Shabana Azmi celebrated the 98th birth anniversary of her late father, the legendary Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi, with an evening of music and poetry called Jashn-E-Kaifi at their family home, 25 Janki Kutir in Mumbai on the 14th of January 2017. Her brother, cinematographer Baba Azmi orchestrated the annual evening on a larger scale this year in a bid to bring back some of the cultural nostalgia of artistry that is not only reminiscent of their home, but an integral part of both, his and Shabana’s growing years – a home where legends like Begum Akhtar, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Guru Dutt, Chetan Anand, SD Burman, Madan Mohan, Balraj Sahni and MF Husain commingled with their parents Kaifi and Shaukat Azmi in a manner most concordant, in the pursuit of the arts. As she showed me around the house – her parent’s bedroom, her childhood room, resonant with memories of an era gone by, I was intrigued by the rich fabric of its familial history. As we walked around the house, every exposed brick seemed to whisper a couplet with the wafting aroma of tea brewing in the kitchen heightening its mystical, old-world aura. And then there was the music…
I heard Sonu Nigam, India’s most beloved singer and a fine musical talent – perform live – a big first for me. The stage was brought alive by raw musicians and singers as well as seasoned ones to an enthralled audience. I loved Javed Akhtar’s rendition of Kaifi Azmi’s poems which brought the house down, and understandably so. Some of Kaifi’s most famous written works in Indian cinema set to music are Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho Kya Gham Hai Jo Chupa Rahe Ho (Arth 1982), Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi Mil Gaya Tha (Pakeezah 1972), Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil Mere Kaam Ki Nahi (Heer Ranjha 1970) Waqt Ni Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam (Kaagaz Ke Phool 1959) Meri Aawaz Suno Pyar ka Raaz Suno (Naunihal 1967) Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar (Arth 1982) and Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho (Hanste Zakham 1973).
Here is Jashn-E-Kaifi in pictures:
Jashn-E-Kaifi stage
Sonu Nigam
Javed Akhtar
Shabana Azmi with her nephew, Viraj Vishwakarma
Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar
Kaifs Azmi’s favorite chair
Shabana Azmi
THE FATTY BAO, a subsidiary of the legendary Olive Bar & Kitchen, is Mumbai’s latest obsession and rightly so, given its vibrant and innovative Asian fare is everything, and more! Behind the Fatty Bao’s red entrance door in a Bandra bylane, lies a tantalizing food haven created by Chef Manu Chandra, with a painted, surreal Eastern dreamscape on its walls, adding to the exemplary Asian culinary experience. The Patty Bao with Lamb Mince is just-to-die for, or rather, worth living for, as are the Lamb Shanks braised in a Massaman Curry, Prawn Tempura Sushi Roll, Brie Tempura with Plum Sauce, Gochujang Lamb Chops, Crab Meat and Prawn Dimsums, and the interesting Duck Hoisin Bao, paired exquisitely with terrific cocktails like the Beach Blonde, Bora Bora and Made in China, rounded off with delectable desserts like the Fatty Hill, Japanese Cheese Cake and the Green Tea Chiffon Cake with Yuzu Cream. The menu is expansive, with every kind of Asian dish imaginable cooked to perfection, making every plate on the menu someone’s favourite! The Fatty Bao is consummate for any time of day or night, whether you’re looking for some sugar or spice!
YUUKA, located on the 37th floor of the St Regis Mumbai, is where stellar Japanese food is at, under the culinary direction of the award winning Chef Ting Yen from Boston, Massachusetts, (of the Oishii restaurants) with the most spectacular views of Mumbai city. The interiors draw inspiration from Japanese tatami mat seating with raw silk chairs and wooden block tables. Mirrors and brocade set off a deconstructed origami pattern, lending the space its decadent, sexy vibe. Avocado Tartare, Moullard Duck Breast, Naan Taquitos, Hot Sizzling Sake and Hamachi or Yellowtail Salmon on Fire and King Crab Leg Tempura are some of the special dishes crafted at Yuuka, that showcase contemporary Japanese cuisine at its best, paired with Yamazaki single malt cocktails and more. The elaborate sushi menu leaves no space, almost, for the delicious Green Tea Layer Cake (40 layers!) with aged rum-soaked raisins and matcha dust — such is the indulgent food experience here.
SERAFINA, situated in the Kala Ghoda district of the city, is New York’s most famous Italian casual diner’s first Mumbai outpost. With its signature yellow signage and the faint whiff of lava-stoned pizzas beckoning you in, the Tartufo Nero (Truffle Pizza) is an obvious favorite. Even a non-pizza eating person (they do exist!) will turn into a Truffle Pizza convert after a slice of this cheesy creation! The Penne Alla Vodka, Truffle Ravioli, Farfalle Limoncello, Beetroot Carpaccio and the D-Salad — named after spiritual guru Deepak Chopra- – paired with endless flutes of Prosecco and Bellinis and the most delicious Tiramisu ever complete your Italian experience here. And if you want to make your own pizzas and pastas, well then, you can do that, too!
The PALLADIUM SOCIAL is located inside the Palladium Mall, with a state of the art Craft Beer Tasting Room — the first of its kind in India — with 12 craft brews on tap sourced from India and Europe’s finest breweries. The solid rough-cut wood log tables and low-light mood make for a perfect beers-and-burgers bash, for work or play, at this cafe. With 15 different types of burgers paired with craft beers in over 215 different ways, and house favourites like Keema Pao, Awesamosas, Prawn Sesame Toast, Naga Chilli Cheese Toast, Akoori, the humourously named Ramesh and Suresh deep fried 5-star chocolate dessert, the Gadbad Shetty icecream delight, SMS burger (Spinach, Mushroom and Swiss Cheese) –Social is the place you have to go to, at any of their four outlets in the city – Colaba, Todi Mills, Palladium and Khar – to try out the best of Mumbai’s diverse food fare on Indian prison plates.
THE IRISH HOUSE pub feels like a little bit of Ireland in the island city, with its dominant green lights and rustic wooden decor, barring the beloved Irish accent. of course, given the pub’s Indian origins, where music, beer, kidney pies, fish and chips, nachos and an exciting array of pub eats come together for a fabulous time out in the city. It is a great place to just hang and laugh out loud with friends, eat your favourite foods like Drunken Fettuccine Prawns and watch ball games on the big screen, any time of the day or night. With six outposts in Mumbai – Kala Ghoda, Palladium Mall, Bandra, Andheri, Kurla and Malad, The Irish House is the best way to get a feel of the city and make new friends over pints of beers (over 40 varieties), wines and cocktails.
Rubina A Khan 
