Nisha’s Mumbai: Nisha JamVwal's Week Of Celebrating Design, Cinema And Culinary Brilliance

Magical evening

When it comes to design, architecture, art, couture, I am an unapologetic devotee—even when I've promised myself and my family that I’ll take a tiny break from the work whirl. So naturally, I found myself hosting a swish evening at Design POV alongside my special friend Anandita Dé. It turned out to be one of this month's most delightful soirées I’m told!

It was made even more magical by the serendipitous synchronicity Ana and I shared—we appeared in similar black dresses, with flowing black sheer silhouettes from the knee down paired with intricate black lace. This stylish coincidence only enhanced the joy of our design celebration, along with the unspoken bond we’ve had for over ten years that carried us through the evening's festivities happily!

Our blue and silver booth, exquisitely crafted by designer Maha-K, became a magnetic gathering point positioned splat bang in the middle of the exposition where architect and designer friends, journalists, actors, models, stylists, editors, consular corps congregated, drawn by the allure of the designer gourmet buffet, our sparkling crystal bar and of course us? The entire experience was of hosting an intimate salon within a grand exhibition.

The show was an in-depth immersive experience of design and art that masterfully guided guests through the intricate nexus between creativity and commerce. This experiential platform united luxury home and interior brands, intertwining both consumers and creators of art design and architecture.

What struck me was how this experiential platform seamlessly united luxury home spaces done by star architects and iconic design firms with edgy interior brands, creating contrasting displays in a groundbreaking format that showcased both the consumers and creators of art, design, and architecture. So one actually saw the design language and signature work of architects and designers one knew personally and had heard of and not had the chance to see their work. As an interior architect and space planner I was specially intrigued and came back a second day to research the brands and the designers works.

Sholay: The Golden Anniversary

Having had the honor of releasing the fifty year commemorative Sholay stamp, I feel an inexplicable connection to this cinematic masterpiece and its legendary cast, despite being born years after its creation. Ramesh and Kiran Sippy are also treasured friends for over twenty-five years, making this celebration all the more personal.

In my opinion, Sholay stands as the definitive example of impeccably crafted Hindi cinema—a film that seamlessly weaves together every element that makes storytelling transcendent. Even the brief cameo of Asrani as the "Angrezon ke zamaane ka jailor" rivals Charles Chaplins masterpieces in terms of pure comedic genius. What continues to astonish me is the exquisite precision with which each character was sculpted, whether for humor or pathos— Sachin Pilgaonkar and A.K. Hangal's poignant portrayal remains etched in cinematic memory. Hema Malini embodies Basanti with vivacious sparkle, while Dharmendra presents a rare epitome of effortless humor that feels both natural and profound.

The golden anniversary celebration at NCPA was magnificent. A fifty-piece orchestra brought the iconic songs and background score to life, performing with stirring emotion as memorable film sequences picked by the organisers, played on the grand screen. However, my favorite moment was the intimate fireside chat between the incomparably witty Javed Akhtar and wry director Ramesh Sippy. Their conversation short as it was - was magic. Javed's renowned humor sparkled as he divulged some cinematic gems from the film, and Ramesh regaled the captivated audience with previously unrevealed vignettes from the film's creation. The stories about the charismatic Gabbar Singh, immortalized by Amjad Khan, particularly resonated, especially considering how his menacing yet memorable dialogues like "Kitne aadmi they?" continue to echo through popular culture decades later. Javed pointed out how such a commonplace sentence gained iconic status purely due to its context and setting. I had not known that is special village had been constructed where much of the filming had taken place.

NCPA’s foyer itself was transformed into an artistic wonderland, with elaborate tableaus and dioramas recreating iconic scenes from this timeless classic—vignettes that will forever remain treasured in the hearts of cinema enthusiasts. Like the scooter with the buggy on the side where Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra had enacted ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge’.

Javed Saab shared the intricacy of creating a village in the rocky terrain of Ramnagar, in the southern state of Karnataka, for the shoot that took over of two and a half years to complete Sholay, beginning in October 1973.

Celebrating Culinary Excellence

There are awards ceremonies, and then there are events that transcend mere recognition to become celebrations of artistry itself. The stringent standards set by Shafquat Ali ensure that his accolades carry genuine weight and meaning. The palpable energy at the second edition of the prestigious Hospitality Horizon Top Chef Awards was extraordinary—infused with a familial warmth and bon homie that defies adequate description.

Rashmi Uday Singh, who co-founded these awards with Shafquat last year to honor our nation's culinary wizards and accomplished chefs, was in Torino this year.

Though culinary luminaries descending from across the country to participate in this gastronomic celebration—both Shafquat and I found ourselves missing our dear Rash terribly. Her absence served as a poignant reminder of how certain friendships become integral to our most cherished experiences, their presence elevating every gathering into something truly special.

The evening sparkled with the passionate dedication of India's finest culinary artists, each chef representing technical mastery yes, but more importantly the soul of regional cuisines that make our nation's food culture so remarkably diverse and celebrated worldwide.

Write to Nisha JamVwal at nishjamwal@gmail.com