Narali Purnima in Mumbai: How Koli traditions deepen cultural connections to the sea

Growing up in Mumbai, Jayashri Haru, a member of the Koli community from Khar Danda, has been celebrating Narali Purnima for as long as she can remember, and this year will be no different. It's a traditional festival celebrated by the community around this time. "Narali Purnima is a special festival where we worship Lord Varun, the God of water, by offering a coconut to the sea. This ritual is a way to ask for calm waters and protection from natural water calamities, as fishing is vital for our livelihood. When the boats are anchored on the shore, the next day marks the start of the new fishing season with colourful flower-decorated boats setting sail again," explains Jayashri.

It's no different for Shraddha Keni, a community member from Worli Koliwada, who says, "The coconut is considered a symbol of prosperity and is offered to appease the sea gods for a safe and bountiful fishing season. The festival often involves community gatherings where traditional songs and dances are performed. These cultural expressions reflect the deep connection of the Koli people with the sea. The boats are decorated with flowers, and there is a sense of festivity as the community comes together to celebrate."

Celebrating with coconuts
Apart from the Kolis, Narali Purnima is also celebrated by the other fisherfolk communities from Maharashtra and the Konkan region including Goa and Karnataka. Jayashri is one of the many Kolis in Mumbai who devotedly celebrate the festival. Living in Khar's fishing village for more than 34 years now, the Mumbaikar is as excited as she can be for the festival even this year, which will be celebrated on August 19. Narali Purnima coincides with Raksha Bandhan, leading to a double celebration among the community members.

Over the years, Jayashri says for her personally, the most unique aspect of this celebration is the sense of togetherness it brings. She shares, "No matter where you are, families gather to celebrate this special day, making it a truly shared experience. It is even more exciting that Narali Purnima coincides with Raksha Bandhan, so the celebrations are doubled, making everything bigger and better." From delicious traditional food to songs and dance performances, the Mumbaikar's family and neighbourhood indulge and participate in age-old activities with the festive spirit in the air.

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Coconuts take the spotlight
Interestingly, the 50-year-old homemaker notes that the festival has changed quite a bit over the years. While the festival is a significant event for the Koli community, bringing everyone together in celebration, it has seen an important change. "Earlier, the community would worship a real gold coconut as part of the rituals. However, owing to inflation, they now decorate the coconut with gold colour instead," she explains.

Beyond the ritual, the coconut also takes centre-stage in the food, as the Kolis make delicious dishes for this festival, with one of the most popular dishes being the karanji. She explains, "Karanji is a sweet dish that is the highlight of the festival. It is a crispy, flaky, fried pastry shaped like a half-moon. It is filled with a sweet mixture of desiccated coconut, dry fruits, and khoya (reduced milk solids) - all of which make it a perfect treat for the festival." Undoubtedly, it is also her daughter Niyati Haru's favourite sweet to gorge on throughout the day.

In Worli, Shraddha says there is more to the feast in her home than just the karanji. "We also make traditional sweets such as 'naralachi vadi' (coconut-based sweets). These are enjoyed by the community as part of the festivities." Beyond the sweet dishes, they also have savoury dishes that are a part of the spread. "Being a fishing community, seafood is a central part of the festival's feast. Dishes such as fish curry, fried fish, and various seafood preparations are prepared. Traditional drinks may include local beverages, often made from natural ingredients, reflecting the simplicity and authenticity of the celebration."

Evolution of the festival
Understandably there have been changes to how the festival is celebrated with the changing times.

Shraddha says, "As the Koli community in Worli Koliwada integrates more with the broader urban landscape of Mumbai amid urbanisation, the traditional practices have seen modern influences. This includes changes in the way the rituals are performed and the incorporation of new elements into the celebrations." This has been influenced by the younger generation, who are moving away from traditional fishing to other professions.

However, she says despite these changes there has been a concerted effort to preserve traditional practices. "Community leaders and cultural organisations work to keep the essence of Narali Purnima alive, ensuring that younger generations remain connected to their heritage," she says, adding, "The festival has also become an occasion for cultural exchange, attracting visitors and fostering a greater appreciation for the Koli community's traditions and way of life." Even through all of this, the 29-year-old Mumbaikar says that Narali Purnima continues to remain a vibrant and integral part of the cultural fabric of Worli Koliwada, as it celebrates both the traditional connection with the sea while adapting to contemporary changes by preserving the cultural practices with more organised celebrations that are also open to the public.

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Jayashri, on the other hand, believes that there has been an encouraging change in the celebrations. She shares, "Earlier, this festival was mainly celebrated by the older generation, but now younger people are also actively participating. This shift shows that our cultural roots are still strong and continue to influence the younger generation."

It can be seen in the fact that not only Shraddha but also Niyati has grown up being involved in the preparations. The latter explains, "I like how everyone comes together to celebrate the festival. From decorating boats with vibrant flowers to the late-night hustle of making karanji the night before, there is something so special about blending our rich cultural traditions with the excitement of a festival. The delicious sweets are always a highlight. The festival is more fun because Raksha Bandhan falls on the same day, so the celebrations are doubled."

With the festival not being limited to just immediate family but also extending to relatives, Niyati reminisces how the fun would start a day early when all the cousins would gather to prepare the karanji. "From rolling out the dough, to sneaking a taste of the mixture, and just enjoying the chaos... The next morning, we would get up early, head out to decorate the boat with flowers and colourful crepe paper, and turn it into a festive masterpiece. By the afternoon, we would all dress in our best traditional outfits to be ready for the community gathering where we'd join in singing traditional songs and dancing, adding our little spin to the moves," the city-based publicist says, adding that the festival has always been full of fun, laughter, and good food and this year will be no different.