art-centric ideas for dates
A couple gets into creative mode at a Greek pot painting session
Passing by hawkers selling heart-shaped earrings, pendants, cards and roses in the train, we reach the Vikhroli railway station a day prior to the final leg of the week of love. The eastern suburb is home to the newest addition of art studios. This one, called The Mini Date, is unique for being openly and only love-centric.
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Founded by 19-year-old Fenny Shethi and 23-year-old Dhyan Shah, this is the duo’s second venture after their The House Of Neon (an art jamming studio in Ghatkopar) became a haunt for expression among the youth. This one, which is only 10 days old, is already almost booked till next month. While we were keen to try the cookery session (R5,500 per couple), a two-hour-long cooking workshop, it was booked for the entire day. So, we opt for the next most recommended workshop — the art session (Rs 3,000 for a couple, Rs 1,500 for one). For this hour-long session, you can choose any two forms of art from candles making, soap making, Greek pot painting, fluid art, textured art, alcohol ink, tote bag painting and raisin art.
(Right and above) The writer tries her hands at fluid art on the cut-outs
Since we arrived at the venue early, we took a tour. The cookery date begins at 11 am, while all the other workshops begin 12 pm onwards. We seek permission from the chef to drop by for a sneak peek. The pink-laced world on the first floor smells of chocolate; a couple seated at the far end of the table is learning to make a chocolate bar. Near the entry is a wall plastered with over 100 adorable plushies; the selfie-point of the studio, we presume. Another flight of steps takes us to a small, dim-lit, cosy room; where a bed draped in a mesh curtain is facing a projection screen. This is where the studio hosts movie nights (Rs 2,000 onwards for a couple). They also have face mannequin painting, fluid bear pour and clay dates.
Jevisha Naidu demonstrates how to coat the Greek pot; (right) the writer holds up her painted pot
We return to the ground floor as 21-year-old Jevisha Naidu, who will helm the art workshop, tells us that we can begin. A couple who has also booked for the same time slot is running late, but Naidu doesn’t let us wait for them. “I will teach them once again when they come,” she tells us. When we enter the pottery and art room, we are introduced to a contrasting white-washed space, with textured white walls and white pebbles spread across the floor. Two desks are kept ready and adorned with our art supplies, candles and a small basket of munchies. Greek pot painting is the first session we sign up for. Naidu asks us to go and take a closer look. We are back with ideas to make our chef d’oeuvre. We begin with coating a pot with gesso. It takes two layers to form the base. Next, we practise making leaves, stems and flowers on a sheet of paper after Naidu shows us the ropes. When we think we are ready, we start making strokes of various blues on the pot with our brush. Half an hour of light-hearted chatting and painting go by in a flash.
The room for cookery sports a wall full of plushies
As our pot is left to dry, we make our way to the mezzanine floor where our next session, fluid art, will be conducted. We are given our cardboard cut-outs of our initial letter D and a heart to paint on. Naidu guides us to pick three paints of our choice (we pick orange black and blue for the letter and purple, pink and green for the heart) and make proportionate layers of each in a plastic glass. She suggests to keep switching between paints often otherwise one will remain dominant for the most part. Once we are done, we pour the mixture recklessly, as is recommended, on the cut-outs. We pick up and start moving these around to let the paint flow to the unfilled parts. The process is satisfying, messy and fun altogether. Our masterpieces are packed to carry back.
Naidu tells us that they only offer batches of two or four at most to ensure privacy. While they sell out quickly, it also gives them an edge over other studios for prioritising privacy and offering close attention to patrons. In times when the main medium of conversation among young couples is via social media, this writer thinks that this mini dating studio eggs you to put your phone aside to explore love through art, creativity and innocuous goof-ups.
Take your pick, Valentine
So, you haven’t been able to make plans. Whether you’re flying solo or are hitched, we’ve got you sorted with these last-minute ideas
Paint your love
Sign up for a spinning wheel or a techno and paint workshop at this studio which is all for Galentine’s day and solo dates! They also have a Valentine’s Day-special curation.
TIME 12 pm onwards
AT Hue by SLA, St Francis Avenue, Willingdon, Khar West.
Call 9082462997
LOG ON TO huesbysla.com (for more details and registration)
Dil se, with Simran and Raj
What better way to celebrate the day than to catch the never-dying Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge at this 66-year-old single screen cinema?
ON Today; 11.30 am
AT Maratha Mandir, RBI Staff Colony, Mumbai Central.
Cost Rs 30 onwards
Also watch on Amazon Prime Video
Soulful bites for soulmates
Plan the day of love at home, as you and your partner make this Valentine’s special lasagne with chef Sanjyot Keer.
LOG ON TO Your Food Lab on YouTube
Bond over Lavani
This three-hour-long performance titled Love and Lavani will explore the dance form by giving a tribute to a real-life love story through Lavani sequences.
ON February 15; 5 pm to 8 pm
AT Prithvi Theatre, Juhu.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
COST Rs 500
A game of romance
Experience the love in the air at this exclusive Valentine’s Day evening featuring music, laughter and exciting couple games.
ON Today; 6 pm onwards
AT The Studs Sports Bar and Grill, Centrum IT Park, Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane West.
LOG ON TO insider.in
COST Rs 49
Laughter makes it right
Laugh your heart out with your loved ones and some furry friends at this Valentine’s Day comedy special by city-based comedian Pranit More.
ON Today; 7 pm onwards
AT Cat Cafe Studio, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO insider.in
Also watch on Rs 399 onwards
The Mini Date
At: Kishanlal Purohit, B/5 Shivbhole Laghu Udyog, Vikhroli.
Log on to: @theminidatee (on Instagram)
Call: 8591711779
Cost: Rs 19,000 onwards (for full-day package that includes all activities)
**** Exceptional, *** Excellent, ** very Good, * Good, Average. The Mini Date didn’t know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for services
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