<h2>All together in faith</h2>
Devotees seek blessings on <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/photo/in-photos-nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-2026-learn-these-5-important-facts-about-the-feast-day-112924/1" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mother Mary&rsquo;s birthday</a>, celebrated on September 8, which precedes the week-long Bandra Fair at the Mount Mary Basilica from September 13 to 20.
<h2>Hoop, hoop, hurray</h2>
Who says hoops are only meant for basketball? For Girgaon-based Shivani Dhopawkar, better known as The Bombay Hooper, this childhood passion led her to the Aagman (procession) of Ratnagiri Cha Raja in Shivajinagar on August 30.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Shivani-Dhopawkar_e.jpg" alt="Shivani Dhopawkar performs at the procession in Ratnagiri. Pics courtesy/ Shivani Dhopawkar" width="1280" height="720" /> Shivani Dhopawkar performs at the procession in Ratnagiri. Pics courtesy/Shivani Dhopawkar
Dhopawkar relives those moments, &ldquo;The energy felt eclectic and surreal, as a childhood passion (hula-hooping) has come to this stage. I performed with a total of six hoops and one LED hoop, which was one of the firsts for me. The people were very enthusiastic and warm as they gave me enough space to perform at the Aagman. Interestingly, apart from Mumbai, this was one of the largest processions I have ever seen in my life.&rdquo;
<h2>Next stop&hellip;London</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/DJ-Johney_e.jpg" alt="DJ Johney at the IDA championship. Pics courtesy/Artist" width="1280" height="720" /> DJ Johney at the IDA championship. Pics courtesy/Artist
The news got us tripping &mdash; Vasai-based DJ Johney, aka Tushar Chaubey, and Branden Creado won the DMC Championship India that was held at antiSocials, Lower Parel on September 6. This adds another title to Johney&rsquo;s list after his IDA Championship win last year.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Brandon-Johney_e.jpg" alt="Branden Creado and DJ Johney" width="1280" height="720" /> Branden Creado and DJ Johney
With the DMC World Championship finals coming up in London, this diarist asked him what he was looking forward to. &ldquo;That will be the ultimate championship, and I&rsquo;m really looking forward to it,&rdquo; said Johnny as the finals are set for November 12 to 15.
<h2>Recognised as a class act</h2>
Most schools would award certificates, but the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/dominican-violinist-aisha-syed-castro-swedish-pianist-emma-tillu-and-mmmf-string-ensemble-will-perform-in-mumbai-on-october-14-23598396" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mehli Mehta Music Foundation (MMMF)</a> received a certificate of its own when it became the first music school in India to be designated as a Steinway Select School.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Mehli-Mehta_e.jpg" alt="Mehroo Jeejeebhoy. Pic courtesy/Mehli Mehta Foundation" width="1280" height="720" /> Mehroo Jeejeebhoy. Pic courtesy/Mehli Mehta Foundation
The award recognises the institution&rsquo;s high standards, performances, and contribution to music education. During the presentation, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/how-this-music-business-furtados-music-owned-by-anthony-gomes-and-brothers-in-south-mumbai-continues-to-shape-the-city-23584262" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Anthony Gomes</a> of Furtados, the key distributor of Steinway pianos to MMMF shared, &ldquo;We are witness to these high standards that all of us, parents, grandparents, friends, and well-wishers are proud to be associated with.&rdquo;
Founder-trustee Mehroo Jeejeebhoy shared, &ldquo;We are very proud to have this honour of being the first Steinway Select school in India. We always aim to give our children the best facilities, be it a good instrument or a nice environment to take lessons in.&rdquo; With barely any time to savour the honour, Jeejeebhoy is already preparing for the upcoming concert by Russian pianist Andre&iuml; Korobeinikov on September 27.
<h2>From Dorian to Darpan</h2>
Trust one of India&rsquo;s brightest fiction minds to think out of the box. This diarist was piqued by the title, when Samit Basu announced the release of his upcoming work, The Pictures of Darpan Ray (HarperCollins India). It&rsquo;s his first contemporary novel, and in his words, &ldquo;A reimagining of Oscar Wilde&rsquo;s The Picture of Dorian Gray.&rdquo;
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Samit-Basu_e.jpg" alt="Samit Basu" width="1280" height="720" /> Samit Basu
Curiosity got the better of us, and we reached out for further details. &ldquo;It is set in Bollywood between the multiplex/global India age and our present-day influencer/chaos era. I spent a lot of my 30s living in Mumbai, failing heavily at innumerable Bollywood projects but also meeting the most fascinating characters.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Book-Samit-Basu_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
So, when I was looking for a setting for a reimagined classic about youth, power, beauty, immortality, transformation and conformity, this exasperated love letter to the city, and what it does to our dreams, fell into a familiar shape.&rdquo; Understandably, the Dilliwallah is excited to see what Mumbai&rsquo;s readers think of it, us included.

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

All together in faith

Hoop, hoop, hurray

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