A passion for theatre and music- 2012 to 2025

"Cats theater" near Shinagawa in Tokyo(6-4-1995)

 "THE BUREAUCRAT"(Sunday 22-4-2012) - "THE BUREAUCRAT":-Saw this play on Sunday(22-4-2012) at St Andrews Auditorium and kudo's to Director Rahul.Da Cunha and "Rage Productions" for producing contemporary Indian plays on very contemporary Indian topics.As for me, amongst English plays, have to date seen almost all the Plays produced by "RAGE PRODUCTIONS" and although most of their plays are "Mumbaicentric", based on Mumbai topics , some of their plays are truly National which include the present play "THE BUREAUCRAT". If a theatre lover of English plays then please don't miss this play, very relevant in the present day India of Anna Hazare political cleansing ideology."Rage Productions" should give me "Complimentary passes" for highlighting their plays.It was almost a "House-full" show at St Andrews auditorium and nice to know that authentic and contemporary "HINGLISH PLAYS" are alive and blossoming in Mumbai.Most Indian English theatre is based on reproductions of tried and tested successful plays from World-famous playwrights and authors and "RAGE PRODUCTIONS" were the first to innovate into producing local contemporary plays based on Modern India and its social life.                                                                                                                         Moments with Pankaj.Udhas"(Saturday 16-6-2012):- Saturday happened to be the birthday of my dad, who would have been 88 years if alive in 2012 having expired in 2007.Hindi film music and Ghazals have been my leisure hobbies, hence the radio is always playing when i am at home,either English or Hindi film music.Have had a liking for ghazals since my shipping days of sailing on the high seas and relaxing in the cabin after duty hours to the tune of  music, Hindi or English.As i do not understand Urdu language found Jagjit.Singh and Pankaj.Udhas Ghazals  simple and hauntingly beautiful compared to the sophistication of the pure Urdu singers of Pakistan , most notably late Mehdi.Hassan..Did attend a  Jagjit.Singh concert at the "Nehru Centre" auditorium in Mumbai  a few years before his demise, thrilled at personally viewing my ghazal idol. .On seeing the advertisement for the "Pankaj.Udhas" ghazal show booked the minimum priced(Rs300) tickets well in advance, akin to attending  a rock or pop English concert.Attended the "Pankaj.Udhas Ghazal Concert", a house-full crowd for a concert done for a charitable cause ,"Aid for Thalassemic Children".The concert started very late at approx 2045 hrs due to various speeches, felicitations  and thanks addresses by a few distinguished guests of honour.as it was for a charitable cause.The concert ended very late at approx 2245 hrs., the crowd charmed by the Ghazals and "Shayars" of Pankaj.Udhas.He sang his most memorable hit ghazals and a few "Ustaads" in the "Cheapest row seats", which included my row were cat -whistling and shouting every time a 'Shayar" was uttered by the artist, a typical "Ghazal Night", unforgettable.The beauty of late Jagjit.Singh and now Pankaj.Udhas is that their "GHAZALS" can be understood by a common Hindi speaking/Angrez individual with less of Urdu lyrics.Although late Mehdi.Hassan is considered the king of Ghazal artists , unlike Jagjit.Singh or Pankaj.Udhas, his music was for the "Elite Ghazal Purists" who understood Urdu language which included American/Indian actor Tom.Alter !"Sab Ko Maloom hain mein Sharabi Nahin,Phir Bhi koi Pila Doo tho Main Kya Kao"?!, Thanks for an excellent Ghazal evening Pankaj.Udhas.
"ADHE ADHURE(The Incomplete ones)" (Sunday 24-6-2012):-

Saw the play "Adhe Adhure"  at Sophia Bhabha Auditorium(Peddar Road) by default as i had previously failed to get tickets for "Broadway and Beyond" at St Andrews(Bandra), booking the same  in advance for Friday(20-7-2012). In hindsight was happy at viewing this excellent Hindi play with a prominent star-cast  from  Hindi theatre and films, most notably  Producer/Director Lillete.Dubey and Dr Mohan.Agashe..Although this play is based on Delhi society of the 1960's, it is a very relevant play in 2012 and for future generations, a timeless classic originally  written and directed by Mr Mohan.Rakesh in 1959!. Playwright Mr Mohan.Rakesh  won the "Sangeet Natak Akademi Award" in 1968 and "Adhe Adhure" considered one of his best plays re-enacted by various other directors through the last 40 years since it was produced. I thank my good-luck for postponing my date with "Broadway and Beyond" and seeing "Adhe Adhure" instead, otherwise i would have completely missed seeing this classic masterpiece as there was no repeat show, this being the last stage show of the current drama troupe.Sometimes in life, disappointments are for a better future?
BROADWAY AND BEYOND :-Saw the theatrical musical extravaganza "BROADWAY AND BEYOND" at St Andrews Auditorium  on Friday(20-7-2012). English Stage actor and Hindi movie actor Dilip.Tahil was also present at the play, seen recently giving excerpt comments on T.v on the "Rajesh .khanna" mystique in Hindi cinema. Rajesh.Khanna grew up from college.theater(K.C college in Mumbai), v ery obvious to students and fans of theater by his "Loud acting" in some films, common among theater artists, termed OVERACTING".I grew up on Rajesh.Khanna and Amitabh.Bachchan movies , copying the famous "Kurta Style" from Rajesh.Khanna. Rajesh .Khanna expired on Wednesday(18-7-2012) and all Indian T.V channels were  broadcasting his life and times, myself glued to the telivision for two days until the funerary rites were performed on Thursday(19-7-2012).. I would be a hypocrite to deny the fact that Rajesh.Khanna did impact my sense of fashion and style as did Amitabh.Bachchan amongst Hindi film personalities.That Rajesh.Khanna engulfed a generation of women and men by his charm is another mystery by itself, debatable by psychologists and film historians for generations.I once saw Rajesh.Khanna personally as he flashed past me in a vehicle decades ago.When living in a chawl at Haji Ismail Gani Bldg  in Byculla in 1960's/70's  grew up hearing the exploits of Rajesh.Khanna from his stunt double duplicate ,Mr Jaya.Shetty..Complimentary "Teachers whisky" canned drinks were served  to all theater attendees making it an evening to remember.I felt i was paying homage to "Kaka" by watching a play in his locality of Bandra of which i also have a very close connection for various reasons."BROADWAY AND BEYOND" was definitely an evening to remember..
Viewing  Classic English Films at "American Libraray" :- Have  been  a visitor to "American Library" since my Kirti College years beginning in 1978!  In 2011 the library shifted its location from the more convenient location of  Churchgate  to "Bandra-Kurla Complex".Since then have been an occasional visitor to the library  since the location is a  distant  itinerary  on my rare outdoor visits ever since i converted my house into my office! Visited the library occasionally and  have started the habit of watching a classic English film on the library's D.V.D, the same not available on either pirate or local video library's. In July 2012 visited the library and  as usual underwent the "SECURITY CHECKS" for entry into the American centre, my age-old outdated "Bajaj wind 25" checked for "Explosives", a normal routine.Saw the vintage 1952 classic movie "Singing in the Rain" on the library video.This Musical masterpiece movie has been judged as the 5th best movie in American Cinema and should thank the library for storing such classic movies.

.Later joined in the "Video Conference" discussion on "Role of Technology and Social media".This discussion on American Elections-2012 and the impact of "Social media" was "Houseful" and conducted over internet video by Mr Colin.Delaney, Founder and Chief Editor of "Epolitics.com".An eventful and knowledgeable evening including the lengthy bike ride.

At Hard Rock Cafe in Mumbai  with "Rock Superstar Memorablia". of PRINCE.(Thursday 31-8-2012).

"BOOKS BEER PARTY and "ON THE WATERFRONT" at American Library(Thursday 23-8-2012):- .Assessed "Facebook." and the Internet from "American Library" and surprised at the Network speed compared to my "Hathway Network" at Home.Saw the classic movie "ON THE WATERFRONT". Every sea-farer should watch this 1954 classic movie starring Marlon.Brando and it reminded me of my own father's employment  minus the bloody violence .He was  a "Cargo supervisor" at  Bombay harbour in the 1940's and later transferred to  Mombasa, in-charge of the "Cargo Gangs(Longshoremen in American English)"..Better late than too late,.At last have seen "On the Waterfront", an 8 academy  winner and an all -time classic although the "SHIPPING INDUSTRY" of  "On the Waterfront"  era of 1950's upto 1980's is redundant in 2012 with the advent of "Containerization " in the Shipping Industry.. Afrter the movie ,experienced  a Classic intellectual  party scene at the library..Enjoyed  the "BOOKS BEER PARTY" at the library sipping Budweiser beer , relishing snacks and listening to live acoustic music by a solo musician later joined by a trombone player.Invitation to the "BOOKS BEER PARTY" was by registration through the "Internet". This was the first time in my life that i experienced a night-club atmosphere in a library!.Excellent crowd although no recognizable faces from the American Library that i began visiting in 1978 at Churchgate when it was free of charge and filled with young collegians as well as elders.Today in 2012, i was one of the eldest in the young crowd realizing the fact that "Time and Tide wait for none"!.It was partying in intellectual surroundings with large cut-outs of President Barack.Obama and  Republican challenger Mr Mitt.Romney  gracing the library, reminding us of a hectic presidential election  in November-2012.The party  was from 1700 hrs to 2000 hrs  and listened to music , sipped beer  later riding home on my vintage motorcycle.The first time in my life that i attended a party in the confines of a library, in the midst of computers, books and a lively social gathering of young and old,Intellectuals and casual readers.
Hard Rock Cafe(Mumbai):- Guns and roses tribute concert by  "Kickstart Freedom(Thursday 30-8-2012):- It was drizzling in the evening , yet decided to attend the "Guns and Roses Tribute" concert at Hard Rock cafe, just a few minutes by motorcycle from my residence.On my way to the  restaurant i almost met with a  hospitalization fall, a miracle saving me from severe  body damage, another close shave with serious injury.Hence the concert was more memorable due to this freak accidental fall. Running towards the "Hard Rock cafe" to avoid the rain i tripped in the process, falling flat on my face,luckily my reflexes being quick and both hands taking the impact of the fall..It was akin to a stuntman doing a movie role , only difference, i was no stuntman and there was no one to witness nor film  my miraculous escape from serious body damage..I got up, my trousers drenched in muck water and made my way towards "Hard Rock Cafe", just a few metres away from the place i fell..  Entry ticket was Rs 150, the nightclub jam packed , just standing space.It was an excellent evening , the band "Kickstart freedom" performing excellently, good showmanship by their vocalist Sujit.Kumar.The band members were Cajetan D'souza (Caji) - Guitars / Keyboards ,Cassius Fernandes (Cassy) - Drums, Adrian Dmello - Bass  and Sujit Kumar - Vocals.Surprisingly, they are a Mumbai based group having been  performing for over a decade but heard them for the first time.Took a few photographs including one of  myself posing with the cafe's rock-star memorabilia  of a  jacket worn by "Prince" for his memorable hit , "Purple Rain".Nostalgia is what memories are made of, including photographs.The concert wound up at  mid-night  a thoroughly entertaining  night beginning with a near hospitalization by a freak  fall.
   A WALK IN THE WOODS" at Veer Savarkar Auditorium(Sunday 2-9-2012):- Saw the excellent play  "A Walk in the Woods" at Veer Savarkar Auditorium  situated opposite Shivaji Park in Mumbai.Two of the best theatre actors of India Mr Rajit.Kapur and Mr Naeeruddin.Shah were classics in this two man play based on a eternal

topic "India-Pakistan Diplomatic relations". Having just seen the Superhit movie "Ek Tha Tiger" , a film which dwells on the "India-Pak Spy relationships", with mind chilling violence as usual  and hence it was co-incidence to view a play based on two diplomats from either side of the border discussing "Power Politics".The Veer Savarkar auditorium is less than a year old and one of the best in India, excellent acoustics.Sadly, this auditorium might only host sober politically correct Marathi, Hindi  and English  plays  as it is situated inside the premises of a freedom fighters monument .Most English plays have sexual content and bits of bad language.An evening of excellent theatre and viewing of a new auditorium.IF INDIAN OR PAKISTANI, DON'T MISS THE PLAY, "A WALK IN THE WOODS" THE NEXT TIME IT IS PLAYED ON NEUTRAL TERRITORY, ENGLAND !
THE SOUND OF MUSIC(Friday 28-9-2012):- Saw this eternal evergreen  play  which was very well performed , replica of a Broadway or  a Westend Musical in Mumbai with  an  Indian starcast.Try to see this play at "N.C.P.A" since it is the best theatre in Mumbai .Co-incidentally  read  the book "Broadway Stories" by Marty.Bell(1993) which gi

ves a detail "INSIDERS ACCOUNT" of Broadway Theatre in U.S.A.All English theatre performance of "Original Plays"  in Mumbai  are  modelled on Broadway  of New York and West End of London.Sure "Sound of Music" is a "N.C.P.A Mumbai Hit" theatre as far as the cash counters are concerned.Strangely my luck and theatre general knowledge proved useful in winning a prize on answering a questionnaire provided to all the concert attendees. Won a prize for a "Head,Neck & Shoulder Massage" at RUDRA(Solitude with senses) health spa.In all an excellent evening of musical theatre and the joy of winning a contest.KNOWLEDGE AND THEATRE ARE NOT A WASTE OF TIME.
  U.S.A CONSULATE GENERAL LIBRARY.(Thursday 11-10-2012):-Saw the 1958 classic movie "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF" at the American Centre library in Mumbai on Thursday(11-10-2012)..Don't miss this movie if an English movie connoisseur,very relevant in any age and era. Elizabeth Taylor and Paul.Newman are

splendid in their roles as also the other star-cast.Thanks to American Library classic Movie DVD collection, we Mumbaikars can view the best of Hollywood Movies normally unavailable in local Dvd shops  or movie screenings.. After the movie although not gay had personally attended the book reading of “MY MAGICAL PALACE” by Indian/American  author Mr Kunal..Mukherjee. at the American Centre .Was surprised at the lack of an audience, although, thanks to a less crowd the book-reading was more relevantly discussed.Being Gay in India is still a taboo and this was clearly indicated at the book reading of “My Magical Palace” where most Gay Mumbaikars must have been embarrassed to be seen in public at this gathering.”My Magical Palace” is the first Gay oriented book written  about Indian gay life and is based in the city of Hyderabad where the author spent his years in India.The book-reading deserved a house-full audience just for curiosity, let alone the merits of the book as this was the first ever totally India-centric gay novel written..I myself will definitely read the book in the near future .The author said that there are plans to make the book into a “BOLLYWOOD FILM”. I commented stating that Bollywood should stop portraying gay characters as down and out slapstick comedians with exaggerated female idiocies. The author agreed with me and said that he himself would be selecting the star-cast when the movie is to be made.
INDIA MUSICWEEK 2012 (Tuesday 21 to Sunday 25-11-2012):- After returning to Mumbai  from a 15 day backpacker tour of Sri Lanka had spent all my time at home, blogging and updating photographs. On Tuesday (21-11-2012) attended the inaugural music session of the "India Musicweek festival"  at "Bonobo" in Bandra.As a "Music Dinosaur" of the 1980's generation i was the youngest at heart in the music room."Mother Perera" alias Sasha .Perera of Sri Lankan origin ,settled  in Germany began the concert at 1030 hrs with her Junkie music of Electronic rock, vocals mix, something i heard for the first time

similar to electronic trance music.I have pasted a wikepedia snippet on the Jahcoozi music co-invented by "Mother Perera". At 2400 hrs, the night still young, the Norwegian group "Lemaitre" consisting of the duo of Ketil and Urik gave the audience a mix of "Indie -Electronic" music, part vocals, part human guitar and part electronic music.What fascinated me was the informal atmosphere at "Bonobo", a nightclub situated on a terrace with a sound-proof smaller room for the late night music, akin to a private house party.I came back home enlightened in some of the latest rock and instrumental music trends in the 21st century generation. I thought music was just "ROCK & POP", "HIP-HOP" and "ELECTRONIC TRANCE" now realizing that various artists are experimenting within the different genres of music.During the "India Musicweek Festival" various artists will be playing in different clubs in the Indian City's of Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.[Wikepedia:-Jahcoozi is a bass-heavy electronica trio is a creative alliance made up of London-born, Sri Lankan songwriter and front woman Sasha Perera and two beat-freak producers/multi-instrumentalists—Teuton Robot Koch and Tel-Aviv born Oren Gerlitz.]

 Razzmatazz Retro & More(Sunday 25-11-2012) :-       Had attended the "RAZZMATAZZ RETRO & MORE" musical by Raell.Padamsee at the Sophia Bhabha Hall in Mumbai and won a prize in a quiz contest.An excellent musical of Cover songs by prominent artists and groups performed by local singers.                                                                                                                                             

Who knows, after Freddie.Mercury, the next prominent International musician of Indian origin could be from one of the singers who performed and sang some wonderful songs, most notably according to me being Miss Sharmila.Dias ?A hilarious spoof of original comedy on the Parsi rock & Roll music was enacted by one of the singers without any offence to the community of Freddie.Mercury, the most famous Parsi origin International performer.The secret of successful living is learning to laugh at yourself. It was nice hearing "Abba","C.C.R","Bee Gees", "Saturday Night Fever", "Elvis","Neil Diamond","The Doors","Whitney Houston","Donna Summers","Madonna","Rolling Stones""Simon & Garfunkel" &"Beatles" being brought to life by musicians from a generation that were not born when these groups or singers were at their prime in life."MEMORIES DON'T LEAVE LIKE PEOPLE DO,THEY ALWAYS STAY WITH YOU----" :- An excellent evening of nostalgia "Rock & Roll" enacted by the 21st century generation.

At the "Bandra Amphitheater" for "Ray-Bans Never Hide Sounds" rock music concert.(Saturday 1-12-2012).

Ray-Bans 75th Aniversary  rock music concert "NEVER HIDE SOUNDS" at Bandra Amphitheater(Saturday 1-12-2012):- A fantastic evening of excellent rock music at the "Ray Bans 75th Anniversary" celebrations at the "Lands End Amphitheatre" at Bandra in Mumbai.                            Although  entrance was free had to pay a Rs 200 fine for "Jay-Parking" , lucky to spot the  towing van  t

raffic police in time and get my bike released.With an influx in the population of cars and motorcycles, parking is a major problem in Mumbai .All that was forgotten by an excellent evening of indigenous composed Indian English music talent from 5 upcoming groups selected in elimination rounds from all over India. The  5 competing groups were as follows. 1) MODERN MAFIA :- Mumbai 2)STREET STORIES :- Shillong 3)THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE:- Delhi 4) THE NEWS :- Bangalore  and 5) 83 MILES PER HOUR :- CHENNAI.The "Bandra Fort Amphitheatre" is one of the best locales in the World , let alone India for an open-air concert. Only dis-advantage, its too small for huge crowds and million dollar ticket sales revenues.Rock music Kids have definitely changed and evolved over the years since groups like Pentagram, Parikrama and Indus creed started the trend of composing their own songs in the early 1990's.As usual the evening ended with the grand finale from "Parikrama"  later followed by "Indus Creed".A night to remember and cherish with photographs taken from my brand new  "Cannon Photoshot A810"  camera..
"Guns & Roses" concert at "M.M.R.D.A" grounds at Bandra in Mumbai(Sunday 9-12-2012) :- Had attended the "GUNS & ROSES" concert at "M.M.R.D.A" grounds in Mumbai on Sunday(9-12-2012).A fantastic "SOLD-OUT" concert and the only sad part was that i was in the cheapest section , silver tickets(Rs 1500) and hence could only see the band perform on the giant T.V. monitors, the main stage requiring binocular vision. What was surprising was that "Guns & Roses" performed for 3 hours non-stop

"PARIKRAMA" providing the finale to "Converse Original Band Rock Concert" at Bandra Amphitheater. I have literally grown up attending concerts  of  some of these  vintage rock groups of India.MUSIC HAS NO AGE LIMIT OR RETIREMENT .

, beginning at 1900 hrs and finishing at 2200 hrs, the max time limit for public noise in Mumbai city. Axl .Rose, the only "ORIGINAL" founder member looked a bit fat with age but was a carbon copy in flesh of his younger days as seen on video's while performing some of the most memorable hit songs of the band.The entire group performed well with excellent showmanship and definitely worth the money and more.In fact fans were doubtful of the concert taking place due to the bands unpredictable behaviour but were surprised by the discipline and mannerly behaviour of one of the World's most popular groups.The end was something new in Mumbai city, the entire crowd showered with confetti from the stage, a December confetti rain in Mumbai. Thanks Guns and Roses .

"CONVERSE ORIGINAL ROCK BAND CONCERT(Sunday 16-12-2012):- Born of the brand’s commitment to music, The Converse Original Band is geared at showcasing and promoting original indie music across the Indian audience. The music initiative is spread across 4 cities this year - Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune & Mumba. A wonderful evening of original "Indie Rock Music" at the "Bandra Amphitheater" in Mumbai.Nothing like a evening in the open air Bandra Amphitheater which faces the Arabian sea in Mumbai.This time the concert was genuinely "PHOOKAT(FREE)" as i didn't have to pay a "Motorcycle Fine" to the Traffic Cops for "Jay Parking"."PARKING" in Mumbai at prime crowded localities is the major problem of everyone, worst for cars and best for cycles.En-route to the show booked tickets for "SIMPLY THE BLUES" concert at At Andrews Auditorium for Thursday(27-12-2012).The judges were band members from Parikrama, Mr Luke.Kenny and Monica .Dogra.
The veteran rock group "PARIKRAMA" provide the finale to the evening gala rock with brilliant music."PARIKRAMA" are a local Delhi band that has been in circulation since 21 years and a model for upcoming "Indie Rock Groups" to emulate.
The finalists from all 4 cities were as follows
1)Koniac Net ; Converse original Band, Mumbai.
 2)Jekyll & Hyde - The Converse Original Band, Bengaluru
3) Thikscinned - The Converse Original Band, Pune
4) Ganesh Talkies - The Converse Original Band, Kolkata . "GANESH TALKIES " from Calcutta won the contest. The evergreen Indian rock group "Parikrama" closed the contest with a grand finale of their music.
"BOOKS AND BEER PARTY AT AMERICAN CENTER LIBRARY"(Wednesday 19-12-2012) :-
An engrossing evening at the "AMERICAN LIBRARY" in "Bandra-Kurla Complex".Among familiar faces met Eye Surgeon Dr Dipti.Chauhan having trekked together with "B.N.H.S".It was an eventful evening and made acquaintances with various personalities from different walks of life & Professions.Met American Professor Mr Tushar.R.Ozha ,settled in Detroit and surprised to learn that Mumbai's real estate prices are stupendous compared to American cost of living and poverty is existent in New York!?Mr Pravin.Simmons whose wife runs Dr Sherekars Hospital in Kalina explained the benefits of "Natural Birth" .As a Blogger/Author was thrilled to meet  and converse  with Socialite authoress Mrs Vandana.Shah who has recently published "Divorce 101-A Womans Guide".Got to know that only 5% of Asian authors make a living from "Professional Writing" .Her husband Mr Sunil.Doshi is into "Organic Farming" ,a prominent Organic farming entrepreneur of India, let alone Mumbai! .Later met the Daddy of Mumbai media Mr Darryl..D'Monte,writer and  former editor of "Times of India" and "Indian Express" publications.Was surprised at the simplicity and casualness of this giant man of Mumbai's literary  and social circle.It was during conversing with him that i realized he is also the cousin of late poet and writer Mr Dom.Moraes.Who in Mumbai can boast of such illustrious "LITERARY BLOODLINES"?Any function in Bandra, Political or environmental  is not complete without the East Indian original Mumbai son of soil Mr Darryl.D'Monte's presence to honour the occasion. The "EAST INDIAN COMMUNITY" of Mumbai are considered the original inhabitants of Mumbai city, having converted to Catholicism  during the Portuguese rule of the city during its infancy as a 7 Island village before becoming the 4th most populated  city in the World in 2012..Excellent guitar music throughout the evening was provided by Nagaland Musician Mr Imli.Imchen.Returned home an enlightened more learned human from the library.Photography was not allowed otherwise i would have uploaded photos, my form of free social service to important events.
"CHRISTMAS EVE CAROLS AND THEATRE(Monday 24-12-2012):-  Visited Phoenix High street  Mall  in  Lower Parel  at approx 1900 hrs and was transformed into the Christmas festival atmosphere.Every year "Phoenix High Street", one of Mumbai's plushest Mall complexes organizes Christmas carols and Christmas entertainment,as do other Malls in Mumbai.Heard a wonderful singing of Christmas carols by a group of Choir girls and young children made the most of the various Christmas gifts and childrens entertainment, accompanied with their parents.Later attended the Christmas play for adults at the "COMEDY STORE" situated on the third floor of the Palladium situated inside Phoenix High Street..Saw the musical play "A MERRY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS".First time i had visited this theater modeled on the Prithvi theater at Juhu but smaller in size and very informal. You can drink and eat inside the theater while the play is in progress, something never done in Mumbai theater or movie halls.It was a adults Christmas eve programme based on singing of Christmas carols ,Cabaret style dances( a la New York,New York Style) and Adults naughty songs, typical American Broadway style.If a Theater fan then don't miss the next "Comedy Play" at the "Comedy Store", a real cool place although prohibitively expensive as has all entertainment in Mumbai. "STAND-UP COMEDY" plays are the in-thing at the "Comedy Store",a recent introduction into Mumbai Theatre since the early 21st century, a totally American concept of comedy.Who would believe that this locality just over 2 decades ago was a mill locality.Today only the tall chimney of "PHOENIX MILLS" is intact as a relic of the once bustling Mill Industry of Mumbai. Thats life, Change is temporary but a fact of human living and adaptation. Photography was not allowed inside the "Comedy  Store" as in all theaters, but ,i saw the gentleman in front of me clicking and hence did a "Copy-Cat", a la cats  Matahari and Matata style! The Show got over at approx 2145 hrs and later attended the  Christmas midnight mass at Sacred Heart Church In Worli.This year was the most sober Christmas eve in recent decades.

Thursday(27-6-2013):- At "Hard Rock Cafe" in Mumbai on "Forever Michael.Jackson" tribute Night.Answering the "Michael.Jackson Quiz Contest".

"MICHAEL.JACKSON LINK" ! :- Its bizarre, but i seem to have had a strong fascination for the life-style of Michael.Jackson since my common life-style is a mirror image of his youth and final years, although i am still alive and enjoying the good and bad that life has to offer.Readers  viewing my photographs from childhood will be aghast at my personal facial looks in 2013 , although it has nothing to do with "Plastic Surgery". Akin to Michael.Jackson i am fond of wild-life and pets, having numerous pets since the time i could walk and talk! If Michael.Jackson owned "Bubbles", the pet chimpanzee then i have  "Mittoo", India's most well-known  talking Alexandrine parakeet who has been my non-human companion since 1992. In 2007 I have been photographed at the Singapore zoo  with the World's celebrity Oranagutan, "Ah Meng" as  has Michael.Jackson and other "V.I.P" visitors to this zoo. Bizarre similarities. In 1984 the first genuin8e , authentic copyright cassette that i purchased  from my own personal wages was the cassette "THRILLER" in the Dutch port of Terneuzeun .Prior to this, all my cassette collection were purchased by  my dad ,99% being pirated cassettes produced in Jeddah.I was sailing as a 5th Engineer(Junior Engineer) on my first ship "M.V.Karnataka" and happened to dock at the small and beautiful Dutch port of Terneuzeun. Michael.Jackson, till then a relatively unknown singer to Indian English music fans had just released "Thriller" and thus began his mega musical career as did my shipping career that lasted approx 23 years, quitting the "Merchant Navy" in 2008. Akin to Michael.Jackson i too got into a messy personal life controversy that ruined my professional  shipping career although the reasons were different compared to Michael.Jackson.The aftereffects of the controversy and persecution  left me with deep  psychological  and personal  problems  .Very late in life after recovering from  my trauma , i discovered a new vocation in the "Internet" and  a zest for travel and blogging, the rest being history.Michael.Jackson succumbed to a controversial medical treatment for insomnia in 2009, a year after i quit  the "Shipping Industry", a profession that took me to distant country's and Continents..His music would always be constantly played throughout the years  in my cabin on ships i sailed  and later at  my  residence in Mumbai .My  favourite romantic song from all of Michael.Jackson's music collection is the ballad "The girl is mine", a Paul McCartney/Michael.Jackson duet.

Thursday(27-6-2013) :- At "Hard Rock Cafe in Mumbai. Winning a "Michael.jackson C.d" at "Forever Michael.jackson" tribute night..

FOREVER MICHAEL.JACKSON:- On Thursday(27-6-2013) attended the tribute concert "Forever Michael.Jackson" at the "Hard Rock Cafe" in Mumbai. The local  Group "Nervereck" performed cover songs of Michael.Jackson hits.It was nice seeing "Radio-One 94-3 F.M"  female D.J Erica.D'souza in person, one of the most heard voices on English F.M radio in Mumbai. Erica.D'souza with her husky voice along with her male counterpart Rishi.K(Rishi.Kannan) keep my day going at my home office with the music and conversations. I won a Michael.Jackson C.D  "Michael Jackson immortal" for answering a trivia question on Jackson's musical biography A "Kaun Banega Crorepati " type contest..A great evening , a 'House-full Crowd" and a night to remember the time ? Sadly, my favourite single, "The Girl is Mine" was missing from the  2 C.D album, a strange quirk of destiny. LONG LIVE MICHAEL.JACKSON.

Saturday(1-11-2013):- Mr Vir.Das performing at St Andrews Auditorium(Bandra).

"STAND UP COMEDY" and "SEXUAL REVOLUTION" in Mumbai(Bombay)" theatre:-"BATTLE OF DA SEXES" by Vir Das(Saturday 1-11-2013) :- Saw this "Stand-Up" comedy play at St Andrews Auditorium .India's famous "Stand-Up Comedian " Mr Vir .Das demonstrated and explained the differences between "MALE" and "FEMALE" genders in various aspects of life and living. Women and Men were separated into two halves in the auditorium and the play only for "COUPLES".I was lucky to get a ticket as another lady didn't have her better half.A hilarious show and seems "STAND-UP COMEDY" has also reduced sexual jokes embarrassment between the sexes, unthinkable just a decade ago in orthodox Mumbai where "KISSING" in films was taboo let alone sexual discussions.!When is "PLAYBOY", "PLAYGIRL" or our own "DESI SEX MAGAZINES( Remember Debonair magazine)" going to make a official entry into the Indian market.

"B-BOYING" competition at the "Bandra Amphitheatre" in Mumbai.

An excellent show of "B-Dance(Break Dance)","Graffiti Art & Painting"", something different and pioneering in the Mumbai Music and art scene. Having seen "Break dancing" on the streets of Paris and London i was surprised at the high standard and perfection of our young "M-Boys (Mumbai -Boys)" since it is just a "Hobby" in India with no monetary benefits  or a stable income.For the first time saw "Graffiti Art & Street Painting" being demonstrated live .Three different genre groups performed 1) "BOMBAY BASEMENT" singing "Hip-Hop" songs 2) The Supersonics singing "Rock Songs" and 3)Nucleya doing the "D.J.Act". 
Met a "GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER" for the first time in my life, Mr Archis. Patil who holds the record for "Professional Football Freestyler". India ranks among the  lowest  Country's in the "World Football Ratings" and bizarrely India has the World's best "Free-styling Footballer", a "Ripleys Believe it or not".In my life i have seen a lot of celebrities but never ever met a "GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER" and hence requested young 23 year old Mr Archis.Patil for a photograph of a "Been Here, Seen That " memory bank.Records are meant to be broken  and wishing Mr Archis.Patil a prosperous career through his World-wide fame as he performs in movies and shows, the rarest of rare "Guinness World Record " holder in India.  

St Valentines day theatre Friday(14-2-2014) :- Saw the  mono-act  play "BANE" enacted by actor Joe .Bane at St Andrews auditorium(Bandra) on St Valentines day.Mr Joe.Bane holds the "Guinness book of World Records" for this play, having performed  over 100 roles on stage while his co-partner Ben Roe sits in a corner of the stage strumming a guitar.To date, this duo have performed over 400 shows across many country's .In this episode in Mumbai he played 40 different characters in one hour , revolving around a assassin gunslinger  named Bruce.Bane.On the Hindi stage Actor Mr Rakesh.Bedi has performed a similar solo play titled "MASSAGE" in which he portrays 24 different characters on stage in the 2 hour play.It was  a hilarious and sad Hindi play based on Mumbai life-style and middle-class aspirations, a hit over the years. The St Andrews  auditorium was half full, a surprise as i was expecting a "House-full" crowd . The theme of the subject was totally "WESTERN ORIENTED" and hence would not appeal much to most local Mumbai theater addicts.I personally went to see it for its "GUINNESS BOOK WORLD TAG". Excellent one man show by Mr Joe.Bane, very difficult and no wonder in the "Guiness Books". 
"SCENT OF A MAN" (Sunday 1-3-2014) :- Saw this adulterous play at the "Nehru Centre auditorium" in Worli. The play was directed by Mr Ashvin.Gidvani and totally "ADULT ENTERTAINMENT" in content. I was aghast at the callous manner in which slang words of the "Penis(Poppat in Hindi slang)" was discussed as also casual sexual encounters between two adulterous couples. An excellent play with good "SEXUAL SUSPENSE" and a real Arthur.Hitchcock sexual twist in the end.About two decades ago such language and theatrics would be unthinkable in orthodox Bombay(Mumbai) society. The "Internet" and "Cable Television " era has exposed us Indians to World entertainment and hence the dosage of sex and sex taboo topics in entertainment.
"Boiled Beans on Toast"(Sunday 20-4-2014)  :- Saw the premiere of this play at "Tata Theater(N.C.P.A)" on Easter day.The playwright of the play, veteran theater actor and film star Girish.Karnad and theater personality/celebrity Dolly.Thakore were some of the recognizable faces in the auditorium.It was akin to being at the Mahalaxmi race-course in Mumbai on Indian Derby day where celebrities mingle with common punters.The play was produced and directed by actor/Director Lillete.Dubey.  For the first time saw a contemporary produced Indian play based on a city other than Mumbai, the city being Bangalore.Having been a frequent visitor to Bangalore for 19 years having once owned a house in that city i do understand the city although  I feel most Mumbaikars will find "Bangalore Slang" and mannerisms in the play a bit different to identify .Mumbai and Bangalore have very different life-styles as well as local languages.The play snoops into the life-style ,idiosyncrasies and living of  21 characters   belonging to different social and economic  strata's of Bangalore society."Horse-racing" featured prominently in the plays plot.Hilarious and thought provoking,defining a city that is known as the "Silicon Valley of India". The play introduces non-Bangalorians   to  "BANGALORE LIFESTYLE" and "Kannada Slang".
Thursday(1-5-2014) :- Saw the play "Two to Tango,Three to Jive" at St Andrews Auditorium.Saw Hindi film Actor Saurabh.Shukla of the memorable "Kalu Mama(Satya)" fame for the first time on stage in a "Hindi/English" play that dealt on the "Mid-life crisis" in males and extra marital affairs in men and women.The ladies Nigaar.Khan,Monu.Wasu and Preity.Mamgain  played the flirtatious adulterous women's roles.This play was produced by eminent theatre producer Mr Ashvin.Gidwani and directed by Mr Surabh.Shukla himself, a hilarious take-off on naughty Delhi high-life. Ha Ha Ha Hee Hee Hee.
" Club Desire " at Prithvi Theatre(Saturday 26-7-2014) :-  This year Mumbai city has had the worst shortage of rainfall in decades and hence decided to chance a bike ride to Prithvi theatre to watch a play. It was ages since i last visited this iconic  "Adda" of theatre addicts and wealthy theatre attendees.Booked a ticket for the 2130 hrs  show  for the adults  play  " Club Desire". It was a  "on-line" booking , another first in my on-line transactions with my philosophy of "Better late than too late" !.Saturday was a absolutely sunny day , unbelievable in the month of July in Mumbai. Rode to the theatre and was embarrassed to inquire about the procedure for  collecting my "On-line ticket"   at the ticket counter at the theatre entrance.This play was a Indianised 21st century inspiration  of the original French opera "CARMEN" by Georges.Bizet. "Carmen" was first performed in Paris in 1875 and since then there have been numerous adaptations and versions of this classic theatre opera."CLUB DESIRE" is based on the night clubs of India with a theme borrowed from "Carmen".The same "Love Triangle" as in Carmen with a tragic ending .The play didn't get good reviews from the press but the show was "Housefull".I personally found the play relevant to 21st century living and  "Club Desire" could be any plush nightclub in Mumbai, complete with DJ music and a rock band.This play was written by Sapan.Saran and directed by Sunil.Shanbag. The main protagonist actress Palomi.Ghosh was very seductive in her role as "Chahat(Carmen)". In Hindi "Chahat" means "Desire".Actor Faisal.Rashid as "Jayam", the poet  and actor Karan.Pandit as "DJ Abeer"  are the men caught in the love triangle with "Chahat". The club owner of "Club Desire" actor Gagan.Dev.Riar offers unique "Bambayiya language  humour" , something that makes this play very indigenous and identifiable to the local theatre goers of Mumbai. Contrary to the critics review i personally came back home after a good nights entertainment at "CLUB DESIRE"!

