Pot On A Wire

On Saturday, the 27th was Dahi-handi (celebrating the birth of Krishna). I was meeting a hairstylist at around 5 pm.

When I approached her place, the roads were teeming with people, and D'Mart was closed (arrgh...my shopping had to be postponed!).

I could see men crawling all over the place-there was a stage set-up with local politicians presiding over what appeared to be a function set-up to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. The loud speakers kept blaring Marathi folksongs.

I managed to squeeze through the crowd and reached Mam S's home. From her balcony window I could see the wire (or ropes) on which the earthen pot was hung (some two storeys high). While I couldn't see the human pyramid that clamoured to reach the pot and in turn break it, I could see the wire getting tugged every time they tried.

Finally, a loud cheer erupted from the mob. Some bits and pieces of the earthen pot and curds and other fine material fell through the air. At the same time, the loudspeaker played the "Crying/Laughing" baby's clip that you get on the Internet.

But what really surprised me was the song "Brazil...la la la la ..." by Vengaboys that followed immediately and people danced and made merry! An English pop song during Janmashtami celebrations, presided over by saffron clad brigade?

People will do anything for an evening of revelry.