God knows where all the modaks have been disappearing from the Shree Siddhi Sai Ganpati pandal in Borivli this year. Actually, he doesn’t.
The fictional case of Bappa’s stolen modaks becomes the foundation of forensic psychologist Krupa Nishar’s one-day pop-up at the 32-year-old pandal at Borivli’s Vazira. A stall, cordoned off with crime scene tape, will put devotees in the shoes of a detective. The premise is simple: Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya lock horns in a friendly face-off. Ganesha emerges victorious and bags a sweet modak reward from mother Parvati. All was good, until one night, a box of modaks vanished without a trace.
Participants examine the scene at Nishar’s forensic psychology pop-up. PICS COURTESY/KRUPA NISHAR
“The collaboration might sound unusual, but it’s important. For many of us who grew up watching television, the idea of a detective begins and ends with shows like CID and Crime Patrol. My aim is to debunk myths about real-life crime solving and sensitise participants to the challenges faced by the courts, police, prisoners, psychologists and families affected by a crime,” Nishar adds. The expert has conducted multiple workshops across the country before making her way to the suburb this weekend.
Kartik Gada, a junior member of the mandal, remembers playing detective at Nishar’s workshop in Andheri earlier this year. “I always wanted to bring the experience to more people. Ganeshotsav seemed like the perfect time,” he shares. In its 33rd year now, the mandal comprises a small group of five housing societies in the neighbourhood, who chip in towards a simple eco-friendly celebration every year.
A set of clues from the case
So, what really happens at a forensic psychology pop-up? From a simple spot-the-difference task where participants closely observe pictures of Ganesha’s room from the day of the theft, to more complex tasks including QR codes and memory maps, the case reaches conclusion in approximately 10 minutes, Nishar informs. “One of the segments requires you to memorise emergency numbers like 1098, the national child helpline and 112, the ambulance helpline. These numbers are as important as the more widely-recognised 100 code,” she reminds us.
Nishar knows that the faithful come in all ages in this city that loves Bappa. All staff members, we learn, are trained in sensitisation and child-friendly language to filter out terms such as murder and death that might make the children uncomfortable. “The games are easy and don’t rely heavily on mythology, making it suitable for players of all ages. Children have often told me they feel like police and CID officers after the sessions,” she chuckles.
Krupa Nishar
We ask for a handy pro tip from the expert before we sign off; lest we’re caught off guard when the modak menace reaches our neighbourhood. “Things are seldom as simple as they seem. While hard evidence is vital, tapping into the psyche and carefully profiling all individuals connected to the case can open a world of clues and new suspects,” she reminds us. So, were you anywhere near Vazira in Borivli this past week?
ON August 31; 5 pm to 7 pm
AT Shree Siddhi Sai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal, opposite Ganesha Hospital, Vazira, Borivli West.
LOG ON TO @officialkrupa.nishar
EMAIL [email protected] (to book a pop-up)
All for Ganesha
From modak options to sketching workshops, take your pick to get into the festive mood
PIC COURTESY/BOMBAY SWEET SHOP
Modak mania
Indulge in imaginative variations like Chocolate Hazelnut Modak and Puran Poli Modak. If you’ve been asked to watch your sweet count this season, we suggest the Maha Modak (above), a massive modak stuffed with ladoos and gujiyas.
AT Bombay Sweet Shop, Bandra, Kala Ghoda, Oshiwara.
LOG ON TO bombaysweetshop.com
Take the cake
Choose from the Ganpati Cake (right) inspired by festive elements, or the bite-sized Ganpati cupcakes adorned with toppings like hibiscus flowers, fruits and paan.
AT Toujours, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO @toujoursmumbai
Keep it classic
Don’t fix what ain’t broken, they say. Get your hands on Panshikar & Co.’s signature mawa, kaju, pista or ukadiche modaks that have been mainstays at traditional celebrations for more than a century.
AT Panshikar & Co., Girgaon, Dadar, Vile Parle, Ghatkopar.
CALL 9819817330 (Girgaon)
PIC COURTESY/TOUJOURS
Sculpted with love
Learn how to build a Ganpati idol from scratch from a clay modeling expert. Take home your creation and celebrate Bappa’s arrival with joy.
ON August 27 to September 7 TIME 1 pm onwards
AT Brew Haus Cafe, Cross Road, Opposite JaiGopal Industries, Dadar West.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 899 onwards
Wall of grace
Learn the traditional folk art of Kutch’s Lippan Kaam at House of Hand’s workshop and create Bappa-inspired wall hangings.
ON August 30; 1 pm onwards
AT Pret A Manger, Infiniti Mall, New Link Road, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 999 onwards
Art of devotion
Join Suburban Sketchers, a Mumbai-based artist group at Bal Vikas Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal and unleash your creativity on canvas by sketching and painting Bappa in all its glory.
ON August 28; 9 am onwards
AT Bal Vikas Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Hari Om Nagar, Borivli West.
LOG ON TO @suburban.sketchersmumbai