The Shiv Sena’s staunch stand against the Pakistan cricket team has meant that not many India vs Pakistan games have been held at Wankhede. In fact, in October 1991, Shiv Sainiks dug up the Wankhede pitch and the entire series between the two countries had to be cancelled. The two teams have played each other at this venue just once: a Test match in December 1979, which India won by 131 runs.
As a Mumbaikar, Ayaz has fond memories of the Wankhede Stadium. “Who can forget Dhoni hitting the majestic six and India winning the 2011 World Cup after 28 years?” he asks. He also has fond memories of the other stadium in Mumbai—the Brabourne Stadium—where, as an eight-year-old, he watched his first live match between India and Australia. India, led by MAK Pataudi, won the game by two wickets.
Sibling goals
Designer Ashish Soni and his sister, Smita, on how the festive season brings them closer together
For Shruti Dutt, 31, a lawyer, festivities mean parties and melas, but also celebrating the festival day at home with family.
For the trio’s favourite festival, Bhai Dooj, they’ve made their own traditions.
“We meet at home and do the ritual early in the morning,” says Akriti. “There’s a lot of masti (fun) with Ankit and me negotiating money and gifts, while Shruti jumps in, demanding her own dues. After that, we grab our other friends with their siblings and go out for a cup of coffee.”
First of many
Fashion designer Samant Chauhan and producer Shweta Singh on their first festival as a family
What is Farhad listening to these days? “Indus Creed, Parikrama, Pentagram and Zero, besides Bloodywood and Arinjoy Sarkar, and a whole bunch of brilliant musicians from Kolkata. Adele is brilliant; Jacob Collier, Blake Shelton and Harry Styles are great. K-Pop does nothing for me but there is a huge market for that. But they don’t have staying power. You won’t remember them in 10 years, unlike Led Zeppelin, who you will remember after 60 years too.”
Hardcore rock
Ask his opinion on those who say that rock is near-passé today, and he’s quick to quote stats: “The acts that top the number of tickets sold are U2 and Bruce Springsteen, not the Justin Biebers. In the US, Billy Joel plays the Madison Square Garden twice a month. Show me another genre that’s doing that,” Farhad says.
“Fact is,” he adds sheepishly, “the cool kids always listen to rock.”
Farhad claims that the audience of the 2013 edition of the rock festival mostly comprised college kids. Only 20 per cent were over 25 years old.
“The genre cuts across age groups. I’ve seen kids singing along to Iron Maiden because their dad plays their music all the time. Good music cuts across age groups and genres. One of the best Blues guitarists in the country is Ehsaan Noorani, who people only know for his commercial work. Loy Mendonsa is a brilliant bassist and pianist,” reveals Farhad, who still plays covers and originals every week at bars back home in Austin.
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From HT Brunch, October 22, 2022
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