The community has a strong affinity for physical exercise and sports. Here, Ramnath’s son is demonstrating his acrobatic skills on the mallakhamb. Mallakhamb, which translates to wrestling pole, is a traditional Indian gymnastic apparatus made from sheesham (Indian rosewood). Gymnasts perform aerial yoga and postures on this stationary vertical pole.
Image courtesy: Ramnath Keny
Some houses in Kandivli village feature sloping roofs covered in terracotta tiles, extended wooden balconies, and staircases. This architectural style in Kandivli was influenced by the East Indian community, known for similar building styles in Mumbai neighbourhoods like Chuim, Kotachiwadi, and Matharpacady.
The vernacular architecture in the village primarily comprised single-story dwellings constructed from locally available materials such as bamboo, mud, wood, thatch, plaster, brick, and cow dung. Traditionally, these houses were built on raised plinths to protect them from flooding in the monsoon.
Ekvira Devi considered a form of the Goddess Renuka, is revered as the kuladevi (family deity) of the Koli community. Each year, Kolis embark on pilgrimages to offer prayers to Ekvira Devi at her temple located at the Karla Caves.
Image courtesy: Ramnath Keny
A political rally passing outside Ramnath Keny’s home. This photo likely dates back to 1985, when the village still had mud roads. Today, a cemented pathway leads to his home amidst a landscape devoid of open spaces, marking a significant change.
Image courtesy: Ramnath Keny
Ramnath Keny had his wedding photograph taken with his wife in a Mumbai studio. Vintage photos like this offer insight into the customs and traditions of the Koli community as they modernize and adapt to new trends and changing fashion.
Image courtesy: Ramnath Keny
Players prepare for a game of kabaddi near the once-famous Santoshi Mata Temple, now replaced by a huge multi-story building. Kandivli and Malad, a suburb south of Kandivli, are likely the rival kabaddi teams.
Image courtesy: Ramnath Keny
Ramnath Damodar Keny, a 70-year-old inhabitant of Kandivli village, has spent his entire life in this locality. Five generations of his family have lived in the same house.
Ranjan Dattaram Tarabai Mhatre is a member of the Pathare Prabhu community. Alongside the Kolis, Bhandaris, and Agri communities, the Pathare Prabhus are among Mumbai’s early inhabitants. They migrated from the Saurashtra region in Gujarat to the Konkan coast in the 12th or 13th century CE, eventually settling in Mumbai.
According to Ramnath Keny, this photo likely captures a tribal ritual, possibly reflecting the Kolis community’s tribal origins, which underscore their status as early inhabitants of the Mumbai region.
Image courtesy: Ramnath Keny