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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Spanish child castellers form human pyramid in Siddhivinayak temple courtyard
Mumbai: On the occasion of Independence Day Aug 15, a troupe of visiting Spanish Castellers (equivalent of govindas) formed a tall human pyramid in the courtyard of Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Many of them were little children who are light and agile, and are taught to quickly clamber to the topmost layer of the pyramid. The word castellers derives from human "castle makers", and reportedly originates from a festival held to honour Mother Mary in Valencia. The 'human tower' sport is popular in Spain and their castellers have often visited Mumbai and Thane in past years during Janmashtami to perform at events in Thane. They often climb ten layers atop one another, leaving onlookers awestruck. Siddhivinayak temple's deputy executive officer Sandeep Rathod said Friday's unique Indo-Spanish cultural exchange was enjoyed by all. Since 2010-11, various troupes of Spanish castellers had been visiting MMR, first to watch, and then participate, in dahi handi festivities organised by NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad. This year, it is Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik who has invited the castellers for his Sanskruti dahi handi event in Thane Aug 16. His son Purvesh said, "The castellers will form a seven level human pyramid at the Sarnaiks' handi in Thane Saturday. Purvesh said, "When we started Pro Govinda, the vision was always to take Maharashtra's beloved dahi handi tradition to the world. Inviting Marecs de Salt, the renowned Spanish Castellers, is the first step in that journey. This cultural exchange is about celebrating two incredible human tower traditions on a single platform, inspiring unity, and showcasing our heritage internationally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is just the beginning." However in Maharashtra, children below the age of 14 are forbidden by law from participating in dahi handi. Still, many little underage players were witnessed climbing the dahi handi at political events in Thane in 2024. No police action was reported.
BBC News
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cambridge dancer: 'Movement kept me going' through cancer
The organiser of a South Asian dance festival said she realised during her cancer treatment that dance was her "calling".Krishna Zivraj-Nair, 46, is the artistic director for Sanskruti, a dance school based in Cambridge, which is holding a festival on event aims to encourage people to try out different types of genres, including Bollywood, hip hop, Sri Lankan folk and Latin ballroom Zivraj-Nair, a trained research scientist, said she wanted to share her love of dance with others which she said was "keeping me fit and feeling good". She was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer six years ago."I went through all my treatment, it was chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgeries."That was my calling when I realised that it was dance that kept me going".Ms Zivraj-Nair said the cancer returned last year but she remained determined to keep on dancing. "While undergoing treatment once again it's that movement … that brings me a lot of joy."I want to share that with anyone and everyone who would want to join me in that journey."The festival begins at 11:00 BST at Cambridge Junction, with dance workshops aimed at introducing people to dance and new styles they might not have tried will be careers sessions for people working in the arts sector and crafting for children run by the Cambridge artist Tonka Zivraj-Nair said the workshops were for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds."You can move in whichever way you want and that's good for you - that's good for your wellbeing, that's good for your health." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