At the age of 54 years posturing with a  "SCANDALIZING SLOGAN" at "Lil FLEA"

"Lil Flea"  at Bandra Reclamation ground (Saturday 4-10-2014) :- Thanks to "FB(Facebook)" got to know of a Flea carnival at Bandra Reclamation called the "Lil Flea". It was a excellent carnival of skits, flea shops,fashion and food counters.What caught my attention was the "Photoconnect.Kom" counter where you could pose for photographs with scandalizing and hilarious captions. Having just returned from Legian street in Kuta i thought i had seen the last of "Penis Carvings" and "Sado-Masochism bondage sex" sculptors only to realize that i would model for a "Sex Message" in my home city of Mumbai ! Young girls were photographing themselves with these captions making me realize that 21st century Urban Mumbai had leap-frogged to the "Playboy & Playgirl" league.Twenty years back if i posted this photo on any newspaper or magazine i would be hauled to jail by the "MORAL POLICE" for  vulgarity, not to mention political party's baying for my blood! How the times have changed ?

Thats me on the "BIG SCREEN" at "LEE 125 YEARS CELEBRATION" at  Vallabhbhai Stadium in Worli,Mumbai.

Saturday(11-1o-2014) "Lee 125 Anniversary celebration at "N.S.C.I(Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium)" in Mumbai :- After a afternoon at the Mahalaxmi racecourse biked down to "N.S.C.I( Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium)" for the "LEE 125 YEARS CELEBRATION". It was a "House Full Crowd" and my photographs were taken at the entrance as also photographs of a few other attendees .

The same was later  flashed on the "Concert Big Screen" during the beginning of the show by "DJ EZ Riser" who opened the concert.Seems my "HALF -BALD BEARD FACE" is a rarity in Mumbai ! Akin to "LEE JEANS" yours truly has seen the innovation and progress of Mumbai's "ROCK & POP " music beginning from the "RANG BHAVAN DAYS" and singer Gary.Lawyer(Cover songs) to the present day "Hip-Hop,Rock(Own compositions) and Electronica Music". 

                                                         Most of the young crowd in the stadium seemed older than NOBEL Peace prize winner Miss Malala Yousafzai .An entertaining evening of various Genres of music.D J Uri and Saba .Azad rocked the stadium with their "Jazz music" and later "Reggae Rajahs" along with Sid.Coutto performed 1990's "Apache Indian style reggae music".Met Mr Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy of "SCRIBE" who was performing a gig at the concert along with "NUCLEYA".In 2009 was once picked from the crowd at "Bandra Amphitheatre" by "Scribe" to join them in a gig, at that time a relatively unknown upcoming group.As usual performed the "Guitar Style" my "Trade mark".. I couldn't beat Mick.Jagger's record of being the oldest attendee in the young crowd as there was a gentleman older than me whose photo's were also splashed on the big screen. .RESPECT FOR "SENIOR ENGLISH ROCK CITIZENS" Ha Ha Ha HEE HEE HEE ! Sex kitten icon singer Monica .Dogra along with Karsh.Kale introduced the "Dharavi Drums", slum kids performing music on jerry cans.NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER MR Kailash Satyarthi would have been pleased seeing these underprivileged kids perform rudimentary music.Although the concert was free the drinks and food were not free  and a real entertaining evening/night of varied English music.This is not my first brush with "STAGE FAME" having done a few solo gigs before, most prominently with hip-hop rapper "Mims(Shawn.Mims)" at "Blue Frog" in Mumbai.

"RED BULL TOUR BUS" Concert at "Richardson & Cruddas(1972) Ltd" 

Saturday(18-10-2014)Red Bull Tour Bus" concert at "Richardson & Cruddas(1972) Ltd" in Mumbai  :-   A nostalgic mobike ride down old "Adda" Byculla into a defunct engineering monolith for a "Rock Concert".

The abandoned engineering factory reminded me of my Marine engineering apprenticeship years in Mazagon docks and the walk down Byculla of my youth and schooling.The concert stage was on the roof-top of a genuine tour bus, something unique and different compared to other rock and pop concerts. A memorable evening  with different genres of music and a packed house-full crowd.As usual i was the "Big Daddy rocker" in the crowd. "BHAYANAK MAUT", "RAGHU DIXIT PROJECT" and "PENTAGRAM" were the most notable performing groups.

Seems although generations have changed since the "Rang Bhavan Days" of the 1980's ,the signature "Abuse Greetings " have not and been passed down from parents to children.

Now "Expensive Booze" along with "Expensive snacks/dinner" is passe in the "Internet era" of Mumbai rock music. Having just returned back from a orgy of "Night Club" entertainment in Bali in Indonesia  i personally found Mumbai music scene groovy and real expensive although the entrance is "PHUKAT(Free)". .As a "Bachelor" i spend my single income on myself and wonder whats the "Pocket money" of generation 21st century school kids and collegians ?Folk Singer Bob Dylan would say "The times they are a changin". Ha Ha Ha Hee Hee Hee !
Saturday(22-11-2014) "THE BUCKINGHAM SECRET" :-  Saw this play at the "Homi Bhabha Theatre" in "N.C.P.A" complex in Mumbai.The play was directed by Mr Meherzad.Patel and had Mumbai's Grand Dame of English etiquette and theatre Mrs Sabira.Merchant playing the role of Queen Elizabeth-2 of England. I was a big fan of Mrs Sabira Merchant on the English quiz television show "Whats the good word" broadcast in the 1970's and which ran continuously for a record 15 years on "Doordarshan".In those years  India had only one Government run television channels and hence English entertainment restricted unlike today where a viewer is spoilt for choice in choosing a television channel. Yet, even if telecast in 2014  i would wager  for "Whats the good Word" being a success despite numerous competition from a plethora of other English channels.Now readers might understand my aptitude for writing and transformation as a "BLOGGER WRITER" on invention of the Internet.English reading, writing and quizzes was my pastime besides sports during my formative growing years in school , college and engineering apprenticeship.  The play was a hilarious satire on the private lives of the "British Monarchy" and the Parsi community of India.The Parsis of India were the first Indian community  who befriended the British when they first colonized  India as they were Westernized and also fair in complexion.Hence they were very successful in establishing a business empire with the blessing of the British Empire..The play  is a satire on the "British Royalty" having a  "Parsi Bloodline" since Queen Victoria's reign after a adopted Parsi Indian  boy became king on the demise of Queen Victoria.WHAT IF THIS HUMOUR WAS ACTUALLY A FACT ? The whole play revolves around this topic with the treacherous "BUTLER" divulging the "Monarchy Secret" to the "C.I.A" and President Obama ! Hilarious spoof. .The "Royal Family" have to evict "Buckingham Palace" as "Imposters" until the accusation  against them is proved wrong by the U.S.A in a private behind camera trial and questioning of each individual of the Royal family..Everything ends well and the hypothesis is never proved and just a "RUMOUR". The "Royal Family" regains "BUCKINGHAM PALACE" and get back to their closeted lives of speaking in "Parsi Gujarati"  in the privacy of their homes..The roles played by 72 year old  Sabira.Merchant as the 88 year old  Queen Elizabeth-2 was normal but   24 year old actor Danish.Irani as a  93 year old Prince Philip was stupendous and hilarious..Bollywood designer Fali.Unwalla has brilliantly recreated "Buckingham Palace" interiors which gives a authentic peep into British Royalty.A engrossing play that was a big hit and "Housefull".Now only hope the "British royalty" doesn't stage a protest once they see this play  for projecting them in poor "Parsi  Humour" !
Sunday(23-11-2014) English Play "BOMBED" :-TIMES CELEBRATE BANDRA FESTIVAL -2014 :- Saw  the play "BOMBED" at the HUL Park in Bandra.Admission to the play was "Free" with a "R,S.V.P" intimidation by phone or the festival  website.A excellent  produced local  play by "Akvarious Productions" that deals with the biases and prejudices associated  with  terrorism in our society and the stereotyping of various communities in Mumbai.It was a hilarious comedy with stereotype characters including the usual opinion of the average cop as a scheming corrupt Government official.The play also deals on the sensitive topic of homosexuality among Mumbaikars.,Enjoyed the play in the open air comforts of "HUL Park" on St Pauls extension .Strangely and bizarrely Bandra has had a important role in my life and shaping my views and way of living. I had  got engaged to a lady from Bandra in 1989  which ended in a fierce proxy "Engagement Civil war" with me finally quitting the "Merchant Navy" and beginning life all over again as a "Investment Professional".Next in 2007 i almost lost my life in a motorcycle accident near National College in Bandra and finally recuperated at the "Bhabha" and later "Holy Family hospital" in Bandra.What is the magnetism about Bandra in my personal life ?Later after the play visited "Bandra Gymkhana" club for the first time in my life, the entrance fee being Rs 100 and the lawn packed .A food festival conducted by "Small Fry Co" was on display and had a view of different chefs exhibiting and selling their food products while the crowd gyrated to  live music  of  the local band "Crimson Range".Brought back nostalgic memories of attending  catholic weddings in the 1970's/80's where live bands entertained the wedding crowd , most notably the "Byculla Mechanics" lawn. Today in  the 21st century  it is "DJ Music" that has replaced the "Combo wedding bands" that normally performed at average middle-class Catholic weddings in Mumbai..Life and entertainment evolves over the ages as has Bandra and the rest of Bombay now Mumbai.

 TIMES CELEBRATE BANDRA FESTIVAL -2014 ( Wednesday 26-11-2014) :- Was at the Times Bandra festival in Bandra locality, the  locality that is considered the "Beverly Hills" of India as well as the artistic melting pot of the city.Collected my passes for the Gujarati  play " Maru Piyu Rangoon Chale Gayo" for Friday (28-11-2011) and the Hindi Play "Roshomon Blues" for Sunday(30-11-2014) from "Fountainhead Office" in Pali village. Pali village is one of the last bastions of Portuguese era East Indian heritage bungalows in Bandra and "Fountainhead" was a bungalow.For the first time visited "St Pauls Institute of communication education" and the mega book mall "Title Waves" situated on the ground floor of  same building.Kept in touch with the latest bestsellers, fiction and non-fiction as also the magazines.Later visited  "St Pauls book store " on the first floor of the Institute  and was surprised at the large number of  Catholic religious icons ,books and digital media for sale, definitely the largest catholic religious store  in Mumbai.After closely examining the quality of all the religious icons, cribs and statues in the store i was surprised to realize that i had one of the best "Last Supper" and "Infant Jesus"  sculptures in my house.These Sculptures were purchased in the  1960's from Barcelona by my Dad   through ships plying those ports.   Those were the Golden years of the Shipping industry when the majority of people travelled by ships and not planes and hence carting heavy luggage was normal unlike plane travel where every extra kilogram of luggage is exorbitantly charged..  I was a tourist in my own city ! Next went to the Bandra Amphitheatre situated at "Lands End"one of the most romantic and scenic locales in Mumbai for the musical entertainment,.Radio jockey Mr Brian.Tellis compered the "Bandra Amphitheatre" concert and it was nice getting to see the man behind the "Radio voice".Brian .Tellis was the most prominent radio jockey at "Times Fm" during the infancy of "FM Radio music" in Mumbai city. Today he is a prominent show and event organizer  partly owning "Fountainhead promotions and  Events pvt ltd"  which also happened to be the main sponsor of the "Times Bandra festival-2014". A minutes silence was observed for the Martyrs of the "26/11 Mumbai Terrorist attacks" before the start of  the music concert.The first performance was a music recital by local talent  Miss Shannon.Donald who performed a few "Cover songs" and some of her own compositions. The crowd resembled a private catholic celebration or a mass attendance, bringing memories of Bandra once being a maximum Catholic locality with the maximum number of Churches/ Sq Km in Bombay(Mumbai) city.Bombay now Mumbai had its own communal localities prior to the extinction of the "Mill Industry" in the 1980's which resulted in a overnight change of the social topography of most localities including Bandra.Skyscrapers and malls replaced old Bungalows  dilapidated chawls and defunct mills. The stereotype  quote of the 1970's during my youth  was " Sandra go to Bandra and eat "Khara Bangda(Salted dried Mackerel fish)" as also the another popular  quote, "Throw a stone in Bandra and it will hit either a pig or a Pereira"! Brought back a lot of nostalgia of  my youth in the Catholic locality of Byculla decades ago in the late 1960's and 1970's.During my youth we had harmless witty  stereotype quotes for every community never ever resulting in fights or worse, riots.Today in the 21st century  its politically incorrect to pass witty quotes against any community or person as it could be offensive being considered a insult  and not  a joke .Yes, over the decades the times have changed with every generation in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai.Shannon .Donald sang for just about 45 minutes  and next  it was Blues guitaring with "Blackstratblues"  performing.This blues group was formed by  songwriter/producer Warren.Mendonsa a former band member of the Indie group "Zero". .Local Bandra legendary jazz singer Joe.Alvares performed a "Guest appearance role" accompanied by "Blackstratblues" singing a few jazz songs  of the 1970's era with the group. A " Camera Drone" hovered over the audience photographing the "Amphitheatre show" for a "Birds eye view" , Old World Bandra merging with 21st century technology and entertainment.                                                        Friday(28-11-2014) Gujarati  play "Maro Piyu Gayo Rangoon" :- Saw a Gujarati play " Maro Piyu Gayo Rangoon" for the first time in my life at the "HUL Park" in Bandra.In Mumbai Gujarati plays are the most successful commercial plays  compared to other regional languages and also the main stream Hindi and English theatre.Thanks to the "Times celebrate Bandra festival" that i got an opportunity to understand and view a play in Gujarati.As a theatre addict have viewed Marathi and Konkani  plays among the regional languages but never ever a Gujarati play although i do understand  normal conversational Gujarati having had Gujarati residents  and acquaintances since childhood in Mombasa(Kenya) and now in Mumbai."MARO PIYU RANGOON CHALO GAYO " is  a adaptation of Shakespeare's "ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL". This play has had a long run having  been performed in London at the Globe theatre.Excellent sets , actors and the play was acted in a "Opera form" with 2 tablas and a orchestra musician sitting on the side of the stage performing the live music when the actors narrated in verse form.The play was a product  of "Aparna Productions" and directed by Sunil.Shanbag a very successful combination in producing original critically acclaimed   Hindi plays .The tragedy was that i couldn't understand most of the dialogues as it was pure literary  Gujarati akin to Delhi Hindi and not the "Bambayia(slang) Stock market/Racecourse & Parsi Gujarati " that we Mumbaikars are accustomed to in our daily living in  cosmopolitan Mumbai..Saw half of the play up to the interval break akin to Chetan.Bhagats "HALF GIRLFRIEND" and later rode home on my bike happy to have got a glimpse of the commercially successful Gujarati Theatre. 

Sunday(30-11-2014) :-Play "Roshomon Blues" staged in "HUL Park" in Bandra for  the  "Times Bandra Festival"

Sunday(30-11-2014)A visit to the "50th Golden Jubilee of 38th Eucharistic Congress" exhibition at St Joseph's Convent and viewing the  Hindi Play "Roshomon Blues" :- Strolled along Hill road like a tourist and took some photographs of eatery landmarks of Bandra."Elco Vegetarian Restaurant" is the  most famous vegetarian  eatery on Hill road and i never miss having a "Sev batata puri" whenever in that locality.Later visited St Josephs Convent to view the 50th anniversary Golden jubilee celebration exhibition of the "38th Catholic  Eucharistic Congress" that was held in Mumbai in 1964, the first time it was held in a Country where Catholics formed a miniscule percentage of the Country's total population.Pope Paul  VI attended  the ceremonies  while Cardinal Valerian.Gracias,India's first Cardinal  presided over the ceremonies .Got to understand my own religion better thanks to the excellent guidance by the volunteer guides at the exhibition. 

With the "POPEMOBILE JEEP" at St Josephs Convent for "50th Anniversary of Eucharistic Congress" exhibition

              Photography inside the museum was prohibited and took photographs of the "POPEMOBILE" displayed at the entrance to the exhibit hall.This was the jeep  that carted him from the airport to the city and also got myself clicked with this vehicle.Looking at the jeep was surprised at its simplicity and lack of protective anti-terrorist armour. This jeep was built by "Mahindra's" and preserved in their Pune Factory.Purchased a "Artefact Brochure" from the guides.Later attended "Sunday Mass" at St Peters Church and was again awakened from a memory from,Spanish origin  Fr  Juan.Francis.During my youth  in Byculla in  the early 1970's  we school kids from "Haji Ismail Gani Building"  would visit St Mary's I.S C school during the "May Summer holidays". " St Mary's IS C " school conducted a excellent "Summer Holiday Camp"  during my youth  and also screened excellent movies in their palatial school auditorium.Fr Juan.Francis who was affiliated to St Mary's Parish/School  was a "Football crazy Jesuit priest" in his youth and would be hyperactive during the football matches while we kids would marvel at his remarks from the sidelines akin to the coach/ managers of soccer teams seen on  television.The "Byculla School catholic(Pawwalla)  gang" of "Haji Ismail Gani Building" comprising  ring leader Trevor.Carvallo and his chelas  Denzil.Santos,Anthony.Lobo,Agnello Lobo, Francis.De'Mello, Wilfred.Lobo and myself were regulars at the "Summer Club" .I was  the quietest and the intellectual of the gang ! Those were the days we indulged in harmless childish pranks, most importantly  the use of "Stereotype names"  for different co-playmates  of different communities  which in 21st century Mumbai is a offence and could result in riots ! How times have changed and seeing Fr Juan.Francis  shuffle on a cane walking stick to the altar for "Holy Communion Service" made me realize that we all grow old someday and sometime.The jockey sized hyperactive Fr Juan.Francis of the 1970's was replaced by a aged shadow of his former self  in St Peters church. Thats life for all of us, rich, or poor, male or female.After mass drove towards St Pauls road and stopped at the legendary 1950's shack "A-1  Bakery". Purchased  a long "Garlic loaf bread", mava cakes and a chicken patties, the chicken patties being a snack for the theatre interval break as there were no eatable stalls in the vicinity .From "A-1 Bakery" it was a short drive  to "HUL Park" and saw the play "Roshomon Blues" .I liked the play and   presume it got a bad review from "www.mumbaitheatreguide.com" as it was compared to the original 1950 Akira .Kurosawa movie "Roshomon" of which this was a  adaptation.Every serious theatre and cinema viewer must have seen  the original "Roshomon", a film that was a commercial flop in its native  Japan but acclaimed as one of the best psychological thriller films in Cinema.The play was produced by "Ranga Theatres" and directed by Mr Bijon.Mondal with Salon .Mehta  composing the lyrics and also narrating the play.The Sword fighter  was enacted by Bijon.Monadal while his wife's role was played by the enchanting   Kirti.Kulhari. The role of the thug/murderer was effectively played by  Mr Nagesh.Bhosle shocking the audience  by  uttering "Bambayiya slang expletives".This play was localised in Mumbai  having  a "Bandra  backdrop " which people from Mumbai and especially Bandra could easily identify with and hence connect. It was excellent watching a play in the open air "HUL Park" with a half moon above and the dark sky as a roof instead of a enclosed auditorium.A  excellent week of "Times Bandra Festival" plays and music, a heavy hangover of entertainment and exchange of knowledge and learning .In the process i strangely realized that thanks to my travels i knew more about  Central London ,Hanoi,Ho Chi Minh ,Phnom Penh and Bali then about classic Mumbai suburb Bandra ! Please don't call me a snob  but its a fact  of my style of middle class  living as a lonely bachelor.

"THE REBEL" biography of  Mr Ram.Jethmalani being released by  writers Susan.Adelman and Shobha.De at "TIMES LITFEST -2014" in Mehboob Studio(Venue-1) in Mumbai.

Friday(5-12-2014) TIMES LITFEST CARNIVAL AT MEHBOOB STUDIO'S :- If not a "Marine Engineer" then yours truly would have been a lawyer by profession.After "H.S C XII Science " in 1978  i had changed over to the "ARTS STREAM" in Kirti college with the intention of becoming a lawyer.  Successful or flop lawyer verdict is a mystery  not solved thanks to school friend Mr  Biju .Karian who gave me a break  into  "Marine Engineering" and hence a professional career in the "Merchant Navy" . During my apprenticeship in Mazagon dock i continued with my "B.A" studies through correspondence and have passed my "First Year B.A" from Bombay University ! Later discontinued my correspondence  "B.A" as the study involved in "Marine Engineering" had me neck deep in study indulgence with no time for  pursuing a "B.A" degree.

Power Breakfast:- Can Modi reboot the superpower dream.

                                                   Now readers will understand my "Opinionated writings" irrespective of bouquets or brickbats, the subconscious brain of a probing lawyer ! I win some written arguments and lose some on public opinion of the Jury ! I normally never attend book readings or "Panel discussions" as shown on televisions  but decided to attend the "Times Litfest Carnival-2014" on Friday for the simple reason that my hero eminent lawyer Mr Ram.Jethmalani was launching his biography ,"THE REBEL".Reached Mehboob studio at approximately 1215 hrs and after registering myself entered "Venue -A(yes bank hall)" of the huge studio complex.The previous panel discussion "Power Breakfast.Can Modi reboot the Superpower dream" had just finished and a photo shoot of the participants was in progress.I have become such a familiar face with my camera that i presume many press photographers themselves must have thought of me as a "Blog Reporter" and hence got a close-up photo of the "V.V.I.P" panelists.Photographed Mr Rajeev.Sethi,Mrs Abanti.Sankaranarayan,Politician Mr Swaminathan.Aiyar,Banker Mr Rana .Kapoor and Moderator journalist Mr Shekhar.Gupta.After the photoshoot just walked along the front row , the crowd gradually dispersing for the short interval between the panel discussions.

In the picture with  my hero Mr Ram.Jethmalani.

Suddenly i found my self face to face with the great criminal lawyer himself, Mr Ram.Jethmalani.He gradually made his way towards the stage being pursued by autograph hunters and for photo shoots with fans.Normally such treatment is reserved for "Film Stars" or "Cricketers" in India  and rarely for a 91 year old man.He referred to every autograph hunter as either "Beta(son)" or "Beti(daughter)" which included me, one of his fans since decades.He was joined on the stage by eminent celebrity bestseller  writer Shobhaa.De  also referred to as the "Jackie.Collins" of India, the first Indian author to be successful in selling soft-porn novels based on Indian high society shennanigans and bed stories. I was a fan of her books until the arrival of young Chetan.Bhagat on the Indian English bestseller list with his subtle soft porn books dealing with the average "Middle-Class Indian" rather than the "High Society" Indian which remains a fantasy for the majority of average Indians !Strangely Ram.Jethmalani first came into prominence as a young prosecution lawyer in the landmark "NANAVATI V/S STATE OF MAHARASHTRA" case in 1959, a case that set many firsts in Indian judicial history. This case set the society tabloid newspaper "Blitz" on a trail of commercial journalism involving, sex, infidelity and high society murder.The accused Naval Commander Kawas.Manekshaw Nanavati had shot dead his wife Sylvia's lover Mr Prem.Ahuja, a wealthy Sindhi businessman playboy.Numerous films and books were a result of this high profile case .This case also resulted in a strong communal bias between the Parsi and the Sindhi community of that era.As a Mariner the "Kawasji Nanavati V/s Late  Prem Ahuja case" fascinated me as also the maverick lawyer who became a household name after leading the prosecution in this case.This was my only chance of seeing lawyer Ram.Jethmalani  as 91 years is definitely not youth in physical terms.  They were joined on the stage by the book writer Mrs Susan.Adelman and the cross-examination of Lawyer Mr Ram.Jethmalini began with Mrs Shobha.De being the moderator.It was a eye-opener on his beginnings, his opinions and his political views as also his famous playboy image.He was witty and quick in expressing his opinions, unbelievable for a man of 91 years of age.On being probed about his immense wealth and the fact that he catered only to  "Millionaire Class"  clients his answer was that only 10% of his clients were wealthy while 90% of his cases were free of lawyer fees.He humorously said that most of his cases were "DEAD BODIES" which at times he managed to bring back to life ! Cases which were anti-India  and criminals hated by society were his clients and most of the times he lost their cases but at the same time gaining immense publicity.He spoke about his friendship with former Prime Minister Atal.Behari.Vajpayee who was also baffled by the youthful vigour of Mr Ram.Jethmalani.He  explained  that the secret to his youth was the fact that he mingled with the youth, in the sense  that he practised teaching law which kept him abreast with Modern living and technology.He seemed to be either a agnostic or atheist since he did not believe in re-incarnation although a Hindu.I felt i had attended a "Dale Carnegie" class in personality development and  his words definitely affected my thinking."Better late than too late" is my favourite proverb as i myself have been a "Late Bloomer" in my own life and living.Finally at the age of 54 years  i did manage to not only meet my 91 year old idol but also speak a few words to him ! After the panel discussion he made his way towards the exit being mobbed by fans and i did manage a partial "Selfie" with the great lawyer.

"WANDERLUST" :- The travel writer panel. discussion.

The Next panel discussion was titled "Wanderlust, the footloose World of the travel writer" . This topic was very relevant to my present status as a blogger/tour writer although a total charitable hobby.The speakers were British born writer Mr Pico Iyer,journalist Mr Sam.Miller and British historian/writer Mr William.Dalrymple. The show moderator was Divia.Thani.Daswani.Each of them gave their opinion on the relevance of "Travel writing" and its relevance in 21st century Internet era.I got to learn a lot about my own hobby and akin to Mr William.Dalrymple consider myself more of a historian travel blogger, travelling through parts not normally travelled by common tourists.After the normal photo=shoot the next panel discussion titled the "TYRANNY OF POWER" was a real rabble rouser of a discussion on politics and  dictatorial politics.

"TYRANNY OF POWER" discussion panel.

The elite panel consisted of journalist Mr Siddharth.Varadarajan,journalist/script writer Mr Basharat.Peer,American journalist Marie.Brenner   and the Modi government's most hated critic Congressman Mr Mani.Shankar.Aiyar. The show moderator was Mr Manu.Joseph. Honestly, although a student of "Political Science" having passed my "First Year B.A" , it was this dynamite of a  discussion that made me understand politics and Democracy.Mr Basharat.Peer had written the script for the controversial Hindi film "Haider" and he explained the "Hate Mail" he received because of the film on Kashmir terrorism. Mr Mani.Shankar.Aiyar was totally bombastic against the present "B.J.P" Govt in power comparing the Modi Government to the Hitler Wehrmacht of Germany  while at the same time his Congress party was criticised for excesses during the "Indira Gandhi Emergency".Towards the end of the discussion a few people in the crowd got antagonised by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar's devaluation of the Narendra Modi government and raised slogans praising  the Modi Government.After completion of  the panel discussion and photo shoot Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar was escorted by a ring of security guards towards the exit, myself being a "Front row V.I.P audience witness" .Honestly it was fantasy coming true being in the front row seat and also photographing India's most notable Politicians and "V.V.I.P" journalist/writers from a handshaking distance.Reminded me of the numerous film stars and Industrialists that i brushed shoulders with at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai over the decades.

"POWER OF BEING SOMEBODY ELSE" 

The next guest on stage was Hindi actor Naseeruddin.Shah accompanied by Mrs Sanjana.Kapoor of "Prithvi Theatre fame" and daughter of  actor Shashi.Kapoor and late Jennifer.Kedall.The discussion was "Power talk:- The power of being somebody else".He 

 narrated his growing up years as a awkward student and his accidental straying into theatre and films.Got to know the meaning of "Method Acting" and the average actors phobia's.After this discussion  headed out of the enclosed venue into the lawns and surveyed the grand display of books, food and alcohol beverages. A excellent day of acquiring
knowledge from the greats in their respective fields as well as getting entertained free of cost.

"JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR"  rock opera at "St Andrews Theatre" in Bandra in Mumbai.

Saturday(6-12-2014) "Jesus Christ Superstar" at St Andrews theatre :- Saw the classic rock opera "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR" at St Andrews auditorium in Bandra and was mesmerized by the play.Had read and heard a lot about this play since the 1970's and always wondered that what was the secret of success of a play based on a religious leader without offending the religious sect ?Honestly, any religious play would be boring for non-followers of the particular religion.Yesterday my doubts and thoughts were laid to rest and should say it was one of the best plays i have seen in ages.Had paid a  princely sum of Rs 1000 for a ticket booked over a month ago on the "Internet", rare for a  English play in Mumbai.A group of  young  choir  girls from the N.G.O  "Asha Sadan"  were singing the songs of the play in the foyer of the auditorium.

Choir group from "Asha Sadan"

                                                                            Bizarrely on entering the auditorium  i observed the play director Mr Alyque.Padamsee  seated just two rows in front of me and should say that at 83 years of age he is the czar of Indian English theatre in Mumbai. Also observed a familiar face walking towards the front row and realized the gentleman was none other than "R.W.I.T.C(Royal Western India Turf Club) " chairman Mr Vivek.Jain, the uncrowned king of the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. Before the start of the play Mr Alyque .Padamsee got up from his anonymous seat and introduced himself and the play to the house-full audience.He had originally produced this play in 1974 and was again reproducing it after 40 years , a test of his physical as well as theatrical longevity of being relevant in English theatre.Late  actor/ musician Mr Nandu.Bhende had acted the role of "Judas" in the original Indian version in 1974 and hence Mr Alyque.Padamsee had dedicated this show in memory of Nandu.Bhende.

A  adv by  'Gionee Smartphones" at auditorium.

                                                                                                  In this play as narrated by Judas for his reasons of betrayal it is the negative role of Judas that seems forceful. The super hit song "Jesus Christ superstar" narrated by Judas   made the play controversial when it was first released  on Broadway.A complete rock opera straight from the Broadway original adapted to Indian actors with a message of spreading peace and love and not hate and war..No wonder all the shows are "HOUSE-FULL". As usual was accompanied by my camera and clicked some photo's for a been here , seen that memory bank.

Saturday(7-2-2015)"BOTTOMS UP" :-Saw this play at "N.C.P.A", a play that eluded me since decades. A total houseful show.Prominent Marathi Theatre personality Mr Atmaram.Bhende happened to  expire on the same day  and the play's producer/actor/director Mr Bharat.Dhabolkar and the audience observed a minutes silence before the start of the play.Mr Atmaram .Bhende  was the first person to introduce the revolving stage in "Marathi Theatre in the early 1960's and Mr Bharat.Dhabholkar was one of his pupils in the art of theatre .Late Rock singer Nandhu.Bhende was the son of   late Mr Atmaram.Bhende. "Bottoms Up"  is the longest running satirical "Hinglish Play(Mixture of English and local Mumbai slang)" with sexual naughtiness that has changed cast and actors over the decades since it was first produced in the 1980's.In fact many unknown actors of this play later became household names in film, theatre or music Industry.In the present  remake the main actors are Mr Anant.Mahadevan, Mr Kunal.Vijaykar and Mr Bharat .Dhabholkar with Mr Bharat.Dhabholkar being the narrator of different satirical scenes performed by the actors.The actors enacted  satirical spoofs on various social, political  and idiosyncrasies  prevalent  in Mumbai and India. A total satirical musical take-off Bollywood Ishtyle(Mumbai slang for style)) with witty jokes  including our famous "Political circuses" ! Mr Kunal.Vijaykar who resides in my building plays a prominent role in the play and was really hilarious in different satirical roles.Nice to see a common unimposing  looking  man in the building suddenly transform into different roles on stage and make the audience think and roar with laughter. I have seen most of the actors and actresses from Bollywood  from a handshake distance in various locations most prominent being the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. "STAGE ACTING" is very different to Cinema or television acting as there are no retakes, cuts or prompters since you act in front of a "Live Audience". Most of the World's greatest actors have either begun their career in "Theatre(Stage acting)" or keep in touch with theatre even after becoming film or television monetary  billionaires.In India theatre as a monetary business is not as profitable as films or television shows and "Bottoms Up" could be one of the few long running  Bombay to Mumbai plays that are earning a income from their shows.Mr Kunal.Vijaykar himself performs in films and television.

"LAVANI DANCERS" performing at "Mahalaxmi Racecourse(First Enclosure)"

Saturday(25- 4-2015) :- "Lavani Dance concert at Mahalaxmi racecourse" :- On the second last day of the "Evening Races" at the Mahalaxmi racecourse it was a carnival  scene of entertainment along with races.For the first time in my life got to view a "Lavani Dance concert" performed by a eminent travelling Maharashtrian theatre troupe  that also performs in foreign country's.The performance was in the "First  Enclosure" where in 2015 i celebrated my "SILVER JUBILEE OF HORSE PUNTING" by winning the Indian Derby for the first time in my life on "BE SAFE".Lavani  means beauty  and is a combination of dance and song where the dancer dances to the tune of the "Dholak(Drum)" or the song sung by a accompanying musician in Marathi language.It is performed by female dancers wearing gorgeous 9 yard  long sarees wrapped in aesthetic beauty around their figurine.It was originally  sung as "War Songs" in the 18th century to boost the morale of soldiers and originated in the district of Satara in Maharashtra..Lavani music has two different themes with one being the "Nirguni Lavani" which has traditional Marathi philosophy and the "Shringari Lavani" which has erotic topics and more popular in the state of  Madhya Pradesh.The dancers wore heavy jewellery  and leg amulets. 
 

Cultural Maharashtrian Lavani theatre entertainment.

                                                                                                                       The main theme of Lavani is the love relationship between man and women in various forms and circumstances.Future dance theme narrations   could be between Man-Man and Woman-Woman relationships, nothing  scandalizing in Modern India of the 21st century.The performance was mesmerizing as also the accompanying folk music .There were a total of four lady dancers .The dancers performed in pairs and also  individually to recorded music along with the "Dholak" and to a song sung by a lady singer.Although i have seen these dances being performed in movies it was a total different feeling seeing the dance performances live on stage akin to a play.The "Lavani Dances" performed were a mix of philosophy and erotica.The programme began  with a male singer  paying homage to the State of Maharashtra and later a lady singer sang  a song   paying homage to the Hindu God Ganesha(Elephant God).After the introductory philosophical and religious songs the Lavani dancers did their performances. One or two dance songs  had  strong sexual undertones with the dancers being expressive through "Mime" akin to Kathakali dancers of South India.Lavani is  the most popular folk entertainment in rural Maharashtra and the southern part of the  State of Madhya Pradesh.This dance form was patronized by the Peshawa rulers of Pune and prospered under royal patronage.

Today in the absence of Royalty it is patronized by the wealthy as well as the common man and a popular relaxation.Having watched "Bar Dance Girls" performing to Hindi music at the once famous "Topaz Bar" of Grant road i was wondering the reasons for banning "DANCE BARS" in Mumbai while "LAVANI DANCERS" seemed ultra seductive !  How many men might be swooned and enticed by the songs and dances of some of the local Lavani dancers that perform in villages of Maharashtra ? Life, living and the law are funny companions. It was a awesome experience viewing the "LAVANI THEATRE RECITAL AND DANCE PROGRAMME" at one of the World's most scenic race-courses.As for me, the lonely bachelor its the quote , "Whats life for a bachelor if not for a few horses and a little bit of Lavani entertainment" ! A excellent evening and night of horse racing and entertainment.

Poster of "EK MULAQAAT".

 "EK Mulaqaat(Friday 1-5-2015) :- Saw this  house-full play  at the "Rangsharda Auditorium" in Bandra (West) on "May Day" which also happens to be "Maharashtra Day".The State of Maharashtra was founded on this day in 1960.It was a play based on the poetry recital  between eminent  Urdu poet and Hindi film lyricist Sahir.Ludhianvi and Punjabi writer and poet Amrita Pritam . She was known to have had a unrequited  affection for poet Sahir.Ludhianvi and they were secret lovers.Sahir.Ludhianvi has composed some of the best lyrics for Hindi films, very memorable songs and tunes that has stood the test of time .Sahir.Ludhianvi was a bachelor although he did have a relationship with a woman singer Sudha.Malhotra and  this made Amrita.Pritam seek companionship with Imroz with whom she spent the rest of her life..This play is about the unfulfilled love between Sahir.Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam told in the form of poetry written  by the duo.Hindi actor Shekhar.Suman played the role of Sahir.Ludhianvi while Hindi actress Dipti.Naval played the role of Amrita .Pritam.In this play the ghost of Sahir.Ludhianvi  meets Amrita Pritam while she is sitting alone on the terrace of her house in Delhi.The terrace door is locked and her companion Imroz shouts from the other side of the door saying that there is a phone call for her from Bombay(Mumbai). She doesn't know that she is actually speaking to the ghost and they both discuss their intimate lives through urdu poetry.Later towards the end of the play Imroz shouts to her that Sahir.Ludhianvi has just died of a "Heart Attack" in Bombay and at the same instance his ghost disappears.A ghostly film with a earthly content. i was not proficient in Urdu language   and hence couldn't understand most of the poems although did understand the same through the translation leaflet handed to the audience during entry to the auditorium.A must-see play for theatre aficionados who understand Urdu.

Cast of "TAJ MAHAL KA TENDER" posing after the play.

"TAJ MAHAL KA TENDER"(Saturday 2-5-2015) :- Saw this classic Hindi satire at the Mahalaxmi racecourse turf club.The "Paddock" of the racecourse had been converted into a makeshift stage seating around 150 people, a excellent open air mini auditorium."Prithvi Theatre" of Juhu trustee  actor/owner  Kunal Kapoor had organized  the "Prithvi @ The Turf" theatre event  in the paddock of this beautiful and historic racecourse.

