~Showcasing 11 unique forms of Ganesha over 11 days, with an eco-friendly idol crafted from tissue paper, guar gum & alum~
Mumbai, September’25: Riddhi Siddhi Mandal, based in JB Nagar, Andheri (E), is celebrating its 50th year with a special initiative this Ganesh Utsav. The Mandal has created a 15-minute live drama titled ‘Vinayaki’, which highlights how a woman’s multi-tasking life such as balancing family, work, and society, often takes a toll on her personal well-being. In today’s fast-paced life of Mumbai, women’s emotions and health are frequently compromised, affecting their overall balance of life.
The skit, designed as a live musical, follows Ragini, a young woman passionate about music. Under parental and societal pressure, she sets her passion aside to focus on her career. She later gets married and struggles with the difficult balancing act of family and work, gradually losing her own identity. As responsibilities increase, she tries to keep everyone happy, but her efforts are taken for granted, and the value she brings goes unrecognised. At the point of breakdown, she rediscovers her passion for singing. With the virality of social media, her song becomes a sensation, helping her reclaim her sense of self and liberation.
This musical drama captures the emotional highs and lows of a woman’s journey and makes a heartfelt appeal to society to empower, support, and empathise with the women of today, given the multi-tasking, dynamic roles they play. The theme has been scripted by the Mandal volunteers, with noted Marathi theatre artist Disha Dinde playing the protagonist.
Marking its golden jubilee, Riddhi Siddhi Mandal continues its tradition of addressing social issues through live skits—covering topics such as mental health awareness, family bonding, political party-hopping, collapsing city infrastructure, support for transgenders, and verifying fake news. This year too, the Mandal’s eco-friendly Ganesh murti, crafted with natural components, and its live show have been attracting large crowds.
Dinesh Chindarkar (organiser) said, “Every year, we take up a social cause to spread awareness. This year, we felt it was important to sensitise Mumbaikars about how we often take women for granted, without expressing enough gratitude for the value they add to our daily lives. We also have a strong group of women volunteers who support us during Ganesh Utsav, and we wanted to dedicate this year’s initiative to them. It is also the first time ever that a Ganpati Mandal has introduced a live musical drama.”
Kiran Patel (organiser) added, “In our 50th year, we have showcased 11 different roops (forms) of Lord Ganesha across the 11 days, representing his versatile powers. Our idol is made of tissue paper, alum, and natural gum, making it fully eco-friendly. We also conduct visarjan in an artificial pond to avoid polluting the sea. It is high time we all wake up to the need for environmental conservation.”
