Adpai’s ‘Kutumb’ festival praises abrogation of Article 370

PONDA: A tableau praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was the highlight of this year’s ‘

Kutumb

’ festival at Adpai.

Adpai, a small village in Ponda taluka, has a unique tradition of joint families, locally known as ‘Kutumbs’, gathering to celebrate Ganesh festival annually.


These 18 ‘Kutumbs’ - Kurdikar, Khandeparkar, Borkar, Mahalaxmi Bandodkar, Pokle, Soshebhatkar, Khumne Bhatkar, Mardolkar, Shivamba Lotlikar, Khandekar, Khalche Mule, Madhle Mule, Varche Mule, Mangni, Tari Lotlikar, Tari, Shanu and Vasta - celebrate the festival for five days. All stay in the village during these days, Prashant Naik, a member of the Borkar ‘kutumb’, said.

On Friday evening, on the fifth day of ‘Chovoth’, the narrow roads of Adpai village came alive to devotional songs as Ganesha idols of these 18 ‘kutumbs’ were taken in procession for immersion along with tableaus depicting several mythological scenes and current issues.

This year, the Shivamba Lotlikar ‘kutumb had created a tableau on Article 370, while the tableau by Mahalaxmi Bandodkar ‘kutumb’ depicted the ill-effects of garbage on the environment.

The Borkar ‘kutumb’ created a concept depicting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a inspiration for military personnel.

Prashant Naik, a member of the Borkar family, explained that the entire village uniformly celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi for the entire five days.

On the third day, Adpoikars stage scenes on various themes depicting Indian values, religious and cultural beliefs in their homes.

The festival draws people from across the state.

All the idols were taken to the ‘Datta Mandap’ in the village, and after a last joint prayer, the idols were immersed in the Zuari river. Several canoes were arranged to take the idols to the middle of the river for immersion, Naik said.