Lucky to see this play "FREE"  at "Turf Club".

                                                                                                       It was a week long festival that began on Monday(27-4-2015) and scheduled to end on Sunday(3-5-2015).I had seen most of the plays previously and hence did not attend the same, all excellent commercial plays.Entry to the plays was free on a R.S.V.P through phone .The play "Taj Mahal ka Tender"  is a satire on the corruption that plagues  present day  India. The main sponsors of this "Free Theatre festival" were "Audi" car manufacturers.

Thanks to "AUDI" and "PRITHVI" for the Plays in "Paddock"

At the "Turf Club" for "Taj Mahal ka Tender"

                                                                                                                                   What if the Mughal Emperor Shah.Jahan were to travel forward in time and think of building the Taj Mahal in 20th century India? What  would be the legal political  hurdles that he would have to face to fulfill his dream architectural monument ? The play explores the various layers of the Government machinery  in sanctioning legal construction projects.Red tapism and bureaucracy finally leaves the Emperor's dream unfulfilled  and the play ends with his funeral and the Taj Mahal just lying  completed on the "Drawing Board" after 20 years of  Bureaucratic bickering and corruption.A Excellent play and  well enacted by the main characters of the play. Hindi actor Rakesh.Bedi  excels in his role as the face of the bureaucracy as also his assistant Om Prakash Sharma.Actor Avtar.Gill as the benevolent millionaire  "Corrupter" is hilarious.The language is in common Hindi barring a few Urdu couplets  while introducing the Mughal  Emperor's entry with his entourage.The play was written by Ajay.Shukla and directed by Salim.Arif.The feeling of watching a play in the open-air comfort of the paddock on a almost  "Full-Moon" night is indescribable
Awaiting its sequel "DAWOOD IBRAHIM KA ARREST WARRANT KA TENDER" ? Ha Ha Ha Hee hee hee !. Akin to "Taj Mahal Ka Tender " how many crores of rupees are being milked  or spent since 1993  in the name of capturing India's most wanted terrorist ?Although the weather was humid and hot it was a entertaining night of comedy, satire and plush surroundings.For the first time in its history the plush  "Paddock" of the Mahalaxmi racecourse was converted into a temporary open-air auditorium. This space of real estate is normally strictly for "Race-horses", "race-course employees" and  comoon as well as some of the wealthiest race-horse owners of India.

Prithvi @ Turf  theatre on the "Paddock ground" of Mahalaxmi racecourse.

"CHINESE COFFEE" (Sunday 3-5-2015) :-Most Mumbaikars had gone on vacation due to a long 3-day holiday weekend while for me it was 3-days of non-stop evenings of theatre..Saw the English play "Chinese Coffee" on the last day of the 7-day "Prithvi @ Turf" theatre festival.

Felicitation of  Sponsors of theatre festival.

"Stage" in the "Paddock" for 'CHINESE COFFEE".

                                        .Before the Start of the play  Mr Ram.Shroff of the R.W.I.T.C," Audi" director   and Mr Kunal.Kapoor were felicitated for making the theatre festival happen.  This is a original English play written by American author Ira.Lewis  starring Al.Pacino and Jerry.Orbach. and was made into a Hollywood Film.The play was adapted to a Indian locale and situation with the entire play being depicted in a flat in Delhi.Just two actors in the play and a face -to- face  conversation between the two  middle aged friends Harry(Actor Vrajesh.Hirjee)  and Yaqub(Actor Danish.Husain).The topic of friendship, professional failure and ambitions are discussed between the two . The Indian version of the play was directed by Danish.Hussein and the two actors were Vrajesh .Hirjee and Danish.Hussein. A thought provoking play  about a mid-life crisis that we all humans encounter sometimes in our lives that finally defines success or failure as well as friendships or enemies.

"The Siddhus of Upper Juhu"

"The Siddhus of upper Juhu"(Sunday 7-6-2015) :-  After great thought purchased the last online ticket for this play on Saturday as the Mumbai monsoon makes travelling inconvenient.Destiny had other plans and to my utter astonishment Mumbai's first monsoon of 2015 began just as i was about to leave my residence in Old Prabhadevi road on Sunday. Put on my raincoat and rode on my bike to St Andrews auditorium in Bandra, a short distance of approximately 20 minutes by bike.On reaching Bandra the heavy downpour had stopped and it was a house-full crowd at the auditorium. The play was directed by Rahul.Da'Cunha whose "Rage Productions"  is  one of the few English theatre groups  producing  plays based on Mumbai and its idiosyncrasies . All  his plays  are original Bombay(Mumbai) copyrights unlike the normal  adaptation of Shakespearean, Broadway or West-end plays to a  Indian English audience  .The main star-cast were noted English theatre actors Mr Rajit.Kapur and Shernaz.Patel playing the role of husband and wife caught up in a typical upper middle class lifestyle  and  living in Mumbai.A satirical peep into the lifestyle and living of Mumbai's  executive working class.They have purchased this plush flat in "Upper Juhu" and also inherit the common problems associated with apartments   in congested Mumbai where land prices are among the highest in the World.Its a total Mumbaicentric play and anyone living in Mumbai or having lived in the city would be able to identify with the characters and the plays contents.A engrossing play with humour and pathos explaining the economic meltdown  and the  tribulations of  corporate unemployment of a  family living in Mumbai city.Any white collar or blue collar executive of Mumbai's corporate World would be able to identify themselves with this play.The corporate sponsor  of this play was "Aadyam" of the corporate  "Aditya Birla group",

"COURT SCENE" of the "MERCHANT OF VENICE".

"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE"(Sunday 9-8-2015) :- Saw this excellent "Housefull" play at the  St Andrews auditorium in Bandra. Luckily it was a non-rainy day and managed to ride to Bandra without getting drenched in the rain.It was the late night 2000hrs show and the foyer of St Andrews auditorium was converted into a mock "Belmont Casino" with free games of "Dice" and "Blackjack" for the theater goers.The corporate sponsor of this play was "Aadyam" promoted by  the corporate  "Aditya Birla group".The play is depicted in 21st century "Belmont" with the characters dressed in suits and "Belmont" a casino.The entire play was recited in original "SHAKESPEARE ENGLISH" and hence a critic must have been disappointed by this play and given it a bad review. In fact reading his review before seeing the play  made me disappointed as i entered the auditorium. CRITICS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A MOVIE OR A PLAY AS THEY ACT AS A CATALYST IN SHAPING PUBLIC OPINION AKIN TO THE MEDIA.Was surprised to see a "House-full" crowd despite the bad review and as the play progressed found it excellent although some of the acting was a bit amateurish."SHYLOCK" is the most quoted and recognized name in English literature and although the villain has the most memorable quotes of the English language in this play.Actor Vikram.Kapadia played the modern 21st century "SHYLOCK" excellently while his nemesis "PORTIA" played by actress Yuki.Ellias was noteworthy."ANTONIO" played by actor Luke.Kenny and "BASSANIO" played by actor Rajeev.Siddharta were average.Rest of the star-cast were also average and a bit amateurish.The play was worth the money and after decades got to hear original Shakespeare English being recited on the stage in India.Seeing the same play in its original version at the "Globe Theatre" in London would cost a fortune let alone travelling to London.

KRIPA NITE-2015.

"KRIPA NITE(15-8-2015)" :- It was India's 69th Independence day and also the death anniversary of dad.After the flag hoisting ceremony in our building,a regular annual feature  visited the "Haines road cemetery" and later the racecourse.25 years(Silver jubilee) survival as a "Punter" was no mean feat and although on a "GAMBLING DETOXIFICATION" diet punted as a "Independence day tradition".Who know what my life would have been without  my affair with horse-racing and the race-course jogging routines.A very expensive club with unofficial membership fees in the form of "Horse racing losses" ! ?Came back home and received a call from cousin Martin.Furtado that he would be visiting me. Had surprise guests as along with Martin  came Uncle Rozario.Furtado and Aunt Christine.Furtado, the occasion being Dad's death anniversary. I had to attend the "KRIPA NITE" celebrations at St Andrews auditorium and hence it was a brief get-together of Paternal family before riding on my bike to St Andrews auditorium.I had heard about "Kripa Foundation" which was a Catholic social welfare organisation that conducts  the rehabilitation of "DRUG ADDICTS","ALCOHOL ADDICTS" and also cared for "A.I.D'S and H.I.V" patients.Strangely there was no mention of "GAMBLING ADDICTION REHABILITATION" which shows the lack of understanding of the  average gambling addicts life and repercussions, worse than drug addiction if untreated or ignored.Fr Joseph.H.Pereira  better known as Fr Joe.Perreira was the founder of "KRIPA  FOUNDATION"in 1981 which in 2015 is the largest  Non-Governmental organization in India.Father Joseph(Joe).Perreira is also the first Catholic priest to have formally introduced "YOGA" in the cure therapy of his patients and at 73 years of age  he could be mistaken for a man in his late  50's ! He teaches "IYENGAR YOGA" to Christians in India as well as in Europe and America, something which the conservative Catholic  Church initially found anti-christian.Recently in 2015 a Court in California passed a judgement that "YOGA" was  secular and definitely not propagating Hinduism or corrupting Western kids minds in U.S.A.Fr Joe.Perreira studied Yoga from the great Yoga Guru Shri B.K.S.Iyengar himself and in turn spread Yoga amongst the priesthood as well as celebrities. His most famous pupil was the late Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founder and creator of Singapore.  Every year on 15 th August they organize their annual "KRIPA NITE" free concert concert for their well-fishers.This was their 34th annual "Kripa Nite" concert in 2015.Thanks to my friend Sylvester.Alphonso from "Sacred Heart Church Parish(Worli)"  who happens to be related to Fr Joseph(Joe).Perreira that i happened to accidentally attend "Kripa Nite-2015" at St Andrews auditorium. He had a extra ticket and hence invited me for the concert. I was hesitant initially as religious based programmes bored me although a theatre addict.Decided to attend the concert to at least get to know what "KRIPA FOUNDATION" was about as also the concert.Luckily there was no rain and it was a pleasant ride to the auditorium. Met Sylvester.Alphonso  and his mother at the auditorium.Couldn't see any known faces although it was a "House-full crowd".Met swimming acquaintance Mr Neville.D'souza along with his wife.In fact it was at the swimming pool that i first heard of "Kripa Foundation" when Mr Eric.Pinto invited me for the show to which i declined.The programme began punctually at 1900 hrs with famed  events promoter   Mr Brian.Tellis(Chairman "Fountainhead promotions and events") hosting the show in his inimitable style and gift of radio show oratory.The show began with the playing of the "National Anthem"  followed by  a "Bharat Natyam" recital dance .After that it wasa procession of excellent individual performances  by various artists including Brian Tellis singing "Cover songs" of various English  artists.The  "YOGA BALLET" by young girls from the "D M Girls  orphanage trust" was out of this World and baffled the audience with their immensely flexible body contortions.During the intermission thanks to Sylvester.Alphonso  got to enter the guests refreshment room and did meet Fr Joe.Perreira and also saw another familiar face who happened to be Celebrity cop Mr Julio.Ribeiro, a regular for mass at "Sacred Heart Church(Worli)" and a occasional punter at the Mahalaxmi racecourse.Bizarrely after decades happened to meet my Byculla childhood friend Francis.D'Mello's sister Christine at the venue. Inquired about Francis and gave her my phone number to get in touch with him as he had done the disappearing act for over a decade.After refreshments purchased a "Souvenir book" consisting of the programme schedule and advertisements from well-wishers costing Rs 100. Didn't feel guilty of having a total free excellent "Kripa Nite" concert.After interval there were a "Ragga Trippin"  performance by "Acapella group", something different compared to normal song and dance.There  was a mix of Indian and English performances throughout the show.There was a brief introductory speech of the chief guests of honour  and shawl presentations to a few dignitaries  at the show by Fr Joe.Perreira. The Chief guests of honour  were Sr Amanda Amritlal(Principal of Sophia College), Dr Marie.Fernandes(Principal of St Andrews College) and Dr Baptist Agnel Menezes(Principal of St Xaviers College) .Later India   and Bandra's most  famous "Elvis Presley" impersonator Mr Siddarth.Meghani rocked the "Housefull" auditorium with excellent cover songs of the "King" also bizarrely resembling him in looks.Reminded me of the "McDowell Indian Derby" foreign rock star  impersonators  who themselves had copyright laws protecting impersonation of their own performances by other wannabe impersonators !Its a bizarre  World of Celebrity impersonators. The.The last performance was by  famed dancer/singer Tara.Sutaria. An end to a excellent evening of music, dance recitals and yoga ballet.Sometimes unplanned events turn out the best and i went home thanking Mr Sylvester. Alphonso for the invitation to a memorable "Kripa Nite".Only hope that in future "KRIPA FOUNDATION" acknowledges the severity of "GAMBLING ADDICTION" and has a  chapter on gambling addicts  in its detoxification programme. I observed that "Kripa Foundation" stressed entirely on "DRUG  ADDICTION" among collegians little realizing that gambling addiction on illegal betting is one of the biggest addictions in India. Everyone knows about the "I.P.L" cricket betting fiasco in which business tycoons addicted to gambling lost prestige as well as their lucrative brand teams. I have been canvassing for decades about "LEGALIZING GAMBLING" in India to control it and avoid corruption in sports.How many collegians fall prey to illegal cricket betting ? Any census done ? Didn't the great actor Omar.Shariff become a gambling addict as did Hindi actor  Bhagwan Dada ? Poverty from "Gambling Addiction" is worse than death due to drug addiction or alcoholism.

Sunday(4-10-2015) at "N.C.P.A(Mumbai)".

Sunday(4-10-2015) THE HOUND OF BASKERVILLES :-Saw the play "THE HOUND OF BASKERVILLES" at N..C.P.A and not surprised that the hall was half empty.The original play has been portrayed in childish humour and thats definitely not Indianizing a play to local taste. Actor Nasseruddin Shah was among the audience and awaiting his "REVIEW" on the play.The saving grace was the excellent sponsorship freebies.One being a musician playing a violin in the auditorium entrance hall and another being a free photo set-up posing as "Sherlock holmes" or "Dr Watson'. Awaiting to post these snaps impersonating "SHERLOCK HOLMES" once my computer gets back to normal fitness !The October freak rainfall came into full force on the way home at 2200 hrs in the night, more frightening then "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES"! Strangely attending this play  seemed to be one of the most jinxed playts in my life.While driving to the play my motorcycle fuel system suddenly got "Air-locked" and stopped on the middle of the road. I thought the petrol  was over and walked the bike towards the nearest petrol station which was at Worli Naka. Suddenly i decided to give the starter another kick and the bike started!After the play on arriving in the car park i realized that my "Swiss-Knife Key Chain" had fallen off from my motorcycle keyboard  and a sentimental loss. Driving towards home the "OCTOBER RAIN" ruined my 36 year old "Omega Watch" which was also due for servicing as 36 years is vintage age."The "Hound of the the Baskervilles" really proved a costly day of theatre and my impersonation of "SHERLOCK HOLMES" will be a reminder of that day.

"Raju Raja Ram Aur Main" Starcast .A differenct concept of "Stage Play".

Sunday(15-11-2015) " Raju,Raja,Ram Aur Main" :- After ages saw a Hindi play at the Nehru Centre auditorium in Worli. Strangely had never heard the name of this popular Hindi play that has also performed shows outside India. Hindi actor Mr Sharman .Joshi plays 4 different roles in the play and its a comedy play with a social message as are most plays.The play was directed by Mr Kedar.Shinde and is a copy of the original Marathi version titles "Sahi Re Sahi" which was a hit in Marathi.language. Prior to being made into a Hindi play had it had  a very successful run in Gujarati theatre titled "Ame Layi Gaya Tamhe Rahi Gaya" .This play has been produced in three different languages and a success in asll three under three different titles ! Actor Sharman.Joshi performed in the Gujarati version proving his versatility in languages let alone excellent candid acting. The play revolves on impersonations and the fact that money is the root cause of all greed and vices on planet Earth.A very confusing play and for the first time saw the use of "DUPLICATE ACTORS" in theatre although very common in films.Something different in English or Hindi theatre in India.Actor Sharman .Joshi plays himself in a role of either Raju while two others impersonate him on the stage as Raja or Ram.As a theatre addict i wonder how this delightful, humorous and excellently acted play escaped my notice. I was feeling bored at home and since  there were no more English plays in Mumbai  for viewing having seen them all  decided to see this play as the venue is close to my residence. Didn't regret my decision.

A "Selfie" with  singer Liz .Mitchell, one of the original "Boney M" band member of the 1970's.

Sunday(22-11-2015)" BONEY M " at Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana in Mumbai  :- Cats seen to get attracted towards me ! A  beautiful stray cat was prowling in the "Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana" tennis court where the "BONEY M" concert was being held. The large crowd must have confused him as he walked towards me . Clicked a "Selfie" with the cat which was "Good Luck" as later on during the "Boney M" show got close-up selfie's with the singers themselves.

 Tony.Ashcroft who impersonates Late Bobby .Farrell.

                                                     Actually i accidentally happened to visit the "Boney M" show as my original plan was to view the closing night  musical of "The Times of India Celebrates Bandra"  festival at the Bandra Amphitheatre ,a annual cultural event in Bandra locality of Mumbai.As i could not get the "FREE PASSES" of  the Bandra concert decided to view the "Boney M" musical  with tickets costing Rs 1,500/person.I was apprehensive of "Boney M" since only one of the original group members Liz Mitchell was in the performing band  and in hindsight did not regret my decision of viewing the concert.An excellent evening and night of music and  the first time heard "Christmas Carols"  sung in the month of November with "Boney M" singing their mega-hit Christmas carols. "Boney M" was formed in Germany by record producer Frank .Farian and the original group consisted of three girls and a male performer.The original band consisted of  Jamaican born  singers Liz Mitchell,Marcia.Barrett,Maizie.Williams and the only male Bobby.Farrell.Bizarrely Male singer Bobby.Farrell never sang the songs recorded on the million dollar best seller albums of the group as producer Frank.Farian did the same since Bobby's voice was unsuitable for recording.Its always the image of Bobby.Farrell singing and stomping on stage during their " Video performances" while in fact he was merely "Lip-Synching" to Frank.Farian 's voice produced in the studio  akin to a Hindi actor in Indian Hindi film songs.Many Hindi films have used Boney M tunes for Hindi compositions.During "Live Concerts" on stage the four did sing in their own voices.

Liz.Mitchell, Paulette,Jacinth and Tony  performing..

                                                                                             Bobby.Farrell was sacked from the band in 1981 which resulted in the gradual decline of the group.Later  in 1986 the "Original" band members split up and ran their own live musical  shows under the "BONEY M"  brand name with Liz Mitchell bringing her own "Boney M" group to Mumbai in 2015 ! The 2015 Liz.Mitchell "Boney M" group consisted  of singers Paulette,Jacinth and the only male singer Tony.Ashcroft. I grew up during my teenage years listening to "Boney M" besides other musicians of  the 1970's and it was wonderful having a "Selfie" with one of the "Original Boney M" band members Liz Mitchell.Today in 2015 at the age of 63 she was definitely past her prime as a skimpily dressed entertainer of the 1970's. "Boney M" were infamous for performing  in  skimpy costumes  almost performing semi naked on stage which in the 1970's was revolutionary.Their International super-hit music gave them the license to perform in bold erotic sexual costumes which otherwise would be seen as cheap vulgar stage shows common in Western Country's. .
Today the "Internet" has made bold sexual themes passe but remember that "BONEY M" were the originals in stage eroticism. ! Later also clicked a "Selfie" with the male member Tony.Ashcroft  who impersonates the late Bobby.Farrell.The entire crowd was thrilled and sure Mr Cat was disturbed by the large human crowd in his domain. "RASPUTIN" was and is still one of the most memorable songs in English music sung by "Boney M".Bobby Farrell was performing in St Petersburg  in 2010 with his group "Bobby Farrell and Boney M" where he  died of a heart attack in his hotel room after a nights performance .It was a bizarre co-incidence that he died on the same day and in the same town St Petersberg where "RASPUTIN"  whom he impersonated in his most memorable and biggest musical  hit  was murdered. Call it "CAT COINCIDENCE" or "TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION" ?

"RASPUTIN" perplexed cat at the concert ?

Sunday(27/1/2019) Grand finale of the "WORLI FESTIVAL" held along the Worli seaface promenade.THE 'WORLI festival' started by politician Shri Sachin.Ahir and his wife Smt Sangeeta under the "Sankalpa Pratishtan" charitable organization banner has been in it's 5th year and hence the "5.0" banner. The bands performing on stage were 1) Dual Core 2) Shibani.Kashyap 3) A band of boy's. A evening and night of excellent entertainment by some of the best artists in the music business.This festival that was once held annually akin to the "Bandra Street FestivaL " was excellently managed over the few years of its existence with some of India's best artists performing free music entertainment .After Politician Mr Sachin.Ahire the founder and sponsor of this grand mega carnival lost the elections this festival came to a abrupt end.Later he did revive the festival after a break of a few years under the banner of his "Sankalpa Pratishtan" organization with the last festival held in 2019."Coronavirus pandemic -2020(Covid-19)" brought the world and entire India to a standstill and hope the "Worli Festival" resumes sometime in the near future.

                          

U2 :- "JOSHUA TREE TOUR -2019" at D.Y.PATIL STADIUM IN NEW MUMBAI.

Sunday(15/12/2019) :- At the D.Y.Patil Stadium in Nerul in New Mumbai to attend the "U2 JOSHUA TREE TOUR" concert.

 

Internal view of "D.Y.Patil" stadium.

                                                               Sunday(15/12/2019  U2  "JOSHUA TREE" Concert at D.Y.Patil Stadium in New Mumbai :-  Your's truly "The Miser"   had booked the cheapest Rs 3000 seat months ago expecting a "HOUSE-FULL" for this much anticipated concert of one of my favourite pure classic rock bands of the 20th century. After the "ROLLING STONES" its "U2" who have sold the largest number of tickets for their "LIVE" shows and in 2003 had fulfilled my dreams of seeing "Rolling Stones" perform "Live" in Mumbai.Beside's this was one of the most hyped concerts in Mumbai after the Michael.Jackson concert of 1996."Bookmyshow.com" the sponsors of this show had chartered a special train for concert goers as private transport was not feasible.Special "Helicopter Taxi's" were arranged at Rs 16,000 + / person for the "Can't count my money audience" . I loved the lyrics of U2 akin to Bob.Dylan poetry and always wonder why BONO(Paul.Hewson) was never ever recommended for a Nobel Peace prize taking into consideration his charity work and propagation of Gandhian peace.On Sunday(15/12/2019) made the adventurous public transport travel from my house in Prabhadevi to Nerul in New Mumbai travelling through a combo of bus,train and bus to finally reach destination "D.Y.Patil" stadium. 

Seated in unforgettable "SEAT NO 48"!

                                                                                                               First time in my life i was visiting the 6th best Cricket stadium in the World and was charmed and amazed by the size and architectural splendour of the "D.Y.Patil" education institution and campus.After standing in the queue for the entrance to "Gate 7" finally made my way to "Door No 18" onto "Block L"  and finally onto unforgettable "SEAT L48" . Had to walk up a  flight of stairs to the Level 3  section of the stadium equivalent to 5 floors of my building.Was seated at a acute angle to the giant stage screen and from my seat would require the eyesight of a hawk or binoculars  to view the stage set up below  on the cricket ground .Besides commercial airports never in my life  have  i ever witnessed  the landing and taking-off of helicopters at a private venue as i was witnessing today at "D.Y.Patil" stadium.The frequency of the "Helicopter Taxi's" at the stadium made me question the statistics of India being a developing Country ! When the Band finally began their performance at approximately 1936 hrs was aghast to see most of the stadium seats empty including a few seats in my corner of the mammoth stadium.

Grand ambiance and music at "D.Y.Patil"

 Wise concert goers knew the lay-out of the stadium and hence avoided purchasing the cheapest Rs 3000 seats.                                                                  The ground below facing the stage was full and the entry of the band was electrifying.Bono,The Edge (David.Evans) ,Adam.Clayton and Larry.Mullen Jr  walked onto the main stage and later took up their positions on the extended stage designed in the shape of the Joshua tree.Bono preached on World peace and Mahatma.Gandhi and opened the "Joshua Tree" concert with their hit "Bloody Sunday"..Although i was in the worst seat in the stadium with the giant screen invisible from my acute seating angle and band members resembling ants thoroughly enjoyed the entire concert.Akin to Bob.Dylan  it was amazing to hear Bono sing as well as play the harmonica on occasions.Biggest surprise was the guest appearance of "Oasis" band star Noel.Gallagher who joined "U2" in singing "Desire".Towards  the end of the concert Indian composer/Signer A.R.Rahman accompanied by his daughters joined "U2" in singing "Ahimsa" and the last grand finale closing song of "Joshua Tree Tour -2019 " was "One".After the concert it was another adventure finding my way back to Nerul station and in the process almost lost my prized "Samarkand Russian Jacket" having left it in a restaurant near the railway station which i had visited for a snack. 

At 2300 hrs + getting home by public transport.

                                                                         Luck favoured me and on standing in the ticket booking queue at Nerul station realized my absentmindedness and sprinted back to the restaurant and retrieved my jacket which thankfully was not stolen."From Russia to India with love" would be my nickname for this black leather jacket that i almost lost at one of my favourite bands concert.Finally reached home and decided never again in my life to purchase the cheapest ticket in any stadium for any rock show.Have lost count of the number of "LIVE" music acts i have seen in Mumbai including  one in Bangalore but never ever experienced being seated in a stadium during a International concert.Brought back memories of attending the "Michael Jackson" concert in the cheapest last standing row at the Andheri stadium in Mumbai in 1996..During that performance although Michael.Jackson resembled a ant from my vantage point but thanks to the giant screen i could see his moves including his signature "Moon Walk". 

View of "STAGE" from "L48 Seat".Acute angle seat.

                                                                                                                           With this U2 concert  it was just the ambiance of the magnificent stadium and the music that kept me satisfied of having been there at a "Live Show" for "Braggers Rights club" !.The press had stated that approximately 35,000 people had attended the concert which was the lowest figure for the groups shows across different city's in the World.Eatables and drinks was sold at  twice the normal price which is common  for such events but the biggest fiasco was the total  failure of the "Bookmyshow" food digital payment smart cards issued to ticket holders on a minimum loading of Rs 500.The "Payment Server" had crashed and hence holders of the "Smart Card" could not purchase anything inside the stadium.  Mumbai was the last  of the "Joshua Tree Travel-2019 " show.I won't be surprised if BONO ( Paul.Hewson) ventures into Irish politics.  

India's No 1 Media journalist Mr Arnab.Goswami signing autographs.Recognize the "Facebook face!"Its Me ?

 Saturday(5-12-2015) Times Lit Fest 2015 at Mehboob Studio's in Bandra :- Last year had visited the "Times Lit Fest" and came face to face with eminent jurist Mr Ram.Jethmalani besides a host of other media celebrities and politicians. This year had been to the "Litfest"  to see and hear the celebrity journalist Mr Arnab.Goswami who is as popular as the most popular cricketer or actor in India.Reached Mehboob studio's at 0930 hrs and as parking was not allowed inside the studio premises had to search around and did find a common parking place.

Christ Churchites Mr Noel.Jacob and myself "Times LiT"

                                                                                           At the registration counter came across Mr Noel(Prince).Jacob  who was 4 to 5 years senior to me in Christ Church school and whose father Late Mr Jacob happened to live in our building in Prabhadevi.Surprisingly there was a long queue at the entrance to the "Yes Bank Hall" unlike 2014 which had a scarce crowd being the inaugural year.Came across a beautiful tabby cat with a dwarf tail and did some photography on it. On entering the hall we were lucky to be seated on the second row seats as it was a house-full auditorium.

Arnab.Goswami being introduced by Bachhi.Karkaria.

                             Various episodes of Investigative journalist Arnav.Goswami was flashed on the giant screen  next to the main stage. Mr Arnav.Goswami made a late entrance , a ordinary looking young  man, very slim and with  the physique of a athlete.It was excellent hearing him speak on various topics and ethics of journalism.Bizarrely the same cat that i had photographed outside the hall with its trademark twisted tail  mysteriously made a "Houdini" style appearance on the stage.It was   least bothered of Mr Arnab.Goswami or the huge auditorium crowd.It briefly became a media celebrity with photographers busy clicking it while Mr Goswami's lecture went on as usual and the crowd totally amused.The cat after having its 15 minutes of bizarre fame sneaked away from the stage and into the crowd a la "Houdini".On his television shows Mr Arnab.Goswami  has demolished as well as elevated many politicians and Celebrities reputations. If "007 James Bond" has a "LICENCE TO KILL" then should say that Mr Arnav.Goswami in India has the Media  "LICENCE TO KILL OR RESCUE " reputations and careers..He demolished Prime Minister prospect Mr Rahul.Gandhi in his television interview before the Country's General election  and most recently has  had media Mogul Mr Peter.Mukerjea look like a murderer in his television interview. This could  the reason the C.B.I arrested him in the now infamous "SHENA BORA MUDER CASE". After his lecture he signed autographs and thats when  i stuck my head and took a selfie for a "Been Here,Seen that, Done That" memory bank.

Authors Nisid.Hajari,Shrabani.Basu &Raghu.Karnad 

From the "Yes Bank Hall" bid adieu to Mr Noel.Jacob and  made my way to the "Aditya Birla Hall".Attended the discussion titled "Sharing War Stories".Writers Mrs Shrabani .Basu, Mr Raghu.Karnad and Mr Nisid.Hajari discussed their books written about the First World war and Indian partition.Historian Mr William.Dalrymple was the co-ordinator of the discussion.As a history student myself i found the topic interesting The  discourse ended at 1230 and i went out of the hall intending to ride back home on my motorcycle.Suddenly i just happened to glance at the programme schedule and to my utter surprise realized that the next discussion titled "Anatomy of Investigation" featured one of India's eminent advocate Mr Mahesh.Jethmalani who is the son of Mr Ram.Jethmalani.Quickly made my way back to the hall and into my seat on the front row. Mumbai's Police Commissioner Mr Javed. Ahmed was also supposed to be on the discussion panel but was not present.

Author Avirook.Sen,Mahesh.Jethmalani & Sonia.Falleiro.

                                   On seeing Mr Mahesh.Jethmalani from handshake distance thought i was in the presence of a actor.He was exceptionally good-looking and had all the trappings of a life lived in luxury and power.On the stage he was accompanied by Mr Avirook.Sen the author of "Aarushi",murder case that shocked the entire nation in 2008 besides  resulting in a controversial mysterious circumstantial verdict that convicted the parents of the young girl.Ms Sonia.Faleiro was the moderator of the discussion.I would have definitely studied "Law" if not a "Marine Engineer" and that explains my passion for writing and debates.The discussion on the "Arushi" murder case was excellent with Mr Mahesh.Jethmalani himself stating that the Talwar's  were framed or even if they committed the crime received a excessively severe punishment of life in prison. He explained the reasons through reading a extract from author Mr Avirook.Sen's book.The entire case was based on circumstantial evidence and a trial by the "Media".Mr Mahesh.Jethmalani also explained the stupidity of his latest client Mr Peter.Mukerjea who gave a television interview to Mr Arnab.Goswami who made him resemble a murderer's  accomplice.Moral of the true life case stories was that all humans are presumed innocent unless proved guilty by the law and hence a accused should always avoid the "MEDIA" especially someone of the caliber of Mr Arnab.Goswami ! After personally seeing and listening to lectures and debates by one of India's best journalist and later one of the best advocates  felt i was attending a lecture on high profile cases in a "LAW SCHOOL" ! The discussion finally ended at 1400 hrs and i quickly made my way towards the exit where a local rock group was playing live music on the lawn.Came back home a utterly satisfied blogger/photographer.

DALAL STREET  - LIT FEST EXCHANGE 2019 in  the BOMBAY STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING.

"BULL" of Bombay Stock Exchange 

Wednesday(18/12/2019) to Thursday(19/12/2019) Dalal Street Lit Fest Exchange 2019 :-  Every year whenever in Mumbai i always made it a point to attend the annual " TIMES LIT FEST" at Mehboob Studio in Bandra but this year the Mumbai leg of the festival was cancelled. Thanks to "FB Samachar(Facebook News) : that i got to know about the 2 days  "Dalal Street Lit Fest Exchange -2019" to be held in the Bombay Stock Exchange building on Wednesday!8/12/2019) and Thursday(19/12/2019) and hence attended the same.After quitting sea employment as a "Marine Engineer" and earning my daily living through "STOCK MARKET INVESTMENTS" bizarrely had never ever visited the interior of this magnificent skyscraper, once the tallest building in Mumbai.On Wednesday stepped into the Bombay Stock Exchange building which has maximum security as it was targeted during the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and walked the short flight of steps to the first floor of the building. After registering myself at the registration desk walked past the lobby decorated with photographs of eminent Heads of State and celebrities who had visited the "Bombay Stock Exchange" into the main "International Convention Hall" that resembled a mini concert theatre. 

Mr R.Gopalakrishnan autographing.

                                                                                                                     This Lit Fest was a identical carbon copy of the "Times of India Lit Festival"but on a miniature scale  with renowned personalities of the World of business and economics lecturing on various topics besides releasing their autographed books in the "International Convention Hall" , which was the main venue on the first floor of the building.The other two venues were the "Norton Hall " and the "Banquet Hall" situated on the same floor .These two venues were small class-room styled halls meant for smaller audiences.Listened to the lecture of Author Mr R.Gopalakrishnan titled " Doodles :- Reflection on business institution and long life companies" which was akin to doing a crash course in business management.He  was once the director in esteemed companies " Tata Consultancy Ltd" and "Hindustan Lever Ltd" besides being on the board of directors of the "Bombay Stock Exchange".One unique fact which i will never forget was Mr R.Gopalakrishnan comparing Ayurveda health in humans and business longevity during his lecture. 

Sabira .Merchant  :-  English Language & Etiquette.

                                                                     Maintaining a healthy profitable business is akin to maintaining your own personal health and Mr R.Gopalakrishnan practiced what he preached and  he looked in the pique of physical health as were the companies he captained during his tenure. As a "Stock Investor" i hold many "Dud Company" shares in my portfolio and akin to human longevity it is also extremely difficult to predict the future economic condition of a company , especially "Start-ups" and "Mid-Cap" companies.In 2010 if someone said that a few of  the Anil .Ambani Reliance group of companies would go bankrupt within the decade  ,he or she would have been termed "MAD" and sent to a lunatic asylum.

"HORSE RACING" and "SHARE SAMACHAR" 

                                        That's business and hence only a minority of the population in any Country are directly actively involved in the "SHARE MARKET".Most investors trade indirectly through "MUTUAL FUNDS". Ahoy !  After the lecture Mr R.Gopalakrishnan  autographed two of his books "  which were on sale.Strolled around the venue and later went home . 

Posture and Public speaking.

                                                               My most anticipated lecture was the next day on Wednesday(19/12/2019) at the "Banquet Hall" with the speaker being none other than one of my most admired English language speaker Ms Sabira.Merchant.The lecture was titled "Communication skill, the key to success".I had arrived very early  at the "Banquet Hall" and after realizing that the first row seats were not for ViP's or dignitaries made myself comfortable on the front row while in classes in school i was a unknown "Backbencher" student .I was a big fan of the quiz programme "WHATS THE GOOD WORD" that was compered by Ms Sabira.Merchant and  aired on Doordarshan T.V from 1972 to 1987, a total of 15 long years. Ms Sabira.Merchant  almost made it to the Guinness Book of World records as the host of the  longest quiz show compered by a woman.This was the first  English programme aired on Indian T.V .At 1400 hrs Ms Sabira.Merchant made a grand entry into the large classroom filled with a audience that made me feel like a grandfather . Ahoy ! Seeing Sabira .Merchant from handshake distance made me realize that to a few age is just a numerical number and honestly at the young age of 77 years the Grand lady of Indian English etiquette and Miss and Mr India etiquette trainer looked no more than a lady in her fifties. 

"B.S.E BULL"  presentation to Sabira.Merchant.

                                                                       Agreed that "Botox" and a wig or dyed hair made her look younger but as a athlete myself i know that its very difficult for any human irrespective of wealth or status to maintain a trim physique once past the age of 40 years let alone 77 years.

Christ Church School teacher
 Miss Flora.Gonsalves whom I met 
years later in June  2023 at 
Wockhardt hospital. Basic foundation 
in English language was a result
of School education, personal 
interest in reading and 
" WHATS THE GOOD WORD ".

My Etiquette idol didn't disappoint me and the lecture was conducted akin to a school or college very much bringing back memories of our esteemed Christ Church School teacher Ms Flora.Gonsalves. Suddenly at the young age of 59 years realized i was re-educating myself on some of the finer points of English pronunciation and posture etiquette.Beside's being India's official trainer for the "Miss India" contestant she is also a stage artist and vividly remember the  Tennessee William's hit  play "A street car named Desire" in which she played the role of Blanche Dubois which won her the " All India Critic Award". 

Photo Gallery :- Original B.S.E  building.

