Maha Shivaratri - 2017

Arun Patil marks his return to the Garden

Today was Maha Shivaratri, the ‘Great Night of Shiva’. We aren’t quite sure whether this is an occasion meant to commemorate the 'cosmic dance' of the legendary Nataraja. Or if it is supposed to mark the wedding anniversary of Shiva and Parvati. Either way, most of us found it auspicious enough to bunk the exercises today at the Garden.
Arun Patil made up for the drop in attendance

Kanta Sharma in a pensive mood

with a small celebration after the exercises. He is back from a 15-day shoot for a Tamil film near Chennai and had boxes of fruit halwa and mysur paak to show for it. We were happy for him as this was the first time since the amputation of his leg (two years back) that he has been able to pull off a difficult outstation job successfully. More than the financial gain, it is a huge life-changer for him as it should restore his confidence and self-esteem as an SFX professional.
Kanta Sharma was also back after a fairly long absence. Sadly, she is in mourning, having lost her younger brother in Delhi to a cardiac attack. The end came while she was touring with the Club in Rajasthan earlier this month. Her son, Aryan had deliberately withheld the news from her till she returned to Mumbai and thereafter, arranged to send her to Delhi for the last rites. She has still not recovered from that tragedy. Our condolences are with her.
Dilip Babani:
Arun-ji, welcome home. Nice haluwa and mithai!