''मी हाय कोली''

"आम्ही कोळी दर्याचे राजे हाव". While they are found across the length and breadth of Mumbai, they have a considerable presence in areas like Koliwada, Versova, Khar Danda, Mahim, Diwalegoan and Worli.

Their lifestyle and food habits are different from the others. Their dressing is also distinct – men wear ‘Surka’ (lungi) and women wear ‘Kashta Lugada’ (saree). Their staple food is fish, rice and bhakri (roti).

Kolis Festivities:

Kolis celebrate Shimgaa with a lot of zeal and fervour. On this auspicious day, they make “Ghaari”. This is a sweet dish enjoyed by the Koli community and is made on all festivals and occasions including weddings. A famous Koli song sung to commemorate Shimgaa is “आमचे दार शी हाय शिमगा”

GHAARI

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Narli Purnima is another important Koli festivity which commemorates New Year. This day is special for another reason too. For 3 months preceding Narli Purnima, fishing activities are dull and hence put off. It’s on this day and all Koli men resume their fishing activities. The famous Koli song “सॅन आल्या गो आयला गो नारळी पुरींमेचा” marks the beginning of the aforesaid fishing activities. Before setting out to the sea, a traditional ritual of ‘offering the coconut to the sea-god’ has to be completed. It’s only after this that the men would embark on their seaward journey.

On this day, they make “PURNI” – a sweet dish. This festival is celebrated during the Hindu month of Shravan. Purni is made from fresh grated coconut, jaggery, refined flour and elaichi powder.

CULTURE OF KOLIS

Koli traditions are quite simplistic. The Kolis love to wear gold ornaments. Koli womenfolk wear a lot of gold ornaments which marks their individualistic identity – making it easy to spot them in a crowd.

As per a local tradition, the same kind of saris (matching in almost all ways) are distributed amongst all the women participating in a particular festivity. This gives a unique and uniform look to them – making the whole scene, a feast for the eyes.

All in all, Kolis are a peaceful, seafaring community. As an inseparable part of this great pre-historic community, I welcome you to our humble abodes to partake of our love and generosity, some day.