By Shiva Thorat, Twocircles.net
On Friday, Hindus celebrated Gokulalakshmi, also known as Janmasthami as the birth of Lord Krishna, across the country. In Mumbai, the day is celebrated as Dahi Handi,marked by breaking a pot of curd and buttermilk hung at a considerable height. Devotees form a human pyramid to reach the pot, often putting their bodies at great risk. Given the dangers involved, the Supreme court recently banned children below 18 years from participating in the event.
However, this has done little to deter the residents of Mumbai, who continue to participate with great fervour. But it is not as if the continuance of a religious tradition is the only reason here.
Take for example, the Dahi Handi celebrations in Airoli, a residential suburb of Navi Mumbai located on the Thane-Belapur road. The attraction for the people who had gathered was the prize money of Rs 2.5 lakh announced by the local leader Vijay Chougule, who is city chief for Navi Mumbai for Shiv Sena.
Dahi Handi celebrations in Airoli, Navi Mumbai
Deepak Akhade, a 23-year-old member of Sahyog Mitra Mandal-Bhimnagar Navi Mumbai, who sometimes participates in Dahi Handi celebrations, told TCN, “People just need to hear about the money. They can go crazy over that”. Dahi Handi celebrations in Airoli have always involved huge crowds, since it involves a big cash prize along with music and other festivities. All this of course means that the preparations begin much before the festival itself. Harish More, Chief of the Sahyog Mitra Mandal, Bhimnagar, said, “To make a successful and substantial pyramid, we begin practice two months before of Dahi Handi festival. We need energy and people to practice and sometimes, members have to skip work. It takes time but it is also our culture”. But when prodded over the cash prize, he says, “Since the time I became the chief of the group, we have broken the pot three times, but we did not get any money. All we got was medals and a trophy.”
Akhade who broke the pot two years ago, said, “It is really hard work. When I broke the pot, I was studying in graduation and had to bunk classes in order to practice. I didn’t regret not getting the money; my only regret is that I was hurt so many times, and my family scolded me a lot”.
The prize money ensures that communities show a great interest in it. Akhade said, “Agri Koli (fisheries communities) are a dominant community at these celebrations. This year, they have won Rs 2.5 lakh, but I doubt they will get it. I never got the prize money”.
Drought in state put question mark over celebrations
Sudhakar Sonawane, who is a corporator for the area of Rabale, Navi Mumbai, belongs to the Nationalists Congress Party (NCP). Last year, in wake of the state-wide drought, he stopped celebrating Dahi Handi. Shashi Mhatre, a follower of Sudhakar Sonawane and peon at Ekta Vidyalaya, Bhimnagar, Rabale said, “Since Sonawane stopped celebrating the Dahi Handi, now the people of Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) are trying to step in and offer money.
They are not even concerned about the drought and are instead celebrating this festival”. Mhatre explains the issues that have cropped up as a result of the drought. “Because of drought, people are migrating to Mumbai amidst growing unemployment and homelessness. Instead of giving offering them a place to stay and/or work, political parties make them celebrate Dahi Handi,” he says. The idea of stopping celebrations because of drought is not limited to this area. Jitendra Avhad, MLA of Thane-a distant suburb of Mumbai-also stopped the celebration of Dahi Handi in light of the recent drought.
Bhai Kokani, a member of Kannada Mitra Mandal of Bhimangar Rabale and a well-known political figure, said, “There is a competition between Raj Thakre (MNS) and Uddhav Thakre (Shivsena). After Avhad put a stop on the celebrations, they got a chance to polarise people in the name of Dahi Handi. The supreme court orders regarding the height of the pyramid and the age limit are frequently flouted. This shows how political parties use Dahi Handi for their personal gains”.
Akhade offers an interesting insight into the celebrations. “All the drama of Dahi Handi is the for the preparation of celebrating of Ganpati festival. For local leaders, this is an attempt to impress everyone of the top. I have decided to not attend such events any more,” he says.
When asked the reasons behind it, he says, “Two years ago, I broke my leg. My mother fel down when she saw me up on the pyramid. My group has the backing of the NCP; the Agri Koli is supported by the Shiv sena and BJP. The festival of Dahi Handi might have religious origins, but that sense is completely lost amidst the fight for political gains. To impress the high commands, we have to hanged up ourself in the air,” he says.