Living on the coastlines of India, they have been a community who fight the waves of the ocean to live a life of self respect and self esteem. We call them the “Koli’s” and the “Aagri’s” here in Mumbai. They are the original Mumbai locals. The aboriginal community of Mumbai trying to survive and live up to their name. The seven villages, of Original Mumbai, were where they lived. These seven villages when they came to the English Monarch as dowry were slowly developed as a port and slowly it turned into what we see and call as Mumbai today. Even as Mumbai developed, the Kolis and the Aagris have maintained their identity in the various Koliwadas (Villages of Koli) and Aagripadas (Villages of Aagri).

They are a very hardworking community. The women folk is equally strong as their men. They work shoulder to shoulder with their men and not only look after their household, but earn for it too. The men venture into the seas early morning at 2/2.30 to catch fish. Some go into shallow waters, catch fish and come back to the shore early morning. The women are waiting for them at the Jetty. They separate the different types of fishes from the catch and take them to the local markets to sell them. And return back home in the afternoon.

Some fishermen go deep water fishing and get the different bigger types of fishes, which many a people savour during the lunch and dinner at their homes. They stay in the deep seas for 2/3 days and return after the stipulated time. It a life full of hardships where one has to carry their food and fuel for 2/3 days and survive on that. Bear Grylls, of the Man V/s Wild should do an episode on one of these trawlers one day.

The days of hardships for these folk are the monsoons when they cannot venture into the sea. There is no fishing and no fishes to sell. Nature too recycles itself during these 40/50 days. The time to lay eggs and let them incubate so after the end of this period, new fishes are ready to be caught. During this time, the fishermen folk spend the most difficult time of staying back at home, but this is also a time to sit back and recuperate. It’s a tough time but they manage on their savings and live a very Happy and joyful life.

The last 5 days, that the day before Shravani Poornima (the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan), they get the waters of the ocean to their homes. Put them in a “Kalash”, put a “Shreefal” (coconut) over it. And worship and pray before it. These are the days of preparing for the new fishing season. The fish nets and the boats are repaired and prepared and painted anew. The days of preparations pass on very fast accompanied by worship and prayers.

On the day of the full moon, the whole village wears a festive look. The whole day is celebrated with a lot of fanfare. The main programme is in the late afternoon. The time when every family carries the Kalash from their respective homes to the ocean accompanied with music and dance. They all gather at the ocean side. All the Kalash gathered and arranged on the sands, where they are worshiped for one last time. Later the coconuts are offered to the Ocean Gods as an offering. The boats are pushed inside the oceans the new fishing season begins.

This festival is, like the other festivals, of expressing gratefulness to the Ocean who helps them earn a living and survive. Now a days, the younger folk of this community have taken to education and hard workers as they are, are excelling in the fields which they choose. Many are taking up Navy and Merchant Navy as an option. Yet the fervour to celebrate Narali Poornima has remained as it is, even in these younger generations.

Wishing you all a very Happy Narali Pooornima!

Image source: Free Press Journal