Bazar Road Blues

When I initially moved to Bandra my friends teasingly said they would give me a T-shirt saying “wannabe Bandraite” – I’m still not sure what that means, but its all good now. (I am a Bandraite now)

Bandra for me was perfect. Warm as a village and full of colour. French classes are close-by, though I’m yet to enroll. I can’t even explain the extra ordinary people I have met since. I live in Bandra’s Bazar Road – tucked away, and squeezed in between Reclamation and Hill Road. All the people who sell in the Bazaar have a warm infectious smile, and as you walk by you sense an underlying pulse, a movement of sorts (teasingly I call it Bizzare Road).

Bazaar Road meets up with Chapel Road and Waroda road and collectively that space is great to walk around in a lazy afternoon with unexpected wiffs of various vindaloo and spicy dal fry circling around you.  An experiment I do when I am walking around is that I carry around a head phone and mike, so as to amplify all the sounds and when I hear an interesting sound I mentally try to trail its footsteps.   Now I am used to eliminating noise and allow my mind to focus on simpler, more interesting sounds around me. And thats when I started hearing faint acoustic instruments being played, and I began following it to find the source. I found Jo, the trumpeter. Playing loud and clear. (He used to be part of an old film orchestra) Since then, every-time he practices on his front porch I can hear his melodies fill up my house with a smile.

And eventually I went on to find Richie, the old pianist who is excellent but one needs to go to Taj Lands end to actually hear him perform. My landlord Glenford Dmello, is the drummer for one of India’s initial death metal bands “Saber Tooth” and his band members keep dropping by. It’s like a physical puzzle to spot things or people in Bazaar Road, there is just so much to see and experience in hidden layers of all kinds. Cycling around is nice, safe and quiet too. To me this area is the art underground of Mumbai, with all kinds of artists, designers, musicians all living very closely, that it could burst out a rainbow anytime. So, now I have slowly begun shooting a documentary titled Bazaar Road Blues, trying to capture the essence of the place and allowing the film to become itself. So my search for more musicians is on, to excavate the music hidden in the lanes of Bandra.

– Dhanya Pilo

Stuff We Like

Hip Hop dance classes with Priya Gonsalves: Hip Hop, r’n’b and Freestyle dancing, inspired by underground street, hip hop dance styles. Timings: 5 to 6 pm on Mon & Wed and 7 to 8 pm on Tue & Thu (starts on July 14th), Where : Organised Chaos Dance Studio, Parmeshwar Bhawan, 14th Road, Khar (W), Beside Yamini Showroom; Contact: 9930736417

Cinema Guide

Made Of Honour: Glamour (12.45, 4.30, 8.30 pm),

Get Smart: Glamour (2.30, 6.30, 10.30pm), Suburbia (10am), \

Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na: Globus (1.45, 10.45pm),

Love Story 2050: Gaiety (12, 3.15pm), Gemini (6.30pm), Globus (4.10pm),

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic: Galaxy (6.30pm)

Listings

FRI, 4.07

Mango is having  a 30% sale. You can choose from a range of summer clothes and evening wear.

Where: Linking Road; Contact: 6710 0451

SAT, 5.07

Heal yourself with the power of nature. Join the seminar on the role of natural supplements for regaining health and preventing future problems.

When: Every Saturday at 3pm; Where: Bandra(W); Contact: 9820757092.

50% off on old and new stock. Choose from a wide range of quirky designer clothes and accessories, bags, shoes and much more.

Where: Taxxi and Vitamin K on Linking Road; When: July 5th onwards; Time: 11am- 8.30pm.

SUN, 6.07

Learning space Foundation, under the guidance of Michael Turner, musician from Australia, is organizing an holistic music singing therapy workshop, a two evening session. Where: Nalanda Bandra; When: July 6th and 7th from 6pm to 8:30pm; Contact: 9860132638.

Step In – ladies shoes has fresh stock and is having a 20% discount sale on all fresh stock.

Where: Linking road.

MON, 7.07

Get lots of little lingerie for less with the La Senza sale. They sell camisoles, underwear and bras in all patterns and sizes.

Where: Linking Road; Timing: 10am- 9pm

TUE, 08.07

The department of preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Jaslok Hospital, is conducting a one day workshop on strenghtening the abdominals, back muscles as well as posture through yoga and pilates techniques. Where: Nalanda Bandra; When: July 9th from 4:30pm to 6pm,Contact: 66573342.

Free health seminar by Grace Unlimited, a company that promotes health and nutritional products.

Where: Vishal Mandir, 16th Road; Contact: Emmanuel Kennth: 9869121266; Time: 2-4pm and 5-7pm.

WED, 09.07

Levis is having a Go for Broke offer. So go and get that new wardrobe as they’re having an upto 50% discount. Where: Linking Road

THU, 10.07

Personal development workshop: get insights into your nature, traits. learn how to make hand writing corrections to improve yourself.Where: 15-B, mayfair, opp Siddharth Hotel, SV road, Contact: 9820567605.

