Raja Ravi Varma oleograph show opens in Mumbai; capoeira, fort-making and new play round out the week

An exhibition of Raja Ravi Varma's oleographs opened on Thursday at the Symroza Art Gallery in Breach Candy. Titled "Raja Ravi Varma: An Artist for the Ages", it has been organised by the Museum Society of Mumbai. Midweek traffic did not keep prominent figures from the art and culture world away on opening day.

The event began with a short but substantive introduction by Dr Firoza Godrej. The 45 framed works combine Indian mythology, culture and artistic creativity. Connoisseurs and members of the public alike got a chance to see the work of the celebrated painter up close. The oleographs on display were printed at the Ravi Varma Press in Karla, Lonavala.

Dr Godrej shared stories about Ravi Varma's work and his method of making oleographs, which won him recognition across the world. His prints have appeared on wall calendars, biscuit tins and matchboxes. Guests discussed his realistic depictions of Indian gods and goddesses, mythological characters, kings and women who inspired him, over mutton samosas, chutney sandwiches and tea. The interest in the discussion, and the coloured-dot labels stuck on the prints, suggest his legacy is in safe hands.

The Centre for Capoeira India, Khar, was invited to the Brazil National Day celebrations held in Mumbai on November 4. At the request of Brazil's Consul General in Mumbai, Jose Mauro Couto, and his wife Daniela, the team performed capoeira and samba. Co-founder Aparna Massa said, "The consulate was hosting us. Capoeira is their national sport, so paying tribute was only natural."

Led by professor and trainer Raza Baba Massa, the group gave two performances. According to Aparna, capoeira is essentially a game. In the first part, participants joined in with playful kicks in a dance-like style, recalling the time when children in Brazil's streets played it, learning self-defence for fun. The second part traced the dance form from its historical origins to the present day. Aparna said it was quite moving.

In Goregaon, the NGO Swargandh Kalamanch held a fort-building competition. Children from 22 housing societies and three schools took part. Several Maharashtra forts, including Pratapgad, Sinhagad and Vijaydurg, were built from eco-friendly materials such as stone and clay. Ganesh Krupa, a resident of Pandurang Wadi in Goregaon, built a model of Pratapgad. Samata Mahajan, the organisation's chief secretary, said, "We wanted children not just to read history, but to feel it."

Ramu Ramanathan's new play, "The Man Who Loved to Talk to a Butterfly", is about an environmental scientist who wants his memoirs written down. His daughter talks to butterflies. Combining humour and loss, the play examines our relationship with nature. Ramanathan said, "This is my latest work and it is the first time I am reading it in public. It revolves around the history of the Western Ghats and the legacy the earth has given us, so it is very relevant." Details of next week's reading are available at @studiotamaasha.