                                                                                                                                           She also explained us as to how a lady should sit when in the presence of the Queen of England as also the sitting posture for men. Wonder what are her fees if this was a paid  tuition class ? Definitely only the ultra wealthy would afford her "Etiquette and English Language" tuition fees.Finally to my amazement she selected me to come on stage and give her a "Vote of Thanks" which to my disbelief went reasonably well with positive remarks from the grand lady of English language and etiquette. Temporarily  i got the feeling of being in the shoes of a Hrithik.Roshan or Shah Rukh Khan or a Milind.Soman Thank you B.S.E for this wonderful free education session and stepping out of the hall after the one hour course definitely felt like a 59 year old young model.Later in the evening after listening to a practice session song by the group "Indian Ocean" rode all the way back home definitely educated in etiquette and basic investment psychology.

"TWELFTH NIGHT" performed in Shakespearean Rock Opera Style.

Thursday(17-12-2015)"TWELFTH NIGHT" at High Street Phoenix(Lower Parel :-Attended the "Twelfth Night" written play by William Shakespeare created by Filter and Directed by Sean .Holmes at the "High Street Phoenix Mall" at Lower Parel in Mumbai.The star cast were Alan Pagan, Amy Marchant, Dan Poole, Fergus O’Donnell, Fred Thomas, Harry Jardine, Ronke Adekoluejo and  Sandy Foster, all British actors.Every literate human has read "Twelfth Night" either in its original Shakespearean text or in translated versions as this play has given the World some of the most thoughtful quotes of daily life and living. 

"Twelfth Night" on Phoenix Mills Mall.

                                                                                                                                  The play was performed in original Shakespearean English  Broadway style with a mix of local English and satire.It was part "Rock Opera" and part Shakespearean theatre.This tour group had performed in U.K, Holland,Germany,Spain and mexico before performing at High Street Phoenic mall Square in Mumbai.A part of the audience was also called on stage during the rock opera saga.Hilarious and shocking at times. Sir Toby's drunkenness and  Malvolio's lust for love was hilarious. Towards the end Malvolio stole the show performing a "Striptease" rock opera in swimming trunks, something i saw for the first time in Mumbai theatre.It was a wonderful evening in the cool December Mumbai winter watching a Shakespearean drama. The looming chimney of Phoenix mills was the only reminder that this large shopping mall and hotel enclave was once upon a time a part of Bombay's (Mumbai) largest textile Industry. Bombays textile mill saga is fit for a Shakespearean tragedy drama  of the  rebirth of Mumbai as a Industrial city.Two of the World's most memorable quotes are from this play of William.Shakespeare 
1)"IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE THEN LET IT PLAY"
2) "ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN MERELY PLAYERS.WE DO OUR PARTS AND THEN DEPART".

Play "GAUHAR" based on life of "Gauhar Jaan".

Saturday(19-12-2015) "GAUHAR" at "N.C.P.A"  :-  My knowledge of Classical music in English as well as Hindi is negligible although one of India's most famous Hindustani Classical musicians Smt Kishori.Amonkar lives in my building in Mumbai ! On a recent tour to Central Europe had visited the tomb of Beethoven at the Zentralfriedhof cemetery in Vienna since Vienna is the Mecca of English Classical music. Regarding closer home had decades ago purchased a cassette of Smt Kishori Amonkar  from Mumbai's famous "RHythm House" and tried to understand Hindustani classical music.  I  am a great fan of Hindi  film music with Kishore Kumar and Lata.Mangeshkar being my favourites as also Hindi film actors most notably Rajesh.Khanna.Sadly i failed in understanding Hindi classical music and the same applies to English classical music ."Times of India" publications  were sponsoring a play titled "GAUHAR" based on the life of one of India's first musical superstars who made one of the first  recordings  on a gramophone in India recorded by "Gramophone Company of India"..Passes were issued free and although not a classical music fan decided to view the drama as it was "FREE" ! Attended the drama and honestly was riveted to my seat on the tragic and unbelievable rise and fall of India's first recognized Hindustani classical singer and dancer.From owning a mansion in Calcutta and entertaining Indian Royalty and commoners  while  earning thousands  and lakhs of rupees   in the early 1900's she finally wound up as a Court singer in the Mysore Maharajah's palace.The play was written by eminent Indian English playwright  Mr Mahesh.Dattani and directed by Mrs Lillete.Dubey.Actress Rajeshwari.Sachdev and  Sufi singer Zilla.Khan played the roles of Gauhar Jaan through various phases of her life.Unlike the famed Courtesan Umrao Jaan who has become a household name in India through Hindi cinema the role of Gauhar Jaan as a Courtesan and singer was never exploited by the media and cinema.Excellently enacted  depicting the era of the late 19th century and early 20th century."Gahar Jaan(1873 -1930)" was definitely the first Indian singer to create a "Signature tune" on her recordings always signing off with the words " My name is Gauhar Jaan". Guahar Jaan had sung more than 600 records in 20 different languages  and some of her compositions are recited by present day artists.Definitely the  first singing superstar long before Lata.Mangeshkar but a totally forgotten name in 2015. Tragically she got ruined due to romantic  liaisons with men who plundered her wealth finally forcing her to spend her final singing days as a court singer to the Maharajah of Mysore.The play exposes her private life and dalliances.She died in penury and totally forgotten in her own lifetime. "FAME AND WEALTH  CAN BE SO FICKLE" .

Photo:- "Times of India"

 Monday(21-12-2015) "CLEAN AND CLEAR BOMBAY TIMES FRESH FACE -2015" at Bandra Fort :- Attended the "CLEAN AND CLEAR BOMBAY TIMES FRESH FACE -2015" contest at the "Bandra Fort" in Mumbai.Entrance was "FREE" on collection of passes from "T.O.I" office.The Bandra Fort is one of my favourite locales for rock and other cultural functions of which most are free..Boys and girls were selected after tough eliminations through 20 colleges and a open mall audition.

They were all young and bizarrely ex-porn star Sunny.Leone was the chief judge of the function.Yes , India is undergoing a revolution and i was shocked to see Sunny Leone a former "Adult Star" mingle and judge a school/college contest.When would International porn star Ron.Jeremy grace a local school or college function ?Two young school girls seated next to me were thrilled as also their parents! Yes, the "Internet" and "Smart Phones" has changed the World including India.I felt like a "Old Man" and realized that India is undergoing a massive sexual revolution .Definitely better than riots,civil war and murder. Sunny Leone i am your fan . It was a house full crowd and akin to a fashion show "Beauty/Personality Contest".Reminded me of the 1970's "Mr and Miss I.S.C Schools Personality" contest at my alma mater Christ Chuirch school in Bombay(Mumbai) whose winners became brand name models of the 1970's.The 5 finalist boys and girls were cross examined by Sunny Leone who herself resembled a college girl and finally the winners from each sex declared along with the second and third places.

The Mens winner was Mr Mehul.Nijhawan of Symbiosis college of Arts and commerce in Pune while the female winner was Miss Ishita .Sachdeva of LSR college Delhi. Sunny.Leone posed for photographs with them and wouldn't be surprised if India allows production pf "Adult films" in india in the near future. "Kamasutra" has its origins in India and our overpopulation indicates a strong sexual drive..After the contest it was a night of electrifying Hindi rock/pop music by singer Sunidhi.Chauhan who could lay claim to being India's first Hindi rock star. She is pretty, sexy, beautiful and most of all has a great voice matched with showmanship.Normally most Hindi Playback singers have the image of sobriety.The house full crowd of young kids and elders were hysteric to her music. In-between during the 5 minutes break singer duo of Wajid.Khan and Salimn.Merchant each sang two hit songs.It was a grand night with "Citi's(Wolf Whistles)" from back benchers and wah-wah's from front seated 'V.I.P's" that ended at 2200 hrs sharp.Its not every day that the audience gets to see a top notch former porn star be the 'Chief Guest" of a "School/College Personality contest" and India's best female rock play back singer perform for "Free" on the same stage ! I rode back home "Shaken and stirred" as well as educated ?

"SHILLONG CHAMBER ORCHESTRA" at St Peters School  Grounds.

Wednesday(23-12-2015)"Christmas Carols" on St Peters Church Grounds in Bandra :- After ages attended a "Christmas Carol" evening at St Peters Church grounds in Bandra(Mumbai).  

Felicitating the Organizers and Bandra V.I.P'S.

Reached the ground early and hence managed to get a good front row  seat in the "Free Section" of the audience just behind the barricade separating the special invitees and donour  audience. The function began at 1800 hrs as commoners and "V.I.P" guests made their way into the open air grounds of St Peters church.                        It was a wonderful evening beginning with local Bandra talent boys and girls singing Christmas carols followed by a trio of musicians performing Indian instrumental music.There was a short interval due to the church mass during which i visited the food stalls and purchased some traditional Christmas sweets.After the mass  the concert resumed again at approx  1945 hrs with a  felicitation and thanks speech on stage to the local politicians and organizers of the Christmas festival event.Capt Allwyn.Saldanha one of the chief organizers felicitated  M.L.A of Bandra Mr Ashish.Shelar  and prominent citizens of Bandra which included actors Nasseruddin.Shah ,Ratna.Pathak Shah,Dolly.Thakore,, Randhir.Kapoor,former beauty queen Lara.Datta and Tennis ace Mahesh .Bhupathi. The Grand finale after the felicitation ceremony  was the performance by the "SHILLONG CHAMBER CHOIR" formed in 2001 with their 30 piece musical ensemble.They began with beautiful Christmas carols and later a medley of English and Hindi music. A excellent evening under the open sky and a ground  packed with a  audience.

"Worli Village Koli Choir" singing Christmas carols in Marathi Language with a skit.

Monday(28-12-2015) :- Christmas carols singing at "Sacret Heart Church" in Worli :- Had attended the "Sacred Heart Church(Worli)" Christmas carols ceremony and was sad to see a total lack of Church parishioners. 

"Sacred Heart Parish" English choir.

                                                                                                                              Agreed that Worli is no Bandra,Malad , Borivili or Mira road which have strong pockets of a Catholic population.Worli has a minuscule Catholic population with a strong dominant "Koli Marathi Catholics(East Indians)" presence in Worli Village.The fact that the crowd was less then readers on my least popular blog speaks volumes of the local enthusiasm in a traditional Catholic Christmas celebration.Agreed that there were no celebrities as at the "St Peters Parish" in Bandra with the "Shillong Orchestra| performing but there was definitely local music talent on display.According to me the "Sacred Heart Parish Christmas star" could be one of the best in Mumbai.Celebrity Police Cop/Writer Mr Julio.Rebeiro is the most famous parishioner of Sacred Heart Church,Worli. 

Parish Priest Fr Diego.Perreira thanking the congregation.

                                                                                                                                            A excellent evening where i got to listen to young children , men and local Koli's sing Christmas carols. For the first time in my life heard the local "Koli's(Fisherfolk)" sing "Marathi Christmas Carols" as well as dance the typical Koli dance.A future Lata.Mageshkar or Remo.Fernandes might one day be discovered during these Church community get-togethers.The immortal Elvis.Presley began as a Church choir singer although his personal life was no model for the priesthood ! A excellent evening akin to a private concert. Thanks to the main organizers Mr Agnello.Lopez, Compere Mr Sachin.Kinny and Fathers of the Parish Fr Diego.Pereira, Fr,Albert.Gonsalves, Fr Xavier.Rodrigues and Deacon Navin.D'silva for organizing a excellent programme.Others should thank me for clicking the photographs for posterity. Photographs are the final memories of our existence on planet Earth long after we depart from the physical World.Hope in 2016 the Carol festivities attract the entire parish crowd .

Saturday (6/5/2017)Godess Mariamman Mahakali Ritual celebrations outside Sacred Heart Church Parish compound in Worli : - A young woman undergoing body piercing ritual.Godess Mariamman Mahakali ritualistic piercings by a devotee. This is a annual celebration by a section of the Tamilian community of Worli locality in Mumbai. Every year a few Tamilian Hindu devotees of Worli have a ritual of worshiping the Goddess Mariamman by performing body piercing rituals. In this video the women and man have lances pierced through their face.All these devotees who indulge in the piecing rituals are from the lower economic strata of society and most earn a living selling vegetables in the Worli /Prabhadevi market.As a regular to the market most of them know me by sight and informed me about this particular ritual that they perform once a year to appease the Hindu Goddess Mariaamman.

Having visited the "Batu Caves" in Malaysia realized that this ritual is identical to the Tamilian Thaipusam festival of body piercing rituals done mostly by Tamilian Malaysians to appease the Lord Muruga. A procession begins in the wee hours of the morning on Thaipusam day from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur leading up to Batu Caves as a religious undertaking to Lord Muruga lasting eight hours. Definitely a sight not for the faint hearted as it involves severe body pain and unbelievable mind control by the devotees undergoing the piecing procedures.In Mumbai i have seen this form of body piercing devotion only in Worli and that too among a minuscule population of the Tamil community of Mumbai.It lasts for a few hours beginning in the evening by worship at the makeshift "Mariamman Kalimata temple" erected next to the main Worli century bazaar road.From the temple a procession begins with body piercing and beating of drums involved which lasts late into the night. A ritual unique in Mumbai city and it happens close to my locality

"THE DOLL" :- Actors Trishla.Patel and Hidayat.Sami.

Wednesday(30-12-2015) Prithvi theatre in Juhu :- No better way to end the year 2015 in which i clocked the maximum number of "World Travel mileage and theatre Attendances" than to see a play at the "Prithvi theatre" in Juhu in Mumbai.

Crew of "DOLL" with Director Makrand.Deshpande.

Attended the 2100 hrs show of the play "DOLL" at Prithvi theatre and was transformed into a different World.The play dwelt with male-female human relationships and a disturbing future prophecy where "Human robots" might replace humans.What oif you can also have "Sex" with a human robot ? Do you still require human companionship ? Already "Test tube babies" and "Invitro fertilization" along with homosexual & Lesbian marriages is making sex between males and females passe ! A impotent or a sterile man can have a kid while a barren woman can give birth in the 21st century something unthinkable during my parents era where only illegitimate sex resulted in unwanted offspring ! A disturbing play with just two actors, a male and a female robot doll.Go see this play the next time.A few photo's of a entertaining evening in the most happening place in Mumbai.The play was directed by noted theatre artist Mr Markand.Deshpande.The two male and female actors were Trishla.Patel and Hidayat.Sami..The Writer of this play is Croatian Miro.Gavran.The play was adapted to a Mumbai setting of locales.After ages also had a "Silver foil Paan(Rs 40)" outside Prithvi theatre, something totally 'Desi" after a excess of foreign and local travel.

Palladium Mall(Friday 1-1-2016) :- Sitting on Santa Claus Reindeer Sleigh under  giant Christmas tree.

Friday(1-1-2016) :- WELCOME 2016 AND GOODBYE 2015 .WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR-2016. A sober New Year after a hectic 2015 travelling saga.After a visit to the racecourse in the afternoon went to High Street Phoenix and was directly transferred into "First world Europe/U.S.A " at the Palladium mall. A excellent modern art decor  type of "Christmas tree" was erected in the middle of the Palladium foyer as was every year. 

"Vernon.Noronha & Group" at High Street Phoenix.

                                                                                           The best of luxury brand names on sale in the massive Palladium mall .The next time i tour abroad would never even buy eatables at duty free shops  unless cheaper than in India as everything is available at the "PALLADIUM MALL" at High Street Phoenix in Lower Parel of Mumbai.Does actor Amir .Khan still think that his family is "Unsafe" in India ? Is celebrity Indian English musician Remo.Fernandes thinking of converting back to a Indian Citizen after obtaining a Portuguese passport ? If you are a "Dollar Millionaire" in india then it is definitely the most happening Country for entertainment and luxuries as its a Democracy.I rub my eyes in amazement to see the difference of living in Mumbai post 1992 Economic liberalization initiated by then Finance Minister  Dr Manmohan.Singh  under the Congress Party regime.. No wonder "Real Estate" is one of the costliest in South Mumbai. Later heard "Vernon.Noronha and his group" play excellent live music on the now permanently erected open air stage where just over a week ago "Malvolio" performed his erotic shenanigans for the play "Twelfth Night", a male cabaret.Vocalist Vernon.Noronha is a talented singer who composes his own music and besides the guitar also plays the mouth organ a la Bob.Dylan style.A excellent opener to 2016 and thanks High Street Phoenix and "Vernon.Noronha & Group" for the free open air music.

"RHYTHM HOUSE" at Kala Ghoda in Mumbai :- A musical institution of the city .

Monday(18-1-2016) :- "A REQUIEM TO RHYTHM HOUSE" at Kala Ghoda in Mumbai :-  Had visited Rhythm House and was literally filled with tears of music nostalgia on viewing this landmark music house for the last time in my life. 

Inside historic "Rhythm House" for the last time.

                                                                                                               Akin to a library a person could just "Window shop" and listen to free music at this musical store I had purchased numerous cassettes and later a few C.D's at this landmark shop of Mumbai city.Internet and digital music downloading killed the profitability of this historic shop and honestly i myself have never purchased a C.D or D.V.D post the "Internet era" and "Youtube music". Didn't the mechanized vehicle replace the horse and horse carriages as the medium of transport at the beginning  of the 20th Century ? Would the present "Millennium Generation" of Mumbaikars born in the 21st century ever realize that Bombay  now Mumbai was founded on the textile mills and the Shipping Industry ? 

"SELFIE" with a Dev Anand album.

All types and genres of Indian and English music.

                                                                                                                              The cotton textile mills have become extinct and Mumbai's commercial  port is a shadow of its former booming port workers and mercantile shipping traffic transforming   more into  a Naval base. "CHANGE IS THE ONLY PERMANENCE IN HUMAN LIVING AND HISTORY".The shop is closing down permanently on Monday(29-2-2016) having first opened its doors in 1940.Hence with it a part of Bombay and now Mumbai's music history comes to an end.There was a 70% clearance sale and a few of the shelf's were already empty.I again happened to visit "Rhythm House" during the annual "Kala Ghoda" festival on Saturday(6-2-2016).Took a "Selfie"  with a album cover of one of my favourite Hindi actors Dev.Anand.The "Kala Ghoda" festival gets entire Mumbai to this historic precinct of Colonial Bombay and now Mumbai.In 2017 the historic music house of South Mumbai would definitely be missed at the "Kala Ghoda festival -2017".See "RHYTHM HOUSE" before it disappears forever. Life moves on and another 50 years from today something else might be in vogue in this particular music house called "RHYTHM HOUSE".A few photo's for my personal photograph memory bank..

MAD BOY/MINK Performing  at "High Street Phoenix Courtyard.

Friday(29-1-2016) HIGH STREET PHOENIX(Parel):- Happened to visit "High Street Phoenix(Parel)" for its monthly "FREE" music concert on the last Friday of every month.Discovered 2 new genres of music.First was D.J"Shivaya" making weird music with the help of electro -vocals.Next was the duo of "Mad Boy /Mink" with Madboy (Imaaduddin Shah) on the guitar and Mink (Saba Azad) on vocals.

"NUCLEYA" D-Jaying.

          ,A mix of electro music and cabaret ,rewinding to Hollywood of the Al Capone era. .SOMETHING DIFFERENT.The grand finale was "Nucleya" alias Udyan.Sagar from Delhi whose loud Indian/Hindi street Electro-music D.-Jaying almost made me deaf as i was next to the speakers.A houseful crowd with booze allowed in the courtyard .Later visited the art show in the Palladium.Our malls, especially "High Street Phoenix" is bridging the entertainment gap between the West and the East.Such entertainment in any public mall was unthinkable  about two decades ago and confined to restaurants or nightclubs.Brought back memories of the "FREE BARGE PARTY" flowing with booze that i attended in Prague on the river Vltava.Something very common in European City's.Mumbai is not far behind and if "Bombay Port Trust" opens the wharf for nightlife then Prague barge party's might seem passe and common in Mumbai !

Starcast of "  "SEE NO EVIL,HEAR NO EVIL,SPEAK NO EVIL,DO NO EVIL."

"SEE NO EVIL,HEAR NO EVIL,SPEAK NO EVIL,DO NO EVIL." Friday(12-2-2016) :- Had visited the "Kala Ghoda" festival which was packed to capacity and later walked the short distance to "Horniman Circle garden".

The audience.

                                                                                                                                   During the annual "Kala Ghoda" festival various cultural,musical, art, cooking, literature and theatre festivals are held in the historic vicinity of "KALA GHODA" locale in Mumbai.The theatre festival is free of charge to the common public and some excellent plays are staged.As i was early at the venue did manage to secure a good seat on the second row.The play began punctually at 1930 hrs and it was exhilarating being in a historic open air garden bringing back memories of the "Prithvi theatre festival" in 2015 at the Mahalaxmi racecourse paddock in Mumbai .A excellent murder mystery play based on Agatha Christie style with slapstick humour and set in a hotel in exotic Goa. .A man is murdered. 

Sexual comedy and a murder mystery.

                                                                                                  Three people witness it. A blind girl who hears the killer, a deaf guy who sees him and dumb guy who hears him. The hilarious  gay Inspector  doesn't think they`re credible witnesses.A surprising new ingredient in Mumbai theatre was the introduction of a "Gay Inspector" portrayed as  stereotype effeminate gay.He was hilarious in double sex dialogues which about 2 decades ago would be considered profanity and banned.A engrossing play in which the villain is exposed at the end of the play in typical Agatha.Christie style.As a theatre goer since the last three decades have seen the gradual transformation of sexual permissiveness in Mumbai theatre in the era on "Internet" and "Cell Phone" pornography. The Play star-cast and credits were as follows :- Writer :  Paritosh Painter Director :  Paritosh Painter Cast :  Balvinder Singh Suri, Barkha Bisht, Delnaaz Irani, Jayesh Thakkar, Nasir Khan, Paritosh Painter - 

"LORETTA", the play  at N.C.P.A Auditorium.

Sunday(3-4-2016) "LORETTA" :- It was the finals of the World "T20 Cricket" between England and West Indies in Kolkotta. Since i was disappointed at India not making it to the finals decided to spend the evening watching a play rather than Cricket on T.V. If gambling on Cricket was legalized then i would have definitely bet on the finals.

Classic Goan Konkani songs

                                                                                                              I have watched a few plays of Goan Konkani called "TIATR" and found it excellent and different akin to European opera although at times dealing more in slapstick comedy and very amateurish.Attended the 1930 hrs show of "Loretta" at the N.C.P.A in Mumbai.I reached the venue early at 1900 hrs and on entering the plush auditorium complex was surprised to see a young band of 3 musicians which included a young lady crooner singing classic Goan Konkani songs.The entrance foyer of the majestic "Jamshed Bhabha Theatre" had a Goan atmosphere with the band playing in one corner and a small "Goan Shack" distributing free complimentary typical Goan snacks ,coconut water and Chorizo pao.Just chic and classic and thanked my decision of attending this concert.

Complimentary Goan Snacks 

                                                                                                                         The play was a English adaption of the Goanese form of  common "Tiatr" presentation with comic   satirical political and social skits between stage/costume  changes with  a live band playing at the side of the main stage.This play was sponsored by "Aadyam Theatre" established in 2015 which holds annual concerts of different genres in Indian City's ."Aadyam" markets and advertises the plays produced by different theatre groups with "Loretta" being a production of the "Arpana Theatre Group".This year 5 different  plays are being held  in Delhi and Mumbai with "Loretta" being one of the plays.. "Tiatr" is a Goan folk  drama  peculiar to Goa and with similarities to European Opera although amateurish and rudimentary as it is produced at minuscule production budgets..Mr Sunil.Shanbag was the director of this play adapted for the elite  English theatre audience where maximum tickets are Rs 1000 and the minimum Rs 300.The play is set in the !970's when Goa and Goans were undergoing rapid political and cultural changes just after Independence from Portuguese rule.

Star-Cast of "LORETTA" an end of Play.

                As a Mangalorean Catholic i found great similarities in the script of the play between my own parents ancestral villages of Mabukala and Barkur having recently visited these places in March 2016.Mangalorean Catholics  were originally from Goa who fled Portuguese persecution  to set up new lives in Mangalore and its surrounding districts.The topography of Mangalore, Goa and Kerala is almost similar although the local cultures differ.The focal point of the play is a Goan Bhatkar(Landlord) named Antonio..Moraes  who virtually owns a small fictional island in Goa and is  a staunch exponent of Goan Konkani language  refusing any modern changes to his lifestyle and his Goa. He refuses the local politician's plea to build a bridge across his island to connect the mainland.His son Rafael  educated in Bombay(Mumbai) returns home to Goa with his Anglo-Indian  live-in girlfriend Loretta with a intention of getting a Portugal passport and migrating to Europe.The play revolves along this clash of local cultures and a generation gap. Finally as usual everything ends well with the bridge built and the son marrying his live-in girlfriend after she gets pregnant and settling in Goa in his fathers palatial house.After the play on reaching home at 2245 hrs was in time to witness the prize distribution of the "2016 T20 World Cup" to the winning team "West Indies".Writer :  Pundalik Naik Director :  Sunil Shanbag Cast :  Rozzlin Pereira, Sattvic, Danish Hussain, Abhijit Bhor, Asif Ali Beg, Shilpa Sane, Kailash Waghmare and Shailesh Hejmad 

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Hindi Play "BARFF".

Sunday(8-6-2016) Hindi Play "BARFF" at N.C.P.A  :-  Saw the Saurabh.Shukla directed play "BARFF"  at Tata Theatre(N.C.P.A).The play is based on the turbulent civil war strife state of Kashmir and has just 3 characters in the entire play that takes place in a local Kashmiri's house.Its basically a thought provoking psychological thriller where a doctor (Saurabh.Shukla) attends a emergency doctors call visit for treatment of a baby in  a remote village of Kashmir.He is led to the house in freezing cold by the father of the child , a young Kashmiri taxi driver .On arriving at the house he is shocked at the situation and panics at the sight of the child actually being a doll realizing that the lady is mentally deranged in thinking her doll is actually a human baby.Terrorism is the cause of the woman's illusions and her husband keeps her happy by also pretending that the doll is their human child.The Kashmiri husband/wife duo is played by actors  Sadia.Siddiqui and Sunil.Palwal. A psychological play that can be boring to some and  i personally found it boring although the play has received rave reviews from critics .Having visited Srinagar in 2013 and having experience a total Srinagar Bandh during my stay have a first hand experience of life for common average Kashmiri's living in a state of civil war.I was reading the historical fictional novel "The  "Rozabel Line" by Ashwin.Sanghi at the time of seeing the play "Barff"  and realized that Kashmir is and will be the future topic of numerous plays,novels and movies besides being in the daily news for the political strife.

Thursday(9-6-2016 :- At "Hardrock Cafe in Mumbai on "PRINCE TRIBUTE NIGHT"

Thursday(8-6-2016) "PRINCE" tribute night at Hardrock Cafe(Worli) in Mumbai :- Cycled to "Hard Rock Cafe" in Lower Parel to witness a "Prince.Nelson Tribute" concert performed by Luke.Kenny and the Purple Night band..A excellent night of nostalgic music and a era that took me back to the "Good,the bad and the Ugly" side of my decades in the Shipping Industry.

. A exhibit of Prince portrait along with a original commemorative Gold record(5,00,000 Albums) and cassette for the album "GRAFFITi BRIDGE" was displayed on the day. Specially loaned from "Hard Rock Cafe" in Newport. First discovered "Prince" and "Michael.Jackson" music in a Foreign port when i never wore spectacles and was in the prime of my youth .Later became a Prince and Michael.Jackson fan hearing their music in other Foreign ports and in India over the years of sailing and seafaring employment..Luke Kenny and his band of members were excellent as was the dance performances by some of the young lady's in the crowd.The grand finale was past mid-night with the cult song "PURPLE RAIN" bringing the curtain down to the tribute night of Prince memorabilia and booze.The music lives on as does the memories of the 20th century of my generation.

"RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME"( Saturday 2-7-2016)  :- At the Sand dunes festival in Hunder in Nubra valley of Ladakh. A local Ladakh group singing "Wish you were here" .

 "SELFIE" Starcast :-Tanaaz Irani, Dimple Shah, Kishwer Merchant, Shweta Gulati, Priya Malik Monday(15-8-2016) "SELFIE" :- On India Independence day saw this womancentric play at the "Nehru Auditorium"  in Mumbai. The play "SELFIE"  produced by Paritosh.Painter  and directed by Tanaaz.Irani and having a cast of 5 lady actors portrays the anguish,guilt and aspirations  of the wealthy and middle class city bred Indian woman.5 women accidentally meet in a remote train stations "Women's Waiting room" and as usual get into a conversation  prying into each other's lives and lifestyle.I have seen another popular womancentric play called the "VAGINA MONOLOGUES" and should say that this play also boldly  projected the fantasies and anguishes of a woman's perspective of life and living.The subject of "LESBIANISM" was also a shock in this play where homosexuality is normally always associated with males in Indian society.Finally all is well that end's well and all the 5 women exorcise their personal ghosts through discussion and advice from each other. As a male i found this play a Psychoanalysts study in deciphering female thinking and the female mind.

Wednesday(24-8-2016) GOODBYE "Blue Frog" :- A landmark nightclub in Mumbai "THE BLUE FROG" will be shutting permanently on Sunday(28-8-2016)..A series of Rock artists and groups will be playing the last farewell at this once iconic and expensive nightclub of India let alone Mumbai.     

          After ages attended a pure live "Heavy Metal show" organized by the nightclub titled the "Last Metal Night" featuring India's heavy metal groups "DIRGE", "LAST RIDE HOME","NOISEWARE" and "Bhayanak Maut".Although not very much a "Heavy Metal " music fan being too old for "Head-Banging" have attended a few pure "Heavy Metal" shows in Mumbai  even purchasing a cassette  of the Indian metal group "Brahma" that is now extinct and performing a guest gig with "SCRIBE", India's hippest Metal band.

Sadly it was the last music concert for me at the "BLUE FROG",one of India's hippest night clubs.."DIRGE" opened the Heavy Metal show followed by "LAST RIDE HOME".It was a jam packed "House-Full" crowd with booze all over the place.As the night became younger it was "NOISEWARE" who brought Wednesday night to a close followed by the last and most awaited act of "BHAYANAK MAUT" that went on until 0130 hrs of Thursday morning."BLUE FROG" will not be closing down shop in Mumbai but instead relocating and  expanding to two other locales in Mumbai.Cycled back home and saw the first celebrations of "Janmashtami" with a pot being broken outside our building.

"DELHI2DUBLIN" Performing at "High Street Phoenix" at Lower Parel in Mumbai.
Friday(25/11/2016)  Last Friday of the month  concert at High Street Phoenix (Lower Parel):- After my tour of South Africa  in September 2016 this was my first rock concert post arrival at home in Mumbai and back to normal daily living and "Internet" study.Was at the "Awestrung Concert" at "High Street Phoenix" in Lower Parel for the musical concert and felt the effect of "DEMONETIZATION".The first 2 acts of "Shivai" and later "Miss V Featuring Chaitanya" was almost playing to a empty ground !The Open - Air Concert was almost empty and even when the International acclaimed Canadian Music group "DELHI 2 DUBLIN" performed the last act there were not more than 200 in the audience ! "Delhi 2 Dublin" was a excellent act and a big Thank you to "High Street Phoenix" ,"Jack Daniel's" and "Blue Frog" for sponsoring the show,Enjoyed the Concert and due to the lack of a crowd felt i had attended a private concert ! How often do you get a International Rock act like "DELHI 2 DUBLIN" performing for a audience of 200 people or slightly less  A Great night to Bhangra drums 

Sunday(4-12-2016) "RIMES LITFEST-2016" AT MEHBOOB STUDIO:A Few photo's of some of the lectures and debates i attended during my tight schedule.My main focus was to meet and speak with India's foremost Crime reporter/Writer Mr Hussain.Zaidi and also the "U.S.A Presidential Elections " debate by former U.S.A Deputy Secretary of State Mr Strobe.Talbot and journalist Mrs Barbara.Ascher.

1)"Lost and Found in Translation" discussion featuring writers/reporters Vivek.Shanhag,Srinath.Perur,S.Anand and Jerry.Pinto. The moderator was Nilanjana .Roy.

2)Predator,Philanderer,Genius,Does runaway brilliance automatically lead to Rogue Libido ? :-Debate on what is to be "Censored" or "Written" regarding the taboo affairs and love lives of Celebrities or Political personalities.
Writers Mr Sunil.Khilnani,Aseem.Chabra, and Debotah.Cohen with moderator Pragya.Tiwari.

3) "The Journalist as Revolutionary" :-Egypt's "Tarir Square" activist Ahdaf.Souief discussion with South African writer Imran.Coovadia.

4)Writers Block,"Authors give their antidotes" :-Authors Katharine Boo,Tarini.Bedi, and Nalanjana.Roy with Moderator Srijana.Mitra.Das. 

A front row seat at "THE MIND OF A MANIAC" book discussion by authors Mr Hussain.Zaid and Mr Karan.Mahajan. 

                                                                                                                               

 Got to understand the difference between "ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM TERRORISM" and "ISLAM".Crime reporter and now the most popular and successful Crime writer in India Mr Hussain .Zaidi was a flop businessman who entered "Crime Journalism" because he was a "Muslim" and as most criminals were "Muslims" had better access to the criminals !He very nicely explained the difference between the common Indian Muslim and the criminals who have no religion but use religion as a cause for their terror.I As i have read most of his books asked him the "Bony Question" :- Do the criminals on whom he writes get any "Royalty" from his best-seller book" ? No was the answer.Fiction Writer Mr Karan Mahajan based in America and author of the books " Family Planning"  and recently in 2015  a crime novel titled " The Association of Dmall Bombs" explained the World of Terrorists and their ideology.After the lecture and discussion there was a "Author book-signing" and on the way to the book stall  took a "Selfie" with Bestseller authentic crime writer Mr S. Hussain.Zaidi.

Had a front row seat at the discussion titled "MAN WOMAN THING IN THE WORLD'S MOST BIZARRE ELECTION" between former Deputy Secretary of State Mr Strobe.Talbot and journalist Mrs Barbara.Ascher who is now his wife although holding on to her former surname.They got married in 2015 and both were widows.. 

                                                                                                                                     Was also mistaken to be the photographer by former Deputy Secretary of State Mr Strobe.Talbot when i took their photograph after the discussion.As a "Student of Political Science" was surprised at the open hostility by the Liberals towards Mr Donald Trump winning the elections and also the reasons of his victory.Journalist Barbara.Ascher  said that even a day before the voting all the American newspapers including the World's best reputed newspaper "The New York Times" had predicted a landslide win for Mrs Hillary.Clinton. She is based in New York and entire New York was expecting America's first woman President including young kindergarten school children. Mrs Barabara.Ascher had to explain to her grandchildren the election  loss of Hillary Clinton as the kids were totally depressed in school ! 

                                                                                                                Former Deputy Secretary of State Mr Strobe.Talbot explained the reason for America having the "ELECTORAL COLLEGE" which was the reason  Mr Donal.Trump won although he lost the popular American public votes. Congratulations to the "U.S.A" for its "Free Speech" Democracy otherwise no citizen would dare to voice opinions about a future President with the title of the most powerful decision maker on Planet Earth..

"Godrej Boyce & Co " the household name Indian company that mass produced the typewriter in India  had written a book on the "Typewriter"  titled "With Great truth and Regard" priced at Rs 2,500  which it had released on Thursday(1-12-2016), just a day before the "Times Litfest-2016" .. Once the most common machine for ,clerical staff ,students and authors was gradually  replaced  by the Computer with the last Typewriter manufacturing company in the World  "Godrej Boyce & Co" closing down its  factory in 2011..The Typewriter  is now almost totally phased out in offices and has become a museum relic for the 21st century generation of writers.Posed for a photo on a "Godrej Typewriter" for nostalgia as i still have a brand new unused Remington typewriter  in my house, a once common clerical  work tool of my father.I myself  typed a few "Letters to the Editor" from my  Dad's typewriter in a era where the now common  house hold computer let alone the "Internet" was a distant dream.

Shillong rock/Pop singer Mr Lou.Majaw was excellent and wonder how i am seeing him perform for the first time ?A Indian "Mick Jagger" performing at his age and that too in India He wore two different colored socks and was really out of the World in his showmanship and singing.He is famous in India for singing the "Cover albums" of Bob Dylan and in this photograph he is singing "Blowin in the Wind". Later .Got a "Free T-Shirt" from "Yes Bank" for modeling in the "Derby Hat".

                                             Sunday(17/12/2017) TIMES LITFEST 2017 
Sunday(17/12/2017) TIMES LITFEST 2017 :- A Glimpse of the "TIMES LITFEST" at Mehbob Studios in Bandra.Attended seminars on 1 ) DESPOTS THEN AND NOW " at JSW hall 2) THE COLD CRUEL WORLD OF UPPER CLASS CRIMES at Aditya Birla Hall 3) PARTITION AND POETRY IN GOLDEN SLIPPERS at Jsw Hall and 4) WHERE SPARROWS FALL on HDFC lawns.

ABOVE PHOTO :- "DESPOTS THEN AND NOW " L - R : Mr Shashi Tharoor,Mr Stephen.Kotkin,North Korean dissenter Hyeonseo Lee,moderator Mr Patrick French and Journalist Mr Rajdeep.Sardesai.
Excwllent debates and discussion  with a total packed "HOUSE-FULL" audience 

  
                                   .I had specially come to personally see and listen to politician/Author Mr Shashi.Tharoor and journalist Mr Rajdeep.Sardesai.They both didn't disappoint and should say that among politicians Mr Shashi.Tharoor is the "Mr HANDSOME"  in the looks department, absolutely sauve and cultured, aristocracy personified.Even if he was a ordinary citizen his presence in a crowd would not go unoticed.Mr Rajdeep.Sardesai brought back memories of his co journalist colleague Mr Arnab.Goswami whom i saw and watched in the same hall a few years before.The Talk began discussing World dictators Stalin  and the present North Korean dictator with references to American President Donald Trump.

