Dahi Handi 2023: Women perform equally well but avoid unnecessary competition, says female Govinda

Dahi Handi 2023 has arrived, and it's time for the ladies to shine once more! Mumbai's talented female Govindas have donned their dupattas, secured their grips, and are poised to seize their share of makkhan. With a remarkable female human pyramid that ascends to the sky in just about one and a half minutes, it serves as a powerful reminder that women have spared no effort.

Like the past few years, this year too, men and women Govindas began their preparation a month back. To witness the fervour firsthand, Mid-day Online hit the grounds where three renowned mahila Govinda pathaks of Mumbai were spotted warming up for the practice under the supervision of their respective coaches.

Marching into a male-dominated sport

Yogita Sapkal, 22-year-old kabaddi player and accountant by profession developed a passion for dahi handi by watching the men play the sport during her kabaddi classes. "I always wondered why women didn't play this sport if they so easily played sports like kabaddi," says this Kala Chowki resident. She along with her fellow batchmates took it upon themselves to persuade their coach to train them for dahi handi as well. "To our luck, he instantly agreed. Next thing we knew, we had set off to break handis across Mumbai," says Yogita.

Their coach, Nitin Vichare, who is a national-level kabaddi player and has been coaching both boys and girls for kabaddi for the past 15 years, is also the founder and chairman of the Jijamata Mahila Govinda Pathak (team). Their team has been playing dahi handi for the past six years. His team of women players is inclusive of over 60 young girls aged between 14 to 25 years. He also leads the men's dahi handi team.

"Around 10 years back, there were hardly any Govinda pathaks of women. It is now that their numbers are rising," Vichare shares. Shedding more light on the distinguishing factors between men and women players, the coach says, "Unlike men who manage to form 9-10 layers of the pyramid, for women, pulling off a six-layered pyramid is a big enough deal given the difference in their physical strength". This is not to say that women can't do it, says Vichare. However, he opines that in an Indian setting that expects women to take on multiple responsibilities, it is only sensible to prioritise their safety.

Additionally, he also urges, that regardless of gender, people must be careful enough to not go overboard and place safety first. "As citizens, it is our responsibility to celebrate the festival mindfully." On the flip side, Yogita speaks about continuing to play dahi handi for as long as she wishes. "I will play the sport even after getting married. Why should a marriage change anything? I love playing dahi handi and will continue to do so for as long as my body supports me," says this empowered 22-year-old.

The potential of these women truly came to light when Vichare beamed with pride recalling last year's dahi handi celebrations. In 2022 his women Govindas displayed true sportsmanship and achieved a one-of-a-kind feat. "My players formed a six-layered pyramid for the first time with just one day's practice. We rejoiced like there was no tomorrow."According to Vichare, what makes a women's dahi handi special is the fact that they play a game that has predominantly been a men's sport, so well.

Competitive spirit and parity of rewards

Unlike most of the male Govinda teams in Mumbai who compete with each other to win huge amounts of money, the women players play, simply to have fun. Raksha Narkar (32) of the Shiv Shakti Mahila Govinda Pathak who has been playing dahi handi for the past eight years is a passionate kabaddi player. She says, "We set out to play dahi handi because we developed an interest in it after watching the men play for years. We play just to enjoy and have some fun. There is nothing a woman can't do. Women play equally well as men, but we don't compete. It's unnecessary."

For Rachna, forming a human pyramid and breaking the handi is a liberating feeling. "The thrill I experience is unmatchable," she says. I feel I have complete control over my own life when I am at the top. There is no one to pull me back. I am all on my own."

Rajesh Padave, the chairman and coach of the Shiv Shakti Mahila Govinda Pathak heads a team of 50 women players that includes married and working women too. With the youngest player being 14 years old (as per the government's rule), the eldest women to play handi in their group are 50 years old. Both Vichare's and Padave's teams successfully break over 25 handis at various places in Mumbai including Shivdi, Ghatkopar, Dadar and Kala Chowki to name a few. They also travel to Thane and play at a few places there too.

Rachna, however, expresses her disappointment towards the unequal cash prize women receive. "Although we don't compete as men do, the amount we win is still far less as compared to what men win. We don't play for money but it's only natural to feel extra motivated to play for an exciting reward." Govinda mahila pathaks in Mumbai receive a cash prize of a minimum of Rs 1000 to 15,000 whereas the men's cash prize ranges anywhere between Rs 50,000 to 100,000.

This, however, majorly occurs only in Mumbai. Sharing an interesting piece of detail, Vichare says that women's dahi handi as a sport has become very common now in Mumbai. "When I take my team to places like Pune, where women playing dahi handi is still rare, people are more interested in watching them form the pyramid. We get invites from these places who do agree to reward us with a high amount and a trophy as people there demand to see women's dahi handi more than the men's."

Parental support

For women to venture into a male-dominated space usually takes a lot of convincing from parents especially when it involves performing actions that only ‘men are supposed to do'. To our surprise, it was a cakewalk for these women Govindas. For both Rachna and Yogita, being a kabaddi player helped them to convince their parents. Reflecting on parents' concerns for their daughters, Vichare agrees that they do worry for their daughter's safety, but assuring them of having taken all safety precautions helps.

Although there is a certain fear of injury and severe accidents due to the news that makes it to headlines every year on the day of the dahi handi celebrations, these women Govinda players seem to be paying no heed to fear. Both Rachna and Yogita speak of having experienced fear when they started initially, but now, all they experience is thrill and joy.

Speaking largely about parents encouraging their daughters to participate in the sport, Gajendra Ghag (43), chairman and coach of Chandroday Mahila Govinda Pathak falling under the umbrella of Chandroday Mahila Krida Mandal established in 1953 in Prabhadevi says, "We set up the Govinda team solely to empower women. It was done to set a narrative that women can march shoulder to shoulder with men in every area if they set their heart on it." "What is commendable," says Ghag, "parents have been supportive more than ever."

According to him, parents are realising that besides being a sport, dahi handi can be a recreational activity too, that ensures their daughters' physical as well as mental fitness. He says it is upon us to assure parents of their daughter's safety and explain to them the need to encourage their daughters to do everything they wish. "If we don't make parents realise the power women hold and if we as coaches don't contribute towards busting stereotypes, our young women will be found performing the same roles our society defined for them."