<h2>TLC for the Terminus</h2>
<p>Workers set up bamboo scaffolding for maintenance of a section of the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Fort</p>
<h2>Thumri in Goa</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Gulabi_e.jpg" alt="Vidhya Gopal (right) and Alok Ranjan Srivastava during the performance. Pic courtesy/IPRS" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Vidhya Gopal (right) and Alok Ranjan Srivastava during the performance. Pic courtesy/IPRS</em></strong></p>
<p>It was an evening when the thumri met spoken poetry in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/goa-nightclub-fire-luthra-brothers-brought-to-goa-a-day-after-deportation-from-thailand-23608129" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Goa</a>. The session at the Serendipity Arts Festival by the Andheri-based Indian Performing Right Society Ltd (IPRS) witnessed performers such as Vidhya Gopal and Alok Ranjan Srivastava take on Gulabi Vinyl, a set that unified thumri, ghazal, and spoken poetry. Describing the act, Gopal shared, &ldquo;It began as a conversation with songs that we grew up listening to. Moving between music and poetry, we allowed these lyrics to breathe again.&rdquo; Today, screenwriter-lyricist Mayur Puri and his band will take over with his performance titled, Beintehaan: A Musical Harvest with Mayur Puri. Known for Bollywood hits including Teri Ore and Chunar, the one-hour act merges Sufi kalaams and qawwalis, among other genres, with indie-folk fusion, among his own compositions.</p>
<h2>Farewell, Meher Castelino</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Castelino_e.jpg" alt="The late Meher Castelino at the Inside Fashion Magazine launch in 2000. File Pic" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>The late Meher Castelino at the Inside Fashion Magazine launch in 2000. File Pic</em></strong></p>
<p>The passing of India&rsquo;s first Femina <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/fashion/article/fashion-journalist-and-indias-first-miss-india-meher-castelino-passes-away-at-81-23608138" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Miss India-winner</a>, a longtime friend and contributor to this newspaper, Meher Castelino, at the age of 81 came as a blow. For a decade, Castelino&rsquo;s name was a familiar sight for mid-day readers as her columns kept us onside of the fashion world.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Sathya-Saran_e.jpg" alt="Meher Castelino (left) with Sathya Saran. pic courtesy/sathya saran" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Meher Castelino (left) with Sathya Saran. Pic courtesy/Sathya Saran</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Femina editor and author, Sathya Saran shared, &ldquo;She would diligently attend every show, after which she would rush back to her computer to file stories.&rdquo; But for Saran, it was the grace and elegance of Castelino that stood out. &ldquo;She was always put together. Never sloppy. A classy figure throughout her life,&rdquo; Saran told this diarist.</p>
<h2>Fabulous new beginnings</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Shalini-Passi_e.jpg" alt="Shalini Passi. File pic" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Shalini Passi. File pic</em></strong></p>
<p>There is one more feather to add to the already vibrant life of Delhi-based designer and art curator <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/fashion/photo/in-photos-looks-that-prove-shalini-passi-is-a-fashion-icon-102976/1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shalini Passi</a>. After her eye-catching presence on the 2024 Netflix series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, the curator will turn author in 2026 with her first book, The Art of Being Fabulous (Penguin Random House India). Scheduled to release in early 2026, the book will be a part-memoir, part-manifesto about Passi&rsquo;s own journey, and her secrets of the self. Talk about going from strength to strength.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Learning to live on the spectrum</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Kids-sport_e.jpg" alt="A previous adaptive sports session. pic courtesy/don bosco academy, nerul" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A previous adaptive sports session. Pic courtesy/Don Bosco Academy, Nerul</em></strong></p>
<p>Santa might have to do a longer stopover in Navi Mumbai this Christmas. On December 21, the Don Bosco school ground in Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, will host specially-abled children on the autistic spectrum for the Funtoosh Mega Mela. The fair, hosted by Don Bosco Prafulta Centre for Psychological Wellness Nerul in association with Wading Through Life-Funtoosh and The Rotary Club of Smart City <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/cidco-begins-process-for-third-runway-at-navi-mumbai-airport-23607727" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Navi Mumbai </a>is an effort to help families learn about living with individuals on the spectrum. Wenonah Castellino, founder, Wading Through Life-Funtoosh Holistic Wellness revealed, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a networking awareness mela, to help families access resources like therapy and other interventions. There will be a carnival with games, and adaptive sports sessions. The Don Bosco Youth Services Matunga team will also perform Christmas carols.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Alibaug, ahoy!</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/dec/Burger-a_e.jpg" alt="A view of dishes offered by the outlet. Pic courtesy/Mag St." width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>A view of dishes offered by the outlet. Pic courtesy/Mag St</em></strong></p>
<p>City-based cafe Mag St. seems to be following the holiday crowd to Alibaug this festive season. They will host the latest edition of their annual pop-up, Mag St. in the &lsquo;Baug, from December 20 to January 4 at <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-two-injured-in-another-leopard-attack-near-alibaug-fresh-search-operation-launched-23607470" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alibaug</a>-Revas Road. Aside from culinary treats from Mag St. Bread Co, and sister brand Iktara, patrons can order via online platforms. Gauri Devidayal, co-founder, Food Matters Group, said, &ldquo;Our goal is to bring the soul of Mag St. to Alibaug.&rdquo; Guests might want to reserve tables by calling 9136569692 ahead of time.</p>

Thumri, ghazal, and spoken poetry come alive at Goa’s Serendipity Arts Festival, as IPRS performers Vidhya Gopal and Alok Ranjan Srivastava enchant audiences

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