<h2>Rooftops and raindrops</h2>
Commuters wait under the vernacular sloping, Mangalore tile-set roofs at<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/rail-station-at-bandra-east-to-now-get-the-mumbai-central-terminus-look-23634004" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> Bandra station</a> amid rains
<h2>Culture spectacle</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Tak-music_e.jpg" alt="A moment from an earlier performance. Pics courtesy/taktookmusic" width="1280" height="720" /> A moment from an earlier performance. Pics courtesy/taktookmusic
Culturecon 2026 returns to the NCPA on August 6 and 7, bringing together artistes, musicians, filmmakers, designers, writers, entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners for two days of conversations, masterclasses and mentorship.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Pankaj-Tak_e.jpg" alt="Pankaj Tak" width="1280" height="720" />Pankaj Tak
Among the panelists is musician and Taktook founder Pankaj Tak, who told this diarist, &ldquo;With whatever resources one has, there is always something that&rsquo;s possible and I hope attendees leave with the confidence to build meaningful work that adds professional value while solving a real-life problem.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;Creativity flourishes when communities support one another whole-heartedly.&rdquo;
<h2>Spidey senses in the air</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Spiderman_e.jpg" alt="Aditya Patil dressed up at Spider-Man. Pics courtesy/Aditya Patil" width="1280" height="720" /> Aditya Patil dressed up at Spider-Man. Pics courtesy/Aditya Patil
IT&rsquo;s official, people &mdash; the friendly neighbourhood hero is multiplying by the minute. Last week, this section featured a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/photo/Monsoon-Magic--When-Mumbaikars-enjoyed-the-rains--Mumbai-style-13814/6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mumbaikar </a>making web-shooters, and now we&rsquo;ve stumbled upon Aditya Patil, aka Mumbai&rsquo;s Spider-Man, as people on social media call him. When this diarist enquired about his motive, Patil said, &ldquo;Growing up, I&rsquo;ve loved this superhero, but more importantly, I&rsquo;ve always admired his never-give-up attitude towards life. If you look at it, Peter Parker faces a lot of hardships early in life, even ending with the loss of MJ (Mary Jane).
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Aditya-superman_e.jpg" alt="Aditya Patil" width="1280" height="720" /> Aditya Patil
But the moment he puts on his mask, it&rsquo;s the people who come first. That&rsquo;s what I intend to do as well &mdash; quietly help people on the streets, with food, water, or even something as simple as art supplies.&rdquo; Adding to this, he said, &ldquo;If even one person walks away inspired to help someone else after seeing <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-diary-monday-dossier-23640583" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spider-Man</a>, I think I&rsquo;ve done my job.&rdquo;
<h2>No mazaa for Messi, only moong dal</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Messi-rice-diary_e.jpg" alt="When creativity finds the net. PIC/NANDAKUMAR MARAR" width="1280" height="720" /> When creativity finds the net. PIC/NANDAKUMAR MARAR
THIS is the FIFA World Cup 2026 story for sports aficionado Nandakumar Marar who had a creative take on the recently-concluded final. Marar told this diarist, &ldquo;I wanted to capture the essence of starry Spain outclassing angry Argentina in a mismatch final littered with cards. Lionel Messi&rsquo;s jersey displays the score, caused by the ball rocketing into the roof of the net, resulting in the match-winner.&rdquo; Marar&rsquo;s creative arrangement is on a blue cloth. It has a sprinkling of rajma beans describing the two team&rsquo;s initials.&nbsp;
The sabudana pearl strips, alternate with the blue background, which is the colour scheme for the Argentina jersey, and the score 1-0 is a Ten, made of mustard seeds, was the number on Messi&rsquo;s jersey. Masoor dal is used to show a star next to Spain, bright and colourful it depicts the joy of the champion nation. The Argentines deserve a moong dal &lsquo;yellow card&rsquo;. A dry nimbu (lemon) replicates the new-age official World Cup football. The border is made with kulfi sticks. Marar&rsquo;s FIFA fun captures not just the score but (Lamine) Yamal ka Kamaal, and some dhamaal. He said, &ldquo;I experimented &nbsp;with a sprinkling of different dals and seeds.&rdquo; Just like the final though, there was the famous Argentina jersey No 10 but no sprinkling of Messi-ssippi masala. Check out Nandakumar Marar&rsquo;s Instagram handle @nandudesigns.
<h2>Making time for zines</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Cat-Art_e.jpg" alt="An independent zine by Himanshu (right) Visitors browse the stalls at a previous zine festival. Pics courtesy/Himanshu S" width="1280" height="720" /> An independent zine by Himanshu (right) Visitors browse the stalls at a previous zine festival. Pics courtesy/Himanshu S
WHILE patrons are eagerly awaiting the return of the Bombay Zine Library, zine artist and Fluxus Chapel owner, Himanshu S confirmed that the 10th edition of the Bombay Zine Fest is on track.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Himanshu-S_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
&ldquo;We are yet to decide on the dates, but registrations are open. &nbsp;We&rsquo;ve always had great support, and are keen to carry on. If you are keen to submit a zine, send it to bombayunderground @gmail.com before August 30,&rdquo; he revealed.

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Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

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