                                                                                                                             .Mr Rajdeep.Sardesai lambasted dictators especially stressing on Prime Minister Indira.Gandhi and Shiv Sena Politician Bal.Thackeray.Discussed the manner in which dictators are born and created  while also stressing the fact that India's Democracy system has had a sobering effect on Dictators in India over the decades.He consider's present Prime Minister Narendra.Modi a dictator for stiffling the media.Its difficult to believe that Mr Rajdeep.Sardesai is the son of former Test Cricketer Dilip Sardesai as he is a icon  outside the World of "CRICKET" inherited from his father.HopedSachin.Tendulkar's son would take up some other profession besides cricket sinceas acricketer he will have the "CRICKET CURSE" of always being compared to his father which happened to Gavaskar's son Rohan.My adviceto "Celibrity Sports  Children" is quote," Always try to make a name for yourself in some other sport or profession rather than trying to inherit your celibrity  parent's  sport".Sports isdifferent from "Business","Politics" or the "Film Industry" where inheriting the parents profession is considered a birthright. My Salute to Rajdeep.Sardesai for carving a name and reputation for himself outside the World of India'ssecond largest unofficial religion "CRICKET".

Got to listen to discussions and debates by celebrity journalists poets and crime writers.Over the years i have been the "CITIZEN PHOTOGRAPHER" at this annual literary carnival.Its not daily that you hear and see literary luminaries like Politician/Writer Shashi.Tharoor,Journalist Rajdeep.Sardesai,Writer/Journalist Bachi.Karkaria,Bollywood Hindi poet Gulzar and Bird Lover/Naturalist Bikram.Grewal. A chance meeting with retired Admiral Vijai.Singh.Shekhawat while in the queue for "Despots then and now" was a life changing event as his simplicity and anonymity amazed my senses .Being from the "Merchant Navy" and having done my 4 -year Marine Engineering apprenticeship course in Mazagon Docks knew the STATUS of a ADMIRAL.He was in the same queue as me with no V.I.P Invitation ! Unbelievable.Still more bizarre was that he was not a celibrity although a 1971 Indo-Pak war hero before finally reaching the rank of Admiral of the Indian Navy.A minor Cricketer or actor would be mobbed at any event in India and he was startled when i requested him for a "SELFIE"..I quote WorldWar -2 American General Douglas MacArthur " OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE THEY JUST FADEAWAY".Akin to the Hollywood film "FORREST GUMP" have been accidentally or intentionally coming across various Famous,Infamous and common personalities along my travels through life and living lifestyle.Life is definitely not boring .
Top Photo :- A Chance "SELFIE"" with Retd Admiral of Indian Navy Mr Vijai Singh Shekhawat.

Mrs Bachi Karkaria and Supriya.Nair leaving the stage after discussing the infamous"NANAVATI MURDER TRIAL".

Above Photo :- "Cold Cruel World of Upper Class Crime" .Author Bachi.Karkaria discusses the infamous "NANAVATI MURDER CASE" with Moderator/Author Supriya.Nair.Bachi.Karkaria is a Indian Parsi journalist having onceservedasthe editor of the"Times of India".Author of a few books with her latest being the bestseller "In Hot Blood : The Nanavati Case that shook India".She discussedthe manner in which sheresearchedto write the book without any bias or preconceived judgement.She sympathised with the villain victim Mr Prem.Ahuja stating that he was a normal wealthy playboy of his era doing what most privileged men did and not the absolute vil;lain that the navy and Parsi media (Read"Blitz and Russi Karanjia)portrayed him to the public.Today all the real lifeactor's involved in India's most high profile murder aredead except Lawyer Ram.Jethmalani and Sylvia.Nanavati the main protoganist in the"NANAVATI MURDER TRIAL". A very informative discussion and wassurprizedthat although aParsi herselfshe had asoft corner as abiographer towaeds the main public villain Mr Prem.Ahuja.

Above Photo :-Partition and Poetry in Golden Slippers . Bollywood poet icon Gulzar discusses writing a book at the age of 80 with moderator  Rakshanda.Jalil. This has been the only Hindi discussion i have attended at the "Times Fest" over the years.Some of Gulzar;s chaste Urdu dialogues was beyond  my comprehension reminding me of Late American Indian Actor Tom Alter's fluency of chaste Hindi and Urdu.Gulzar discussed the affect of partition on his psyche and says that till today at times he gets nightmares although he was only 12 years old when he migrated from Pakistan to India.He witnessed murders during the partition and said that generations of Hindu-Muslim animosity is linked to the partition of India in 1947.My father experienced "Indo-Pak Partition" first hand during his employment on "B.I Ships" as a Tally Clerk  carting refugees from Karachi to Bombay and vice versa.

Above Photo :- "Where Sparrows Fall" a talk by Bird lover and naturalist  Bikram.Grewal

A Excellent talk on the beautiful open air H.D.F.C  lawns of Mehbob Studio.Bikram.Grewal is a Ornithologist, author and birdwathcher from Delhi whose 2002 book "Birds of India" has been a bestseller.He lamenteda about the rapid decline of variousspecies of birds most prominent being the"Great Indian Bustard" of which only 50 are left in the World.Regarding the vanishing of sparrowsfrom city's he reasoned that urbanization and rapid extinction of grassland parks in big city's could be a reason although the exact cause is yet to be established.According to him seems sparrows have now migrated from bustling city's into the suburban countryside where grassland's still exist.Explained the massacre of the Amur Falcon's in Hagaland which due to awareness and wildlife conservation educatioon among the tribals has now cease in the last few years geberating a tourist income through bird watcher tourists.Previously the Amur Falcon was killed in thousands just for human consumption akin to chicken.

"PREM JOSHUA AND BAND" performing.

                                                                                                                                                      Friday(16-12-2016) :- HOUSE-FULL at "HIGH STREET PHOENIX"  :-  Experienced the first "Christmas Yuletide" of 2016 at "High Street Phoenix Mall" at Lower Parel in Mumbai.

                      A Kids Christmas party at the "Palladium" mall.One of the largest artificial Christmas tree in Mumbai on display at the Mall. Shop to glory.The proceeds of this "Kids Christmas Party" was for underprivileged kids."Yes Santa Claus does give underprivileged kids gifts".Later attended the "Monthly Fix" in the open air ground of the mall. For the first time in my life attended a "Live" Hindustani Fusion classical concert and it was excellent. The First performance was "FILTER COFFEE" followed by :PREM JOSHUA AND BAND"."Filter Coffee" has been performing fusion music in the Corporate sector to earn their living and also cut a few discs in the process.The two members performing were Shriram Sampat on the flute and Singer Swarupa Ananth, a student of Tabla Maestro Zakir.Hussain who plays Percussion's.Next was "Prem Joshua and Band" . 

                                                                              Thanks to "free " Friday monthly "Awesome concerts" at "High Street Phoenix" that i have been exposed to different genres of music which otherwise would never have attended .A total "Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop and Hindi film music" fan. Prem.Joshua was amazing in his versatility in playing different Indian instruments and felt i was seeing Pandit Ravi.Shankar performing at Woodstock. J Joshua learned to play the sitar from Ustad Usman Khan and Osho. Osho inspired him and his music. Joshua has released much-acclaimed albums like Hamsafar, Desert Visions, Secret Of The Wind, Water Down The Ganges, Shiva Moon, Dance Of Shakti, and Luminous Secrets and  remixes of his own tunes in Dakini Lounge..His band has their music based on a fusion of Hindu and Sufi religious chants and at present  the 5 accompanying members  are Raul.Sengupta,Dondieu Divin,Satgyen.Fakuda and the Indian lady vocalist Sandhya.Sanjana from Delhi.,The band members are all different nationalities, a authentic Fusion of different cultures and nationalities.

                                            "STOMP"  :- Actors after the Performance.
Sunday(18-12-2016) N.C.P.A:- Watched  the last day's last  show of "STOMP" ,the International act from West End in London at the "Jamshed Bhabha  Theatre ".in N.C.P.A Complex.A "House-Full" crowd as do almost all foreign theatres performing in Mumbai.Stomp is a percussion group, originating in Brighton, UK that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance. 

  Stomp was created by Luke Cresswell, John McAuley and Steve McNicholas in Brighton, United Kingdom in 1991. Stomp is a joyful, witty and wordless show that has been seen all over the world. A young eight-member cast  consisting of 6 men and two women creates beautiful music and sly humor with found objects: Zippo lighters, push brooms, wooden poles, hammer handles, garbage cans, inner tubes, matchboxes—and yes, even the kitchen sink.The performers use a variety of everyday objects as percussion instruments in their shows.In August 2012, Stomp contributed to the musical segment of the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London. Something totally different with the 8 young actors proving that "Menial Labour" and daily mundane chores can also be a source of humour and mega dollars in ticket sales to a audience.The ticket prices in Mumbai were Rs 4,500 for the front row seats and Rs 750 for the cheapest last row seats on which i was seating This is  my usual permanent seats for expensive theatre which also requires advance booking as they sell first even if the show is a ticket sales flop..This unique act has been running since 1991 in West End and also touring different parts of the Globe proving their act is no fad or gimmick. As for me found it average and worth seeing once due to its novelty and the fact  that it is totally different from normal theatre or music.

Entire Starcast of the play "MUGHAL-E- AZAM" with Director Mr Feroz.Abbas.Khan

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Sunday(15-1-2017) Hindustani play MUGHAL-E-AZAM :- Saw my first play of New Year-2017 which was the classic stage production of "Mughal-E-Azam" at Jamshed Bhabha auditorium in "N.C.P.A Complex" in Mumbai. Had booked tickets well in advance in 2016 for this blockbuster play.

The play has been a "HOUSE-FULL" for all the shows on all the days from 5-1-2017 to 15-1-2017. Today was the last day's last show. A real masterpiece production on stage of the classic original movie.For the audience like me not well versed in "Urdu language" there were subtitles on a screen at both port and starboard sides of the auditorium.One of the most lavish stage sets in India by a Indian producer that i have seen to date.Another unbelievable act was that all the 12 songs enacted during the play had the actors actually singing the songs and it was not "LIP-SYNC" to taped recorded music.

A Classic mural on the road of "RAMPART ROW" in KALA GHODA precinct.The Origins of Bombay now Mumbai.


Friday(10-2-2017) KALA GHODA FESTIVAL :- The "Kala Ghoda" festival and the "Indian Derby" occur in the same week and today had a walk along "Rampart Row" in Kala Ghoda.

Excellent art decor themes as usual with the "Kala Ghoda" being the main centre of the festival.Later as usual attended the free theatre concert at the heritage "Horniman Circle Garden" and watched Rajat.Kapoor's play " Nothing like Lear", a one man comedy show with a mishmash of impersonation of a Portuguese clown narrating the tragic Shakespearean play. Rajat.Kapoor put a excellent display as the European clown complete with a European accent and local Indian sexual repartee with the audience.Something different.While returning home got fined along with a few other motorists by the traffic cops for jumping a signal although according to me it was a "Green Light".One person could have jumped a traffic light but not a few cars and motorcyclists ! ? Remember you can't argue with the cops and so i paid the fine as did the other motorcyclists.Hence the concert proved expensive and seemed like the joke of "Nothing like Lear" was on me the motorcyclist ! A excellent evening and hope Mumbai's "KALA GHODA" precinct is preserved as a "Heritage Locality" and not razed to build skyscrapers as is happening in most of South Mumbai including our locality of Prabhadevi.

 "Chocolate Puma","Tommy Sunshine" and "Sandro Silva" performed their "DJ" acts to a house-full crowd of teenagers and  the youth of Mumbai .Can you recognize a familiar face in the crowd impersonating Rock icon Mick.Jagger ?

Friday(24-2-2017)Awesome concert at High Street Phoenix" :-  :- At the "Last Friday of the Month Awesome" music concert at "High Street Phoenix" in Parel . "Chocolate Puma","Tommy Sunshine" and .Sandro Silva performed their "DJ" acts..Zki & Dobre, known by many aliases, but currently most well known as Chocolate Puma (alternatively as The Good Men or The Goodmen), are a Dutch DJ duo and producers from Haarlem, Netherlands consisting of Gaston Steenkist ("Dobre") and René ter Horst ("DJ Zki"). were the opening performance followed by "Tommy Sunshine".   

                                         Tommie Sunshine (born Thomas Lorello; March 26, 1971) is a record producer, remixer, DJ and songwriter of electronic music from Chicago currently living in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for creating dance remixes to popular rock and alternative songs.The last artist was "Sandro Silva".Shandro Jahangier (born Zoetermeer, Netherlands February 19, 1992), better known by his stage name Sandro Silva, is a Dutch DJ and record producer.A "Houseful Crowd" of youth and its definitely better getting "HIGH" on music than "Booze" or "Drugs". A excellent evening and at "Every Last Friday" of the month learning new genres of music at "High Street Phoenix" in Mumbai. Photo :- "Tommy Sunshine" along with "Sandro Silva".

Sunday(1-10-2017) "UNDER THE GYPSY MOON" at St Andrew's Auditorium :-  After a long gap saw this play at  St Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra. This play was based on the Bengali story "Srikanta" written in 1917 by the Bengali writer Sarat.Chandra.Chattopadhyay..                                                                                                                                

This play was sponsored by the Aditya Birla Group's "Aadyam Theatre"  and has been adapted and directed for the English stage by Mr Akash.Khurana. On entering the auditorium foyer was greeted by the soothing classical live music of the Tabla and flute by two male artists.The play was akin to a English opera with the main protagonist "Srikanta" narrating his biography through childhood and into adulthood with various actors enacting the same on stage.The music vocals were in Bengali and hence couldn't understand the lyrics but the costumes,direction,recital and story of the play was excellent. Srikanta describes his journey from a small Bengali village to Burma in search of employment and the female personalities he encounters during his lifetime  who help him shape his views and opinions on life and living.In 2017 its difficult to believe that the author wrote this story in 1917 as although not a Bengali nor a Hindu i could relate to the character Srikant as i am sure could most of the audience through their own experiences.This story is definitely relevant in any era or generation as human nature has been constant throughout civilization . When the play came to a end at 2100 hrs came out of the auditorium with one immortal quote from one of the female personalities, quote, " I have been travelling throughout my life in search of a home and yet to find one " ! Yes i was also a "Gypsy traveller under a moon" although in a different era and different cultural background.After the play at the exit the audience were given a complimentary "Kolkotta Paan" and looking in the sky realized it was a "Half Moon"and not a "Full Moon" .

"SINGLE" :-  STARCAST OF THE 9 "SINGLE "  PLAYS :- L- R:- Sushil.Shreya.Mishraa,Devi.Gianneti,Karan.Pandit and Vishal.Handa,

Sunday19/11.2017) :-  Having seen play's in almost all the prominent venues in Mumbai suddenly came across the adverisement for the  play "SINGLE" staged at the "Jeff Goldberg Studio" at Bandra.

                                                                                                                                                  Booked my online ticket and at 2100 hrs  on Sunday with the help of my Smartphone GPS rode to Bandra and located the building "LINKS".The Studio venue was on the fourth floor of this tall common residential building with the entire fourth floor of this building being the "JEFF GOLDBERG STUDIO"."Jeff Goldberg Studio" is a Theatre academy run by Mr Jeff.Goldberg a American teaching various courses in "ACTING" at this Institute.The walls of the Studio Apartment was filled with framed photographs of students of the academy akin to a school or college.For the first time in my life i was viewing a play in a building and although "House-Full" the small converted apartment studio seemed to have a maximum capacity of less than 120 viewers.A bit of a miniaturized form of Prithvi theatre in Juhu,The young crowd were all definitely below 30 years of age barring myself and another gentleman who bizzarely resembled controversial Industrialist Mr Vijay.Mallya.Talk about "SINGLE LOOK-ALIKES"  in the next play ?Definitely one of the hippest fashion crowd  representing the elite  youth fashion and psyche  of Mumbai with actor and director Karan .Pandit being just 27 years of age and "SINGLE" being his "Bonny(Hindi slang for First)"  play of his newly formed theatre company "Dionysiac" established in 2017."SINGLE" consisted of  9 different monologue plays enacted on the small stage  with the theme relating to the "Single" individual.The Monologue plays were as follows in serial order 1)BOXES  played by Devi.Giannetti 2) LET'S SETTLE played by Vishal.Handa 3) GROW UP INDIA played by Karan.Pandit.4) FORBIDDEN FRUIT played by Sushrii Shreya Mishraa 5) SCHOOLED played by Devi Giannetti. 6) LONE DRINKING played by Vishal.Handa 7) EK NUMBER Played by Karan Pandit in Hindi language.8) LUCKILY LUCK LUCK played by Sushrii Shreya Mishraa and 9 ) ACTOR'S SINGLE played by Karan Pandit..Original writings depicting the thoughts,anxiety's and complexes of  the characters taken from people of various professions and lifestyle.Something different and came out of the building at 2345 hrs with a little understanding of the lifestyle and thoughts of the elite youth of 21st century Mumbai and  India.

Friday (24/11/2017) High Street Phoenix: - At the last Friday of the month FREE CONCERT at " High Street Phoenix Awestrung at Lower  Parel in Mumbai " featuring Arunaja and her band.After her performance the next group that followed was Benny Dayal and Functuation.,

                                                                                 It was  " Black Friday " shopping at the Palladium mall in High Street Phoenix.Mum's brother Uncle Godwin.Gonsalves and my cousin Hubert.Gonsalves happened to visit Mumbai from Mangalore for the funeral of  Mum's sister Aunt Jilla(Juliana.D'silva) who had expired at the age of 90 years.According to me if a person has lived above the age of 80 years then the death of the person should be celebrated rather than mourned.After Aunt Jilla's funeral Uncle Godwin and cousin Hubert stayed at my residence and hence decided to take Hubert to High Street Phoenix for a glimpse of Mumbai's Mall culture.This was Hubert's first visit to Mumbai  and  the open air rock concert was definitely a novelty for a man accustomed to village entertainment and lifestyle. Visited the Palladium Mall  and posed for a memoir photo at the famous "Laughter Club". "Laughing is better than crying " and " Window Shopping " the best sightseeing  in a .Mall .

Saturday(23/12/2017) "MILLION DOAAR QUARTET" at N.C.P.A :-  Watched the 1930 hrs show of the Broadway and Westend play "Million Dollar Quartet" which is a true life piece of "Roch History" enacted in play form with 20 Classical numbers. 

                                                                                                                                                                                        On 4th December 1956, music producer Sam Phillips brought Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis together for an impromptu jam session at Sun Records Studios in Memphis, where they recorded some of the biggest rock ‘n’ roll hits of all time. This is the story of that night. Brought to life by director Ian Talbot .It was akin to watching a "Live Rock Concert" on  stage.The play was Written by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux

Directed by Ian Talbot
Cast: Rhys Whitfield, Martin Kaye, Robbie Durham, Peter Duncan

Saturday(16/12/2017)  "PET FED CARNIVAL -2017) :- As mentioned previously  my cat's "Matahari" and "Matata" were catalysts in starting Mumbai's first "Cat Club" and have entered their photographs for the "Royal Canin" pet calender over the years.  

                                                                                                 This year on entering their photographs  got 2 free entry passes costing Rs 299 each to the first "Pet Fed " carnival held on Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday made my usual "Bonny(First)" visit early before  starting time of the " PET FED CARNIVAL " at MMRDA grounds at B. K.. C.The Carnival timings was from  11 Am to 9 Pm today and tomorrow.As i was one of the first entrants the ground was almost empty at 1100hrs and also had to return baack home abruptly as my Maternal Cousin Mr Franklin .Ferts from Perth was to be my guest for lunch.Rode back home and after a excellent afternoon of lunch with Franklin made my way back to the "Pet Fed " carnival at 1600 hrs.The ground was now crowded with dogs and dog owners beside's the normal visitors.Was flooded with memories of my own two pet dogs i owned over the years between 1976 to 1994, the Spitz bitch "Blondie(1976 -1984)" and the prize winning dachshund "Lucky(1984 - 1994".As i strolled across the various pet stalls realized that pet ownership was now a luxury hobby of non-human companionship.

Suddenly spotted some telivision crew filming a tall handsome man being interviewed by a young lady and on inquiry was told that he was the Hindi acto Mr Dino.Morea who was to be the chief Guest for the evening.Have seen a few films of Dino Morea and should say he seemed ordinary in looks like the average hip college Millenial youth and  is of Italian descent having his own restaurant and a known pet lover although his foray into the film industry was average.I am being judgemental after having seen almost most of the top actors and actresses of 20th Century  Bollywood of my generation as well as  my seniour   role models  over  decades of Horse race-course visits.Yes, the Mahalaxmi racecourse is one of the ideal placesto spot Celibrities and the Film fraternity expecially on "INDIAN DERBY DAY".Walking around came across the Millenial generation of pet owners of Mumbai and realized that the 1990's when i last took my dog for dog shows seemed "Third world" compared to what i was viewing today at the Pet Carnival.This was a "First World Pet Carnival" and for the first time in my lifetime  in India had come across the exorbitant entry fee of Rs 299/person.I haveattended Dog showsand pet carnivalsall over India over the decades .Most of the Dogs had a "Pant " or a "Shirt" on them which on inquiry at the "Designer Pet  Clothing Stall" cost more that human clothing on "Fashion Street" or "Linking road" of Mumbai ! Now onwards i wouldn't be amazed if i read that a pet owner has bequeathed his or her entire wealth to a pet dog,cat or bird .Millionaire pet owners in Mumbai are spending a lumpsum amount on their pets akin to spending on ther human children.I myself consider my two cat's irreplaceable in my life akin to human personalities and after attendin this pet festival realized i am not the craziest pet owner.
There was a drinks stall and numerous food stalls on the ground .

Came across 3 year old Toy poodle " KIMUTAKU " bred by Mr Sanjeev. Kumar, the proprietor of " Scooby Scrub " pet grooming Salon. This Toy poodle in the photo above was worth only Rs 18 Lakhs and he is the costliest poodle in India.

Pet owners with their pets on the main centre stage in a contest of detection for their respective pooches.

Came across various breeds of dogs most common bein Labrador breed.The Labrador in the photo named "Puzo" is mimicking Santa Claus's "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer".I myself personally do not like treating my pets as human beings by dressing them in pants or shirts but then everyone has a pet opinion and the ancillary pet clothing and beauty grooming business is a multi crore Rupee Industry in India let alone First World Country's with higher per-capita incomes.Insn't the richest Asian a Indian living in Mumbai ? Wonder if Mukesh Ambani has a pet dog or cat.The entire Pet carnival was well organized with mobile van air-conditioned toilets .the first time i used a mobile air conditioned toilet in India.Came across just two pet cats among the entire crowd of pet dog owners.One of the cats was a ultra face Persian while the other a normal mowgie cat with both dressed in pants by their lady owners.As mentioned "PET BUSINESS" is now "BIG BUSINESS" in India and came across a stall advertising "Pet Flights" for pet's.The owner is charged according to the volume of the "Carrier Crate" and not the weight of the Pet.The Company "AIRPETS(www.airpets.in)" is in the business of transporting pets all over the World.

Above is the photo of the "CAT CAFE STUDIO" with all the delicious eatables to be purchased and consumed in the company of cat's at their restaurant situated near Versova Metro in Andheri. The Cat Studio restaurant has 40 stray cats and the first of its kind in India..Below is the photo of the designer brand "PET CLOTHING" for sale.It was doing brisk business.Akin to the abrupt cost of housing in South and Central Mumbai realized that "PET OWNERSHIP" in the 21st century in India is a luxury hobby and not a common passion.Affording and caring for a pet isakin to caring for a human in terms of medical veterinarian costs ,feeds. and "Pet Babysitting" costs while away on holidays or away from your pet.

ATTENDING THEATRE IN 2021 AFTER THE RE-OPENING OF CONCERT HALLS/CINEMA THEATRES IN MUMBAI POST "COVID-19" PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN THAT BEGAN IN March 2020.

Sunday(14/2/2021):- Made it a point to attend my first concert after almost one and half year as a VALENTINE DATE at my young age ! ."COVID -19" has totally decimated theatre and live entertainment..Never ever attended a concert wearing a mask and hence memories for posterity as also seeing a bizzare seating arrangement with " SOCIAL DISTANCING ".As far as concerts are concerned I am unashamedly a name -dropper having seen all the Mega hit English, Hindi, Konkani and Marathi concerts in Mumbai city.But honestly todays " SAALI AADHI GHARWALI " will be cherished just for the circumstances under which I viewed this concert.

The play starcast was :- Suchit .Kumar, Sunny.Bhushan,Ketaki.Reshma,Pranali.Sanjay,Nutan.Jayant and Jaypal. The play started late at 2030 hrs and was a slapstick sex based commedy on the subject of infidility with a "Gay Character" adding colour to the sex confusion.One non humorous fact i have observed both in Hindi cinema and in Hindi as well as regional play's is the depiction of 'Gay Characters" as out and out misfits of society bordering on the ridiculous.

I wonder what opinion Ashok.Row.Kavi and Karan.Johar have when they watch Hindi cinema or play's and i have yet to see a Hindi film star of Amitabh.Bachchan or Shah Rukh.Khan's stature portray a "Gay Hero" or "Gay Villain" as seriously as they would act normal heterosexual male characters. As for "Gay Women" it looks like they are non-existant in Indian society and rarely depicted on screen.For my age and experience of life i personally found this play ridiculous although i am sure the younger generation would have got tickled and excited.This concert today was definitely a massive loss in terms of audience and "Ticket Sales" due to "COVID-19" social distancing spacing of seats as well as a miniscule theatre audience.Hope this play makes money once normalcy resumes in normal life and entertainment.As i left the hall after the play and got onto my "Royal Enfield Standard Bullet 350" little did i realize that a real life play was to be enacted on my ride back home . My motorcycle suddenly slowed down approaching " Siddhivinayak under construction Metro station " at Prabhadevi and just refused to start.So close to home and yet so far. At 2300 hrs in the night parked my bike at a bylane opposite the under construction Metro station and walked to my house.Next morning got the motorcycle repaired and rode it back home.A unforgettable night of viewing "Saali Aadhi Garwali".

ABOVE PHOTO :- Starcast of "DANCE LIKE A MAN", a original Indian English classic play by playwright Mahesh.Dattani was first staged decades ago in 1989. The present play staged by "The Primetime Theatre CO'S" and directed by Lillette.Dubey has been one of the longest running English plays now in its 26th year . A photo of the Star-Cast after the end of the play : Lillette Dubey, Ananth Mahadevan, Suchitra Pillai & Joy Sengupta.

ABOVE PHOTO :- Attending th play with a "MASK" and "Social distance spacing" between the seated audience .Future memories of watching play's during the time of "COVID-19" pandemic across India and the World.

Saturday(20/2/2021) After almost 2 years attending a play at " PRITHVI THEATRE" in Juhu", my once common watering hole for play's when in Mumbai. Somehow this Indian English classic " DANCE LIKE A MAN " was alway's elusive on my theatre resume list .Today it was houseful and believe it or not the waiting period for a seat at the coveted chic Prithvi Cafe itself required a hour on the waiting list."DANCE LIKE A MAN" has performed all over the Globe in the last two decades from New Zealand to the West Coast of U.S.A as well as other Country's. A authentic original Indian English language play with International attraction among the vast Indian diaspora as well as non-Indian origin foreigners.

The outdated quote " A woman in a man 's profession is seen as progressive but a man in a women's profession is seen as reggressive ", sum's up the theme and backbone of this English language play written by popular Indian playwright Mahesh.Dattani which is definitely his most popular play.In 21st century India at times males excel in women oriented job's and are not frowned or ridiculed in society . Women are normally associated with cooking and the kitchen in a average Indian household but with men learning the art of cooking it's strange but true that the majority of Indian and World celibrity chef's are men and not women.A glaring case where men have been overwhelmingly successful in a women's World.

As I was 2 hrs early got the first row seat handshake distance from the stage." SOCIAL DISTANCING " by means of a wooden plank between seats and wearing of face masks made it a unique viewing play.Excellent starcast and acting.The play was HOUSEFULL and even if illiterate in Bharat Natyam dance nor a theater addict like me please make it mandatory to see this play akin to seeing a classic Hindi or English movie.The play started at 2100 hrs and got over at 2300 hrs.Could identify with the play not due to the "Bharat Natyam Dancing" subject as i am a horrible dancer in any form of dancing let alone "Bharat Natyam" or "Ballet" which are the toughest forms of dancing but the very fact that my father resented my entry into the "WORLD OF STOCK MARKETS" and speculation.His ambition for me was to be a dutiful , obedient employee of any privileged Shipping company or office throughout my life akin to his own employment life story.Destiny played a strange role in my life with me deciding to study "Law" but thanks to my chilhood school classmate Mr Biju.J.Karian that i managed to get a esteemed seat as a "Marine Engineer Apprentice" in Mazagon Dock Ltd and the rest as they say is history .After employment in the "Merchant Navy" for a good 23 years bizarrely in 2006 due to my own father's failing health due to "Old Age" circumstances decided to quit shipping employment for good and plunged full-time into my vocation and part-time hobby/talent of "Stocks/Speculation".If alive my parents would have suspected if i was actually their child and not exchanged at birth by a hospital nurse comitting a error as my genes and personality are a total opposite contrast of the orthodox personality and "Fixed Deposit/Bank Simple Interest" talent of wealth accumulation by my parents who died "Middle Class" with a ambition their son would one day own a car employed in a respectable multinational company! Before me no one in the family has made a success in the World of speculation having been middle class working Catholic Indians, a community that has given India numerous school's, college's and charitable institutions.The reason for the longivity and relevance of "DANCE LIKE A MAN" is for the simple fact that anyone in the audience could identify with the family tussle this play depicts .How many of us have rebeled against our parents opinions of shaping our career or future and been successful in our own chosen professional paths or life choices or worse even failures for not heeding their advice ?

A doctor ,actor ,musician,writer or a cricketer wants his or her son to continue their legacy and same also applies to "Business and political family" dynasties. What if the child rebel's against the parent's choice of a profession or is a failure in the same and a disappointment to the family or a financial catastrophe to a Industrialist empire ? Later if married and having children the saga continues for the next generation akin to a soap opera in parts and different generations. Hence according to me "DANCE LIKE A MAN" will always be a evergreen relevant play to any generation or sex.My mother who favoured my entry into the "Stock Market " strongly opposed my plans of riding a 2-wheeler due to safety factor's for the simple fact that as a only child i was the sole heir to their hard earned income.If i had other siblings i doubt she would have been that much concerned although definitely protective of my welfare as are all parents.In India or across the World, dynasty propagation is a fact of life and not confined to political or blue blooded wealthy families but also the average citizen.It was only after her death in 2004 that i learnt to ride a motorcycle at the age of 44 years when the majority of my age group peers were into fast/slow car's , chauffeur driven vehicles or graduated into playboy's with motorcycle toy's for proving that age is just a numerical number.Ahoy ! In hindsight my mother's fears were prophetic and miraculously in 2021 could claim the title of "The Man who defied death/ limb dislocation through 4 motorcycle accidents" and yet riding ! If i had to heed my mother's warnings would have definitely avoided these motorcycle accidents but would have never ever realized the passion of riding thousands of kilometers on a open two wheeler akin to riding a horse.Remember, in life and living lifestyle you win some and lose some in all endeavours good or bad,dangerous or passive.People have died or met with serious accidents sitting in their house with the roof collapsing or a simple daily chore like walking on a footpath and being hit by a vehicle over which the driver has lost control.Thankfully my ride back home after the play was as pleasant as a " Professional rider on a Moto Gp Ride ". "Dance like a Man" is one play that will stay in my memory bank for eternity. Ahoy!

Above Photo :- Cast of "CINEMA MON AMOUR" Sunday(23/10/2021) CINEMA MON AMOUR :- Theatres and auditoriums finally opened in Mumbai after relaxation of " Covid 19" safety protocol.

After over 2 years visited St Andrew's in Bandra to watch the play" CINEMA MON AMOUR".This play was being staged at the " St Andrew's centre for philosophy and performing arts" college and not the main large St Andrew's auditorium,my usual "Adda" for play's.This tiny auditorium is equivalent to a large room in a Apartment flat and was aesthetically decorated with film and theatre posters.Not more than 30 in the audience and it was akin to attending a private play in a house. Cinema Mon Amour is the story of a ruined relationship, a reflection of our heartaches and our irreparable losses. Let's meet life via cinema and cinema via life. 'CINEMA MON AMOUR' Written and Directed by 'Omkar Bhatkar'. "Two people might always love each other but will never end up together." -- Jean-Luc Godard What is it to meet someone you once loved, after fourteen years and talk about the days gone by and revisit the time spent in university pursuing philosophy? What it is to meet that one person with whom you could talk about your love for Terrence Malick and Abbas Kiarostami? What it is to talk about cinema, life, art and the pathos of things? The 90 minuites play revolves around two former lover's meeting in a cafe after 14 years and the same enacted by actors Mr Firdaus.Bohari ans Ms Archana.Bora.Excellent background music during reflections of some poignant moments of their conversation.Haven't we all have had some "Broken romantic relationship's " in our lifetime ? Yes, a majority can indentify with this philosophical play.

Thursday(30/12/2021) "CATCH 22" :- The Year 2021 was a tumultuos year for the entire World due to "Covid 19" pandemic travel and economic restrictions beside's claiming human lives.Someone said that i alway's thrive in adversity and to me the year 2021 was not total confinement at home or economic doom as in January i motorcycled 2000 Kms from Mumbai to the "Great Rann of Kutch" in Gujarat and back to Mumbai providentially escaping serious injuy in a motorcycle accident. A "CATCH 22" situation !Next in March travelled by rail to Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Chittorgadh in Rajasthan rediscovering the history i studied at school.Finally in October/November when International travel partially opened travelled to Dubai and re-educated myself on the method of making your money work for you by exploring the human ingenuity of building artificial monolithic structures and parks with the help of unlimited money by purchasing the World's top human brain power.Decided to end year 2021 with a play and what better than American author Joseph.Heller's "CATCH 22" published in 1961 and made into a film in 1970 that was being staged at the "Prithvi Theatre " in Juhu.

Ticket was modest at Rs 350 taking into consideration that the play would be staged at almost half normal capacity due to social distancing norms.As a Satirist myself and hence still thriving in adversity had finally caught up with "CATCH 22". Left my house in Old Prabhadevi on my "Standard Bullet 350" getting my rear brakes adjusted at a local workshop before heading to distant Juhu .As a survivor of 3 near death motorcycle accidents and still passionately a hard core motorcyclist although never involved in any kind of warfare could understand the psyche of the main character in the novel Captain John.Yossarain who is caught in a viscious "Catch 22" situation. Finally "OLD AGE" or a FATAL ACCIDENT" might cause me to give up riding my"Standard BULLET 350",the world's oldest branded motorcycle , a "CATCH 22" situation.Ahoy !What i love most about "Prithvi Theatre" is its simple sophisticated ambiance akin to the Mahalaxmi racecourse.When i entered Prithvi premises two cats were sleeping on the main foyer entrance akin to professional greeter's.Tried for space in its famous outdoor restaurant for its famed signature snacks/drinks but the same had a waiting list.

The Play was "House-full" and for the first time viewed partial male nudity depicted on the Indian Stage. Main Protagonist Captain John.Yossarian is shown almost fully nude from the back side as the play opens to the audience with a song.Well enacted and set in the original format and not Indianised as are some plays.Aren't we all human's always in a "CATCH 22" situation in various aspects of our life and lifestyles. How many employee's genuinely like their boss and vice versa how many Boss's like all their employee's but are yet forced to work with them , a "CATCH 22" situation.How many marriage's are in a "CATCH 22" situation ? Thank's to the term "CATCH 22" infilterating all walks of the English language that the play is relevant ,although a war movie in a different era of the theatre of war. Ahoy !

Above Photo :- The Starcast of "JEENE BHI DO YAARO".

Whether you are a "BACHELOR" like your's truly or a "SPINSTER" or "MARRIED" , this play depicts the story of beyond the curtains household life of a young couple who had a love marriage but whose marraige turns sour after just a year into marriage.What happen's after the romance that finally end's in "MARRIAGE" ? A hilarious and true to life story that every person in the audience could identify with as being in the same awkward positions as the protoganists in the play sometime in their life."Yatri Theatre Group" were having a theatre festival of their play's from 25-30th January 2022" at Prithvi Theatre" celebrating their 43rd year in the theatre entertainment business and the festival director was Mr Om.Katare. Last Republic Day(2021) i was in the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat on a Solo motorcycle Safari from Mumbai.With " Omicron" pandemic again closing travel in 2022 it was a quite evening motorcycle ride to Juhu on Republic Day for watching the Hindi adult play " Jeene Bhi Do Yaaro" at 2000 hrs at the Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai.Mumbai's freak chill weather forced me to wear a winter jacket normally worn in ice conditions.Again i couldn't get a seat at the famed "Prithvi Cafe" and had to skip dinner for a morsel of a snack.The two resident stray cat's of Prithvi Theatre estate were prominently prowling around the foyer of the theatre entrance adding to the beauty of this picturesque small theatre complex. The writer and Director of the play is Mr Om.Katare, a veteran theatre personality who also plays the prominent role of the Ascetic bachelor brother(Bade Bhaya)in this play who consoles and mediates between the warring young married couple, his brother played by actor Prashant.Upadhyay(Adheer.Prasad) and the wife played by Sailee.Gaekwad(Divya.Prasad).Actor Nysha.Bijlani (Anita.Srivastava) as the sister of Sailee.Gaekwad(Divya.Prasad) has a hilarious role of the modern free living and free thinking spinster woman .Anup.Balyan as the "Waiter" adds to the massala of this "Bed-room" drama that has the audience rooted in guilt embarrassment and the fact that it's common in Indian society. The play has a "Happy Ending" and my prediction is that this play which first had its debut in 2016 will alway's be relevant irrespective of a time frame or generations.

