Giddy Up!
Equestrian Freya Deshmane and her horse Acrobat pull off a clean jump at the Amateur Riders’ Club’s Show Jumping Clear Round at Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
By fluke and by flute
(From left) Police Constable Niraj Kurane, Rajeev Raja, and Police Inspector Manoj Shinde. Pic Courtesy/Rajeev Raja
Few artistes can afford to recall their tryst with the cops with as much enthusiasm as flautist Rajeev Raja; and he has good reasons. Last Thursday, Raja was travelling to a SoBo venue to watch American trumpeter Randy Brecker in performance, when he stopped by for coffee near INOX in Nariman Point. “My driver struck up a conversation with a Police Constable named Niraj Kurane, and casually mentioned that I was a flautist. To their surprise, Kurane turned out to be an Indian classical flautist himself. What’s more, he quickly called out for Police Inspector Manoj Shinde, who plays the western flute. I was dumbfounded,” Raja revealed to this diarist. The discussion quickly veered to Raja’s western flute that he was travelling with. “I played them a quick tune and it sparked a hands-on exploration of the instrument. I couldn’t stick around too long because I didn’t want to miss Brecker’s performance, but I’m still in touch with Kurane through WhatsApp. I hope to help him pick up the western flute soon. I’ll gladly instruct him through online lessons,” Raja added. Now we don’t mean to gloat, but this is definitely one of those ‘only in Mumbai’ moments.
Drumming in Japanese
Kenichi Nishiyama plays the Taiko. Pic Courtesy/ShumeiIndia
The Thane-based Japanese community of Mumbai, Shumei India, will organise traditional Taiko drum classes starting July 5 for participants of all ages. In collaboration with Studio Karva and Taru Naturals, the session will be conducted by Taiko master Kenichi Nishiyama at a Govandi East venue. Nishiyama said, “Taiko is more than a performance art. It is a practice through which the performer seeks to develop the self and deeply move the hearts of those who listen.” Those keen to attend can check out @shumei_india on Instagram.
Dabbawalas’ weekend off
A dabbawala at work in Mumbai. File pic/Ashish Raje; (right) Ulhas Muke
Who’d have thought it would take divine intervention to convince Mumbai’s trusted workhorses to catch a break? Come July 7, and Mumbai will miss the sight of its dabbawalas, who will be in Pandharpur in large numbers to join the Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations. “Nearly 300 of our members have already joined the Wari [pilgrimage] on foot in the past week. Historically, the dabbawalas have shared a close bond with the Warkari movement. After wrapping up our operations today evening, the rest of us will board trains to make our way to Pandharpur. On Tuesday, we resume regular operations in the city,” Ulhas Muke (left) , president of the Mumbai Dabbawala association confirmed over a chat with this diarist.
Post perfect
A moment from the visit to Bandra West Post Office. Pic Courtesy/Apostolic Carmel High School
The Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra celebrated National Postal Workers Day on July 1 by thanking workers at the Bandra West Post Office for their hard work. The school gifted them bags made by individuals with disabilities of the Artistic Hands organisation. The principal, Sr Maria Snehanjali AC said, “Our idea was to give back to these tireless workers. One of them even remarked that he had never felt so appreciated in his career.”
The best things in life are free trees
The saplings awaiting distribution for our ‘grow’-getters
So pick your free tree this Sunday (July 6), all ye go-green fans. The National Society for the Friends of Trees will host the Sohrabji Godrej Vanmahotsava 2025. Free saplings will be given for a greener today and tomorrow. Some of the saplings are tamarind, parijatak, mango, chikoo, coconut, fanas, karanj, mahuva, mogra… the list is endless. The saplings are from the Godrej Tree Bank and Padmaja Saraiya. These will be available from 9 am to 12.30 pm at Gokul Sushma, the lane opposite the mosque at Lion Garden Junction, Linking Road Extension, Santacruz West.
Dr Ashok Kothari, organiser and past president of Friends of Trees, shared that the organisation has been distributing these for the past 48 years. He added, “This is all about telling people to start small, in their little pocket of space at home, balconies, or housing societies. Growing trees may sound intimidating to people, but take home a sapling and see it grow into your friend,” he signed off, mentioning a postscript: “It is all about greening Mother Earth.” Let’s do just what the doctor ordered. You have the date, you have the time, and you have the location; now make growing plants a part of your daily vocation.
