As the headline suggests, this section is a potpourri of the myriad festivals of India - be it colourful or intriguing, the rich customs and traditions of Indian weddings - which are fun as well as long, blended with interesting cultural aspects of other countries.


Our Cultural Fiesta:

| Cultural Potpourri | Indian Weddings | Religious Festivals of India |


Cultural Potpourri:


The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival


The Kala Ghoda [(Black Horse) A Place in Colaba] Arts Festival in Mumbai is a must-visit event of Mumbai. From poetry reading to documentaries to some wonderful display of paintings and innovative creations, it has something for everyone. You needn't be a connoisseur of art and culture to admire the magnificence and creativity of the art display, and besides, it’s a refreshing change from the mundane activities of day-to-day life.

Stroll Through Kala Ghoda Festival 2008

Celebrate Bandra


This bi-ennial event is one of the most vibrant festivals of Mumbai inculcating a sense of bonhomie among the locals. Held in one of most happening suburbs of the city, this two-week long festival had an interesting line-up of events like heritage walks, mix of Western and classical music, theatre performances, literary events, kite-flying festival. We went for some of the events, below are images from Celebrate Bandra 2007.

| Jazz Festival | Rock & R&B Performance | Kite-Flying & Dance Performance | Bandra Reclamation Underpass Makeover | Celebrate Bandra 2005 Reclamation Art |


A Raver’s Manifesto


We always here what society, the government and the narcotics department has to say about ravers. The Ravers Manifesto is straight from the horses mouth. Something so beautiful, with a lovely insiders view to this vibrating culture of dance and rhythm.


'Heritage Walk' in Mumbai


Mumbai is not all hustle and bustle, but it also has a heritage element. Heritage Walk takes you to some of the specific areas of Mumbai to show the architectural heritage, historic significance, religious importance and the living culture of Mumbai.

Spanish Flamenco Performance


A Spanish Cultural Evening in Mumbai featuring Flamenco performance by internationally renowned dancer Carmen Cortes and her husband, who is considered to be the best flamenco guitar players, Gerardo Nunez. A combination of colourful polka-dot dresses, castanets, mellow tones of the acoustic guitar and rhythmic clapping, made the performance very fascinating and foot-tapping.


Jamaica in the Eyes of a Jamaican


I have a friend so to say, who goes by the name of Kayode Anthony, who has been living his life in the Caribbean Islands. I happened to have a deep eccentric conversation with him, as we jumped from topics like life there and here in Mumbai, travel, culture, lifestyles, to the Indians living there.


A Grand Welcome for the Indian Cricket Team


Cricket is an integral part of Indian culture, and cricketers are heroes for many. When the Indian team won the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa they were given a rapturous reception in Mumbai. Mumbaiites lined on the 30 km route from the international airport to Wankhede Stadium with flags, placards and drums. The Indian team was traveling in a open top bus holding the trophy, and the atmosphere on the streets was simply electrifying. Everyone, from children to old age people wanted to catch a glimpse of their heroes.


TV Empowering Women in Rural India

Televisions are becoming more and more popular in India, and especially in rural India. Nearly 77% of the population in India live on a measly Rs 20 a day, but majority of household would still have a television set. If a poor household thinks TV is a necessity, then it also means that majority of them get influenced by the soap operas. According to a survey, Indian soap operas are making women from villages more liberated and changing their narrow-minded outlook to life.


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Indian Weddings:

A Punjabi Wedding in Delhi


A traditional Indian wedding, Punjabi style! The rituals and customs and the Grand wedding, which was fun but at the same time it can get too long.


A Goan Wedding


A colourful wedding for the colourful people. Having a wedding in Goa is an enticing thought. But did you know they have a custom to pour coconut milk on the complete bridal group, and some people even throw eggs on the to-be married couple.


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Religious Festivals of India:


The Pros & Cons of Ganesh Chaturthi


Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival where the Elephant-headed God is paraded through the streets and immersed in to the sea. It is the only festival in the whole of India that can bring a fast-paced city like Mumbai to a standstill.


Holi: The Festival of Spring


Holi, originally called the Festival of Spring, but now called the Festival of Colors, takes place over two days in the later part of February or early March. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on Phalgun Purnima (Full Moon). Holi over the years has become worse with people not only using cheap chemical dyes to smear everyone's face with but it is also a day where you find lot of misbehavior and misconduct on the roads.


Christmas Carols and Kababs


The Christmas Carol Night or as they put it the 'Nite of Carols' brought in the Christmas Spirit among patrons joining in for joyous singing. The Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana in Santacruz, suburban Mumbai, had organized the event like they do each year. Although I do not usually make an appearance there, this time it was a request from Mother to come for it. The gymkhana was fully lit up and people thronged in huge numbers made the atmosphere really festive.


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