Girgaon Chowpatty

The sword in the crowd.

Not an appropriate photograph for today, the Judgement Day. But there can be nothing more overwhelming or frightening than a congregation of us Indians. You never know when a group of Indians morphs into a mob and who is in control, the gods or the devil.

Safe behind their black cats that protect them are the only people who can feel the pulse of millions at the same time and can control the adrenaline waves that flow through the mob. In India, terrorism is also political parties asking you to stay calm while we have no clue, what they plan to unleash, where.

Soon after 26/11, our Prime Minister came on National Television and promised to revamp the laws that govern our Policing System. A promise that will never be kept, because our politicians are not ready to let go of the strings that allow them to control people. The mob is India most powerful political tool. And we are the willing puppets.

French Bridge, Grant Rd.

Blavatsky Lodge. The Theosophical Society.

7 Bungalows

All Izz Well. The first thing to catch the eye when you meet Swanand Kirkire is the Mala made of beads around his writing hand. When asked, he was quick to clarify that it holds no religious meaning. He just likes the feel of it in his hands. I guess he chants, "All Izz Well", the mantra that has caught the nation's imagination.

In this article in Tehelka, Swanand says, “I thought All Izz Well was a more likely candidate for a few national awards.”

Swanand loves the smell of new notebooks. In fact, he collects notebooks. Luckily for us, it's not just hit songs for the silver screen that fill these pages. Writing lyrics is just one of the things that fill these pages. He defines himself as a story teller and we can look forward to movies and plays to come alive on these crisp pages.

 

The next chapter of Swanand's story in Mumbai has just begun with this year's National Award.

 More about Swanad Kirkire, in this week's Tehelka.

Acharya Donde Marg, Sewri (Shivdi)

There must be a million drummers in the city.

Eastern Express Highway (NH3)

Delicate news

No "Wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am", Manforce style (made by a company called Mankind) or raunchy Bollywood style to advertise the female condom distributed through Primary Health Centres. This wall painting sends the message across to the women, delicately.

See the full Walls Of Mumbai Series

Ganesh Galli

Geo Tag: Ganesha Galli.

Ganesha and the celebration this month is a glue that keeps this neighbourhood together. And they are proud of it.

Acharya Donde Marg, Sewri (Shivdi)

The Symbol.

It's not that we don't feel for the people who were gunned down or blasted in the railwaystations and streets. We use the same trains and streets without fear and even say silent prayers every time we can. It's just that the battle inside this 5-Star hotel and the fire that was lit there flickered on television screens and in all our homes for days and has grown to become a symbol of our grief, anger, and frustration. And when an artist is some corner of the city wants to express his feelings, he'll choose the Taj, even though he won't be able to afford a meal in one of the restaurants in the hotel.

Ganesh Galli

"Jatayu"

Sri Maurya in his neighbourhood flour mill.

See the full Work Space Mumbai Series.

Prabodhankar Thackeray Udyan, Sewree (Shivdi)

Entertainment at Prabodhankar Thackeray Udyan Ganesh Pandal, one of the bigger Ganesh Pandals in the old Mill wards of Mumbai.

Sector 16, Vashi

Car Culture in Mumbai: The God Of Prosperity Hits The Road. It's happening a little later than the rest of other boomtowns across India thanks to its better public transport system. But four wheelers are filling up the Greater Mumbai and the surrounding region faster than ever before, like Navi Mumbai. Here's a family, taking Ganesh out for immersion in their brand new car.