Mumbai Diary: Saturday dossier

Christmas tree

Here comes the festive season!
Leave the lights on: If you happen to be around Lower Parel, drop by St Regis Mumbai. The hotel has put up a decked up Christmas tree at The Great Hall on Level 9. There will also be Christmas carols, cake and Santa for kids. Pic/Satej Shinde

The last dance?
Of late, we have only been announcing the closing of some of our favourite city landmarks, including iconic eateries. Here's another one. In a chance telecon with the owner of the popular Café Sundance, this diarist learnt that the SoBo eatery had wound up operations.

Come Back soon: Café Sundance

"Our lease ran out and we didn't want to renew it right now. However, we are looking at a space near Mahalaxmi, and should be up and running soon," said Sumeet Nankani, owner of the Churchgate eatery. We'd like to see the sun shine again on this popular hangout.

Pabiben ni Pabi bag
Looking for a cool style statement this festive season? Opt for a chic embroidered clutch designed by Pabiben, one of the participants at Artisans' Christmas shopping bazaar that's on till December 6.

Pabiben with her husband at the stall

Part of Kutch's ethnic Rabari community, Pabiben started one of the first women artisan enterprises, Pabiben.com, in the desert land. It aims to help women create their identity with artistic talent. Using vibrant combination of trims and ribbons, she created her own style of embroidery known as Pabi Jari and even made a sample shopping bag that's come to be known as Pabi bag! More power to women artisans, we say.

An ode to the maestros
take note: Vocalist Sawani Shinde performs at the 39th Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan at Nehru Centre on Thursday evening. Held every year in memory of late Pandit Jagannath Buwa Purohit alias Gunidas of Agra Gharana, the festival has a stellar line-up including vocalist Ustad Rashid Ali Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Venkatesh Kumar as well as several young maestros. Pic/Satej Shinde