My experience at Koliwada
After a bitter experience at Rajbhavan in bit angry mood me, Pranali and Priyanka moved to Koliwada. In bus I was thinking about how will be the area and houses of Kolis who are original residents of Mumbai. I was taking clue from the houses I saw in the gavthans at Borivali and Dahisar. The houses in gavthan were small, and while walking through gavthans I felt as if I have come in some village. I thought I will have some similar experience in Worli Koliwada too. But the experience was surely was not the same. While walking through area I felt this area and the Koli community have evolved a lot. But then a second thought came to my mind, that is what we are studying through our assignments, how has urbanization has impacted the Koli community?
Me, Pranali and Priyanka started with a walk in koliwada to get the idea of the area and too see the people. I was observing the houses, name plates, people, etc. It was a relaxed afternoon for the residents. Women had just finished doing household chores, some women were picking children from school bus, some women were chatting among themselves. Even the men were in no hurry, many youth were chatting and standing in groups. We entered in one bylane after spotting few women there. But they were reluctant to talk to us. So then came forward Ravikant Kalikhan a 30-year-old man from Koli community. His surname, made up of two surnames Koli and Khan surprised me a bit, so I thought I will ask about in the end. Ravikant worked in Bombay Port Trust. When asked about newly constructed ‘
Next we three decided to try our luck with a woman named Mrs. Rebella Purushottam Worlikar. I thought talking to her is good idea because things kept in her house like a boat shaped pot, fishing net and her surname clearly indicated that she belonged to Koli community and she was chatting with another woman that means she can spare some time for us. Upon hearing her name, Rebella, some more questions came in my mind. Even Pranali’s face showed that we have many more questions to ask. Rebella’s husband does service whereas fishing business is handled by her brother-in-law. She has noticed change in the catch of fish but could not tell much how sea-link has impacted the fishing business. She said, “My brother-in-law and husband talks about it. I don’t know much about it as I am always busy with work.” She had traveled on the bridge just out of curiosity. She said that due to the pillars of the bridge fishes has displaced and there could be increase in pollution. But Rebella said her brother-in-law can only tell if the displacement of fishes and huge pillars would impact his business or not as she does not intervene much in his fishing business. This time in the end of conversation we did asked about difference in Christian kolis and Hindu kolis. About this Rebella informed us that there is not much difference between these two. The rituals of both Christian kolis and Hindu Kolis are the same. They both worship the same God. Also these two groups marry among themselves. We signed off this conversation with huge smile on faces as it was first nice interview we got on that day.
After this we were guided to house of Narayan Koli whose wife sells fish. Narayan Koli, a 63-year-old man lived with his wife and a son in his ancestral home. He worked in Bengal Chemical factory. As we were explaining them about our research ideas he suggested us to shoot the ‘Narli Pornima’ festival. Asking about Worli-Bandra sea link road he said now traveling has become easy for commuters. From first floor of his house where his brother stays the bridge was visible so Pranali and Priyanka went upstairs. I stayed to chat with his wife Vanita Koli. Vanita Koli started selling fish when she was around 16 to 17 years old. She answered my questions while simultenously doing her house hold works. She spoke at length about her profession. From past two-three months she was at home as construction work was going at her home but she intended to resume to her work so that she can live independently. Vanita buys her fish from Elphiston market and sells at Bhoiwada fish market in Parel. She needs to buy ice, pay for taxi fare, tea, so fish selling business is becoming expensive. In addition less number of boats comes so fishes coming market are also less. Talking about the trends in the fish market she said, people nowadays buy small fishes, they don’t go for big fishes as they are expensive. In the market initially there used to around 50 to 60 fisher women but now there are hardly 20-25 have left. Vanita said there is not much profit in the business and everything in it has become very expensive and when children start earning women retire from the work.
Vanita also said that not many girls are coming in to this profession because after taking education, girls aspire to do something better than selling fishes. But she asks if you want earn money then how can do it if your ashamed of your profession? There is no need to be ashamed of this profession.
When I asked about Worli-Bandra Sea Link, she replied, the bridge is near the sea-shore and fishermen go deep in the sea how it can affect them. Since I am not into that profession if at all it is affecting them the fishermen then I am not aware about it.
After talking to all these people, I felt striking a conversation is important to know a person. Interviews which we collected on day one were not enough to draw any conclusions bit day one gave me an idea life at Koliwada.
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