Piyo Chai Suno Kahani

Fair play

As the city prepares to welcome the latest festive week, following a four centuries-old tradition, suburbanites hold fond childhood memories of the Bandra Fair’s annual week of worship and revelry. Lasting eight days, from the Sunday after the September 8 birthday of Mother Mary to the next – termed Octave Sunday – the festivities envelop the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, contoured in the Neo-Gothic style by Shapoorjee Chandabhoy in 1904.    

That the shrine drew devotees on bullocks or in boats across Mahim creek since early years may be surmised from a 1669 document describing decorated bell-jingling recklas (carts) which carried passengers to the Mount by lantern light. Breaking their tiring trip from gaothans beyond, the faithful tethered their bovine steeds to rest in cool groves as they trekked uphill. Returning pilgrims were provided snacks that locals kept ready on verandahs prettied for the occasion. Basic diversions for visitors gradually sprouted larger food and games stalls.

“We went through the fair, not to the fair,” quips a piano teacher, whose home lies along a church-to-church axis, from the hallowed altar of the Mount to September Garden shenanigans on the Mount Carmel Church grounds. In early years, alongside the regular chana and chaat counters, fixtures like old Santan sizzled sorpotel, sausage fry and spiced pork on the spot for hungry customers.  

The Well of Death churned with daredevil stunts executed by Valentine, named nicely to match his hot looks. An Anglo-Indian (a predominant community in 1900s Bandra, with Catholics and Parsis), he revved his bike to roll and left gathered convent girls staring goggle-eyed. Giggling at distorted torsos imaged by the Laughing Mirrors booth, they would dizzy themselves silly on the ferris wheel, while gawping at older schoolmates jiving with dreadlocked beaus at jam sessions.

We wish this year’s celebrations weren’t marked by the controversy involving the stall owners’ protest against the raised rent for their space. The beautiful Basilica on the hill has offered hope and succour to endless generations. May its peace radiate all pervasively. Happy Feast!