Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Mumbai - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

For the young, and camera-friendly
These seem to be exciting times for young creative minds in the city. While a playwriting workshop for Mumbai's high school students with Scottish theatre artistes is underway (page 26), an international filmmaking workshop for seven- to 18-year-olds kicks off today.

An NCPA and Children's Film Academy presentation, the critically acclaimed Cinema Cent Ans De Jeunnesse programme has been created by Cinémathèque Française, Paris, and involves live and online interaction over film theory and practicals for five months. With six sessions of seven hours each to be held on one Saturday every month, the programme runs simultaneously in 20 countries across Europe and Japan.

The project culminates in the screening of short films made by the participants in Paris, in June. We'll keep an eye out for these budding playwrights and filmmakers to rule the city's cultural scene in a few years.

An East Indian legacy
Not many might be aware that East Indians are one of the oldest communities of the city. For those who wish to learn more about them, fashion designer James Ferreira will open his 200-year-old house in Khotachiwadi to visitors this Sunday. The event is being held as part of the East Indian Sann 2018, hosted by the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat.

James Ferreira

Ferreira's house is a Grade Two heritage structure, and is one of the few remaining houses belonging to an old East Indian village. Decorated with various curios sourced by the free-spirited designer from his travels around the world, and other objects that have been passed down to him through generations, the tiny garden that dots his bungalow is one of the most peaceful spots this diarist has been to in the city.

Art meets shopping
For those who have been feeling guilty of their binge shopping trips during the season-end sale period, this Lower Parel mall has a reason to visit that could validate your guilt trips. The fourth edition of Art at Palladium will display the works of artists Raj More and Nabibakhsh Mansoori.

Pic/Shadab Khan

More's works explore urban cities and their diverse societal mechanisms, be it the glamour and money of Bollywood or the gully culture of the slums, all of which are intertwined with the topics of elitism, immigration and economic co-dependence. Mansoori looks to celebrate Indianess of various things, be it street markets or international celebrities such as George Harrison who have been inspired by the country. Intrigued?

The Office goes desi
We love Steve Carell, especially as the World's Best Boss in the American version of The Office. So much so, that we are guilty of using his memes and gifs till today. BBC Worldwide India has now partnered with Applause Entertainment to produce Indian versions of popular BBC Formats.

Steve

The first shows on the list are The Office and Criminal Justice (written by Peter Moffant). These shows will specially be created for the online audience and India is the only Asian country chosen for the reboots. We wonder who will play the character of Michael Scott, and if it will be shot in the single camera format.

One for the girls
Back in 1998, just when satellite television entered Indian homes, a generation of kids (and adults too) were introduced to the idea of watching cartoons through the day, with series such as Swat Kats, Dexter's Laboratory and Captain Planet getting cult status.

Powerpuff girls

And long before we were used to Amazonian women warriors made extra special by CGI, little girls had their very own superhuman idols, The Powerpuff Girls. This year, the girls, Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup, (and the new sister Bliss who was introduced in 2017), will celebrate their 20th anniversary, with new episodes. Filled with messages of gender equality and feminism, long before it was cool to talk about it, we can't wait to get more of the girls.

Pic/Bipin Kokate