Scene and Heard

Marcellus Baptista

What's happening at Mumbai's hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city...

Walk For A Cause

Designer Gazala and Sushmita Sen at the Taj

Art and fashion came to the fore at Taj Mahal Palace & Tower at a fundraiser dedicated towards HIV positive children. The event was presented by Gazala - a New York-based fashion designer, Taj, J P Morgan and Indo-American Society. The beneficiary chosen was Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT), an NGO supporting children and families infected/affected by HIV/AIDS across Mumbai. After the cocktail hour, with guests viewing works by as many as 115 artists, it was fashion show time, compered by Sabira Merchant and choreographed by Sharmilla Khanna. Draped in a gorgeous stylish sari, Sushmita Sen was clearly the showstopper. Gazala's show was an ode to the sari with a contemporary twist. On view were both Western and Indian designs, in a union of contrasting styles with a cutting-edge yet traditional look. All sophisticated yet youthful, trendy yet feminine, reflecting hues from pastel shades to bold colours, jewellery from Rose Collections added to the overall effect. Abhishek Bachchan, patron of CCDT also made an appearance alongwith Juhi Chawla.

Sculpture Splash

Khushnuma and Arzan Khambatta at Salt Water Grill

Art By The Sea came to Salt Water Grill as Farah Siddiqui of Dhoomimal Gallery presented works by celebrated sculptor Arzan Khambatta. The sculptures seemed to be an extension of the beachside décor. Over sangria and Sula wines, guests had a good look at the exhibits, from 'Bar Bar Dekho,' bringing alive the nights of Bombay's bar girls, to 'Gone With The Tide,' focusing on the beauty of the beach and at the same time dwelling on the disaster of the tsunami, and 'Mumbai' getting a grip on the city. Guests included artists Subhash Awchat, Gurcharan Singh, Brinda Miller, Jaideep Mehrotra, Jitish Kallat, Bose Krishnamachari, Meera Devidayal, Papri Bose and Kahini Arte Merchant, designers Krsna Mehta and Jamini Ahluwalia, advertising stalwart Ranjan Kapur, singer Sanjay Maroo, photographer Ashok Salian, actor Naseer Abdullah and Israeli Consul General Daneil Zonshine.

Lot Of Froth

Executive chef Jochen Kern at the Oktoberfest finale

Expatriates in the city were in for a real treat as Munich came to Mumbai. It was the grand finale of the Oktoberfest at InterContinental The Grand, and the froth was flowing freely. The Majestic Hall of the hotel donned the appearance of one big beer tent with traditional long tables. Many German guests came decked up in traditional Bavarian attire as they downed huge mugs of beer and made merry as a live band played into the night. Joining in the celebration was executive chef Jochen Kern. He looked like a jolly good fellow and he had every right to be happy at the massive turnout and the spread that he had arranged for the finale. There was sausages (of course), veal roulade, liver dumplings with bacon dip, roast pig knuckles, herring fillet, smoked fish, pickled trout, shrimp salad, parsley potatoes and green bean soup. Word has it that the very first Oktoberfest was held on October 12, 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Expats relived that celebration.