" Candida " at St Andrews. 

Sunday(3/4/2022):- Got my " Play Fix" by seeing the play " Candida" at St Andrews Centre of Philosophy and performing Arts( Bandra).This was the first play which i watched without wearing a "Face Mask" as the "Copvid 19" mandatory wearing of face masks was lifted just a day before on Saturday(2/4/2022) which happened to be "Gudi Padwa day(Maharashttrian New Year)".

" Candida "

Since March 2020 the entire Globe including India wore "Face masks" and strangely it had also become a "fashion statement" during the pandemic ."Candida" was written by George.Bernard.Shaw in 1894 and published in 1898.The central characters are clergyman James Morell, his wife Candida and a youthful poet, Eugene Marchbanks, who tries to win Candida's affections.Apart from the theme of love and marriage, the play explores a number of minor themes. The themes are freedom of women in Victorian society to choose her own way of life ,to choose between security and freedom and between domesticity and boundless imagination.

Candida 

Going against the popular belief and notion is what Shaw is famous for and in his play “Candida”, through the protagonist, the playwright attempts to shatter the idea that women would always prefer the stronger man.I was seated on the first row seat in this tiny apartment style auditorium and it was a relief watching a play under normal conditions.

" Julius Ceaser " at Opera House 

Sunday(17/4/2022):- At the " Royal Opera House" viewed Shakespeare's play " Julius Ceaser" from 1900 -2130 hrs .This play was actually supposed to begin its premier in 2020 but " Covid 19" put a halt to entertainment across Mumbai for 2 years and finally in 2022 this best selling play has been staged in Mumbai." JULIUS CEASER" first performed in 1599 AD is the single most successful play among all of William Shakespeare's plays that has been performed in different Country's ,languages and editions across the centuries by different actor's and some of its quotes have become the anchor of the " ENGLISH LANGUAGE".Jeff.Goldberg , the Director of this play who also play's the role of Ceaser is a New York born actor who has made Mumbai his home having established the " The Jeff Goldberg Studio" in Bandra that teaches " Method Acting" and also conducts play's and comedy nights at its venue in Bandra, a la Prithvi theatre style but much smaller.A glimpse of a few snapshots from this play .

Opera House 

One major flaw in the renovation of " Opera House" is the absence of a elevator( Lift) for access to " Dress Circle" and " Balcony" .It's a long staircase walk for " Balcony Ticket" holders which is definitely stressful for aged patrons of the theatre.Hope a " LIFT" is added in a renovation of the building.Opera House is a true replica of a European Opera theatre and thank God it was not demolished but restored and now a jewel in the crown of theatres in Mumbai,the only opera house in entire India

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY at N.C.P.A 

.

" International Jazz Day " 
A chance encounter with numero 
Uno Hindi film villain actor 
Prem Chopra. 

Uno(30/4/2022):'- At the Eleventh edition of " International Jazz Day" concert at Tata Theatre at N.C.P.A came across the grand villain of Hindi cinema " Prem Naam Hain Mera, Prem Chopra". At 86 years young Mr Prem Chopra is ageing gracefully like wine although he uses a walking stick for support.A photographic memoir .

International Jazz Day celebration 

Every concert goer got a complimentary drink and I tried " Hot Mead" for the first time. "Covid 19" pandemic had closed all theatres and live performances in Mumbai since March 2020 and it was exhilarating enterting the auditorium after a gap of 2 years.The Event curated by the Godfather of Jazz in India Mr. Louiz Banks was presented by NCPA and an initiative by Gigatainment.This year the Jazz Day celebration had over 25 Artists performing to straight ahead jazz, jazz funk, jazz fusion, acapella, progressive jazz and other forms that were alien to me as i am not much of a Jazz connouisseur but just a casual music fan.

As a novice Jazz student admired Harsh.Bhavsar on the saxophone accompanied by Louiz Banks,Gino.Banks,Rhythm.Shaw and Sheldon.D'silva.After years saw the one and only original "Cover Singer" of English music Mr Gary.Lawyer perform.

International Jazz Day celebration 

This was the biggest Jazz Event in the Country and post age 60 + years should be attending more jazz concerts.

Zeenat Sheekh Kabab Corner 

After watching " International Jazz Day" concert at N.C.P.A next after decades visited Muhammed Ali Rd during Ramzan time for the famous "Iftar food stalls" but there was a mind boggling traffic jam near Minara Masjid.There was no parking place for a cycle let alone my heavy "Bullet 350 motorcycle" and still worse for cars! Absolute no parking at 2300 hrs and the narrow road packed with people and vehicles akin to daylight hours, a unforgettable sight seen for the first time although I have spent my lifetime living in Mumbai.Finally managed to get parking at " Zeenat Seekh Kabab corner" at the end of Muhammed Ali rd near J.J.Hospital andlate night dinner at 2315 hrs was cheap street food of "Seekh Kebab " on the foopath table seating at "Zeenat Sheekh Kabab Corner" . A unforgettable Saturday night of entertainment and street food.Ahoy

Above Photo:- A act from the play "SHERLOCK HOMI" at "Royal Opera House". Sunday (22/6/2022) " Sherlock Homi" at Royal Opera House :-

If you are a Parsi, the wealthiest community in the World/per capita or understand Gujarati language then see this humorous " Parsi Gujarati/ English" dialogue play " SHERLOCK HOMI".A satirical take on Sherlock Holmes with a Parsi theme and also concerning Sherlock's arch enemy Professor Moriaty.Mumbai had received its first heavy monsoon shower yesterday and akin to Sherlock crime detection skills was hoping i had predicted the right weather forecast for the evening riding all the way from Prabhadevi to Royal Opera house without any rain cover clothing.Before the play visited " Tewari Brothers Mithaiwalla" opposite Opera House and after snacks of "Sev Puri" and " Kheer Kadam" crossed the street akin to "Baker Street" of London and entered the "Royal Opera House".I presume a entire minuscule population of the Parsi community that haven't seen this play as yet were assembled at the Royal Opera house and it was a excellent evening of detective humour and a nice motorcycle ride back home with " Pork Vindaloo" for dinner.A real mixup of vegetarian snacks, Parsi / Gujarati English play and a Catholic / Parsi dinner. Ahoy !

Saturday(23/7/2022) "ART" , the funniest play on Broadway at "Royal Opera House" :- As a owner of "Art" paintings/portraits and a collector of handicrafts and artifacts as also a visitor to "Art Galleries" in India and across the Globe whenever travel decided to view the play "ART" in Mumbai.Luckily beside's a short spell of rain it was a nice dry day evening motorcycle ride to "Royal Opera House" at Charni road.As usual had a snack of "Chole Batture/Puri" at iconic "Tewari Brothers Mithaiwalla" before hopping across the street and entering "Royal Opera House". Art' is originally a French-language play written by by Yasmina Reza that premiered in 1994 at Comédie des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The English-language adaptation, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Matthew Warchus opened in London's West End on 15 October 1996.'Art' played on Broadway in New York at the Royale Theatre from 12 February 1998 to 8 August 1999,won the Tony for Best Play and went on to a 600-performance run.

Over the decades this play has had a run in city's across the Globe and finally in India.In Mumbai the play "ART" was directed by Vishaal.Asrani and Sarosh.Nanavaty keeping in line with the script of the original play but with Indian actor's Sahir.Mehta,Mithil.Shah and Vishaal.Asrani playing the role's of the 3 characters in this heavily discussed play.The play opens with Vishaal.Asrani singing the evergreen cover version of "My Way" in a excellent baritone.The play is about friendship between 3 longtime friend's and how it comes to loggerhead's when one of the friend's "Serge" purchase a expensive modern art painting for 100,000 Euro's which is nothing but a blank white canvas. Set in Paris, the play revolves around three friends—Serge, Marc and Yvan who find their previously solid 15-year friendship on shaky ground when Serge buys an expensive painting. The canvas is white, with several fine white linesand Marc, appalled to hear that Serge had paid 100,000 Euro's , scornfully describes it as "a piece of white shit". Serge argues that the painting, created by a reputable artist, is worth its hefty price, but Marc remains unconvinced.Serge and Marc confide in Yvan about their disagreement. Yvan,a effeminate character who is engaged but conflicted over his forthcoming wedding, remains neutral and attempts to smooth things over.A totally engrossing play that takes a dig at "Modern Art" as also analysing the thin divide's between hypocrisy and friendship. I for one totally loved the play and the acting by all the three characters was top class.Excellent theatre.

" Songs of Freedom " concert at N.C.P.A 

Monday(15/8/2022)Independence day concert " Songs of Freedom" Concert in Tata Theatre at NCPA :- A memorable 75 th anniversary year of Independence to a Housefull audience.Musically directed by composer and pianist Merlin.D'Souza this was the first time the Armed forces band and N.C.P.A combined to produce a stage show..Evergreen Brian.Tellis hosted the show and the concert opened with the Army's " 15 Assam Battalion" band performing their signature army band ritual on stage.Martial music is one of the many forms of music particularly composed to create " Veer rasa (heroic emotion)" . Armed forces all over the world have deep-rooted martial music traditions and the evening was a perfect mingling of the martial sounds of trumpets, trombone, bagpipes and drums, with civilian musicians armed with melodious strains of the guitar, violin and piano. The Indian Navy band led by Commander Satish Champion (Director of Music, Naval Central Band) and Lieutenant Commander Aldrin D Alexander (Assistant Director, Naval Central Band) collaborated for the first time with civilian musicians on stage to keep the "House -Full" audience spell bound.For Old World " Rock" afficionado's like me The Army's own rock band the " The Rhino band" sang excellent Western cover songs in uniform .

" Songs of Freedom "  at NCPA 

First time saw a rock group in army uniform.Merlin. D'Souza , who collaborated with Naval band members for the first time with her band"Soul Yatra" said that global history had been created with this collaboration. “This is the first time we brought an armed forces orchestra together with civilians on a civilian stage" she quoted.Merlin brought the best of her band "Soul Yatra" members on stage, including vocalist Vivian Pocha, Ronit Chatterjee, bassist Saurabh Suman, Apurv Isaac, and saxophonist Rhys Sebastian.These Jazz musicians were marvellous with cover song versions of popular rock musicians as well as National patriotic songs in combination with the Navy and army orchestra .After ages saw a ventriloquist perform and it was amazing performance.The might of the Indian Armed Forces was displayed in documentary form on the background screen of the performance stage during the music and Orchestra performances, something different.Photography was prohibited and hence just a few photo's of the concert. The "STARCAST" was as follows :- Merlin Dsouza – Music Director, Orchestra of the Armed Forces, Vivinne Pocha, Shazneen Arethna, Ronit Chaterji, Dwayne Gamree, Saurabh Suman, Jehangir Jehangir, Rhys Sebastian, Apurva Isaac, Yoko Rai, Shanaya Menezes, Jaedah, Songs of Freedom was musically directed by pianist Merlin Dsouza,nicknamed the female A.R.Rahman and compered by Brian.Tellis.

" Salaam Noni Appa "

Above Photo:- Actors adressing the audience at the end of the play " Salaam Noni Appa" at Royal Opera House(Mumbai).This was the 55th presentation of the play on stage.The Play has been directed by Lillete.Dubey and adapted for the stage by Adhir.Bhat.

Sunday(30/10/2022) "SALAAM NONI APPA " :- After arriving home from my "AFRICAN SAFARI" travel across "Zimbabwe,Zambia,Namibia and Botswana" this was my first play that got rid of "WRITERS BLOCK SYNDROME". Featuring Lillete Dubey as "Noni Appa" , it is an adaptation of a short story by the same name from Twinkle Khanna’s bestseller, "The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad" .Twinkle Khanna is the daughter of Late Rajesh.Khanna, the first recognized superstar of the Hindi film Industry from whom i got inspiration for wearing "Kurta's", a trademark attire of the average Indian politician long before Rajesh Khanna made it the chic ethnic Indian fashion garment.Made in India. Ahoy !Being a addict of English/Hindi films during my youth he was my film idol among Hindi male actors and hence inquisitiveness forced me to see how talented his daughter was as a "WRITER" although a miserable "FLOP" as a actor.The play tells the story of a widow woman "Noni Appa( Actor Lilette.Dubey) who is in her retirement year's in her 70's and quite unexpectedly at this juncture finds love and companionship in her yoga teacher Anandji(Actor Yateen.Karyekar)who is much younger than her.Anandji,the Yoga Guru is in a horrible marriage trap with his nagging young wife(Actor Gillian Pinto)and finds solace away from home teaching Yoga and playing card's with Noni Appa which gradually leads to a love affair.

" Salaam Noni Appa " at Opera House 

And then comes the dilemma if Noni Appa can marry a much younger man at her age of 70 + or should she think about her daughter who is herself of a marriageable age.Noni and her sister Binny(Actor Jayati Bhatia) are nearing the twilight of their lives and the play is interesting and progressive in the way it has etched its two women characters, apparently aristocratic and conservative, who are living their life with full zest.Actor Rishi.Khurana as the sister's Bhojpuri cook cum jack of all house hold trades is over the top hilarious depicting India's rural cultural diversity and superstitions. Twinkle.Khanna has proved herself as a writer and not actor and this play is being produced into a feature film for a larger audience.At the young age of 62 years your's truly the "Narrator" is still a bachelor and "Salaam Noni Appa" has set a twinkle in my eye that age is just a number for human companionship or marriage.Or is "BACHELORHOOD" the best lifestyle after seeing the marital life of Anandji, the Yoga Guru ? It is a story of people seeking love and intimacy regardless of their age. And, that’s what makes us connect to the characters. Ahoy !

" INDEPENDENCE ROCK FESTIVAL 2022" at Bayview Lawns in Princess Docks 

Mahindra Independence Rock 

Sunday(6/11/2022) Mahindra Independence Rock Festival :- At first i was hesitant to attend this annual local 2 day music festival that was being revived after a gap of 9 years with the entrance tickets taking a steep hike to Rs 2000/person having last attended this festival at "Chitrakoot" grounds in Andheri paying just a few hundered's of rupees as entrance fee.Over the decades have seen most of the prominent Indian rock bands perform at various festivals and venues across India, mostly in Mumbai city.Beside's, at 62 years of age although a disciple of the "Rolling Stones" and Mick Jagger in proving the fact that "Age is just a number for a few " realized my age group friend's children would most probably be at this festival with all my contempararies happily or unhappily married. Ahoy ! Another fact was that recently a few years ago i got to know through our "Mazdock Marine Eng Whatsapp " group chats Mr Farhad.Wadia who founded "Independence Rock" in 1986 and was and is the driving force behind its success. He was a ex-Marine Engineer apprentice from Mazagon Docks having never sailed as a "Marine Engineer", devoting his life to his passion of music and a success . Over the decades beginning in the 1990's at the now defunct " Rang Bhavan" in prime downtown Mumbai and later at the " Chitrakoot Grounds" in Andheri have attended the annual Independence Rock Festival whenever in Mumbai.

Independence Rock Festival 

Hence more out of curiosity booked a ticket for "Day-2" of the 2-day Independence Day rock concert. On Sunday was in a very happy frame of mind as the insomniac in me waking up at 0330 hrs read the racing news that "Flightline" considered the "Secretariat" of the 21st century had won the "Breeders Cup Classic" by 8 1/4 lengths.As a horse fan since the age of 18 years and later after shipping employment a racing punter was inquisitive about "horse ownership". Hence way back in 2000 had written to "Westpoint Thouroughbred Inc"in U.S.A about their horse racing partnership scheme akin to shareholders in a company and hence received a "T-Shirt" from them which i wore and preserved over the years, the colour of the shirt gradually fading

Shipping nostalgia 
at Independence Rock 
Festival- 2022

.Recently a few weeks back i was surprized to know that the World's most talked about horse was partly owned by a syndicate with Mr Terry.Finley M.D and founder of "Westpoint Thoroughbred" being the key person responsible for purchasing "Flightline".Got my "Westpoint T-Shirt" dyed black and on my sports game "Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat" had wagered a "Whale bet" of Rs 1 Crore on "Flightline" winning the breeders Classic cup on Saturday(5/11/2022).Hence on Sunday(6/11/2022) wearing the "Westpoint Thoroghbred T-Shirt" rode my "Bullet" akin to a racehorse to Bayview lawns situated in Pricess Dock which had a " Housefull " sellout crowd.Once upon a time as recently as 2008 this vicinity was my occasional locale of employment on ship's and i had to rub my eyes to believe the change of topography and ambience at this once blue collar working class common seamen's docks.With "J.N.P.T(Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) " docks situated in Nhava Sheva across Bombay Docks harbour becoming the premier port of India let alone Mumbai the once upon a time bustling old port of Bombay has lost its importance as a commercial cargo harbour and now mostly functions as a "Cruise Terminal" and a local ferry terminal. Realized Mumbai is mimicking London city in converting old defunct dock area's into either housing or entertainment locales akin to the now defunct cotton mill Industry of Mumbai.My father began his working career as a "Tally Clerk" in this same locality of Bombay docks in the 1940's and as for me as recently as 2006 entered "Princess Docks" on "Supply Vessels" for repairs. CHANGE IS PERMANENT.

Independence Rock Festival 

 The Music began at 1645 hrs on the smaller stage with the first performing band being "Claver and the F Band".There was a large food court and drinks stalls ground on one corner of this plush 5-star style "Baview Lawns" facing the Arabian Sea .The orange coulored "Supply Vessels" anchored in the distance brought back memories of employment on these ship's during the Monsoon season which was akin to indulging in extreme sports and being paid for the same.Realized Mumbai is mimicking London city in converting Old defunct dock area's into either housing or entertainment locales. As the evening progressed the rest of the bands performed on the main stage as listed serially with the last performance of the night being "Parikrama", the oldest Indian band with most of its original members still performing in 2022.Promoter and Founder Mr Farhad.Wadia now a U.S citizen could not attend his own creation as he was in Austin in U.S.A and hence due to some U.S.A immigration rules could not fly down to India. The ambiance of the locale was awesome under a almost " Full Moon" night with the Arabian Sea as a backdrop. ROCK MUSIC is alive and flourishing in Mumbai and India and "Mahindra Independence Rock Festival" was worth the ticket price for those who could afford the same as i presume most collegians or school kid's paid the ticket price from their pocket money received from parents .

" Mahindra Independence Rock" DAY 2. Performing bands were as follows. 1)Claver and the F Band 2)F16S 3)Parvaaz 4)Avial 5)Indus Creed 6)Parikrama.

Konkani Tiatr " Atam tem the mojhem " 

Tuesday(8/11/2022) :Goan Konkani Tiatr :- " " ATAM TEM MHOJEM( Now You Are Mine) " .

Atam Tem Mojhem

Saw this Konkani play at " Veer Sawarkar Auditorium" at Shivaji Park.Goan Tiatr is a unique form of drama which is part Opera and part drama with live singing on stage and a live band. Regarding the Vocal Konkani music found one tune a straight lift from a popular English song and another tune a lift from a popular Hindi song, with Konkani lyrics.After ages I saw a Konkani tiatr drama and worth the Rs 250 ticket price.This play had a performance run in London in October last month .A tragic love triangle play of love with a social message showcasing Goan Catholic culture along with hilarious slapstick comedy and singing during the change of sets enactment.Something different to normal drama.It was a housefull show and I was pleased to see the patronage of Goan Konkani theatre in Mumbai.See this play in Mumbai or Pune.

" Phirse Honeymoon " at Prithvi Theatre 

Thursday(17/11/2022) "Phirse Honeymoon" at Prithvi Theatre:- Prithvi Theatre had recently held its annual "Prithvi Theatre Festiva" from 4 November - 14 November after a gap of 2 years due to "Covid-19" theatre restrictions.Decided to see the Hindi play "Phirse Honeymoon" a enactment of a original Marathi play at Prithvi Theatre having missed attending the 12 day "Prithvi Theatre Festival". ‘Phirse Honeymoon’ is about a couple who revisits their honeymoon destination in Matheran to revive their stagnant monotonous relationship. The ‘Hotel Dreamland‘ in Matheran is the place where the couple has to pick up the pieces from the past to complete the puzzle of the future. This play was written by Sandesh Kulkarni for the Hindi stage in 2020 but put on hold due to "Covid-19" pandemic World catastrophe and revived in 2022 as a Marathi play titled" Punashcha Honeymoon".

Once again here in Prithvi Theatres the play was being staged in its Hindi format presented by Scripttease Productions starring Sandesh Kulkarni, Amit Phalke, Kaushal Jobanputra and Amruta Subhash. This real-life husband and wife couple of actors Sandesh.Kulkarni(Sandesh Deshpande) and Amruta.Subhash(Sukanya) gives a touch of reality to the title "Phirse Honeymoon".Amruta.Subhash acts in Marathi and Hindi films and is also a marathi play back singer.As a Blogger/writer myself although a "Bachelor" could identify with the character of Suhas.Deshpande(Sandesh Kulkarni) who is a writer suffering from "Writers Block" syndrome on writing his second novel and hence his wife Sukanya(Amruta Subhash) decides the holiday to Matheran to revive old romantic memories.I presume most married couples could identify with this play as every marriage undergoes a "7 year Itch" irrespective of it being a "Love Marriage" or "Arranged Marriage".

Mingus Big Band of New York at N.C.P.A 

Friday(25/11/2022) "MIGUS BIG BAND" Above Photo:- "MINGUS BIG BAND" of New York performing at "N.C.P.A" in Mumbai for "Jazz Yatra-2022" Festival.

On "Black Friday" which is the day after "Thanksgiving" and start of Christmas shopping in U.S.A and hence also across the Globe including India installed the portrait potograph of cat's "Matahari" and "Matata" in my Office cum hall.These two cat's would be my last pet's and "Tomcat Matata" was gradually dying from "Kidney Failure" and it was horrible watching a strong miniature lion model of a cat waste away into a skeleton, gradually awaiting death.At 13 years 7 months "Tomcat Mata" had lived the luxurious pampered life of a "Lion King" akin to the Broadway musical and film.Life goes on and time, tide and death awaits human's as well as all living species.In the evening rode my "Bullet 350" to N.C.P.A for learning and understanding "Jazz Music", a genre of music i had taken a liking to in recent years."Jazz Music" doesn't get bigger than "Mingus Big Band" and hence had booked a ticket for this concert almost a month ago.The one and only Mr Brian.Tellis of Bandra was the host of the show as also for the entire 3-day Jazz festival that featured different jazz groups on 3 different day's beginning with "Mingus Big Band".The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of composer/bassist Charles Mingus who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band featured new arrangements of Mingus compositions that encouraged deep explorations and ideations of Mingus’s music and individual artistic expression in a dynamic ensemble.

Mingus Big Band 

The band frequently tours America and Europe, has 11 recordings to its credit and in 2011 won a Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. Mingus Big Band musicians : Boris Kozlov – bass Theo Hill – piano Donald Edwards – drums Sarah Hanahan & Alex Terrier – alto sax Conrad Herwig & Robin Eubanks – trombone Earl McIntyre – bass trombone Dr. Alex Pope Norris, Philip Harper & Alex Sipiagin – trumpet Abraham Burton & Sam Dillon – tenor sax Lauren Sevian – baritone sax This year in 2022 "Mingus Big Band" are celebrating the birth centennial of Charles Mingus. The band is also celebrating a new album release which features dozens of musicians who dedicated their talents to this enterprise in the past four decades. Renewed with fresh energy, arrangements and new discoveries from Mingus’s 300 compositions, each show is a unique experience and chance to appreciate this great American composer and the modern interpretations of these vital artistes. The Mingus Dynasty played at the NCPA in 2019.(Write-Up on "Mingus Big Band" from N.C.P.A Site.). It was a excellent evening of Jazz music with complimentary drinks.

At Bandra Amphitheater with Symphony Orchestra of India performing for NCPA @ the Park concert. 

Symphony Orchestra of India 

Saturday(3/12/2022) N.C.P.A @ the Park Concert at Bandra Fort Amphitheatre : - As a Hard core R& B fan have been learning to appreciate new genres of music and hence on reading that "N.C.P.A" was having a 2-day musical concert titled "N.C.P.A @ the Park" on Saturday(3/11/2022) and Sunday(4/12/2022) decided to attend the first day concert event.After ages rode my bike down to Bandra Land's End to one of the best outdoor concert locales in Mumbai, the "Bandra Fort Amphitheatre".I was very early at the venue at 1645 hrs and in front of me at the entrance gate were three women of whom the elder suddenly recognized me and to my astonishment realized the lady was none other than Dr Deepti.Chauhan whom i met years ago during a trek to Matheran with "B.N.H.S(Bombay Natural History Society)" and later on also bumped into each other at a concert.

She was along with two other young doctor's,her mentor's and they had not booked in advance for this free concert show.I suggested she use her status as a "Doctor" to tell the security that being busy they could not register in advance for this event that was house-full.The Security requested them to wait until 1730 hrs which was the last timing for preferential entry to valid ticket holders.This was a relief and later i made my entry into the scenic ambiance of "Bandra Fort Amphitheatre".

ABOVE PHOTO :- " Adil Manuel and the Collective" .

I was one of the earliast to enter the venue and hence had "V.I.P" seating on the rock cut stairs near the front row of the stage.

Bandra Fort Amphitheatre Entrance 

Was later happy to see Opthalmologist Dr Deepti.Chauhan and her two medical friends arrive and take their seats towards the upper end of the amphitheatre, lucky to get good seats as the entire venue gradually got packed to capacity. The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), based at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, is India's first and only professional orchestra. It was founded in 2006 by NCPA Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook and internationally renowned violin virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev, who serves as the Orchestra's Music Director. Zane Dalal was appointed Associate Music Director of the SOI in September 2014, following serving seven years as Resident Conductor. Evgeny Bushkov serves as the Resident Conductor, taking up the role in January 2017(Wikipedia Information).The Emcee was popular Radio talk show hostess Rohini and after a brief introduction and next inauguration of the music festival by dignitaries from N.C.P.A and Municipal corporation of Mumbai the grand event began.

I do not understand any classical music be it English or Hindi but once the orchestra began to play i was mesmerized by the grandeur of the set with talented skilled musicians playing unique instruments not seen in regular rock or pop shows.They performed musical compositions from Mozart ,Tchaikovsky,Sharma.Saint -Saens,Vivaldi,Brahms,Bartok,BizetMilhaud and Feidman.Towards the end Arr.D'souza composed a Bollywood Medley,Arr.Patel a "Christmas Medley" and the closing was Arr.Biswakarma composition of "Holly Bolly".I was surprized at the fact that i was not bored but thoroughly enjoying watching the musicians perform without any vocals but just musical instruments.From now onwards would be a regular at any "Symphony Orchestra concert" which is somewhat similar to Jazz music as far as instruments are concerned but without any vocals unlike Jazz.After the grand finale of the "Symphony Orchestra of India" there was a short break where free "Chutney Sandwitches" and "Cold Coffee" was served.Next genre of music was " Adil Manual and the collective" performing " Cover albums" of R&B. Mind-blowing.Adil Manuel is a award winning guitarist and music composer. Excellent Pop /funk music from Adil Manuel and his band of musicians,my kind of normal rock/pop acts.The show came to a conclusion at approximately 2100 hrs and it was a nice long ride through traffic congested roads back home to watch the end play of "Netherlands v/S U.S.A" World cup-2022 knock out match which Netherlands won comfortably 3-1.Thank you N.C.P.A for this free concert in one of the most beautiful locales of Mumbai.

" P.E.T.A " Fundraiser at Willingdon Sports Club 

Wednesday (7/12/2022)" P.E.TA FUNDRAISER( People For Ethical Treatment of animals) at Willingdon Sports club in Tardeo in Mumbai:-

As a wildlife conservationinst and writer/blogger have been reading about "P.E.T.A" since decades but didn't join the organization for the simple reason that they preached about the route of "VEGETARIANISM" in saving the Planet Earth and its natural wildlife.As a hardcore human carnivore i believe in the "BALANCE OF NATURE" concept of conserving nature and wildlife .Carnivore wild animals or pet's like the common household cat cannot be force fed onto a diet of "VEGETARIAN FOOD" akin to herbivore animals and hence the lethal balance of nature between carnivore and herbivore will exist forever in the wild .Same appolies to human species where a large part of the human population have carnivore food habits and hence poultry and farming is big business as well as a cruel business in certain sections where animal cruelty is concerned during the slaughtering process.In September 2022 just before departing from my African Safari holiday received a mail in my postal box from "P.E.T.A" and on opening it was surprized to see a publicity brochure of "P.E.T.A" with a donation request adressed to me along with a set of "Personal Adress card Printed Labels" .On returning back from my holiday in Africa contacted "P.E.T.A" office in Juhu over the phone .I had just lost my 13 year 7 months old cat "Tomcat Matata" from "Kidney Failure" and hence decided to donate a minimum amount to "P.E.T.A' .

A representative of P.E.T.A Dipali.Ghag spoke to me over the phone and invited me to attend the annual "P.E.T.A India Fundraiser" to be held at "Willingdon Sports Club" in Tardeo."Willingdon Sports Club" in Tardeo is considered one of the most exclusive club's in India let alone Mumbai having the "Who's Who" of Mumbai's elite wealthy and celibrities amongst its members and just being a "HNI(High Net Individual) " is not the only qualification for membership of this exclusive club.On Wednesday(7/12/2022) rode my Old World "Bullet 350" to "Willingdon Sports Club" situated near my once upon a time home away from home ,the "Mahalaxmi Racecourse" of Mumbai .Entered the vast estate of this aristocratic club having a golf course and after parking my bike made my way to the entrance of the open air lawn situated next to the golf course,one of the earliast invitee at the event.At the entrance was given a name badge by the staff for introduction to other attendee's of this exclusive annual event that had a select few invitee's. A few of the staff employee's guided me to the seat and made me comfortable also replying to their questions and the fact that i was a Non-Vegan.

"P.E.T.A' is a American based non-profit animal rights group founded in march 1980 by Ingrid.Newkirk and animal rights activist Mr Alex.Pacheko with headquarters in Norfolk(Virginia).

Ingrid .Newkirk is the International President of the organization.The organization opposes factory farming, fur farming, animal testing, and other activities the group considers as exploitation of animals.P.E.T.A (India) was formed in 2000 and based in Mumbai.As the open air venue got filled we were served wine and sparling wine along with the tastiest of vegetarian snacks while musician Enrico played the saxophone on the grand stage.Later the actual event began and we were given a account on a large screen of the animal rescue operations undertaken by P.E.T.A as also animal shelters created by the organization in India.

Vedanta teacher Acharya Prashant and Maharashtra Additional Director of Police Dr Ravindar.Singal were the main speaker's and were also felicitated with awards.Monica Shah and Karishma Swali of JADE were awarded a Compassionate Designer Award each in honour of the duo's dedication to not using leather in fashion products.At the end of the speech and video display envelopes were handed to every attendee for donation towards "P.E.T.A India ". Excellent evening of awareness regarding animal welfare in India and a plea for turning vegan in food habits to conserve our planet.After the awards the band of 3 musicians entertained the crowd with music and under a Full Moon Sky next to the Golf Course.At 2200 hrs the event came to a end and all invitee's were given a "Gift Pack" consisting of Vegan cold drinks,chocolates,eatables , cosmetics and a Hindi book written by Acharya Prashant.It was a nice pleasant ride back home having been educated first hand in the animal philanthropy work done by P.E.T.A in India

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Konkani Tiatr " MHATARPONNER KAZAR "

Friday(9/12/2022) :- Celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of Goan Tiatr Jao Agostinho Fernandes a free play "MHATARPONNER KAZAR(Getting Married in Old Age )" was staged at "Shivaji Mandir" in Dadar. This play was originally written 105 years ago in Goa by Jao Agostinho Fernandes and staged in the present era ,directed by Tomazinho.Cardoza with adaptions .This play is very relevant even in 2022. Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner had girlfriends in his 90's and the word "Marriage Trophy" is a common term of wealthy men marrying or living with women half their age. Same is true for wealthy women called " Cougar women" who have "Toy Boy marriage/Companion" with the man being much younger than her ! Thanks to Mr Pascu.D'cunha for giving me the tickets.

The Chief guest was Goa Minister of Art and Culture Shri Govind .Gaude who before entering politics was a "Juniour Engineer" in Mazagon Docks Ltd in Mumbai.After a brief speech by the organizers and politician Shi Govind.Gaude who reaped hosanna's about Tiatr and Jao Agostinho Fernandes the play began very late at 2045 hrs.In 2019 on a "Solo Bike Ride" had visited the ancestral home of "Pai Tiatr Jao.Agostinho Fernandes" and wrote a article about the lack of maintenance of this palatial historical edifice of local Goan culture. Hope Minister Shri Govind.Gaude has seen to the repairs and maintenance of this heritage house that should be converted to a museum of Goan Tiatr culture.As for me seated in the balcony seat was multi tasking by watching the play and keeping a track of the score on my smart phone, a 21st century invention .The play got over very late just at the time when Brazil lost to penalties and the World stunned.Link to my travelogue of visiting the ancestral house of " Pai Tiatrist" : - https://rudolphfurtado.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/the-tragic-negligence-of-the-ancestral-150-year-old-house-of-pai-tiatr-joao-agostinho-fernandes-in-modsai-in-margao/

" Festival of Festive Music " at N.C.P.A 

Festival of  Festive Music 

Saturday(10/12/2022) Tata Theatre (N.C.P.A) Mumbai :- "FESTIVAL OF FESTIVE MUSIC" Choral Music Concert Day 1 :- Attended this festival music concert for the first time although they have been annually performing at this venue for the last 38 years.As they say "Better Late than too Late" in life. Excellent evening of choir music sung in the ambiance of the Tata Theatre of N.C.P.A. Karla.Singh was the host As " Qatar World Cup 2022" semi finals match was in progress was multitasking on my phone and at the end of the musical night was surprised that Morocco beat Portugal 1-0. A brief history of this annual festival musical event,"Festival of Festive Music" presented by the Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy Celebrating the golden jubilee of its inception as the Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble,

Festival of Festive Music 

The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy presented its 39th Festival of Festive Music, the longest running festival at the NCPA ushering in the festive Christmas season. Traditional and contemporary carols and Christmas songs were rendered, beginning with a heart-warming overture and culminating in a grand finale on stage . Before the start young children of " Muktangan NGO" greeted audience at the entrance singing Christmas carols.A House full audience.During the refreshment interval was amazed to see a audience attendee Ms Perpetual.D'Cunha of Malad perform on the organ kept at the foyer entrance.Also spotted my peternal Cousin Mrs Lira.Britto and her husband Mr Treavor.Britto on stage performing for the "Santacruz Ensemble". It's a small World ! Very informal ambiance of a classic evening of Christian choir recitals and music. After the end of the program inside the auditorium all the choir group's assembled at the entrance/exit foyer of N.C.P.A and sang the version of Alleluia as a parting farewell to the audience. A evening to remember and felt the festive season in the air. While riding back home came across the worst traffic jam I have experienced at Marine Lines at 2300 hrs in the night.Unbelievable.I has faced a similar traffic jam in the evening at Worli Naka while riding to N.C.P.A.Later reealized that American Hip Hop Star " Post Malone " had a simultaneous timing concert on the Mahalaxmi racecourse grounds and hence the huge traffic conjestion.

Participants of Choirs and ensemble's from all over India is listed serially in order of performances.. 1)The Bai Avabai F. Petit Girls’ High School Choral Ensemble, 2)Cantamus Choir Nagaland, 3)The Choral Riffs, 4)The Happy Home and School for the Blind,5) The Harmonics (Chennai),6) The Madras Guild of Performing Arts (Chennai),7) The Santacruz Ensemble, 8)Santacruz Mar Thoma Syrian Church Choir, 9)The Stop-Gaps Junior Choral Ensemble and 10) The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble.

France v/s Argentina World Cup 2022 Finals  live telecast at " Lord of the Drinks ".

France v/s Argentina 
" World Cup 2022   Finals"

Sunday(18/12/2022)QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 :- A mediocre jack-of-all sportsboy since schoolday's with football, athletics and hockey being my specialities was a " Football Goalkeeper" for my school team in the 1970's.France V/s Argentina World cup final betting odds were as follows 1) France @ -110(90/100) and 2)Argentina @ -110(90/100).According to the "World Bookies" both the sides were evenly balanced and any team could win the World Cup. Having started the unbelievable successful notional sports betting game on "FB" titled "Mittoo alias Mittoo the Poppat" for campaigning to legalize "SPORTS BETTINBG" in India and with the estate having wagered 3 Khokhas(Rs 3 Crores) on a Argentina win @ -110(90/100) decided to watch the finals of the Argentina V/s France on multiple big screens at " Lord of the Drinks" nightclub in Worli.Expecting heavy vehicular traffic cycled from my house to ""Lord of the Drinks" ,only 15 minutes cycling distance from my residence at Old Prabhadevi road. Fantastic ambiance at the pub with the longest drink bar in Asia.Watching " Channel Sports 18 " at home and at " Lord of the Drinks" is a Day and Night difference.Argentina won on.penalties and this match could go down as one of the best in World Cup Football history.Full time score was Argentina- 3 and France -3.Argentina finally won on penalties with Argentina scoring 4 penalties and France 2 penalties.

