From the abandoned warehouse premises of the Food Corporation of India next to Dockyard Road railway station, to the open sea below Bandra fort, or the narrow alleyways of Dhobhi Ghat and the Gothic archways of St Xavier’s College, this No TV Day, rediscover Mumbai through your camera lens.
Blessed with a long coast line, and some of the most iconic structures, be it the Watson Hotel at Kala Ghoda or the Rajabai Tower in Fort, Mumbai houses a series of scenic spots that allow photographers – amateurs and professionals alike – to experiment and harness their photographic skills. All one needs to do is develop an observant eye.
“The inspiration for all artistic endeavours is derived from our surroundings. Observing what is happening around us often introduces us to interesting details, symmetry and a vibrant combination of colours for a photograph. Moreover, it also helps you capture a memorable moment that tells a story through a single frame,” says Vipul Prasad, 27, a freelance photographer, who works in the industrial, interior and food photography space.
Prasad applied the observational technique during a solo photo walk into Dhobi Ghat in November last year. The walk culminated in a 20-picture series that captured the landscape of the vicinity and the lifestyle of the residents of Dhobi Ghat. “Entering the ghat, is like being introduced to a whole new world that you can’t imagine from its external appearance. Despite having grown up in Mumbai, I had never before experienced the old-world charm hidden behind the facade of the ever-evolving city. Mumbai’s old world-charm is mesmerising, a fact that every photographer I know agrees with,” says Prasad.
Prasad had originally experienced Dhobi Ghat as part of a group photo walk tour that explored the manual laundromat, a decision he is happy about till date, courtesy the flood of ideas that came in from the various members of the tour. In fact, Sumedh Gupte, 27, a freelance wedding photographer, advocates venturing out on photo shoots as part of a group or with family.
“A city is like the Amazon forest. You may know a few things about it, but there will always be a lot that you don’t. A group enables each individual photographer to get a number of other perspectives on a location, different shooting ideas, composition advice and most importantly, feedback of your work. Amateur photographers learn a whole lot through the exchange of ideas, and professional photographers get fresh perspectives and ideas,” says Gupte.
However, it is important to note that whether one ventures out with or without a group, Mumbai, the city, presents itself as a muse to many a photographer, courtesy its stunning skyline, crowded streets and an amalgamation of traditional and modern architecture.
“There are two parts to Mumbai. One is the city as we know it today, a commercial hub with high-rise buildings and contemporary structures like Antila, and the second is Bombay with its mills, chawls and Portugese bungalows like you see in Khotachiwadi (Girgaum)and Chapel Road (Bandra west). The old-school architecture personifies the simplicity of the lives people once led. As a photographer, I try to bring both these worlds together in one picture,” says Prasad.
For Gupte, it’s the buzz of the city dwellers that he likes to capture. “The only way to capture the city is to just walk out with a camera and start shooting. You will always find a story in your frame because as a city, Mumbai showcases a million stories shaping up all around us. Don’t think too much. Just point and start shooting what you like,” says Gupte.
Be a Shutterbug
You have visited the scenic locales of Mumbai. But have you captured them from the right places? This No TV Day, ditch the television screen and head to the streets of the city that never sleeps. Explore it like never before.
Bandra-Worli sea link: Mumbai is famous for its peak-hour rush, and this iconic bridge has been resolving traffic jam woes since 2010. One of the landmarks of the city, the sea link reduces travel time between Bandra and Worli.
Best time to shoot: Evening
Shoot from: The Mahim-Koliwada bus stop area, Swami Vivekananda Road.
Gateway of India: A location with historical significance, the Gateway is every photographer’s favorite. Its charm is enhanced by the multi-colored lights it is enveloped with at night.
Best time to shoot: Before noon and after five in the evening
Shoot from: Radio Club at Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba
Marine Drive: Imagining a Mumbai without the sea is impossible. And Marine Drive is the sea’s bright necklace in the night. One can capture timelapse videos and beautiful light trails of the entire stretch.
Best time to shoot: Before noon and in the evening
Shoot from: The Dome, inside The Intercontinental Hotel at 135, Marine Drive.
