Ganeshotsav 2011: Expats in Pune soak in festive fervor

Expatriates in Pune let their hair down and soaked in the immersion flavour on the last day of Ganesh immersion on Laxmi Road.

Wataru Sato of Japan, a researcher from Osaka University, was busy filming the action on his video camera. Sato, who is pursuing his doctorate in Marathi culture, told DNA, “I am impressed with Marathi culture. I came to Pune to make a documentary film on the immersion ceremony.”

Brain Long of the US, who is working with the city-based NGO, Nirmay, was chanting ‘Morya, Morya’ along with the locals. “We never witness such events in the US,” he said.

Daven Varley of the UK could not help but dance to the rhythmic beats of the dhol-tasha. Working with an IT company in Hadapsar, he told DNA, “I had heard about the festival, but today I am witnessing it live. The culture is very different from ours.”

Jasmin Bunk, a German national who is part of a youth exchange programme, also seemed wonder struck. She said, “I am amazed at the energy levels of the people despite the rains.”

Children too were an important part of the procession. The Bal Vikas Mandal comprising 50 children, took out a special warkari dindi (pilgrims’ group) to accompany a Ganesh mandal. Armed with cymbals in their hands, they made a pretty picture.

Mandal leader, Utkarsha Khune-Patil said, “We were introducing children to the immersion procession for the first time in a very non-noise polluting way.”

The procession also saw many schoolkids playing mini dhol-tashas. Yashraj Sane, 5, a student of the Abhinav English Primary School said, “I practiced for two hours every day for this day. I am not tired and I am proud that people are dancing to my beats.”