Privileged to view the match in the grandeur of large multiscreens in " Lord of the Drinks" nightclub having the longest drink bar in Asia.After the match It was partying time till 0100 hrs for the well heeled crowd which has a extensive highly expensive bar and food/snacks.Entry charges for this "Big Screen Football" fiesta was Rs 500 with a complimentary pint of beer.I was definitely the oldest spectator in the sea of youth at " Lord of the Drinks" nightclub and i could have identified myself with Mick.Jagger and the "Rolling Stones" in this crowd of youth.Age is just a numerical number especially as a sports fan or a musician.There was heavy partying and opening of champagne bottles among some of the young crowd while i just sipped my complimentary beer and past midnight cycled the short distance back home with the estate of "Mittoo alias Mittoo the Poppat" being wealthier from this "Whale Bet".

Cooperage Bandstand 

Sunday(8/1/2023):-Although wearing the " P.E.T.A" T-Shirt and a member of " P.E.T.A," I told them in advance as a hardcore Non - vegetarian can't convert to Vegetarianism akin to the common household cat let alone a tiger or lion .My canvassing for " P.E.T.A" will be to treat animals humanely. People earning a income through animals should treat them well as are these riding pony's outside Cooperage Bandstand Garden. Similarly it's time experimentation on animals is put to stop since in the computer age various experiments can be simulated on computers.Besides at times experiments successful on laboratory animals are a failure when done on humans.

" Samantha Noella and the Jazz Bones " 

Sunday (8/1/2023):- N.C.P.A @ the Park Day 2 : - " Samantha Noella and the Jazz Bones" performing first act of the evening.Samantha Noella – vocals Rahul Wadhwani – keys Adrian D’Souza – drums Yohaan Pissurlenker- bass Jarryd Rodrigues – saxophone Manfred Weinberger – trumpet.Samantha Noella and the Jazz Bones takes you on a journey exploring the American songbook along with some of her original music, with the coolest jazz cats – Rahul Wadhwani on keys, Adrian Dsouza on drums, Yohaan Pissurlenkar on bass, Jarryd Rodrigues on saxophone and adding to this fabulous line up was Austrian trumpeter and flugelhorn player Manfred Weinberger. Mr Natarajan.Chandrasekaran , Chairman of " Tata Sons" along with his wife Mrs Lalitha.Chandrasekaran was the chief guest.Ms Disha.Gatkar was the compere.

2nd Act was Indian Route Folk dances performed by Vaishali.Sagar's group " Kalanjay Dance Academy".She is the director of Kalanjay Dance Academy, MumbaiKalanjay and under Sagar’s guidance has borne witness to a wonderful journey. A representative of India at numerous international folk festivals, the academy has gradually come to establish itself as a mainstay in the Indian folk dance landscape. Dancers from different states of India displayed unique dances.A beautiful evening woven together with the vibrant folk dances performed in serial order as listed.To me not accustomed to Indian Folk dance the performances were too good for description.I had seen the Maharashtrian "Lavani dance "for the first time performed at the "Mahalaxmi Racecourse" and this presentation today was something different.Rest of the other folk dances was new to me and something amazing in costumes as well as performances.

1. Tera Taali from Rajasthan 2. Khodiya from Haryana 3. Lavani from Maharashtra 4. Kalbeliya from Rajasthan 5. Ghantu from Sikkim

Artist Mrs Kavita.Sachdev 

Mazdock Alumni Mr Sanjay.Sachdev husband of artist Kavita.Sachdev 

Top Photo :- Artist Mrs Kavita.Sachdev and her painting on horses.Above Photo :- Marine Engineer Mr Sanjay.Sachdev and the Narrator Mr Rudolph.A.Furtado

Artist Rohan .Khuntale with 
his artwork at " India Festival "

Thursday(19/1/2023) Had visited " INDIA ART FESTIVAL" at Nehru Centre .Every year i receive a "V.I.P Invitation" to attend the first day of this annual art festival held in Mumbai, reason being a mystery to me as i am no painter artist but definitely with a artistic mind as a writer/traveller and collector of curio's and handicrafts. This year the "India Art Festival" was held from Friday(19/1/2023) to Sunday(22/1/2023) between 1100-2000 hrs. I was early at the venue at 1045 hrs and spotted a couple standing inside the main ground floor entrance of Nehru Centre building and the gentleman uttered my name and on introduction realized it's a small World on meeting Mazdock Marine Engineering Alumni" Mr Sanjay.Sachdev whose wife Kavita.Sachdev was exhibiting her painting of horses in " Stall No10".Mr Sanjay.Sachdev was much junior to me belonging to the "1984-88" batch and now holding a land based executive job in Dbai having formerly being based in Singapore after quitting sea sailing employment. Mrs Kavita .Sachdev whose works have been published in newspapers and art magazines has had her paintings exhibited and sold in India and abroad and today her exhibition at "Nehru Centre" was totally on horses, a sport which also defined my hobby.Also met familiar artist Mr Rohan.Khuntale who I had to convince that my house has enough of curio's/ artwork and can't accommodate any more.

Artist Sanjay Satpute 

Viewing various exhibits a few piqued my interest . Artist Sanjay.Satpute with eye catching paintings on turtles and Shilpa .Sharma with her wildlife painting of a leopard..The most amazing exhibit I came across was promoted by " House of Emerge" and thanks to art salesman Mr Siddhesh.Pandit got to view this unique complex patented artwork also called " Kinetic Art".This process makes a artists painting look different from three different angles.Hung on your wall it gives 3 different images when viewed from different angles.I have made a video of this unique kinetic art painting.

" SHAKTI " concert at NSCI DOME in Mumbai. 

" SHAKTI " at NSCI DOME 
in Mumbai. 

Sunday(22/1/2023):- Attended the concert " SHAKTI " at the Dome at N.S.C.I.Met ex " Mazdock Alumni" Mr Ravindra.D.Punwani at the concert and was embarrassed to admit to him I was just a curious viewer for the concert and not a " FAN".First time in my life had attended a Hindustani- English classical concert jugalbabdi just out of curiosity to understand the reason of " SHAKTI" , the band's iconic status at age 50 years of existence and also to get a view of Tabla maestro Zakir.Hussein and Guitarist John.Mclaughlin.I was not disappointed being a hardcore Anglophobe with English and Hindi film music being my genre's in music taste. Was not bored for a minute although Shanker.Mahadevan's Hindustani Classical vocal redemption was Greek to me.Have discovered a new genre of music. Zakir.Hussein is 71 years of age T.H.( Vikki) Vinayakuram is 80 years of age. John.Mclaughlin is 81 years of age. Unbelievable performing at the highest level on musical Instruments proving that for a few " Age is just a numerical number" SHAKTI( Wikipedia):- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_(band)

Goan Konkani Tiatr  " Thoddech Dis" at Shivaji Mandir Auditorium 

" Thoddech Dis"

Tuesday(14/2/2023) Goa's Famous KONKANI TIATR in Mumbai :- On " Valentine Day" saw the tragic/comedy Konkani Tiatr play " THODDECH DIS( A FEW DAYS)" at Shivaji Mandir auditorium in Dadar.Had booked tickets a month in advance and hence seated in first row seat and could click a few photo's of the play.It's a small World and at the auditorium entrance met Mr Mariano.Fernandes and his wife Mathilda.Fernandes who were my travel companions in 2008 for the "Holy Land Tour" conducted by " Mosiac Tour Group" from Bandra.Mr Mariano.Fernandes was the prime photographer of our group who later made video of our tour.One of the longest plays I viewed in recent years and something different from normal plays." Goan Tiatr' is very similar to Western opera having a " Live Orchestra" with songs enacted during scene changes

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.Evert Tiatr play of Goa has a social message mirroring the politics and social fabric of that particular era in India or Goan society.The story revolves around Anthony (Menino de Bandar) and Veronica (Dola), who are eagerly waiting for the return of their son, Jude (Maxcy Pereira), from Germany. Soon after his return, they want him to settle down with his fiancée, Teresa (Jennifer). Jennifer’s parents, Lazarus (Pedro) and Magdalena (Angela), are equally preparing for the wedding of their only daughter. They wish to make it a grand day.As Jude’s younger brother, Peter (Vilton), gears up to pick up his brother from the airport, Jude steps into the house with his fiancée. He experiences giddiness and everyone at home is bewildered. On one hand, hectic preparations are witnessed in the bride and groom’s residences. Jude’s guardians are equally worried about his health.Collection of medical reports results in utter shock. But, the doctor warns Lazarus and Magdalena not to disclose the news of the ill health to Jude, as it could have grievous repercussions. Is there a remedy to Jude’s illness? How do his parents handle the whole situation? What is the fate of Teresa? Will the lovebirds get an opportunity to tie the knot forever?

Inbetween acts there are a series of opera style songs sung preaching a social message and in fact the play began with a lady introducing the starcast through a opera style konkani song.The most prominent opera singer of this play sang a tribute to Goan Tiatr's most loved and appreciated comedian "Selvy(Matheus Correia)" who expired in 2022 at the young age of 48.Typical of "GOAN KONKANI TIATR" is the side show of comedy totally unrelated to the main story of the play and usually always having strong sexual undertones both in appearance of the characters and the "Adults Only" konkani sexplicits vocabulary .Menino de Bandar has directed this play and as for me although at times find difficulty in understanding some of the dialogues have discovered a new genre of theatre. Ahoy !

" Doctor j Collective Band" at Narali Baug opposite Shivaji Park in Mumbai 

Narali Baug NCPA Concert

Saturday(25/2/2023) :- N.C.P.A @ the Park concert at Narali Baug opposite Shivaji Park maidan.M.C of the evening was Ms Shruti and " DOCTOR J Collective " band performed live music bringing back vintage memories of the Combo bands of the 20th century generation.Crowd was dancing to the music on the beautiful Narali baug ground with its coconut plantation tree's facing the Arabian sea of Dadar Beach.This is the third concert of " N.C.P.A @ the Park" free concert that I have attended and should say we Mumbaikars are privileged and lucky to have such high quality entertainment free of cost in absolutely classic natural ambiance of Bombay now Mumbai's landmark parks.

" The Doctor J Collective" :- Toast to the Classics.The Beatles, Abba, CCR, Fleetwood Mac, U2, Elvis Presley, The Police, Bryan Adams, Bob Marley and Boney M cover albums resung . Lead Vocals – Kelly D’lima Lead Vocals + Lead Guitars – Doctor J (Dr Jarvis Pereira) Bass Guitar – Russell Fernandes Keyboards – Dan Fernandes Drums – Ian Enthiado

Sunday(26/2//2023) :- The second day of N.C.P.A @ the Park concert at Narali Baug opposite Shivaji Park maidan.M.C of the evening was Ms Shruti and " THIRD EYE ENSEMBLE " performed on Narali baug ground ,ShivajiPark. Led by Ojas.Adhiya on Tabla , Gino. Banks on drums, Shekhar.Naad Qureshi on Djembe and Manas.Kumar on violin. This is the third concert of " N.C.P.A @ the Park" free concert that I have attended and should say we Mumbaikars are privileged and lucky to have such high quality entertainment free of cost in absolutely classic natural ambiance .

" Natalie Williams and the Soul Family Band " at NCPA 

NCPA 

Sunday (19/3/2023) :- Had returned to Mumbai from Kochi onThursday(16/3/2023) after completing my "5 Day Lakshadweep Samudran Cruise" on the ship M.V.Kavaratti.Had a excellent cruise and holiday but financially my horoscope was terrible with my portfolio crashing beyond imagination.Had book tickets over a month in advance for "Natalie Williams and the Soul Family band" Blues music having thought of celebrating my return from the deep blue ocean with Blues music. Listening to the Soulful music of Natalie Williams and the Soul Family at N.C.P.A in Mumbai on Sunday(19/3/2023) got relief from the Hindenberg and U.S.A Bank collapses stock exchange havoc on the Indian bourses.The Soul Family Band, fronted by MOBO nominated vocalist, Natalie Williams (ex Incognito), is joined by an incredible group of regular singers (and artists in their own right): Vula (Basement Jaxx), Sharlene Hector (Basement Jaxx), Brendan Reilly (Disclosure), Ladonna Harley Peters (Emeli Sande, Sam Smith, Corinne Bailey Rae), Annabel Williams (Ceelo Green, Alison Moyet, Rumer) and Vanessa Haynes (Incognito).Complimentary non- alcoholic wine was served and excellent Blues music that was a soothing balm to my colossal notional losses on the Stock exchange.

" As Bees in Honey Drown "  at
Opera House House in Mumbai. 

Sunday (16/4/2023):- At Opera House saw the play " As Bees in Honey Drown" .Also a snack of my favourite " Pani Puri" at landmark Tewaris before the play.The walk to the topmost balcony floor of " Royal Opera House" is akin to trekking up a small hill as there is no lift. “As Bees in Honey Drown is a smart and witty representation of the greed for fame, glamour and the good life. A fast-paced entertainer, set in an age that most often chooses image over substance – like taking to gleaming golden honey. Fame like honey, can give one a rush of sweet pleasure, while it can also drown one with its stickiness.” The play follows the story of almost famous author Dhruv who captures the attention of Alexa – a popular socialist who has made the world of celebrity her home. Alexa is a record producer and a film agent, she seems to have connections to everyone, and she offers Dhruv a handsome fee to write a screenplay of her life story. What follows are designer suits, the best hotels and all the accoutrements of fame and a "Con Game". Aadyam Theatre, an Aditya Birla Group initiative, production, 'As Bees In Honey Drown' is a Indian adaption of American playright Douglas Carter Beane and Directed by Anahita Uberoi .

Wednesday (12/7/2023):- Today morning on my way to " I.C.I.C.I Bank Prabhadevi Branch" came across this honeycomb removed by some honey collectors from the honeycomb nest on " I.C.I.C.I Bank" building.See the giant size of the honeycomb. Reminded  me of the play ," WHEN BEES IN HONEY DROWN".The honey was  genuine and not jaggery or saccharine mixture of water + honey.In our own building honey is regularly extracted and once got conned purchasing the sam " ICICI BANK" honey is as reputed as the banks reputation.Ahoy !

" MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING " at NCPA 

Sunday (9/7/2023):- " MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING" play at " N.C.PA.Experimental Theatre" in Mumbai.A lull in the rains and a excellent evening watching this Shakespearean play.This part of Mumbai near Nariman point seaface resembles " Monte Carlo Casino" locale. Mumbai at its peak Monsoon beauty and have let this beautiful cat out of the bag.

"  OPPENHEIMER " ,the movie at  " PVR  CINEMA " at High Street Phoenix in Lower Parel, Mumbai. Saw the first day 2nd show . Cycled from Old Prabhadevi road to the theatre in a heavy downpour of rain akin to extreme adventure cycling.

" THE DEVIL WEARS BATAA" at the N.C..P.A auditorium.Impersonations of Sonia.Gandhi, Rahul.Gandhi,Dr Manmohan.Singh,Narendra.Modi, Donald.Trump,Bobby.Jindal, Barack.Obama and Indian telivision news anchor Arnab.Goswami.Written and directed by Meherzad Patel.Cast: Danesh Irani, Dilnaz Irani, Jigar Mehta, Darius Shroff, Sajeel Parakh, Danesh Khambata, Siddharth Merchant and Mihir Mehra.

Sunday(23/7/2023):- Getting ready for elections 2024 ? Saw the hilarious political spoof " THE DEVIL WEARS BATAA" at the N.C..P.A auditorium and it was a hilarious laugh riot satire without a boring second.While returning back home on my bike had to pass my " Rain riding test" encountering heavy winds and rain but luckily no flooding.Do see this play even if not a " Armchair Politician" as are the majority of us citizens who have opinions on politics and politicians.

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Sunday(6/8/2023)" Made for Others":- On " FRIENDSHIP DAY" saw the Hindi Play " MADE FOR OTHERS" at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi.A normal hilarious play based on the tame topic of " Extra marital affairs".Excellent dance sequences and at times the play was akin to a television or film shooting act .Excellent dance choreography.

Wednesday (16/8/2023):- For the first time was at the " GRAND THEATRE " in Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and watched the mega hit musical " WEST SIDE STORY" , first day, first show.Cheapest tickets( Upper Balcony) were at Rs 1450 which was my seating while costliest of Rs 30,000 was sold out.Yes ,Bombay now Mumbai is a city of extremes in wealth display and number of Millionaires and Billionaires.Broadway theatre replicated in Mumbai and hence the costly ticket rates.This present touring production features a cast and crew of over 70, including a 20-member live orchestra and is the only one to feature Jerome Robbins’ original choreography and the cast wears 100 hand-made costumes and more than 200 pairs of shoes in this musical.Directed by American director Lonny Price, this modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet first premiered in 1957.

The touring production put together by BB Promotion in 2003 has travelled to 30 countries across 100 cities and has been seen by more than three million people.Set in 1956 New York City, the musical is themed around an unruly and turbulent neighbourhood and the main starcast are Jadon Webster as Tony, Melanie Aierra as Maria, Kyra Sorce as Anita, Antony Sanchez as Bernardo and Taylor Harley as Riff.This Broadway musical narrates the story of two young, star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, in the throes of life-changing events that play out on the streets of 1950's New York. In this vibrant and passionate retelling, trouble brews on the Upper West Side as rival gangs Jets (American) and Sharks (Puerto Rican) battle for dominance of the neighbourhood, even as the protagonists whose kin are sworn enemies find themselves irrevocably in love. Driven by ancient feuds, electric rhythms, a cinematic period setting, and the tragic obstacles of destiny, this is a timeless tale of love and tragedy. .As for the "GRAND THEATRE" it is a excellent 21st century opera house , definitely the best in India and a tourist attraction of Mumbai.One amazing fact is even in the cheapest balcony tickets the view is excellent with no obstruction which is a unique design feature of the Grand Theatre.From every angle of the 2000 seat theatre a viewer gets a unobstructed view of the stage .The "Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre(NMACC)" is such a massive complex that its akin to a maze getting to the Grand Theatre from the underground parking lot via lifts.Please visit this theatre once in your lifetime as a tourist attraction if uninterested in theatre.Got to view the "LARGEST LIFT IN THE WORLD" at NMACC and also viewed a showcase of Indian indigenous manufactured handicrafts and paintings along with prominent artisans of their specific craft.Surprisingly in comparison to cost of show tickets the price of refreshments and eatables was akin to normal restaurants.

Monday(21/8/2023)Konkani Tiatr " TUMI ZABAB DIAT( YOU'LL GIVE THE ANSWER)" :- On " Seniour Citizen Day" saw the Goan Konkani tiatr play " TUMI ZABAB DIAT " at Yeshwant Chavan Natya Mandir in Matunga.

Front row first seat and as usual typical engrossing Goan tiatr with a social message, comedy and songs reflecting the present social situation in the country.The main Antagonist was my namesake making me feel like a " Villain".Love Goan Tiatr for its opera style plays with live music.If knowing Konkani language or out of curiosity of " Goan Konkani Tiatr" do see this powerful play.Nice to see a almost house full attendance as regional theatre requires patronage for preservation of a culture and language.A big thanks to Mr Pascu.D' Cunha for the front row seat.

Tuesday(26/9/2023):- Saw the performance of dance, music and circus called " MIRACLE" performed by the Russian St Petersburg group.

This was a free performance and housefull.Before the performance had a snack/ dinner of " Raj Kachori" at iconic Tewaris.Having just returned from a "SOLO" travel of Tbilisi in Georgia had visited the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet theatre to watch the Georgian language opera "Abesalom and Eteri" and with subtitles in English language displayed on the front face of the stage curtain roof board could understand this play.

Hence on reading about this Russian play titled "MIRACLE" being performed in Mumbai and that too "FREE" decided to give it a look although illiterate in Russian language akin to being illiterate in Georgian language while watching the play "Abesalom and Eteri" in Tbilisi and enjoying the ambiance and grandeur of the occasion besides of the incetive of subtitles in English language.I was not disappointed by the Russian presentation of dance and Opera music in "MIRACLE" although the language was in Russian.They performed a Indian themed song and dance called "Nacho(Dance in Hindi language)" which had a Russian version of the Bharat Natyam dance being performed and excellent circus display with a skipping rope as seen in this video.The show was part Russian circus, part Russian Opera and part Russian orchestra.A Nine member Russian Orchestra provided the music using local Russian musical instruments as seen in this video. A excellent unforgettable evening of Russian entertainment and had to ride back home in drizzling rain on my "Bullet 350" bike.

Sunday(1/10/2023):- Saw the Goan Konkani Tiatr play " SORRY " at Yeshwant Chavan Natya Mandir in Matunga. Goan Tiatr akin to European Opera has a " Live Orchestra" with songs sung inbetween acts of the play.This play was about corruption and its moral effects on society. Songs were heavily based on sending political messages regarding elections with politicians named and photographs brought on stage.Depicts corruption in some elements of the " Police Force" with usual use of comedy.Seems Goa is gearing up for " Lok Sabha Elections - 2024". If you understand Konkani the songs explain the play .Happy to see a HOUSE-FULL crowd for the play .

Friday (13/10/2023):- " SEND IN THE CLOWNS". At the " INTERNATIONAL CLOWN FESTIVAL" at St Andrews auditorium in Bandra. Once in a while it's nice to go back in time and recollect childhood innocence of CLOWNS.

A excellent evening of jugglers and amazing acrobatics to a housefull crowd of kids and a few like me who are still kids at heart.The festival honours the craft of clowning by displaying a colourful array of personalities that will make you laugh and feel good inside. Each clown contributes a special appeal to the stage, from Bungles' lovable clumsiness to Sleepy's imaginative antics. Toppo adds an element of mischief, while Captain Dazzle will surprise you with amazing juggling and gymnastics. Jenny, Rone, and Gigi complete the group with their own mix of charm and humour.In the photo "Bungles" the clown from U..S.A posed a photo with me, a big fan of "Circuses" during my childhood and even adulthood until "Animal Circuses were banned.Never get bored seeing the antics of clowns, either sheer childish slapstick comedy or of the more cerebral sophisticated style. The event, organized annually by Mumbai-based Lighthouse Entertainment’s Mad Hatters, a family entertainment company, will feature nine participants from Canada, the US, Singapore, Germany and Italy, among other countries.This year, Japan made its debut at the festival with two acts by the duo RONE & Gigi, and Toppo. The former was an engaging evening with the two big-ear performers bringing a unique style of pantomime, physical comedy and music to the stage. The other highlights were performances by Canada’s Sleepy the Clown, who loves to work with balloons which was amazing and also magic, Jenny, the German unicyclist and hat juggler c0ombining with Gaia Ma from Italy, brought proficiency as a tap dancer to her juggling act. The "International Clown Show" now in its 9th edition show was conceived by Mr Martin D’Souza from Mumbai , who is better known by his clown avatar, Flubber. One of the few professional clowns in India, this MBA-turned-clown brings together juggling, miming, balloon sculpting and magic in his acts. He also runs the event management company Lighthouse Entertainment, which organizes the festival. Artist(s) : Flubber Bungles Sleepy Captain Dazzle Toppo Jenny Rone Gigi

Friday(10/11/2023):- Festive atmosphere at the 2100 hrs show of English play " RED".It was the annual " Prithvi Festival" with over 12 theatre groups, 30 shows across seven languages, 11 directors and 15 playwrights showcasing to a audience on every different day beginning from Friday(3/11/2023) to Monday(13/11/2023).Whenever I visit Prithvi theatre have to taste the " Kolkata Paan" sold at the entrance to Janki Kutir, try it if in that locality or visiting Prithvi Theatre.A excellent play with just 2 actors on stage ,a adaptation of the original Broadway version produced in 2009 by American writer John.Logan about Latvian Artist Mark Rothko.This play sees the renowned painter Mark Rothko at the pinnacle of his creativity but struggling through the creation of a series of large abstract paintings, commissioned to feature in New York’s brand-new Four Seasons Restaurant. Set in the 1950’s and based on series of real events in Mark Rothko's life as a painter.The two stage artists from Mumbai, Young Daniel Owen Dsouza acting in the play as painter Mark.Rothko's ( Actor Vikram.Kapadia) apprentice helper is also the director of this brilliant play. Brilliantly enacted on the small stage of Prithvi theatre where i was seated on first row front seat and as a "ARTIST" myself although not as a painter but as a writer and adventurer could click with the topic as also get a authentic peep into a artists professional life . This 21st century play is definitely thought provoking on the subject as to what defines "SUCCESS" in the real World ? "Money", "Fame" or "Personal Satisfaction". No doubt majority of painters and writers struggle for a living and as for me "WRITING/TRAVELLING" is a hobby and not my income unlike a "Travel Journalist" or a reporter, besides, i don't write on political subjects.Hence can indulge in my expensive passion and so far so good.

Dinesh.Vazirani in conversation with Hindi Actor/ Director Karan. Johar. 

Raja Ravi Varma 

Saturday (18/11/2023)ART MUMBAI :- A First type of its kind of " INDIAN ART EXHIBITION" under a single roof in Mumbai. "Art Mumbai" was held over a period of 3 days beginning on Friday(17/11/2023) and ending on Sunday(19/11/2023).Entrance tickets were also exorbitant for the common art viewer with a "V.I.P" pass eligible for all 3 day's costing Rs 6000 and normal day passes costing Rs 1500. Thankfully there was a discount for Students, Senior citizens and differently abled costing Rs 600 and was happy to buy a ticket under the "Senior Citizen" category.On entering the " ART MUMBAI" exhibition at Mahalaxmi Racecourse ( Members enclosure) got to see the newest artists presentation as well as the established legends of Indian art .

Viewed Raja.Ravi.Verma paintings as well as paintings by Amrita.Sher.Gill.F.N.Souza.M.F.Hussain,Jamin

.Roy Akbar.Padamsee, Bikas.Bhattacharjee , Rabin.Mondal,Anjolie.Ela .Menon, Bhupen Khakhar,S.H.Raza and British painter Thomas.Daniell to name a few of the prominent paintings as I am just a amateur connoisseur.Most importantly got  myself photgraphed with a few costliest paintings by Indian artists.  Black and white photographs by Raghu.Rai and Indian antiques along with sculptures also on display.Dont miss this art show as Mumbai itself is the undisputed financial capital of India and is currently in hyper-wealth-creation mode. As the primary hub of private enterprise, the city has benefited from the growth in new business sectors and enterprises, which has spawned a whole new set of wealthy individuals.

F.N .Souza " Head of a Man".
Estimate price Rs 7 crores +.

According to a Henley & Partners Report (2023), Mumbai already has more centi-millionaires (those with more than $100 million in investable assets) than Dubai, Sydney, Seoul or Miami. Outside the U.S. and China, only London and Singapore have more billionaires than Mumbai. The report also estimates that the number of centi-millionaires in Mumbai will grow by 80 percent over the next 10 years, a much faster rate than in other global cities.So this first "Art Mumbai" show is the first inaugural show and the same could follow every year .Actor Karan .Johar was the chief guest and conversed with Mr Dinesh.Vazirani CEO/Co-Founder, SaffronArt Management Corp, on all things concerning art, culture and films.

Saturday(25/11/2023) N.C.P.A

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023 :- Attended the 2nd day of the Jazz festival at N.C.P.A . Young Pianist Emmet Cohen brought his award-winning world-renowned band and trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III to Mumbai for a special performance at the NCPA International Jazz Festival. These musicians honored “Jazz’s Greatest Showman” and virtuosic artistes who knew how to perform and engage with their audience at the highest level. Benack crooned favorites by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett as well as trumpet repertoires plucked from the songbooks of Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. For his part, Cohen’s repertoire spanned the entirety of the history of jazz piano, from Fats Waller to Oscar Peterson and Thelonious Monk and everything in between.( Source N.C.P.A)

At Narali Baug  for  N.C.P.A @ the park
Free Concert.
Excellent Sea Face ambiance.

Saturday(16/12/2023):- NCPA@the park Free Concert at Narali Baug. 1) Rezhonium Rendezvous with Omkar.Agnihotri and later 2) Arthur and the Supernovas.Ambiance was excellent facing the Dadar sea beach.

Sunday(17/12/2023) :- Saw the Children's play " THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS" at Opera House,my last play of 2023 at Opera House.A spectacular Broadway musical show by Vishaal Asrani's Institute of Performing Arts. A tale full of drama, songs, dances, Christmas carols, stories about Santa, its workshop, elves and the wicked witch who reforms and settles down with Santa. Partly different from the traditional Santa Claus story and meant to entertain children of different faiths irrespective of being a christian. play with "Christmas Carols". . Its a Christmas musical that will appeal to both children and adults alike. A complete family entertainer!

"Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre" on Christmas Day

Monday(25/12/2023):-

On Christmas Day had a nice long motorcycle ride to the Grand Theatre complex in B.K.C.

At Grand Theatre in
"Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre"

The underground parking lot for 2 wheelers is through " Gate 5" and once underground is a jig-saw puzzle, absolutely huge and filled with cars akin to a large football field.You can get lost in finding your vehicle if you don't remember the parking row lot and number.Viewed the 1830 hrs show of the Worldwide musical hit " MAMA MIA" at the Grand Theatre in " Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre " at B.K.C.Brilliant musical and if a " Abba" fan please don't miss this West End and Broadway play .One of the longest running shows at London’s West End, MAMMA MIA! tells a tale of love and friendship, set on an idyllic fictional Greek island of Kalokairi where the sun always shines. This heart-warming story of the mother Donna and daughter Sophie unfolds to the timeless hits of legendary Swedish band ABBA, including ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Super Trouper’, ‘Honey, Honey’, ‘Voulez-Vous’, ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ and many more.Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem is that Sophie doesn’t know who her actual father is. Her mother Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers, Sam, Bill, and Harry and she secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up on the island they last visited 20 years ago it may not be as clear as she thought to decide her paternity with "DNA" tests not the order of the day on that particular island and time frame.

At " Nita Mukesh Ambani 
Cultural Center " on
Christmas Day.

Told through the legendary music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing In the end Donna agrees agrees to marry one of her 3 lovers ,Sam with the Abba song (I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do). Sam and Donna celebrate with their newfound family and friends with the Abba song (When All Is Said and Done). At the wedding, Harry one of her 3 lovers tells Donna she was the first and last woman he ever loved, inferring he is gay and pointedly looks at a local lad.Tickets were expensive at Rs 1750 being the cheapest Upper Balcony and the show was housefull.The popular musical, written by Catherine Johnson, was directed by Phyllida Lloyd and has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus. It was choreographed by Anthony Van Laast and has thrilled over 65 million people around the world.As for me bizarrely could identify 50% with one of the 3 main character's in this opera and could sue for plagiarization ? Yes, sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction.Just took a few photos of myself to prove the fact that for a few " LIFE BEGINS AFTER 60 " ! So far so good ? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_(musical)

Cardinal Oswald Gracias and  the "Nightingale of Goan Konkani music Ms Lorna Cordeiro.

Soul Temple Band

Tuesday(26/12/2023) : - " MUMBAI MERI JAAN FIESTA 2023" at Krida Bhavan opposite Shivaji Park in Mumbai."Mumbai Meri Jaan" is a event management company founded by Mr Agnelo.Fernandes .

Was the first person to book the Rs 500 ticket for this concert way back in November when Konkani concert organizing team member Mr Pascu.D'Cunha informed me the same on "WhatsApp".

In fact while delivering the concert ticket to me at home he clicked a photo of the "BONNY TICKET(FIRST)" being presented to me , akin to receiving a award.

A grand evening of Konkani music, dance ,English/Masala music
and ethnic cuisine stalls,

The venue "Krida Bhavan" is on my regular cycling route to "Mahatma Gandhi Swimming Pool" situated just 50 meters ahead.As usual on Tuesday evening cycled to "Krida Bhavan" parking my bike next to "Narali Baug" garden gate.Was early as is my usual habit and was initially entertained by the"Soul Temple Band" tuning their sound system through vocals and instrumental instruments.The show began late and inbetween there was dancing to DJ music with Lorna arriving at the venue on a vintage "Triumph car", a Goan superstar at the young age of 79 years.After a gap of about 15 minutes Cardinal Oswald Gracias made a grand entrance in the same car through the main front entrance.After the normal welcome ceremony with bouquets Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai who was the chief guest felicitated prominent personalities of the Goan Catholic community. Lorna Cordeiro nicknamed the " Nightingale of Goa" sang a few of her hit Konkani songs while " SOUL TEMPLE BAND " entertained the crowd with their mix of English, Konkani and Hindi vocal music.A entertaining evening of Christmas festivity celebration.

Engelbert and Alvira Rose singing at Krida Bhavan. 

Wonderful evening of Goan entertainment. 

Mr Pascal D'Cunha won 
" Best Dancer" prize.

Thursday (28/12/2023) MUMBAI MERI JAAN FIESTA 2023 :- Englebert and Elvira Rose ,a brother and sister combo singing Goan Konkani/ English/ Hindi songs at Krida Bhavan opposite Shivaji Park.They are the children of legendary Goan Konkani singer Alfred.Rose.Feels like a private party at a wedding.Excellent Goan entertainment with dance.

Cute cat also at the venue.
My Lucky Mascot 

P.S : - Being early paid dividends and I won a " Spot On" prize for singing 2 lines of the iconic Johnny Walker song " Hain Dil Hain Mushkil Jeena Yahaan, Yeh Hai Bombai Meri Jaan". In fact this was the " Bonny Song" of the evening's grand Goan entertainment The gentleman dancing in the checked shirt Mr Pascal D' Cunha won best dancer. As usual a free roaming cat at the venue was my Good luck mascot.

Sunday(14/1/2024) PET FED Mumbai:- Attended the Pet Fed carnival and got a glimpse of some few rare dog breeds not common to Mumbai as also attended the " International Cat Show" .This was a 2 day pet carnival of cats and dogs that began on Saturday (23/1/2024) with today being the last day.Tickets were priced at Rs 799 ,expensive but according to me worth the money especially if you are fond of pets or a pet parent.The " PET INDUSTRY" in India is a multi crore booming Industry and numerous PET stalls selling " Pet products" were on display at the venue.

Finalists Persian cat " MIZO ( Left)" and Maincoon " Prada( Right)" with their  respective owner/ handler.Judges Sudhakar.Katikineni and Dr Pradeep.Bangalore ( Black coat) are  in the centre of the photo

On entering the " NESCO I.T " ground complex in Goregaon ( East) headed to the "International Cat Show" section conducted on a separate enclosed section of this vast ground with various stalls catering to pet products and a large main stage where events were conducted for dog's.

" Mizo " the Persian cat is overall best in show.

The group " MUMBAI CAT CLUB" and " " PERSIAN CATS,ORIGINAL LONGHAIR AND ULTRA. BREEDING AND UPKEEP " which I had started in 2012 on " FB(Facebook) were instrumental in creation of India's first CAT CLUB " INDIAN CAT FEDERATION" in 2013 which sadly went into oblivion after a few years of conducting " CAT SHOWS" giving rise to the now other prominent cat clubs in India whose members began their appreciation and display of cats with " Indian CAT Federation" which was affiliated to German origin " WORLD CAT FEDERATION".

Dog  Fashion show. Paraded in front of the 3 judges  

A partetnership association between the Global Feline Alliance and Cat Club Of India resulted in this " International Cat Show " which highlighted the beauty of various cat breeds.There were 3 judges Ms Anne .Caroll, Mr Sudhakar.Katikineni and Dr Pradeep.Bangalore for judging this 2 day show conducted by the " CAT CLUB OF INDIA"

Had a brief conversation with cat Show judge Mr Sudhakar.Katikineni who began his entry into the World of cats with " Indian CAT Federation" and is today a International cat judge travelling to various parts of the Globe to judge cat shows.

Also met Dr Pradeep.Bangalore, a doctorate in Business administration with the hobby of being a professional " CAT Judge" in International cat competitions.A video of Persian cat " MIZO" winning the best cat of the show from " PRADA",a Maincoon breed in a lottery picked up by a young child as the final result was tied is on view.

Was very nostalgic as in 2015 I had ridden on my motorcycle all the way from Prabhadevi to this very ground for the " Indian CAT Federation " cat show with cat " Matahari" riding pillion in her cat basket for participating in the " CAT SHOW" ." Matahari" was no " Cat beauty Queen" and we both rode back home empty handed without a prize but definitely one of the most intelligent pets I owned and lived with during my ownership of numerous pets. Strolling towards the main grand elevated stage where the main dog shows were held was at the right place at the right time to witness a demonstration of the guard/ attack skills of the World famous Belgian Malinois breed of dogs by "Sachin Raawate Dog trainer " .Between 1976 to 1992 I owned 2 dogs , the first being a Spitz breed named " Blondie" and the second a dachshund named ," Lucky" who won a few prizes at the " I.N.K.C ( Indian National Kennel Club)" dog shows At the " PET Fed" show got to view a variety of different breeds along with their pet human parents with some dogs dressed for the dog fashion show.Later relaxed with a snack of " Masala Dosa" reminiscing the fact that I was once a " Dog Parent," and till recently in 2022 a " Cat Parent".Thankfully I am still a pet parent but this time of a free living Crow who has been visiting my kitchen window since 2019 and whom I have named " Tahatsu" .Change is permanent and truth is stranger than fiction at times.The last show of the 2- Day Pet Fed carnival was the " Dog Talent" and " Dog Fancy Dress" competition on the grand main stage. PetFed holds the prestigious Limca World Record for the 'Biggest Dog Carnival.' This year, over 962 dogs, accompanied by more than 19,400 humans, participated in the 2 days Mumbai edition, marking the festival's annual success in bringing together the pet community.

