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Shifting sands

Strong afternoon winds at Chowpatty form a cloud of sand behind beach-goers

A big hand for Vikas Khanna

Chef Vikas Khanna’s recent appearance at the TIME 100 Gala in New York was given a big hand, quite literally, from Mumbai’s very own. While the chef’s tailored black bandhgala was courtesy Louis Vuitton, and a peacock brooch showed off his Indian roots, he paired it with an accessory that carried a far deeper meaning and symbolism — a hand-dyed dupatta from the neurodivergent members of the Yash Charitable Trust in Mumbai.

Vikas Khanna sports the scarf at the TIME 100 Gala; members of Yash Charitable Trust paint the scarf. PICS COURTESY/TIME on youtube, @vikaskhannagroup

The story traces back to January this year when the chef had dropped in for a visit, shared Dr Sushama Nagarkar (right), co-founder, Yash Charitable Trust. “He had visited the trust during his trip to the city, and was quite inspired by the enthusiasm and energy of the team. He wanted to promote the cause,” she revealed.

But even Nagarkar was not expecting the phone call that arrived last Monday from Khanna. “He called asking if we could do him a favour. I was surprised, and wondered what we could do at all. He then informed us that he would like us to buy a dupatta, and create a specially hand-dyed creation to add to his attire,” she revealed to this diarist.

It is no surprise that the members of the trust were thrilled to share the limelight with the celebrated chef. “During his visit, we spoke for a long time about the nature of neurodivergence, and I was quite surprised and touched by his genuineness to do something for the cause,” she told us.

Thanks a ton, Sachin

Sachin Tendulkar in Bastar

It was a musical welcome for cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar last week. While Tendulkar unveiled the new Maidan Cup organised by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation and Mann Deshi Foundation to support underserved talent, it was another Mumbaikar who kept the tempo going.

Piyush Kapoor performs with a folk singer. PICS COURTESY/DAIRA

Piyush Kapoor of Mumbai’s rock band Daira was invited to present their 2024 project Jadoo Bastar, a collaboration between folk singers of the village and the band. “It felt like a powerful validation of the stories that we have tried to tell with our project,” Kapoor said.

Think like Charles Correa

Charles Correa. PIC/AFP

Iconic architect and urban planner Charles Correa will inspire a new band of young architecture students to think out of the box this month. The Charles Correa Foundation recently announced the Gold Medal 2026 with the theme ‘Equitability through Design’ with an aim to address spatial injustices through design — an apt tribute to Correa’s ideas, we think. Colleges keen to nominate their students’ works can write to education@charlescorreafoundation.org to register.

Warli art comes to town

City of Dreams by Pallavi Borse Dalvi. PIC COURTESY/PAllavi BORSE DALVI

Palghar-based artist Pallavi Borse Dalvi’s new Warli artwork had us scanning the canvas for familiar landmarks like a treasure hunt. Unlike the traditional art form, which uses red soil (geru maati) and rice flour, Dalvi’s acrylic on canvas creation is an ode to urban Mumbai.

“I was at the Tribes Art Fest at Travancore Palace in New Delhi last month. I was moved by the rich tribal art heritage of India. This is my ode to the city of dreams,” she told this diarist. The eagle eyes in this newsroom spotted the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and the Bombay Stock Exchange in the detailed piece. How many more can you spot?