15 November,2025 06:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Nimesh Dave
On Children's Day, a father lovingly tosses his child into the air, as the setting sun colours the sky at Versova Beach
Madhav Agasti (right) with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the event. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
It was a grand opportunity on November 13 for the city to witness the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Madhav Agasti's craftsmanship and work in the Hindi film industry, at a Bandra five-star. The event was a glitzy one, graced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as well as Bollywood biggies including Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Boney Kapoor, and Gulshan Grover.
(From left) Anupam Kher, Gulshan Grover, and Akshay Kumar at the event
The bespoke designer, known for designing iconic outfits for characters in Hindi films including Mogambo in Mr. India, among others - also launched his memoir, Stitching Stardom (Penguin Random House India), elucidating upon his journey. The book captures memorable creations, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and his ideas about design. Regarding the milestone achieved, Agasti said, "Tonight isn't just about celebrating my career; it's about celebrating every tailor, craftsman, and artiste who believes that one stitch can make a difference."
Attendees at a previous Climeet in Pune. Pics courtesy/Talk Dharti to me
Youth-run publication, Talk Dharti To Me is hosting its first Mumbai âClimeet' on sustainability on November 15 (today) at a Worli venue.
"It's for locals to connect with like-minded people. Experts, start-up members, students, and climate discourse enthusiasts and solution-seekers will attend. We hope to hold such events monthly in the city," co-founder Nivedita Bansal (above) notified this diarist.
A dated photograph of Dr Salim Ali. Pic Courtesy/Prasar Bharti
Earlier this week, veteran conservationists Tara Gandhi (below) and Bittu Sahgal unveiled a special gift to conclude Bird Week, dedicated to the Birdman of India, Dr Salim Ali. Sahgal admitted he spent much of the birding icon's birthday listening to a four-part archival interview series featuring his conversations with Dr Ali.
Bittu Sahgal. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons
"I would advise all those interested in avians, and natural history, and conservation to look into the past to understand how the foundation for conservation was put together brick by brick by the Bombay Natural History, when Dr Salim Ali was its president," Sahgal said. For Tara Gandhi, Dr Ali's mentee and Sahgal's close associate, it was a reminder of an ongoing search operation for Dr Ali's radio talks from 1940 to 1985.
"Nearly 15 years ago, I stumbled upon files titled Radio Talks while looking through Dr Ali's archives at the Prime Minister's Museum and Library in New Delhi. While his transcripts are documented in my book Words for Birds, the original audio tapes remain untraced. I hope the world gets to hear them one day," she told this diarist. Those keen, can find these rare gems on Prasar Bharti Archives on YouTube, and leading e-stores.
A moment from the recent rehearsals at UsPaar Residency, located in Kashid. Pics courtesy/Gillo Repertory Theatre
This Children's Day, this diarist learnt about a play that views the world through a child's lens, titled Fletcher Aur Zenobia, by Mumbai-based arts organisation, Gillo Repertory Theatre. Working towards theatre for the youth, the group will stage the act for the Abhivyakti City Arts Project in Ahmedabad next week.
"It's based on the story, Fletcher and Zenobia by American author Edward Gorey. We've adapted it into Hindi. The concept is absurd and whimsical: A cat and a doll stuck in a tree become friends. There are many comical elements in it, reflecting a child's logic, so to say. We're currently rehearsing at the beautiful UsPaar Residency, in Kashid," founder-director Shaili Sathyu (above) filled us in.
