Twelve Spanish Castellers, who have come to Thane to witness the dahi handi festival, were very impressed by techniques Indian youth use in creating human pyramids.
“The feelings behind the human towers are the same in both countries, but there is a vast difference in atmosphere,” said Eric Esclasans, leader of the Castellers de Vilafranca. The Castellers de Vilafranca is the most famous group of human towers that perform throughout Catalonia during the summer.
Eric has a team of 11 who make human towers of nine levels. They demonstrated their techniques at the Sangharsha dahi handi at Open House in Thane on Thursday, where they stunned all by making a tower of six levels, with a base of only four Castellers, within one and a half minute. “Their techniques and discipline were appreciable. We must follow them for perfection,” said Ajay Jadhav, a member of the Thane Govinda.
But for the Castellers, the technique of Indian Govindas was even more surprising. According to them, the tradition of creating human towers in Spain was around 300 years old, but it shocked them to learn that the tradition in India is around 5,000 years old.
“We practise thrice a week and create a maximum of three pyramids every Sunday for competitions, but it is very difficult to practice for less than a month and to create several pyramids in a day,” Eric said.
“Here, the Govindas are not worried about their safety,” he said. “The sprit of unity and the handling of hundreds of team members are appreciable. They need great faith in each other,” Eric felt.
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