Get Smart

Directed by: Peter Segal, Starring: Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway

An ‘exciting, preposterous’ comedy, Get Smart is the film adaptation of the TV series of the same name. The series was co-created by Mel Brooks (so now can understand how preposterous it is). The film is about an ever-eager American spy named Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell), who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside his idol, Agent 23. But he is partnered instead with the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). Together, they seek to defeat a group that is revealing the names of all those who work in his agency. And all the duo is armed with is Smart’s unbridled enthusiasm. The film has received good and bad reviews, with a little more emphasis on the former.

Showing at: Glamour (2.30, 6.30 and 10.30pm) and Suburbia (10am)

– Kenneth Saldanha

The Notebook

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes, Starring: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams

Based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, this film adaptation is a true keeper. Number of times watched (by me) – 8. Director Nick Cassavetes has truly gone the distance in extracting powerful performances from his entire cast (no exceptions) and has left no stone unturned. There is nothing exceptional about the way it is shot. To me it seemed that the director set out to tell a heart-warming story and has most certainly accomplished that goal. I highly recommended to anyone who has a heart. However, a box of tissues might be required for those loose tears!

Available at: DVD Fan Club, 26497070.

– Yael Krishna

Bangkok Mal

LACE DRESS: Rs.2000

Sometimes it can be hard to carry off red lace but this subtle combination works well. The knee length dress is a good mix of classy and girly. Also available in blue& black and black& gold.

Where: Just Phat

WALLETS: Rs.350

They’re elegant, practical, compact and have a bit of attitude.

Where: Drama Queen

RED HEELS: Rs.1290,

Ideal with a little black dress, these elegant, red stilettos will make you look a million bucks.

Where: God Made Me Funky

ORANGE CHAIN: 390

Chunky accessories are in style this season. Choose vibrant colours and if you opt for a big neckpiece stay clear of large bangles, earrings etc.

Where: God Made Me Funky

FLORAL BAG: Rs.1100

Big, bright  and it can pretty much hold anything.

Where: Just Phat

MUSTARD HEELS: Rs.1300

These sexy mustard yellow heels are an ideal way to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe. The colour is very trendy and the bow at the back adds a nice touch.

Where: Just Phat

FUNKY BAGS: Rs. 650

These Vespa and Beetle bags are ideal for college students during the monsoon. Not only will the bag keep your books dry, it will make you look prettyyyy cute too.

Where: Drama Queen.

GLITTER BANGLES: Rs. 450

Shiny, disco bangles. A great way to add a bit of funk to an ordinary outfit.

Where: Drama Queen

PIN STRIPED TROUSERS: Rs.1800

They can either be dressed down for work (wear with a well-cut white shirt for work) or dressed up for an evening out. Either way we love these pin striped trousers, they’re also available in larger sizes.

Where: God Made Me Funky

GREEN BEADED CHAIN: Rs.290

Available in a range of colours these beaded chains are quirky and fun. Try combining two colours for a more dramatic look.

Where: God Made Me Funky

– Glynda Alves

The Magic in Me

The Indian Association for  Preschool Education- Mumbai (a non-profit organisation) in association with ‘Reach Out’, a Chennai based organisation for the welfare and education of abused children are organising a Children’s Theatre Festival titled ‘The Magic in Me’.  This event will be spread over two days- the first being a Story Telling showcase and the second is a sing-along show which aims to help adults experience the flight of fantasy and imagination from a child’s viewpoint. You can also expect lots of song, dance and loads of fun. The entire program will be carried out by international professionals like Ms. Krishna Iyer,  Ms. Jeeva Raghunath, Ms. Leena Pradeep, Mr. Arun and others to make for an educational fun filled interactive evening. Where: St. Andrews Auditorium; When: July 7th and 8th 7pm-9pm; Contact: 23630774 for donor passes. contact 9820603850.

– Rommel Albuquerque

Maroosh

The latest restaurant to open on our suburban streets is Maroosh. Situated on Carter Road, Maroosh is likely to cater to all the people left waiting on the pavement for a table at Kareem’s or Open Affair. They serve Lebanese food and have an extensive variety of Moghlai food too. In Lebanese fare they recommend the chicken shawarma (Rs.95) and falafel in pitta bread (Rs.80). In Moghlai food, the non-vegetarian dishes seem to be more popular and are priced Rs.120. Maroosh is priced a little on the high side with their starters (Rs.110) and rolls (Rs.90 on average), but their main courses, rice and juices are value for money. The place is well done and has outdoor seating which gives the restaurant a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

Where: Carter Road, Contact: 98200 53826, Time: 12pm- 12 am.

– Glynda Alves

Glaze: Dolci N Bread

Although you’re likely to miss seeing this little kiosk on the way to Bandstand, we recommend you drop by and pick up a few of their reasonably priced desserts. Even though the place is extremely tiny (it’s as big as the name) it does have a lot of variety.

Glaze stocks desserts such as chocolate cakes, mousse, tarts etc as well as the less common Kahlua torte, carrot marzipan and Baileys mousse. Apart from dessert, they’ve got a decent spread of breads (foccacia, panini, rye, ciabatta etc) and small selection of cookies (biscotti, choco chips etc). The pricing is pretty good, a dessert will cost you Rs. 60 while breads are cheap at Rs.10-30. Cookies can be bought by weight.

Where: Bandstand, next to Khoja Florist, Bandra (W); Call: 9870055889.

Home delivery: Bandra, Khar.

– Glynda Alves