Roti, Kapda and Makaan!” A diet queens delight! Elsie Gabriel

“Yahaan Har Cheez Bikaoo Hain,” says Sneha Raisoni, owner of  this store cum cafe. “This is our take on the 3 basic essentials of life - Roti, Kapda and Makaan!”

The quant little place is tucked away at the Sena Pati Bapat Marg’s Raghuvanshi Mills complex and is a sure delight to the dreary eyes. Bright yellow walls, ceiling full of umbrellas,bright pajamas on sale and some more bright quirky articles for sale for your home interiors, all so well juxtapositioned with some good food as well. It sure is a healthy combination for the shopping souls.  

I loved the ‘Pante Khoi Swey’, A  twist on the Burmese gravy dish with the Indian Jeera flavour and coconut milk, and ofcourse the stuffed little buns with salsa and Green mint chutney also uplifted my soul after several meetings for the day.Let me warn you everything is blissfully vegetarian.

The Khus Khus jar with Humus and  herbs is a “ Diet Queens’ delight, I wanted to re christen it right away! Someday I want to steal a jar of these multilayered layered  vegetarian bliss all served in a glass jar and simply have spoon full’s while riding to work.

I loved the Nimbu paani and the edible spoons full of chutneys, the Somasa curry is a  delight if you like to try something out of the way.

Its a simple vibrant place with a lot of soul, with enough space for one to read a book or simply pen down your thoughts. Its up on the second floor with huge glass windows overlooking the  Mangoe trees outdoors.All this in the middle of town, Yeah go check it out.

Why do you think its called Roti Kapdaa aur Makaan, of course its not fine dining!! It is ultra contemporary!  Go there, just unwind, sit back, and forget that you are at a restaurant. Relax and order away some dishes you may have never eaten before. Its yours for the asking! I loved being there and taking in the high energy ambience. My soul was refreshed for sure.
And I must say Neha, you are one brave gourmet Entrepreneur-Go Girl!
 

The Mahotsav Art collection. Elsie Gabriel

The Mahotsav Art collection.

Elsie Gabriel.

A riot of colours and heady sensations enveloped me as I walked into an array of  colourful art displays by more than 50 artists at the Kohinoor art Gallery,Mumbai. I  was excited about the invitation by imminent artist Rukshana Hooda and she did not let me down. It was such a visual and healing experience.

Surrounded by  landscapes, charcoal art, wild life scenes, exotic animals in oils, acrylic on canvas, water colour, abstracts and figurative art, I found my visit very healing. The artists, who come from all over the country, showcased an array of  paintings, sculptures and graphics in the show. Mahotsav Group show was curated by Guruprio Paul. Says Guruprio who is an inspiring artist himself, “The title of the show was derived from the fact that it reveals the works of different artists, who share a common platform to display their works. Art brings people together."

 
 Rukshana Hooda, is a Visual Artist, painter from the Sir J.J. School Of Art and Sophia College Mumbai. Layers of visual sensations were portrayed  in Rukhshanas works taking you deeper into the meaning of life while showing off its intense colours. Elaborated Rukhshana, “ I have an assorted genre, very varied, from abstracts, landscapes, charcoals, moghal-Art, human forms, warli, history and Nature around me.Nature in its own self has always stayed absorbed in my expression. Human forms, stones, clouds and landscapes with types of vegetation take transformation on paper, plates, canvas, marine-ply, teak, etc. Beauty has no form still I try to capture and create on my canvas.”

I fell in love with Bhagvati Naths art works, what an excellent offering to planet Earth with her nature portraits. She had the Tigers, owls and leopards staring me in the face, springing to life. She is one artist par excellence. When you meet Bhagwati, you will see that she has been there, done that, and is in peace with  her self, half sage and sanyasi herself, her art works captivate you with striking messages of deep love, concern for animals and nature,all of which stole my soul.  “ I have lived in the wild and outdoors. Nature offers her own peace and lifestyle.I need to get out the message that all things natural are sublime and that animals are an essential part of our world.”

Deepika Misra is an artist to look out for,her offerings were also a delight, crisp and clear. I loved the colours which were very therapeutic. J.S.Munmoli, an artist whose many years in Africa resulted in striking jungle animal art forms were enriching. Extreme clarity and form were the elements which I came away with.The Leopards in the African jungles were paid a rich tribute.

Considered India’s cultural capital, Mumbai always offers a continuously developing and vibrant art scene.I simply loved the focus on introducing new artists and  experimental innovative art  which promoted a multi-disciplinary approach to contemporary art in India. The exhibition surprised me completed and that’s what I like.