Yesterday I woke to the sound of drums. The occasion, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I looked out of the window and there were people drinking and dancing in the street to a marching band. I can’t possibly explain how much I love street bands. I got a telephoto lens and sneaked a better view. Sometimes I love living in the ghetto.
Feel free to bypass this self absorbed update on my life and the indulgent things that make me happy. Mostly my new(er) apartment and my newly stocked (STOCKED!!) kitchen. Food and sunshine, who would have thunk it? I’m smitten with the world and Bombay again.
Twilight from my bedroom. And no, I haven’t seen any of the movies, ergo I am cooler than you. I love the light in my house. Sluuuurp.
My spice boxes (there was a bit of a mixup though), inventing recipes, planning ahead and making meals from scratch. French toast for breakfast tomorrow.
Pretty reflections in giant monsoon pools.
And for the few times I actually leave the house – wine, goats cheese pizza and sweet potato gnocchi at the sprawling Pali Village Cafe. Long boozy Sunday brunches at Olive, Mahalaxmi. High tea (they have DIY pani puri and the cutest sammies) at Sea Lounge at the beautiful Taj Mahal Hotel watching the boats. Note: These will leave you as poor as happy and also drunk and unable to take good photos.
Or better yet, get on a boat. I want a yacht. Argh!
On set chai. This is the best thing about the film industry. Beats egos, delays and odious little cunts hands down.
and lastly, going home to Pune to see my friends and the adorable olds. My grandparents are Goan and so kitsch, I did a photostory on them but I’m reluctant to share it just yet.
Also making plans for Europe – I’m going to Edinburgh, London and Paris next month and I’ve been scouring the internet for advice like a madhatter, trying to figure out how to bake a cake in my convection oven (I have to show you what kind of cake!), working for some amazing clients and sale season. I am but a girl after all.
I was having the worst day on Saturday. My SLR had a concussion and I lost my house in a disgusting minor flood. So I bounced from the cesspool to the super cool BlowUp Bombay to help out. Organised by Blind Boys, it was a street exhibition of photographs – around 600 I think taped to walls and woven mats hanging between trees and even within a desolate, decrepit house. There were many great submissions – some incredible photoessays, some so bad that they were kinda good. Half the fun was in the set up though I reckon so I’m glad I didn’t miss out on that. An artist and musician played an audio visual set – one played some great tunes while the other painted on canvas. There were some interesting themes and series – Life in Kashmir, bicycles, my relationship with my girlfriend, photos from 100 days of travel, an interpretation of loneliness in Bombay. I met five hundred amazing photographers or maybe a dozen or so. It was quite awesome and after Melbourne, it’s so lovely to see my new city’s street art culture flourish. Oh and a public dissemination model means people got to take the prints they liked home, leaving no trace of the event. Big ups to the cute kids who helped us set up – they were indispensable. Next up, BlowUp Pune.
This kid decided to be a walking photo installation for a while.
Teaching the kids origami.
Khush painted a mural.
Please excuse the hideous Blackberry pictures. They’re all I’ve got.
Neville, a fantastic photographer, my oldest friend and first mentor and myself have been taking to the streets at night with our 50 mm arsenal, his with a very low 1.4 F-stop, mine not as fancy. Bastard. We’re shooting a series of Bandra’s old Portuguese fishing villages and started with Chuim Village earlier this week. Last night we shot the areas around Chapel and Varoda Rd. It’s nice, because although we’re often shooting the same subjects, Neville loves geometry and shadows while I seek out pretty things – like shrines and furry animals. Many of the street lights weren’t working though, but since I’m head over heels about the architecture in the villages, I’ll do a Bandra by day in time. Here are some of our pictures.
Sheena
Diptych by Neville
Sheena
Neville
Sheena
Sheena
Neville
I know I haven’t posted a review in about fifty years but that’s all changing now with the very sunny Yellow Tree Cafe that’s opened up the road from me. White washed but far from blah, Soheil and I visited when I was having a pretty horrid day but the cool, breeziness of the cafe’s aquamarine and white wicker decor, coupled with its quirky wall illustrations and great little bar was enough to wash away all gloominess. The paper menu was rife with recommendations but despite the towering burgers that arrived at the next table, we opted for some Italian and it didn’t disappoint. My only qualm was the slow service, our mains taking over forty minutes to arrive and when they did, they came after each other so we were tapping our fingers while the other ate. But my ravioli was perfect and his risotto, hearty and delicious. Peepshow below.
Yellow Tree Cafe, 33rd and Ambedkar Rd Junction, Bandra (W), Mumbai
At Soul Fry.
and Jai Hind. You have to try the ajadina – semi dry coconut clams, Mangalorean recipe. With a plate of neer dosas. Cannot be beat!
With this person. No other person will do.
Adrian <3
Last weekend, my cousins and I all spent time together for the first time in our lives. Ashaal and I took a train to Bombay and stayed with a couple of them and together we enjoyed jalapeno fondue and molten chocolate cakes at Out of the Blue in Khar and Tiger beer at Mumbai Times Cafe, chilli cheese toast and cold coffee at Leopold Cafe and mint shisha at Flavours and Spices. We talked a lot. We spent Saturday night dancing at a pretty club called Prive and then we watched Bruno in bed and ordered takeout at 3 in the morning. But when five boys made fun of my accent and hid my sunglasses over club sandwiches and iced beverages at De Columbian Cafe, they had me ripping my hair out. I adore them though, and I hope to visit Ashaal in Dubai this year and Advait in Turin. Meet these lowly fools.
Vedant
Advait playing stupid, and my daily tea ritual at home.
Formula 1 watching.
Best person in the whole world.
Sunglasses from Harajuku.
Not a staged picture.
