Mumbai: Ganpati mandals recall festival founder Lokmanya Tilak in his death centenary year

MUMBAI: Ganeshotsav 2020 coincides with the death centenary of Lokmanya Tilak who turned this into a public festival in 1892-93. Certain mandals have invested heart and soul to commemorate the stalwart freedom fighter who passed away on August 1, 1920.
The Mumbaicha Raja of Ganesh Gully, Lalbaug, has prepared a stunning backdrop of Lokmanya Tilak. "A life-like 12 ft statue of the patriot is seen bearing the idol of Lord Ganesh in his arms," said mandal secretary Swapnil Parab."The walls are decorated with his sayings including 'Swaraj is my Birthright'."
Naresh Dahibavkar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, cited the example of the 80-year-old Radhakrishna Building in Dadar East. This housing society turned its entrance into a shrine to Tilak during its seven-day celebration.
Mandal chief Abhay Chavan said, "Twenty photographs depicting various milestones from the Lokmanya's life are displayed along the wall with detailed captions. A large replica of his red turban and his classic moustache have been recreated in thread art. A 1.5 ft clay idol of Lord Ganesh is installed in front."
A large replica of Lokmanya Tilak's red turban and his classic moustache have been recreated in thread art.
"Our aim is to draw attention to several unexplored facets of Tilak's personality. Most mandals are aware that he was a freedom fighter and started the public Ganeshotsav. But we have displayed 20 photographs which show his prowess as educator, author of 'Gita Rahasya', editor of 'Kesari' and 'Mahratta', and as social reformer," Chavan said.
Prashant Pal, another member of the Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, noted how Covid season has prompted a return to Tilak's original aim of uniting Hindu society rather than focussing on giant idols and grand pandals.
Meanwhile, Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaum, the oldest Ganeshotsav of Mumbai, which Tilak had visited in 1901, lives his ideals to this day. The 128-year-old mandal continues to host a small 2.25 ft clay idol, cherishes its 'Ganeshotsav Constitution' and remains a rare blend of tradition and reform.
"We planned to host lectures on Lokmanya Tilak in alliance with the neighbouring Sahitya Sangh and Tilak scholars like Dr Anand Nadkarni and Sadanand More. But the lockdown forced us to call off the events," said president Bhushan Pokle. Some chawl residents visited the Tilak statue at Chowpatty to pay homage on his centenary August 1.
Yet, the most fitting tribute to the Lokmanya is that the residents of Keshavji Naik Chawl effusively narrate his inspirational qualities for long minutes, without referring to any text.