For the first time in the history of the dahi handi festival, govindas in the city will be exhibiting their skills of performing human towers in the United States.
As part of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’s mega cultural festival, govindas in the city will form a human pyramid at the famous Times Square in New York, in the month of September. Sangharsh Pratishthan from Thane has taken the initiative to take these govindas to the US.
The dahi handi festival hosted by Sangharsh is one of the most popular festivals in the city. Due to its huge prize money, it attracts hundreds of govinda troupes from Mumbai, Thane and the neighbouring regions.
Jitendra Awhad, president of Sangharsh Pratishthan, said, “ This is an attempt by Sangharsh to encourage city govindas, who otherwise perform their skills only during the dahi handi festival. Demonstrations in the US visit give this festival a much needed international recognition.”
In an effort to popularise dahi handi, Sangharsh last year had invited a Spanish troupe to participate in the dahi handi festival. Castellers de Vilafranca, a troupe based in Barcelona, visited Thane and put up a stellar performance by forming a nine-tier pyramid.
“This year too, a 250-member strong Spanish troupe has arrived in Thane and they will be competing with the local govindas to form the highest human pyramid,” said Mr Awhad.
Known to encourage govindas with huge prize money, Sangharsh this year will shell out `25 lakh to create a world record of 10-tier pyramid. Mandals performing nine-tier towers will get `15 lakh. There are also consolation prizes from `1 lakh to `15,000, reserved for those groups which manage to build towers of a certain height.