Sunday(28/1/2024) :- LOLLAPALOOZA INDIA 2024 DAY - 2 at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai

Opening  performance
of Lollapalooza India 2024
Megan Murray on Nexa stage 

Lollapalooza 2024 was awesome , the present era " Woodstock" of World music concerts. As usual was early at the venue at 1200 hrs and was mistaken to be a "Crew Member" and allowed entry with my "Tag Identity Card" but later told to exit and await the actual entry time for audience ticket holders.Waiting in the empty queue came across Bangalorean Businessman Mr Madhav.Kumar who had specially flown from Bangalore just to attend this concert, the first "Lollapalooza Franchisee" in Asia.As a "Solo" traveller even in my own hoome city you are never alone and later met young Swiss Student Mathew.Dietes on a holiday in India. Having visited a few Swiss cities during my travel including Zurich last year discussed the atrosciously high cost of living of Zurich and was surprized to know he was living in a guesthouse in my old neighbourhood of Byculla. Gave him a few guidiance tips on travel in South Mumbai realizing its a small World we live in especially for any Nomadic traveller.Finally at 1300 hrs was allowed entry but my "Wrist Tag" identity was not getting acknowledged as i had entered the venue earlier and finally the "Mistaken Identity" problem was solved and was the first among the audience to enter the palatial racecourse grounds section of "Lollapalooza India -2024".Lucky to be in attendance for as a middle classs non-employed student could never afford expensive concert tickets in the 1970's until 1983 when i was first employed as a "Marine Engineer" on Ships.Entry cost was Rs 7000 approx , my most expensive "Single Day " music concert ticket even taking the inflation cost factor into account having attended numerous local as well as International concerts in Mumbai.For the first time in my lifetime of music concert attendances got to learn and see various different genres of music at one single location .

Parekh and Singh performing at Lollapalooza 

View of Walkers & Co Stage on palatial Mahalaxmi racecourse ground.A total of 4 different Stages.

The " ROSE" and " ERIC NAM" introduced me to " LIVE" Korean Pop music .Got to see Anoushka Shanker perform on the sitar along with her musicians, grace personified." Malaa" in his hooded face mask thrilled the crowd with his Electronic DJ music and pyrotechnics. The venue featured four stages divided into North stages (Nexa, Budweiser) and South stages (Perry’s, Walkers & Co) and navigating between the north and south stages involves a brisk 20-minute walk which is why understanding the festival layout was important. I tested my physical fitness to the maximum walking from one stage to the other inbetween or at the end of a musicians stage performance at Mahalaxmi Racecourse.

Anoushka Shankar 
at
Lollapalooza India. 

There were a total of 4 Stages 1) Nexa Stage 2) Perrys Stage 3) Walkers & Co Stage and finally 4) Budweiser Stage.Below is the name of all the artists who performed on various different stages with Megan Murray opening the Concert and Sting and Medusa closing Lollapalooza India 2024 on 2 different stages, "Budweiser" and "Perrys " stages .A night that will be forever etched in my memory.Lollapalooza India 2024 was a smaller version of the " Woodstock" that I missed as a kid in 1969 although haveseen the film version upteen times during my teenage years in the 1970's. Below is the list of performers i managed to view in part's as the entire housefull audience and myself were spoiled for choice selection hurrying between the various performers on different stages, a walking marathon. A first in my life time of upteen International concert atendances in India . The list in numerical order although i must have missed one or two performers on this unforgettable day. 1) Megan Murray U.S based Indian origin singer on "Nexa Stage". 2)Stalwart John ( Electronic DJ from India) on "Perrys Stage". 3) Parvaaz on "Walkers & Co Stage". 4) Shashwat Bulusu( From Baroda in India Hindi/English Music) on " Nexa stage ". 5) Jabe (Bollywood Mix DJ) on "Perry stage" 6) KomoRebi on " Budweiser stage". 7) Brecilla on " Nexa Stage " 8) The Rose on " Walkers & Co Stage". 9) Monophonic ( Mumbai based D J) on " Perrys stage" ."Perry's Stage" was only for Electro DJ music . 10) Parekh and Singh.on " Nexa stage " 11) Anoushka Shankar on " Budweiser stage" 12) Prabh Deep rap singer in Hindi on "Perrys stage ". 13) Eric Nam on " Nexa stage ". 14) Malaa in Balaclava whose identity is unknown on " Perrys Stage". 15) Keane, Englisgh alternative rock band on " Budweiser Stage" 16) One Republic on " Walkers and co Stage " 17) Sting on "Budweiser Stage" 18) Meduza, Italian electronic music on " Perrys Stage".

ONE  REPUBLIC performing at Lollapalooza India 2024 

Excellent although had to literally have a walking competition between the 4 stages as 2 different genres of music played at staggering intervals on 2 stages simultaneously.A hurried dinner was "Chicken Biryani" from "Copper Chimney food stall" with a Budweiser beer .Megan.Murray opened the show at 1330 hrs and throughout the afternoon till 2200 hrs it was non stop music on various of the 4 stages. .In Rock music Sting on "Budweiser Stage" did the grand finale while Medusa from Italy was the last staggered performance in Electro DJ music.

Raell Padamsee's "HIDDEN AGENDAS" premier show.Directed by Karla.Singh. Star cast on stage at end of play.Starring :- Tannaz Irani,Anu.menon,Dilnaz.Irani,Sid,Makkar,SharmaG,Zervan.Bunshah,Varun.Narayan and Renee.Sen.

Premier show  ticket holder Rudolph.A.Furtado
at the promotional photo-shoot of the play.

Sunday(25/2/2024) " Hidden Agendas " at Tata Theatre ( N.C.P.A) :-Attended the premier show of  " Hidden Agendas" which is a dynamic ensemble play featuring some of Bombay's finest talent. The play takes you through a rollercoaster of drama and humour at a 20th anniversary celebration party of the Malhotra Family" at their plush house.The play is based on upperclass ,Urban society and is about a group of good friends who find out too much about each other when they leave their smartphones open to the group at the Malhotra dinner party.Sexual secrets leap out of the "Phone Chats" and is a hilarious satire on modern elite Urban culture in a era where personal privacy is almost non -existant after the invention of the "Internet" and "Smart Phone".Sexual discussion is a major topic in this play and hence adults only, above 18 years of age.

Sunday(3/3/2024)THE GRADUATE :- Everyone fond of English music must have heard the evergreen song " Mrs Robinson" from the English movie " THE GRADUATE".

The Graduate is a 1967 American movie based on a novel by Charles Webb, and directed by Mike Nichols. It is set in Southern California.Saw this play at " St Andrews Auditorium " in Bandra and very well enacted in tune to the original novel and movie.Excellent and a scandalous evergreen storyline with hit music from the duo of Simon and Garfunkel .

"WORLD JAZZ FESTIVAL-2024"

Saturday (20/4/2024):- World Jazz Festival-2024 at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Bandra( W). JAZZ BANDS PERFORMING Tom Van der Zaal Quintet featuring Fluerine and Femke Mooren Chi Quartet Tribute to Coltrane by Ben van den Dungen Quartet South African Jazz legacy by Thapelo Khumisi Trio feat. Titi Luzipo New York Round Midnight Orchestra feat. Alexander Hurricane Beets The festival also pays tribute to Jazz legends such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Horace Silver, and John Coltrane, along with presenting Jazz Standards from the Great American Songbook. A excellent evening of Jazz music a new genre of English music I am getting to understand and appreciate.

Star Cast in 2024 of "SHATRANJ KE MOHRA" at Prithvi Theatre :- Aanjjan Srivastav, Rakesh Bedi, Avtar Gill, Bansi Thapar, Ramesh Rajhans, Masood Akhtar, Niraj Pandey, Ridhima Bedi, Ranjana Aanjjan, Prithvi Keshri.Play has been staged since 1971 under different actors over the decades akin to "Mouse Trap" in England.

"IRISH COFFEE" at Prithvi Theatre cafe

Wednesday(1/5/2024)" SHATRANJ KE MOHRE " :- Attended the 2100 hrs show of the play " SHATRANJ KE MOHRE" written by P.L. Deshpande This Hindi play is a satire that has subtly been told on many levels through the protagonist Kakaji Bakshi and the antagonist Acharya Ram Bhajan. As humans at times we become pawns of our own system. Social values adopted by one set of people may not be suitable to another set of people. Its the story of a household where two different ideologies clash into a cauldron of humor and the residue is nothing but comedy, laughter and wit. Akin to the " RAT TRAP" in English Theatre ,this play is the longest running play in Hindi Theatre since 1971.Many prominent actors have played various roles in this play since 1971.I love Prithvi Theatre for it's ambiance and before the play had a signature " Irish Coffee" at the cafe which was packed to capacity.As usual cats are attracted to me and vice versa and the local semi stray resident cat of Prithvi Theatre slept next to me during my waiting period for entrance to the Theatre.Hindi actor Mr Rakesh .Bedi was the most prominent recognizable actor in the present starcast. It was a terrible motorcycle ride from Old Prabhadevi road to Prithvi Theatre in peak evening holiday traffic,a extreme motorcycle ride.The return ride home at 2345 hrs was excellent ,akin to being on a freeway with less traffic.

Thursday (30/5/2024):- Brazilian jazz pianist, singer, composer and arranger, double Grammy winner, double Latin Grammy award winner, 12 time Grammy nominee, 3 Gold Disc award winner and 3 time best vocal award winner Eliane Elias performed her India debut at the NCPA Tata Theatre to a packed housefull audience.I had booked the cheapest Rs 1000 ticket a month in advance and it was a wonderful motorcycle ride to N.C.P.A with the traffic being sparse as it was non-peak office hours. Complimentary cocktails and drinks was served before the start of the show at 1930 hrs and Elaine Elias and her band of 3 musicians enthralled the audience with their performance.At a very late age in my life learning and liking a new genre of music, Jazz.

Saturday(29/6/2024):- Attended a excellent evening of vintage music at " NCPA Experimental Theatre" with the theme :- Retro Revival :- "Pop perfection from past to present". No Strings Attached – Retro Revival: pop perfection from past to present brought energy and excitement to the stage with their captivating performances and diverse repertoire, ensuring something for everyone. From rock, pop, or funk, they sung unforgettable renditions with their unique flair, infectious rhythms, soulful vocals and boundless entertainment.

Retro Revival: pop perfection from past to present Petula Rodericks, vocals Stephen Veigas, keyboards Russell Fernandes, bass Ulric Sequeira, lead guitar Leonard Jordan, drums It was also the day of "T20 World Cup Cricket" finals .Rode back home after the concert and was happy to watch Virat. Kohli finally batting to his potential in the T20 Finals with a nail biting tussle and India snatching Victory from the jaws of defeat beating south Africa by 7 runs in the last over and winning the "T20 World Cup 2024".

Sunday(28/7/2024)" BEATLES TRIBUTE" at N.C.P.A :- Unbelievable dry cloudy non - rainy day after almost 2 weeks of continuos rain in Mumbai.Had booked well in advance for this " BEATLES TRIBUTE" concert at N.C.P.A .After a long time had a pleasant ride to N.C.P.A and we the audience were entertained to a excellent evening of Beatles songs, English music that is relevant with every generation. We the audience joined in and as usual I produced a few videos with me in " Cameo roles".A wonderful evening and a excellent motorcycle ride back home .

This was a Silly Point Presentation The " Beatles Artistes " were : - Sarosh Nanavaty, Naquita D’souza, Danesh Irani, Danesh Khambata, Hormuz Ragina, Arish Bhiwandiwala, Brent Tauro, Karan Parikh & Adil Kurva

Sunday(4/8/2024)Happy Friendship Day :- Keeping in touch with " GEN Z(1995-2009)" music decided of celebrating " FRIENDSHIP DAY" at " N.S.C.I DOME" attending the "McDowells Yari Jam" concert .A string of " GEN Z" artists played on stage from 1745 hrs upto midnight.Featuring a stellar lineup of " Gen Z " favorites beginning with Lothika performing in Mumbai for the first time sang from 1745-1845 hrs. Followed by Indian origin American Lisa Mishra who performed from 1845 -1945 hrs. Next was Zaeden from 1945 hrs - 2115 hrs who was midway joined by Anuv.Jain ,both strumming their guitars to a song.Later Anuv.Jain strummed his guitar to a solo song. My favourite artist was the group "Sanam " that performed after Anuv.Jain from 2120 to 2315 hrs with finally Ritviz closing the show with his electronic trance Hindi-English music from 2315 to well past midnight. Yaari Jam had everyone grooving and singing along to the latest chart-topping hits. The House of McDowell's Soda has long been associated with the heartwarming tales of Yaari serving as a catalyst for friendships and solidarity through its compelling storytelling. Yaaron Waali Baat highlights the limitless possibilities that arise from meaningful connections and how small gestures can leave a lasting impact on friends.As for me got a " Peep - in" to " Generation Z" music idols and found " SANAM" fantastic singing mostly " Cover Songs" of classic Hindi film songs which the parents of " Generation Z" which is the " Baby Boomer Generation" enjoyed in their youth.IN MUSIC THERE IS NO GENERATIONAL GAP PROVIDED YOU LOVE MUSIC AND ITS LYRICS.A excellent night of something different and something familiar to yours truly belonging to the " Baby Boomer Generation(1946-1964!)". Ahoy ! NOTE :- I WAS ASKED TO PRODUCE MY I.D FOR A " DRINKING PERMIT WRIST BAND" ? 25 years is minimum age for permission to drink in India and do I resemble a below 25 year old youth with " Dyed Beard" .Hilarious but true.

Veteran Goan Konkani Tiatr artist Mr Marcus.Vaz with 
Seafarer/Blogger/Traveller Rudolph.Furtado.

Sunday (18/8/2024)" ROGOT( Blood) :- Arriving early at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha Auditorium in Matunga  to view the  Konkani Goan tiatr play" ROGOT " happened to meet Goa's prominent tiatr artist Mr Marcus Vaz with whom i clicked a photo.Had a long conversation with him and was happy to know Konkani Goan Tiatr is commercially a big success  unlike most plays in English, Hindi which  find difficulty in being commercial successes at the "  Box Office".He tours all over the World with " Goan Tiatr" plays ans is booked throughout the year  by different Konkani Tiatr directors and producers. Love Goan Tiatr( Plays) which have political satire with a moral story and hilarious comedy .Very similar to Opera.Before Viewing the concert dinner was vegetarian at Kohinoor food plaza.This new tiatr(play) by Menin de Bandar delves into blood relations. ‘Rogot’ recounts a tale of those family members that are ready to sacrifice their own blood relations, to fulfil their selfish desires. Jennifer is the daughter of Cecilia and Vitorino who is very well educated, but has fallen in love with Lyndon, an individual who is selfish and takes advantage of his girl. She is ready to leave her parent’s house and go and live with the lover. His brother, Macroy objects but the two continue. One day, Lyndon is involved in a hit and run case, killing the victim who was supposed to marry another girl. The drama then continues, as Jennifer gets pregnant and then realises her folly. This is a tale of love that does not survive.

Seniour Veteran Tiatr artists of play " Rogat" being felicitated during the interval.

At times, it would be nice to listen to the advice of elders in the family. There is remorse but still the characters cannot seek forgiveness from their parents.

Main starcstarcast of " ROGAT" performing a scene on stage.

There is a good cast and a fine band with many youngsters. Lawrence provides lights to the stage sets by Baptist-Joyran-Joseph. The cast has Dolla and Vitorino, as the parents of Jennifer, played by Jennifer. Myran Travasso does well in the negative role, as Lyndon, being quite evil and selfish! Maxcy plays his brother, Macroy who seems to have more understanding. Delina and Wilton play the other brother and sister. Jayden and others play various characters. Humbert with Glanny and Rizma provide some humour. The band has Edrol (trumpet), Ashben (saxophone), Macmillan (drums), Rosario (keyboard) and Mariano (bass). The music is good! Jennifer renders the opening song. There are songs by Dolla, Jennifer, Delina, Glanny, Michael, Clint, Jayden, C. D’Silva and others.Thanks to www.navhindtimes.in" Tiatr journalist Mr J.P Pereira for the brief essay on this play " ROGOT".As a Mangalorean Catholic speaking Konkani with a Mangalorean accent at times find it difficult to understand the Goan Konkani Tiatr dialogue and hence I always read the review before watching any Goan Tiatr .

Saturday(19/10/2024) N.C.P.A :- Visited the Tata Theatre in N.C.P.A at Nariman point to attend the " Rhythm Riot" musical programme conducted by the " The Salvation Singers ",Mumbai’s 37-member choral powerhouse. This time they are mixing decades and genres—from ’60s pop, vintage jazz and good ol’ musicals to the latest chartbusters and desi favourites. From their modest start in 1997 as a small choir in Dadar, they have gone from strength to strength over the years to emerge as a vibrant musical group which has been pushing the boundaries of choral performance.

"WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR" exhibition at NMACC in Mumbai.

2 of the winning photographs 1) OWLS ROAD HOUSE
and 2) THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE

Sunday (3/11/2024):- Attended the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition, from the Natural History Museum in London which is on view at the Art House at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) from October 5, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Here is a description of the exhibition extracted from the " NMACC" website. This stunning display features spectacular species, fascinating animal behaviour, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Using photography's unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, the images shine a light on wildlife stories from around the world, encouraging a future dedicated to advocating for the planet. Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases some of the best talent from around the world for nearly 60 years.

A exhibit at the exhibition.

Launched in 1965, the competition now receives entries from 117 countries and territories, highlighting its enduring appeal. Each year, the exhibition of the winning and commended photographs is held at the Natural History Museum in London and later tours to select venues around the globe, allowing the images to be seen by millions. This year, the collection debuts in India with its 2023 finalists at NMACC, Mumbai, spotlighting the six award-winning Indian photographers, including Vishnu Gopal, Vihaan Talya Vikas, Sriram Murali, Vinodh Venugopal, Raj Mohan, and Nejib Ahmed. “Celebrating NMACC’s commitment to bringing the best of the world to India, we are honoured to collaborate with the Natural History Museum for the very first time to bring this stunning exhibition to our country,” shares Isha Ambani. “We are delighted to host such a brilliant selection of photographs, uplift the talented photographers behind the lens, and help raise awareness about the important issues our planet is facing right now. As we present the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us and beyond with this exhibition, we are proud to showcase the work of six award-winning Indian photographers, as part of this exhibit.” Displayed across three floors of the Art House.

Lighting  of the lamp inauguration ceremony of " NCPA @ the PARK" on Bandra Amphitheatre Fort  stage in Mumbai.

Saturday(9/11/2024)NCPA @ the Park:-Attended the first show of the season of " NCPA @ the Park" at Bandra Amphitheatre Fort in Mumbai.

Vishwajeet Borwankar performed classical music and Hindi film music from 1800 hrs until 1930 hrs .

After a short interval of trademark NCPA " Cold Coffee/ Sandwich/ Samoosa " the next performance was by Dominque -N-Jazz Republic.Excellent ambiance and music at the Bandra amphitheatre fort.Coincidentally while riding my motorcycle to Bandra at a signal stop a SUV car's front wheel went over my right foot when I rested my leg for bike support at the signal stop.A miracle my right foot didn't get crushed thanks to my excellent Adidas shoes.Miracles do happen.Crowd also began dancing later in the evening to the jazz music of Dominque Careja and her band.Saturday (7/12/2024) NCPA @ the Park :- Symphony Orchestra of India performing at Bandra Fort Amphitheatre.

Christ Church  School Alumni Ms Hema Peters
and Ms Bharathi Smith Peters at "Queen Esther"

Sunday(8/12/2024):- Thanks to Christ Church classmate and school alumni Ms Bharati Peters Smith and her sister Ms Hema Peters that i got a invitee to see the Biblical play " QUEEN ESTHER" which was housefull.Excellently performed with a very large star cast and special effects.A expensive production and for the first time watched the longest stage play in my life that did not have a Interval.

Friday(13/12/2024) Mumbai Meri Jaan Christmas Fiesta 2024 :- At Kreeda Bhavan in Dadar getting into the Christmas festivities.Cardinial Oswald Gracias inaugurated the festivities with Lorna Cordiero the Nightingale of India being the main diva of the evening with band " Double R" providing the music.Christmas carols sung in Konkani and English language.A indescribable evening of music, dance and festivities.

Saturday( 14/12/2024)NCPA @ the park :- First to perform at Narali Baug at Dadar beach was " Abhanga Repost" a Contemporary Folk Fusion Band known to popularize and revisit the Hindu religious Abhangas Poetries by Sants of Maharashtra into Rock music in Marathi language .2) Second half was the Mumbai band " Rockin Marmalade" playing English,pop,rock of the 90's .

Roulette Spin winner

Saturday (28/12/2024) NCPA @ the Park at Cooperage Bandstand( Colaba) The Dr. J Collective performed at 1800 hrs. Jarvis Pereira - Vocals and Guitar Kelly D'lima – Vocals Russel Fernandes – Bass Darrel Joseph – Keys Leonard Jordan - Drums Dr. J and Kelly Collective brought  back to life those glorious tunes that have stood the test of time across genres like rock, pop, funk, reggae, RnB, and disco. Their set  featured classics by The Beatles, Abba, CCR, Fleetwood Mac, U2, Elvis Presley, The Police, Bryan Adams, Bob Marley and Boney M.  Next was  Stand-up Comedy – 07:30 pm( Excellent) Stand-up Comedy by Siddharth Dudeja as a Host Tarang Hardikar - 1st Act Vaibhav Sethia - 2nd Act Siddharth Dudeja is a regular performer at The Habitat and ‘Best in Stand Up Comedy’ weekends at the Comedy Store and Canvas Laugh Club. He has done 1000+ shows across the country, toured with the show ‘Not Available on Netflix’, ‘Siddharth Dudeja Live on Tour’ and performed at some of the biggest comedy and cultural festivals of India. Vaibhav Sethia is an IIT Graduate, an architect-turned-comedian, who also has an Amazon Prime Video solo show named ‘DON’T’. Tarang Hardikar is a standup comedian who does observational routines about tigers, birds, trees, basically everything except humans. Some speculate its because he has no friends. He hates such speculators. Coincidentally also what his parents say - he is here just to make us laugh.

Won a " Roulette Spin" lucky dip .Returning back home on my " Royal Enfield Bullet 350" almost landed in a hospital surviving a accident.Nearing home stretch at Worli Naka a young women riding a scooter pillion with her male companion brushed against me at a turn making me lose my balance.Luckily I was in a slow mode and braked but lost balance and my bike tilted towards my right side with me falling in the middle of the busy road.Got squeezed and luckily my right leg didn't get crushed.A few people lifted the bike from the ground and I got up miraculously unhurt and the sturdy " Bullet" bike intact.Rode the short distance back to home.A evening to remember for various reasons.A " Roulette Win", a excellent evening of music and entertainment and finally on my home stretch travel surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident.

Saturday (4/1/2025)NCPA@ the Park at Bandra Fort :- 1) Manipuri and Chaau dance by Sanjib.Bhattacharya & Troupe . 2) UnErase Hindi Poetry . A line-up of pieces by Hindi poets that feel like a warm hug on a cold night.

Usha Uthup performing at the Nehru centre in  Mumbai.

Friday (24/1/2025):-

Usha Uthup after the 
Concert on her way home.

Drowning my " BULL MARKET CRASH" sorrows attended the Usha Uthup concert at Nehru Centre in Mumbai.Nostalgia songs as she did cover albums of Hindi songs inspired from English songs besides other hit songs.Age has taken it's toll and she sits and sings at age 80 but the voice is intact.Audience joined for a few songs next to the stage.Was lucky to get close-up photo's of the grand Dame of Hindi- English cover and a few original songs.At the car park got to meet her as she took off in her car with her entourage.Was glad to attend a concert of one of the original English night club singers of the " Trinca's " era of Calcutta and " Talk of the Town( Jazz by the Bay)" of Bombay of the 20th century .A evening of music humour and Old World nostalgia.

Band : -  " No Strings Attached " at Cooperage Bandstand .

Stand up Comedian 
Anuvab Pal

Saturday (25/1/2025):- N.C.P.A@ the Park at CooperageBandstand. :- 1) NO Strings Attached – Group played at 6:00 pm Jarvis Pereira – Vocals and Guitar Kelly D`lima – Vocals Russel Fernandes – Bass Darrel Joseph – Keys Leonard Jordan – Drums Pop perfection from past to present. They bring energy and excitement to the stage with their captivating performances and diverse repertoire, ensuring something for everyone. from rock, pop, or funk, they deliver unforgettable renditions with their unique flair, infectious rhythms, soulful vocals, and boundless entertainment. 2) Stand-up Comedy by Anuvab Pal – 7.15 pm 7.15 pm After 3 years and 300 shows in the UK and around the world, stand-up comedian Anuvab Pal returns to his home stage, where it all began in Mumbai. To tell you he understands even less about the world, than when he began. A clean English stand-up comedy- not filled with social media slang or juvenile jokes or bad language or teenage nonsense. This is FOR YOU, whoever you are. Hopefully, above 35. A sane adult. Confused by everything in young digital India.

Goan  Konkani Natak  :-  " GANV ZALLO ZANTO "

Sunday (26/1/2025):- Viewed Konkani Natak " GANV ZALLO ZANTO( The Village has turned old) " at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagraha auditorium in Matunga.

Snippets from the play that has a political message regarding sharing of the Mandovi river water ( MHADEI)in Goa and upbringing of children to appreciate and value local Goan village life rather than migrate to city's or foreign country's.As usual comedy but different from normal Goan Catholic Tiatr.No " LIVE" band or Opera songs on stage but dancing staged to recorded music. https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/konkani-drama-review-ganv-zala-zantto-is-a-comedy-with-a-message

"THE GENTLEMANS CLUB" : - Produced by Patchwork Ensemble, it is performed by Puja Sarup, Sheena Khalid, Rachel D’souza, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Srishti Dixit and Amey Mehta. It takes you on a journey into the lives of the city’s drag Kings with the protagonist Rocky (holding mike)aka Shammsher leading the way.

Saturday (8/2/2025)" THE GENTLEMANS CLUB " at "N.C.P.A "

"The Gentlemans Club " 
at N.C.P.A

:- After having quit(retired) from long distance maraton inter-state and inter city motorcyle rides i now love the long ride from Prabhadevi to N.C.P.A at Narinam point and back home after watching a play.The play "The Gentlemans Club" invites the audiences to enter Mumbai's pulsating underground club scene and follow the exhilarating lives of the city's drag kings, headlined by the enigmatic Rocky, also known as Shammsher. Rocky's act is a tribute to the legendary Shammi Kapoor and the golden era of Hindi cinema. Alongside Rocky, a diverse ensemble of women embraces the art of drag, delivering a cabaret-style performance that transports you to a gritty, hidden world where you can be anyone you desire.The show offered a thrilling reimagination of Indian drag with cabaret-style performance plunging audiences into Mumbai’s underground club scene. Here, not only could men become queens, as seen in popular media, but women also become kings— an innovative shift that challenged mainstream notions of drag, both locally and globally. Rocky and the ensemble celebrated Bollywood’s legacy and explored what it means to perform masculinity in ways that feel distinctively Indian. In this production by Patchwork Ensemble, co-presented by the NCPA and London’s Soho Theatre, drag becomes an exploration of identity, gender, and desire in ways rarely seen on Indian stages. Something different on the Indian Stage and also performed at Soho theatre in London.See this play at least once .In Soho in London I presume most of the audience were of Indian origin or Asians as the theme is based on Indian Bollywood which would be alien to most Britishers not in touch with Indian cinema.The 80-minute performance has been conceptualised by Puja Sarup, Sheena Khalid and Vikram Phukan and choreographed by Amey Mehta.

Saturday (1/3/2025)NCPA @ the park :- NCPA@thePark at Bandra Amphitheater in Mumbai. An evening of timeless Western classical music with members of the Symphony Orchestra of India featuring Sporano Natalie Di Luccio and Symphony Orchestra of India performed from 1830 - 1945 hrs

An unforgettable evening filled with captivating, soulful, and powerful orchestral music by some of the most celebrated composers such as Tchaikovsky, Bach and Vivaldi, performed by the talented members of the Symphony Orchestra of India. The evening also featured the enchanting vocals of Natalie Di Luccio, an Italian-Canadian classical-crossover soprano from Toronto, as she joins them on stage.

Dr Tina Tambe and her Kathak group performing at Bandra Amphitheatre.

A fan of Hindi films but not exactly a connoisseur of Indian " KATHAK DANCE FORM" got a crash educative instruction course by Dr Tina Tambe on different genres of " KATHAKALLI DANCE" performed on various occasions including the most popular Hindi films.

The dance performances of each different genre was perfection at its best.Most importantly this show was free ,thanks to NCPA @ the park Sponsorship in getting audiences to experience different art displays. A brief glimpse of a few of the dance sequences including the immortal Mujra from the Hindi film " Pakeezah". Pratikriti - Kathak in Indian Cinema started at 19:45 pm After the " Symphony of India " concert. Dr. Tina Tambe and her Ninad Group presented Pratikriti - Kathak in Indian Cinema, celebrating the essence of Kathak through iconic Bollywood melodies in its purest form.

Tuesday(11/3/2025);- Saw " Phantom of the Opera" in the Grand Theatre at " NMACC( Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre)" . Marvellous and do see before it closes.Based on a 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of the young soprano Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. The Phantom of the Opera is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, playing to over 160 million people in 46 territories and 195 cities in 21 languages. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic, haunting and soaring score includes The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Masquerade and the iconic title song.The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history, and celebrated its 10,000th performance on 11 February 2012, becoming the first Broadway production in history to do so.It is the second longest-running West End musical, after Les Misérables, and the third longest-running West End show overall, after The Mousetrap.By 2019, it had been seen by over 140 million people in 183 cities across 41 countries. After the show rode my motorcycle back home to Old Prabhadevi road and enroute picked up some street food dinner parcel at Mahim.A excellent evening of watching a Broadway/ West End Opera play " Live" in Mumbai city.Although the tickets are expensive in comparison to Indian cost of living it saves you the air travel ticket to watching the play in New York or London.

Saturday (22/3/2025) : -  N.C.P.A @the park at Cooperage Bandstand.This was the  last show of the season of N.C.P.A @ the park.Had invited childhood friend Mr Francis.D' mello for the concert as he was in Mumbai.The first performance was by the group  "  Samantha & The Crooked Tailbones "  at  06:30 pm .Band  comprised  of Samantha Noella - Vocals,  Alanis Rodrigues- Bass guitar ,Sounak Saha- Lead Guitar,  Jordan Rodrigues - Keys and Glyston Gracias - Drums .This was followed  by " Standup Comedy " at 0745 pm .First stand up comedian was  Aman Jotwani followed by Shamik Chakrabarti .

Shamik Chakrabarti of Amazon Prime`s Comicstaan, Youtube, and Instagram fame did his best jokes in an evening full of relatable and observational humour.

Thursday(27/3/2024)World Theatre Day :-On World theatre day saw the classic Marathi play " Ghasiram Kotwal" at Shivaji Natya Mandir in Dadar.

Ghashiram Kotwal is a Marathi play written by playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1972 as a response to the rise of a local political party, in Maharashtra. The play is a political satire, written as historical drama. It is based on the life of Nana Phadnavis (1741–1800), one of the prominent ministers in the court of the Peshwa of Pune and Ghashiram Kotwal, the police chief of the city. Its theme is how men in power give rise to ideologies to serve their purposes, and later destroy them when they become useless.Jayant Karve and an American professor Eleanor Zelliot jointly translated Ghashiram Kotwal from the Marathi into English (Calcutta, 1984). It was first performed on 16 December 1972, by the Progressive Dramatic Association in Pune. Jabbar Patel's production of the play in 1973 is considered a classic in Modern Indian Theatre.

" GHASIRAM KOTWAL" is to Marathi Theatre what the " RAT TRAP" is to English theatre.I had read the English translation of the play and hence understood this excellent performance .If fond of theatre do see " Ghasiram Kotwal" once in your lifetime even if not fluent in Marathi language.

Friday (4/4/2025)" BOMBAY JAZZ" :- Drowned my colossal " Stock Market Portfolio" losses akin to the carefree Jazz musicians of Bombay of my parents generation era of 1950's, 60's and 70's era by sipping " Irish Coffee" at Prithvi Theatre and not " Whisky" or " Auntys Country.liquor".Attended the 7pm show of " Bombay Jazz" at Prithvi theatre in Juhu .Adding to " Stock Market portfolio" loss was the shock of the abrupt increase in parking charges for 2 - wheelers at " Juhu pay/ Park" which was a unbelievable Rs 100 for 3 hrs , costlier than " Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural centre" at BKC. " BOMBAY JAZZ" is a semi-autobiographical musical play about Goan and Anglo Indian musicians who brought jazz influences into Hindi film music between the 50s and 70s era . There's Mumbai, Bombay, India. There's ego, failed futures, alcoholism. There's love, passion, bounced cheques. There's show-biz, razzmatazz. And some of the biggest names in popular culture from C. Ramachander to Laxmikant Pyarelal and Shankar Jaikishen to RD Burman.

Please read the T.O.I article written in 2019 about " BOMBAY JAZZ" :- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/a-musical-is-celebrating-indias-jazz-age-and-our-local-musicians-who-gave-it-life-and-wing-in-bollywood/articleshow/71385557.cms

Saturday (5/4/2025)" ANTONETTE FOREVER" :-A few Konkani songs and skits from the concert " Musical tribute Antonette Forever" ,a tribute to Goan Tiatr artist and actress Mrs Antonette Mendes at Yeshwant Natya Mandir.This was a free charitable concert and was housefull.

Thanks to Goan Tiatr social worker Mr Pasco Dcunha for providing me the ticket to a excellent evening of Classic vintage and nostalgic Goan Tiatr.Her 3 daughters named Judy, June, and Lara and sister Fatima D'souza performed at this concert. Mr Agnelo Fernandes , President of " Mumbai Meri Jaan" Foundation and " Advisor to " National Commission for Minorities " in Mumbai was the Chief guest at the event.Antonette Mendes was born on May 10, 1944 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, India. She was an actress, known for Sukhache Sopon (1966), Nirmon (1966) and Amchem Noxib (1963). She was married to Romeo Mendes. She died on April 7, 2024 at Bandra in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Read this T.O.I article to understand the theatrical importance of Goan Tiatr artist Antonette Mendes. https://www.heraldgoa.in/news-today/antonette-mendes%E2%80%99s-demise-a-huge-loss-to-goa%E2%80%99s-konkani-stage/219939

" GIRLS HOSTEL" 

Not " Irish Coffee" but
" Sweet Lassi" at 
Prithvi Cafe in Juhu.

Friday(23/5/3025)" Girls Hostel" :- Since i had booked ticket in advance had no choice but to ride down to Prithvi theatre in a light drizzle to watch Storia Senza Storia's Hindi play " GIRLS HOSTEL. ".Writer :- Akrita Singh and Shaurya Agarwal. Director:- Akrita Singh. Cast :- Akriti,Raghav,Vidhi,Barkha, Srishti,Nancy,Komal, Prerna, Leena. The play was just 1 hr in duration ,shortest professional play i have witnessed in theatre.A Milkman is murdered in a girls hostel and the police arrive to solve the murder. Satirical comedy with a who dun it suspense and a sexual angle.All explained in 1 hr.Something different and thankfully on my ride back home no freak cyclonic effect " May Rainfall" as forecast by the weather bureau, a greater suspence than " Girls Hostel".

Friday (30/5/2025):- CANDLE LIGHT CONCERT OF BOLLYWOOD SONGS AT ROYAL OPERA HOUSE. Before attending the concert it was " Pani puri" at landmark " Tiwari Bros " opposite Royal Opera House.Excellent. Do visit a " CANDLE LIGHT CONCERT", something different to normal concerts with the entire stage lit up with candles. 

My favourite instrumental was :- Pehla Nasha - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

 Programme 

 Yeh Shaam Mastani - Kati Patang 

 Neele Neele Ambar Par - Kalakaar 

 Chura Liya - Yaadon Ki Baaraat

 Lag Ja Gale - Woh Kaun Thi? 

 Pehla Nasha - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander 

 Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge 

 Kal Ho Na Ho - Kal Ho Na Ho 

 Zara Zara - Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein 

 Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai - Rab Ne Bana Di 

Jodi Tum Hi Ho - Aashiqui 2 

 Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin - Agneepath 

 Agar Tum Saath Ho - Tamasha 

 Vida Karo - Amar Singh

 Chamkila Kesariya - Brahmastra

  Performers 

Vanraj Shastri - Sarangi

 Harsh Gadkari - Keyboard 

 Om Pandey - Tabla