<h2>Odissi meets ballet</h2>
<p>Dancers perform during Hansika, an Odissi interpretation of The Swan Lake, at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-now-bandra-residents-seek-relief-from-two-wheeler-pain-23594902" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bandra</a></p>
<h2>Seeing the bigger picture</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Canato-Jimo_e.jpg" alt="Canato Jimo (left) in conversation with Deepa Balsavar during the book talk. Pic courtesy/Kahani Tree" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Canato Jimo (left) in conversation with Deepa Balsavar during the book talk. Pic courtesy/Kahani Tree</em></strong></p>
<p>Children&rsquo;s bookstore, Kahani Tree in Prabhadevi had a delightful opportunity when two award-winning illustrators, Canato Jimo and Deepa Balsavar exchanged thoughts about picture books. This diarist reached out to the bookstore founder, Sangeeta Bhansali, who shared, &ldquo;The book talk was attended by students, graphic designers, other illustrators, even some youngsters from Bengaluru who happened to be in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/tiger-strike-force-uncovers-wildlife-meat-racket-linking-madhya-pradesh-forests-to-mumbais-luxury-circles-23602615" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mumbai</a>. Balsavar, a professor at the Industrial Design Centre of IIT Bombay, discussed with Jimo about the creative process behind his work, and how his roots from Nagaland influence his ideas.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Inclusive with pride</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Stage-backstage_e.jpg" alt="A moment from the play; (right) actors seen backstage during  preparations. Pics courtesy/Footlights Foundation" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A moment from the play; (right) actors seen backstage during &nbsp;preparations. Pics courtesy/Footlights Foundation</em></strong></p>
<p>Teaching youngsters the importance of inclusivity is something we would like to see more of. That has been the case demonstrated by Footlights Foundation, a Ahmedabad-based non-profit organisation that organised a play, titled Lolly and Pop, to teach youngsters the importance of inclusion and sensitivity towards different identities. Held at Veda Factory, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bmc-into-action-after-mid-day-reports-several-city-roads-are-still-in-limbo-23552713" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Andheri West</a> on November 9, the performance has the outlook of making schools more inclusive. &ldquo;It covered [issues] that youth often face, from weaponising language at a very early age, using terms such as &lsquo;gay&rsquo; mockingly; labelling their peers for how they walk or dress, to ostracising a physically or mentally disabled classmate. Children don&rsquo;t question these, making it important to bring these to light for a young audience. So far, we&rsquo;ve done three shows in Mumbai,&rdquo; Anurima Chatterjee, co-founder and director of the foundation, elaborated to this diarist. She added, &ldquo;Our aim is to simply say that it&rsquo;s okay to exist this way.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Chess moves on canvas with the Grandmaster</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Viswanathan-Anand-a_e.jpg" alt="Viswanathan Anand (right) with Arvind Sundar. Pics courtesy/Arvind Sundar; Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Viswanathan Anand (right) with Arvind Sundar. Pics courtesy/Arvind Sundar; Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art</em></strong></p>
<p>Coimbatore-based artist Arvind Sundar&rsquo;s new show, Chasing Infinity: The second chapter is an exploration of art, mathematics, and mysticism centred on the game of chess. Sundar views the 64-square chessboard not just as a game, but as a metaphor for the universe. The exhibition is based on profound conversations with chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, who noted that &ldquo;chess and math is also a sort of infinity.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Art-work-a_e.jpg" alt="Knight&rsquo;s Kolam by Arvind Sundar,  exhibited at the gallery" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Knight&rsquo;s Kolam by Arvind Sundar, &nbsp;exhibited at the gallery</em></strong></p>
<p>Anand&rsquo;s insights include a story illustrating a vast landscape of mathematical beauty called the game of chess. The Grandmaster praised the artistic result, saying, &ldquo;This is sheer interpretation through art; highlighting a fresh take on art and knowing a chess board has no boundaries, especially in a game where I made 13 consecutive moves using the knight, and if that is put on a canvas it&rsquo;s a magical painting.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sculpting identity</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Sculpting_e.jpg" alt="A sculpture by Shetty. Pics courtesy/Siddhanth Shetty" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A sculpture by Shetty. Pics courtesy/Siddhanth Shetty</em></strong></p>
<p>Mumbai-based artist Siddhanth Shetty (right), trained at Santiniketan, is hosting an eight-day sculpture workshop in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-bmc-to-repair-and-upgrade-footpaths-in-dadars-high-footfall-areas-after-monsoon-damage-23602597" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Dadar</a>, from November 15, on traditional methods using clay, Plaster of Paris, wire, and soap. The concept is to, &ldquo;Sway away from the assault of consuming images offering a consumptive stance, and make something with your own hands. One should always have a sense of curiosity with material life and engage with earth to act upon that.&rdquo; The course explores anatomical studies and abstract creations.</p>
<h2>Deco! It&rsquo;s on the wall</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Regal_e.jpg" alt="An embroidered wallpaper of Regal Cinema, Colaba. Pic courtesy/Milaaya Art Gallery" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>An embroidered wallpaper of Regal Cinema, Colaba. Pic courtesy/Milaaya Art Gallery</em></strong></p>
<p>The Milaaya Art Gallery showcased Art Deco Mumbai &mdash; A Tribute in Embroidery, a collection of Embroidered Art Deco Wallpapers of varied architectural icons of Mumbai, at The Taj Mahal Palace, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-bmc-conducts-massive-anti-encroachment-drive-at-colaba-causeway-removes-67-illegal-hawkers-23601809" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Colaba</a>, on November 11. Exhibited for Art Deco Mumbai, the embroidery reimagines buildings such as the New India Assurance Building in Fort, Liberty Cinema in Marine Lines, and Regal Cinema in Colaba. Wall Art by the gallery is also being showcased at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum at the ongoing Art Deco Alive exhibition.&nbsp;</p>

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce: Dancers perform during Hansika, an Odissi interpretation of The Swan Lake, at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir

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The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Odissi meets ballet

Seeing the bigger picture

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Odissi meets ballet

Seeing the bigger picture

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