Puneites experience Punit Balan Group’s combined Dahi-Handi thrill
Sea of youth throngs historic Lal Mahal Chowk
Dhol-Tasha, band and Worli Beats of traditional musical instruments reverberate the atmosphere
Radhekrishna Group breaks Dahi-Handi by forming seven layers of human pyramid
Pune: The Punit Balan Group (PBG)-organised common Dahi-Handi celebration of 26 mandals was conducted on Sunday (August 16) amidst the chants of ‘Govinda Re Gopala’, auspicious beats of Dhol-Tasha, Mahakal Nrutya and Mumbai-based Worli Beats traditional music. An enthusiastic huge crowd of youths was dancing to the tunes of these beats. The atmosphere was charged with devotion and gaiety.
Historic Lal Mahal Chowk was jam-packed with crowds to witness the breaking of Dahi-Handi, where Radhekrishna Group formed a seven-layer human pyramid and won the honour of breaking the Dahi-Handi. Punit Balan Group (PBG) set an example across Maharashtra by celebrating the Dahi-Handi festival without the use of DJ music.
As many as 26 mandals joined hands to celebrate a combined Dahi-Handi festival. PBG President and Young Entrepreneur Punit Balan announced that the Dahi-Handi celebration would be DJ music free this year. This is the second year of the combined celebrations of the fest.
Therefore, people were curious to know how the Puneites would respond to the DJ music-free combined Dahi-Handi. However, thousands of people from Pune and across the State danced to the beats of Dhol-Tasha and Worli Beats music. They succeeded in celebrating a DJ music-free Dahi-Handi and set a new benchmark. The celebration started with melodious tunes performed by Prabhat Band. Yuva Vadya Pathak, Samarth Pathak, Ramanbaug and Shivmudra Dhol-Tasha Pathaks added to the atmosphere of revelry with their beats. The Worli Beats performance was the icing on the cake.
Many Marathi film stars, including Actor-Director Pravin Tarde, Actor Hardik Joshi, Marathi Big Boss-fame Participant Irina, were present. Many Govinda teams, including Vande Mataram Dahi-Handi Sangh, Nataraj Sangh, Mhasoba Sangh, Bhoiraj Sangh, Ganesh Mitramandal Sangh, Ganesh Mahila Govinda Pathak, Ganesh Tofkhana Dahi-Handi Sangh, Navajyot Group Sangh, Indreshwar Sangh (Indapur), Shivkanya Govinda Pathak (Chembur-Mumbai), Shivtej Group Dahi-Handi Sangh, participated enthusiastically in the celebration. Around 9.45 pm, Radhekrishna Group formed a seven-layer pyramid and broke the historic Dahi-Handi.
A special attraction this year was Ujjain-based ‘Shiv Mahakal’ Pathak, which regaled the youth.
QUOTE
I thank the Puneites from the bottom of my heart for responding overwhelmingly to the DJ music-free celebration and making it a grand success. Last year, we began to celebrate a combined Dahi-Handi festival to reduce traffic snarls and the stress on the Police Department. This year, we have resolved to observe a DJ music-free Ganpati festival. On the same lines, we avoided DJ music during the Dahi-Handi celebration this year. It reduced noise pollution and supported artistes playing traditional music.”
- Punit Balan (President, PBG/Trustee & Celebration Chief, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust)
