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Geometry in the city

Workers repair a large billboard frame near Mahalaxmi Railway Station

Rock and roll with Rahul Gandhi

Subir Malik (in red cap) in conversation with Rahul Gandhi. Pics courtesy/@subirmalik666

You do not expect to wrap up a rock and roll concert by sitting down with a political leader. Rock band Parikrama and Subir Malik were in for a surprise as they stepped off the stage at the North East Music Festival in New Delhi on February 22. “We had absolutely no idea that Rahul Gandhi was going to be there. I think Taba [Chake] was still playing his set, when we were informed that he [Gandhi] would like to have a casual conversation with us. All of us, Girish and The Chronicles, the Tetseo Sisters, Reble, among others, were invited to join in,” shared Malik. When Gandhi asked the veteran for some advice, from musician to politician, Malik was quick to respond ‘Listen to more rock and roll music.’ “I said it off the cuff. I remember him sharing that his father [Rajiv Gandhi] was fond of jazz music. He prefers rock. So, it felt apt,” he told this diarist.

Linkin up with gully cricket

Drummer Colin Brittain during the cricket game in Worli. Pic courtesy/@linkinpark/Getty Images

This might be one from the January album. It was fun to come across a Mumbai post by Colin Brittain (right) the Linkin Park drummer. It seems that while the band made their Mumbai debut at Lollapalooza 2026, some of the band members took to the city quite well. Percussionist Brittain even took his time to jaunt around the lanes of Worli. His latest video definitely wrapped up the weekend on an amusing note. The video, shared on the drummer’s social media, shows him casually strolling around a Worli chawl. Typical of Mumbai’s contracted playing spaces, the percussionist finds himself walking into a gully cricket match in a chawl lane. Ever gracious, the Mumbai boys are happy to let the American give the game a go. Though he is apprehensive in the beginning, Brittain does well to connect with the ball. While the gully cricketers got a chance to interact with music royalty, fans seemed amused with Brittain’s down-to-earth nature, and his stint with ‘a cricket paddle’. Well, we hope he will be better versed by his next India visit.

Turbhe’s Italian soiree

A glimpse of the outlet (right) Gnocchi Aurora. Pics courtesy/Piccolino – Italian Taproom

Navi Mumbaikars on the lookout for Italian eateries have a new option on the plate. Piccolino-Italian Taproom has opened in Turbhe, and offers dishes such as Pesto Burrata Pizza and Gnocchi Aurora. Health-conscious patrons preferring alcohol-free alternatives can also check out their zero-proof cocktails, along with craft beers and beverages such as the Guava Chilli. “We wanted to create a space that feels like your neighbourhood piazza,” shared Rushil Shetty, general manager, Rupa Foods, the outlet’s parent company. 

Spice call from Meghalaya

Visitors survey produce at a stall at the festival (right) spices on display. Pics courtesy/Government of Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Spice Festival, which concluded yesterday (March 1) at Bandra Kurla Complex, introduced Mumbaikars to a range of spices from Meghalaya, from Lakadong turmeric to fresh ginger. Visitors interacted with spice farmers directly and enjoyed cultural musical performances. “We want to show what Meghalaya is doing in terms of agriculture,” said Dr Vijay Kumar D, commissioner and secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, which organised the festival.