12 December,2025 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Nimesh Dave
An egret seems to stand guard as a buffalo calf catches a few winks at a shed in Aarey Colony, Goregaon
Children work on the mural (right) kids pose with Cindy Sandoval (centre, in grey tshirt) in front of the completed mural
The children of The Dharavi Dream Project (TDDP) school had a lesson in creative chaos from Chilean muralist Cindy Sandoval at a special workshop on Thursday. The muralist is in India as part of an art grant from the Chilean Art Council and the Ministry of Culture of Chile to explore and collaborate with street art in Mumbai.
Cindy Sandoval and Rodrigo Ardiles
Helmed by the city-based graffiti artist NME, the session also saw Rodrigo Ardiles, creative director, Dundas West Open Air Museum, Canada, join in the proceedings to create a new mural that captures the idea of children's education. "This is our first trip to India, and we have been here only for the last three days. We do want to explore the country, and its street art. That's why we hope to extend our stay. The grant offers us a chance to collaborate with students, and share our experience with them," shared Ardiles, also a muralist himself.
Pankil Shah and A Burra Della being plated
Although regulars might swear it feels like much longer, neighbourhood gastropub Woodside Inn is ringing in its sweet 18th this week. "A lot has changed over the last 18 years, much like the city it is based in. We constantly evolve to reflect the changing preferences of our guests, be it a shift from gin to tequila or from avocados, to matcha," said co-founder Pankil Shah.
A view of the Colaba pub's interiors
Some bragging rights are only natural, we say, for surviving in an industry that has been shedding restaurants all year long. Not so soon, believes Shah, who revealed that plans for a new Bengaluru outpost are in the works. "It's almost impossible to predict what the future holds. But we will set higher standards for ourselves to ensure that our guests always have a reason to keep returning," he told this diarist.
It will be a return to her roots for Bengaluru-based Lavanya Prasad (below) as she joins the Mumbai Storytellers on an online session of Folktales from Tamil Nadu (Nattupura Kadaigal) from Tamil Nadu on December 13. "When Usha [Venkatraman, founder] contacted me, we reached out to Tamil storytellers across India. We were looking for âmannin manam' [smell of the earth]," shared the curator. Featuring six artistes, the session will be stitched together by the âsolvadai' (aphorisms). Readers can log on to @mumbai.storytellers.society on Instagram for more details.
A dated photograph of (from left) Ramesh Shotham, Radha Thomas and Suresh Shotham (on guitar). Pic Courtesy/DigginginIndia on Youtube
Mumbai-based flautist Rajeev Raja will lead his outfit, The Rajeev Raja Combine in a tribute tour to The Human Bondage, the 1970s rock band led by Ramesh Shotham, Suresh Shotham, Babu Joseph, Radha Thomas, and the late Xerxes Gobhai in January 2026.
Rajeev Raja
"This will be a tour running through Bengaluru, Mumbai and Goa. We will invite the old timers to rock, and get the younger generation to jam with us, too," Raja shared.
UMMEED Child Deve-lopment Centre will host its annual Family Day on December 13, to raise awareness about neurodivergent disabilities. Revathi Iyer (inset), senior project lead at Ummeed said, "The event will offer a safe space where families can gather, enjoy activities, relax together, and feel supported without the fear of being triggered, or overwhelmed by the surroundings."
