Author: Nitin Yeshwantrao
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 21, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-21/mumbai/29911701_1_dahi-handi-human-pyramid-terror-attacks
It promises to be a classic East meets West
scenario when Mumbai's Govinda groups and the famed Castellers from Spain
slug it out on the streets of Thane to form the highest human tower on Monday.
The 175-strong troupe from Villafranca will
display their skill in forming a nine to ten layer human pyramid at the dahi
handi celebrations organized by NCP leader Jitendra Awhad at Pachpakhadi in
central Thane.
Traditional Catalan music will be played
as the teams attempt to outdo one another.
"It is a new beginning where we are
getting to learn about the culture and way of life in India. In our country,
we celebrate the formation of human pyramids as a tradition to bring in the
harvest season and we perform about 40 times a year in various places all
over Europe. However, we were fascinated when we first saw pictures of Govinda
groups from India and so, we are here to learn from them too," said coach
David Miret. While the oldest of the troupe is a 71-year-old veteran of many
performances, the youngest, a four-year-old girl, seems at ease at her place
at the top.
Awhad, who has been accused of encouraging
a dangerous game and commercializing the festival by offering huge cash prizes
for dahi handi groups, said he is only trying to raise the level of camaraderie
and put the festival on the international events' calendar.
"I firmly believe that it is a unique
event. People from two different civilizations will come together and share
their experiences about their traditions. Our dahi handi groups and the Castellers
come from varied socio-economic backgrounds, but both have the same passion
and zeal," he said.
The Castellers are also scheduled to make
a trip to the sites of the 26/11 terror attacks in south Mumbai and will form
a human pyramid at the Gateway of India as a mark of respect to the victims
of the terror attacks.
