Dandiya fun moves to suburbs

Written By Manoj R Nair | Updated:

In the last few years, most of South Mumbai’s Dandiya venues have either scaled down the festivities or shut them down altogether.

Dr Lalita Patel, a Mumbai Central resident craves the pomp and action of a big dandiya event, but the medical college lecturer rues that most action is now in the suburbs.

“There are no Dandiyas run by Gujarati groups in the area where I live. I will probably have to travel to Goregaon to take part in one,” she said.

In the last few years, most of South Mumbai’s Dandiya venues like the Garware Club, Cricket Club of India, Heera Panna and the PJ Hindu Gymkhana on Marine Drive have either scaled down the festivities or shut them down altogether.

The National Sports Club of India at Worli which had a Dandiya event for members and their guests till last year is not hosting one this year. Jaisingh Choraria, the club secretary, blamed the incessant rains. “We do not have an indoor venue,” he said.

Garware Club in Churchgate stopped hosting the event a decade ago after the 10pm deadline on loudspeakers was introduced. PJ Hindu Gymkhana, which used to have a nine-night event four years ago, will have it only on Tuesday and Wednesday when there is no loudspeaker deadline, said secretary Deepak Kapadia.

“As far as Dandiya is concerned, South Mumbai is zero,” said Walkeshwar resident and diamond businessman Lalubhai Mehta who goes to Tejpal Hall at Gowalia Tank Maidan, one of the oldest Dandiya venues in the city and one of the few that continues the tradition.

The compound of Heera Panna building at Haji Ali used to be a popular Dandiya venue till last year. This year, the residents did not to hold the event, primarily because of the loudspeaker deadline. “Those who used to come here will probably have to go to the suburbs to enjoy Dandiya,” said Pradeep Palshetkar, chairman of the building’s managing committee. But few south Mumbai residents want to brave the evening rush hour to reach suburban Dandiya venues. Manoj Chokshi, a Breach Candy resident, said, “I find it tiresome to travel to hotspots like Juhu-Vile Parle.”

Hitesh Shah, a stock broker from Churchgate, has stopped going to Dandiyas. “Apart from Radio Club, I don’t know of any major Dandiya venues in South Mumbai,” he added.