rahul_parab2006
Rahul Parab
Dahi Handi, one of the most energetic and loved events on Gokulashtami, had the entire city cheering the human pyramids.
Remember Dahi Handi 10-15 years ago (when I was child). It was more about culture and was not as commercialized as today. Govinda was celebrated with great enthusiasm by textile workers in areas around Lower Parel and Lalbaug. They mostly belonged to Kabaddi and other such sports groups.
These guys were physically fit and would practice for months. Getting into a team was not an easy task. There was rigorous training followed by a stringent selection process. For them, Dahi Handi was an adventurous sport sprinkled with religious sentiment. The cash prizes back then were barely Rs. 50, and it was the spirit of the participation that meant a lot more for them. It would be a huge family affair.
Today, Dahi Handi is no longer a festival. It is a publicity gimmick controlled by political parties and corporates. A bunch of untrained people adorning company and party t-shirts roam around in trucks, creating chaos and acting as walking advertisements. The flow of traffic is disrupted.
Building a human pyramid needs a lot training and planning. The human pyramid needs around 35 people and need anything between 70 to 100 people to act as human safety nets to protect those who fall. It’s good fun. Most of the times, nobody gets seriously injured.
But, this time, unfortunately, 3 were dead and a few injured.
Remember Dahi Handi 10-15 years ago (when I was child). It was more about culture and was not as commercialized as today. Govinda was celebrated with great enthusiasm by textile workers in areas around Lower Parel and Lalbaug. They mostly belonged to Kabaddi and other such sports groups.
These guys were physically fit and would practice for months. Getting into a team was not an easy task. There was rigorous training followed by a stringent selection process. For them, Dahi Handi was an adventurous sport sprinkled with religious sentiment. The cash prizes back then were barely Rs. 50, and it was the spirit of the participation that meant a lot more for them. It would be a huge family affair.
Today, Dahi Handi is no longer a festival. It is a publicity gimmick controlled by political parties and corporates. A bunch of untrained people adorning company and party t-shirts roam around in trucks, creating chaos and acting as walking advertisements. The flow of traffic is disrupted.
Building a human pyramid needs a lot training and planning. The human pyramid needs around 35 people and need anything between 70 to 100 people to act as human safety nets to protect those who fall. It’s good fun. Most of the times, nobody gets seriously injured.
But, this time, unfortunately, 3 were dead and a few injured.
