The arts pay their respects to 26/11 victims

Three months to the day after the horrendous terror attacks. A moment of remembrance. A minute of silence. Three events that heal through art.

Tonight, a performance of the hugely successful play When God Said Cheers pays special tribute to the 26/11 victims and heroes. The brilliant Tom Alter plays God while theatre director Cyrus Dastur hams it up as Man. Sitting in a bar, discussing the intricacies of life, they argue about things like the futility of fighting, especially in the name of religion. Sombre stuff, but it’s executed with a light touch. And I could sure do with some laughter right about now.

Especially after my visit to the exhibition Bearing Witness, where 72 pictures, shot during and after the attacks by 48 news photographers, were selected from among thousands. These brave camera-artists put their lives at risk to tell the stories that emanate from these powerful images. Most powerfully evocative is my beautiful CST station looking ghostly in the aftermath of the shootings — with broken glass, blood splatters, abandoned shoes and luggage lying around forlornly.

And I can barely wait for next week, when I can view the works of 75 artists including Riyas Komu, Baiju Parthan, Akbar Padamsee and Laxman Shreshtha who have created unique canvasses to raise funds for 26/11 victims. Called 1×1 India, which refers to the size of the works, the show has been organised by Anupa Mehta and Sapna Kar and will even feature two quilts designed by Krsna Mehta. I’m keen to see how their minds have interpreted the nation’s trauma.

A mighty metropolis remembers… and salutes its own spirit. Take a bow, my lovely Mumbai.

When God Said Cheers: Tonight at the Mumbai Times Cafe, Magnet Mall, 5th Floor, Off Linking Road, Opp KFC, Bandra (W); 7.30 pm. Bearing Witness: Until tomorrow at PL Deshpande Kala Academy, Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi; 10 am-9 pm. 1×1 India: Until March 3 at Olive, Amateur Riders’ Club, Gate No 8, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Tel: 40859595; 12 noon-7pm. Entry free for all events.