Haji Ali: Known as one of the seven wonders of the city, the Haji Ali Dargah is of religious importance. Its greatest victory moment is that it wasn’t affected by the massive Mumbai floods despite being located in the middle of the sea.
Best time to shoot: Morning to 10 at night.
Shoot from: The 34th floor of Aer Four Seasons Hotel, Dr E Moses Road, Worli.
Girgaum Chowpatty: The always-bustling beach has an insane rush of tourists from different parts of India. It is famous for the Ganpati Visarjan that happens there annually.
Best time to shoot: Evening
Shoot from: Kamala Nehru Park, BG Kher Road, Malabar Hills. Entry time: 5am to 9pm
Banganga Tank: This place is a mini-Varanasi in Mumbai. Surrounded by ghats and temples, it is far away from the concrete jungle, which makes it worth capturing. It also is a popular shooting location
Best time to shoot: Early morning and evening
Shoot from: Walkeshwar, Malabar Hills. (Banganga is 10 minutes from there)
Flower Market at Dadar: Mumbai is known for the people who dwell here. Capture the hustle-bustle of the city in the busiest market at Dadar. The crowd is maddening and at the same time it showcases the real essence of the city.
Best time to shoot: Evening and at night
Shoot from: Tilak bridge, Dadar
-Compiled by Oindrilla Gupta
On No TV Weekend, your favourite newspaper has lots lined up. Here’s a look at the schedule for Saturday
FOOD
1) Dimsum Making Workshop
Wok Express, Andheri-W
Time: 3pm – 7pm
Get your hands on to learn how to make dimsums as the culinary experts will teach you to master the art to the perfect fold for your dimsum
2) Exploring India – A Culinary Workshop
29,the restaurant, Tardeo
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Attend this special workshop and explore regional specialities of 29 from all over India from a Pyaaz kachori in Rajasthan to Lal Hara Chaat from Mizoram to Bhappa Aloo from Bengal to Pungullu from Andhra Pradesh
3) LIC presents No TV Day Food Festival @ Ballard Estate
Ballard Estate
Time: 4pm onwards
4) Fusion Indian Food Workshop by Chef Ripu Daman Handa
More, R-Mall, Thane
Time: 5pm – 6pm
5) Tex-Mex American Cuisine Workshop
Old Wild West, Lower Parel
Time: 5pm – 6pm
Conducted by Chef Sundeep Mehrolia. Demo of dishes like Sweet & Smoky Wings, Tequilla Chicken Burger and SouthWest Chicken Tacos and drinks like Mexican Lindo, The Smokin Word and Paloma Cocktail
6) Craft Beer & Tasting Workshop
Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery, Andheri-W
Time: 5pm – 6pm
Enter the Brewery with a fun workshop by Master Brewer Vaibhav Yadav & chef Anand Morwani on the Brewing process followed by a delicious tasting session. Minimum age requirement is 21 years.
7) Irani Bombay Special Cuisine Workshop
SodaBottleOpenerWala, BKC
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Conducted by Chef Akshata Karkaria and Chef Danesh. Come and learn how to make Matunga Coffee Cake and Eggs Kejriwal with some Bun Maska and Irani Chai.
8) Sushi Rolling Workshop
Lemon Leaf, Andheri
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Master the art of this soft Japanese delight as you will be given a complete hands on experience to create those soft rolls with joy with Chef Mitesh Rangras
FOR KIDS
1) Rubik’s Cube
Infiniti Mall, Malad
Timings – 6pm – 7pm
Come and solve the 3 X 3 Rubik’s Cube in the easiest way.
2) Rubik’s Cube
Korum Mall, Thane
Timings – 2pm – 3pm
Come and solve the 3 X 3 Rubik’s Cube in the easiest way.
3) Sculpting
Inorbit Mall, Malad
Timings – 5pm – 6pm
A workshop which aims at building creativity and imagination from a 3 dimensional perspective through clay, POP, metal, Paper Mache, Thermacol, sand etc
4) Paper Art
Inorbit Mall, Malad
Timings – 6pm – 7pm
Bring your kids to discover the magic of paper – Make yur own Snakes and Ladders Board Game, Paper Jewellery, Paper Flowers, Paper Animals and much more.