Konkanis in Mumbai hold their own mela – Times of India

Many people from Konkan proudly call their region “California of India. ” This may sound like an exaggeration to some, especially to those who have never been exposed to the Konkan’s unique topography, its fascinating features like culture, cuisine and lifestyle. But the three-day (February 3-5) annual Kokan Mela 2003 being held at Saboo Siddiq Polytechnic at Byculla, will showcase Kokan in its myriad moods.
Being organised by Bashir Hajwani Foundation, in association with Kokani Community Forum and Kokan Cultural Foundation, the mela or festival returns after a hiatus of two years. “People should not get misled by the word mela. It is not just a congregation where people come, greet, eat and go. It is a programme which has a purpose. The mela should help the needy apart from connecting the new generation to the customs and culture of the Kokanis,” said the Foundation’s chairman Bashir Hajwani. He added that different segments in the three-day mela will help participants and visitors enjoy and understand what drives the Kokanis.
Comprising six districts—Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane, Palghar and Mumbai—Kokan is a 720 kmstretch off the Arabia sea and has ample greenery, hills, ghats, beautiful beaches and seven rivers, including Savitri, Gangaoli and Tansa. “We, along with the Kolis, are the original inhabitants of Mumbai. Kolis and Konkanis have lived in perfect harmony for centuries. They have been involved in fishing and we naturally love fish,” explained Kokan Cultural Foundation’s president Kamal Mandlekar who knows the region like the back of his palm.
Multiple sessions will see visitors enjoying the shows. They will also get educated through sessions like job fair, matrimonial meet, doctors’ and lawyers’ meet, Kokan delicacies, platform for SMEs. “From a one act play on Balasaheb Thackeray to mushairas, traditional band playing music, folk songs, the mela has a lot to offer,” promised Kokan Cultural Foundation’s Vice-President Imran Alvi. “The names will be announced at the venue as we don’t want to spoil the suspense byrevealing them now,” he laughed.
Among the delicacies the visitors can tuck into include methi ke laddu, sandan, rot, dudari, bhanauri, sakroli, nariyal ki barfi and a variety of fish. “King fish, pomfret, prawns are popular fish dishes in Kokan. They will be available in curry and fried both,” said Kokani Community Forum’s president Salim Alware.
When Kokanis came to Mumbai in centuries ago, they initially stayed in areas like Dongri, Dockyard Road, Mazgaon and Crawford Market. They mostly worked in the docks. Prosperous Kokanis like philanthropist Mohammed Ali Roghe helped build mosques, educational institutions, hospices, hospitals and musafirkhanas. Now some of the global community of the Kokanis want fellow Kokanis to remain connected and get educated and entertained through festivals like the one planned early next week.
(We have used Kokan at many places as organisers spell it this way).