Just walking Around

Band Baaja …. Visarjan….

Last Tuesday was Anant Chaturdashi , Bappa’s immersion day . The end of the 10 day festivity when the much loved and adored God Ganapti Bappa the rotund Lambodar comes down from his abode in the heavens to stay with his devotees . Bhakts across communnties in huge pandals or in tiny homes. A mini vacation for the kids to revel in festivities , fun and sweets. Gobbling up the modak pedas like the god himself. A day of the final journey back to his abode in the sky. With a wish of every lips “ Ganpati Bappa Morya …..Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa”

Each year right from my childhood in this magical place of Matunga , this day of Anant Chaturdash is celebrated with grand fervor on the roads of Matunga. With huge idols of the Ganesha from various Ganesh Mandals of not just Matunga but its neighborhood’s like Sion –Dharavi-Koliwada (GTB Nagar) and even from as far as Chembur –Panjarpole- and Vashi naka ,being taken on Trucks and trailers to be immersed in the sea front at Girgaon or Dadar Chowpatty . We as a family make it a point to go down to the main raod of B.A. Ambedkar Road enjoying the sights and sound. Yes the immense sound of the Visarjan procession , each mandal trying to out do the other in terms of the song and dance routine played out on the streets. The noise pollution activist would be at their wits end about all this cacophony. But in the midst of all this cacophony there are certain gems.

Head to Ruia Naka for the now famous well choreographed and well co-ordinated procession . Organized by the College students of Ruia and Poddar this Ganesh Mandal boasts of nearly 20 year history of the “Vidyartghaynch Raja” among all the other Raja’s from Fort Cha Icchapurti Raja to the Chincjpokli Cha Raja to Parel Cha Raja to Andheri Cha Raja and the all famous Lalbaug Cha Raja. This Vidyarthyancha Raja is dedicated to the students and celebrated as the Vidya Daivat the Lord of Education. Hosted for 10 days at the Ruia Naka which otherwise is famous for Student gatherings and Gossip mongering or the acts of naïve romance and wooing. A Panda is hoisted at the corner or the road half on the footpath half on the road but not much disturbing the usual traffic. Each year the theme is about some current topic from Sprostwomen gettings us medals at Rio Olympics to this years 125 years of Sarvajaniik Ganesh Festival Celebration promoted by Bal Gangadhar Tilak or the Lokmanya.

On the immsersion day their procession is not to be missed for the real traditional fan fare. The show strats with special mandals brought from as far as Nashik , Pune and even Kolhapur. This year it was the turn of “Nyana Prabhodhini Mandal” to mesmerize the crowds with their traditional acts. The procession was lead by a group of nearly 20 -30 young men with wooden sticks called the Tiprya. Dancing to the rhythmatic beats of the Nashik Dhol and Tashaa. Starting with simple moves of beating the sticks to give a loud and steady click , to maneuvering themselves into a short dance much like the Gujarati Dandiya, but looking more masculine and filled with Veer Rasa as compared to Dandiya which more feminine filled with Shringar Rasa.  These dancers were followed by again a groups of boys / young men palying out a dance simply by clapping their hands and moving in rhythm to the beats of the Dhol. Again much similar to the Gujrati Garba but minus the huge circle in which it is played. The more different we think our communities are the more examples of similar traditions imerge in such art forms.

But the loudest cheer ad roar went out to the group of men carrying enourmous drums the “Dhol” requiring real strength not just to carry them but also to beat them in rhythmic action giving out sounds of “Dhum – Dhum” , drowning out all other sounds . If you listen closely you can hear the all pervading sound of the Omkar in its beats . The eternal sound from which this universe itself was created . Well supported by the strong sounds eminating from the flat drums known as Tashaa. The combined sound of Dhol and Tashaa reverberating in the sky and making the atmosphere magical. The procession winding down the by-lane and finally concluding as they reached the main road

This procession is always followed by a small mandal with its pristine Ganesh moorthi decked up on a small tempo truck. The uniqueness being the music being played out by the local boys in true Mumbaiyaa style – The Banjo Party. The Banjo or the Bulbul tarang literally meaning “waves of nightangle”. The Banjo or the Bulbul tarang is an instrument which employs two sets of strings, one set for drone, and one for melody. The strings run over a plate or fretboard, while above are keys resembling typewriter keys, which when depressed fret or shorten the strings to raise their pitch.The sound coming out a unique mix and when played by experts sounding ethereal . The current version used is the electric one with an amplifier plugged in and more sounding like a Rockstars Guitar. And the songs selected are typically loud but enjoyable by the masses . 

A sharp contrast is the procession of the richest Ganpati Mandal the GSB Mandal of Wadala where the Ganesh idol is bedecked with gold and diamond jewelry worth Crores. All part of the royal procession for the Visarjan. The Sevaks and the priests bring out the reagal moorthi amidst holy chants and brass bells rung and metallic gongs being struck. The idol is then placed on the Truck with all its majesty , decorated with freshest flowers and more jewellery fit for the King of Gods. The truck is followed by musical band performing on traditional south Indian drums called the Mridangam to be played sideways and Kanjira the more robust drum palyed with wooden sticks and held verial and hung from the players neck just like the Dhol. These are accompanied by the long wind instrument of Nadaswaram. Belting out traditional carnatic music and devotional songs. The procession winding down from the landmark temple of Ram at Wadala to the road connecting the Khodadad Circle od the Dadar TT circle. Led by the musicians followed by GSB sevaks dressed in traditional orange dhoti and white angavastram some chanting some playing the Thaalam – brass cymbals. Followed by the women folk in rich Silk sarees in a well disciplined line trowing petals and flowers in reverence to the Lord Ganesha lord of 14 Vidyas and 64 Kala’s , Ekdanta, Vakratunda and the destroyer of obstruction – The Vighnaharta….

The night of revelry coming to an end with the sounds getting milder milder till they disappear into the dark sky, only the faint chants reverberate the air as we bid good bye to the most loved God our Bappa with final cheers of Ganpati Bappa Moryaa…Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa…