Rahul Bhalia had a strong interest in fishing from an early age. He dropped out of school to join his father at sea when he was just 10 years old. Knowledge transfer in the Koli community primarily occurs within families, where parents, particularly fathers, teach their children about fishing. From a young age, children accompany their fathers on fishing trips, observing and gradually participating in various activities.
A typical fishing day starts early in the morning, often before dawn, while it is still dark. Only local fishermen are allowed to fish in designated areas, safeguarding their traditional fishing rights and practices. Proper licenses and permits are required to engage in fishing activities. This regulation helps control the number of fishing vessels and manage fish stocks effectively.
The fishing season in Mumbai is primarily from August to May, with a significant break during the monsoon months of June and July for both safety and sustainability reasons. The Koli fishermen and other fishing communities adhere to these seasonal cycles and regulations to ensure the continued health and productivity of their fishing grounds.
Larger fishing vessels (seen in the backdrop) often use industrial methods to catch fish. The boats, called trawlers, drag large nets known as trawls behind them. There are bottom trawls for fish near the seabed and midwater trawls for fish in the middle of the water column. Trawlers capture large quantities of fish, including shrimp, mackerel, and anchovies.
The ebb and flow of tides, along with the changing seasons when certain types of fish are available, dictate the catch. Most fishermen use vertical nets, called gill nets, that trap fish by their gills. After laying the nets, the boats wait for four to five hours before hauling them back on board.
The East Indian community has a significant population in Kandivli and its suburbs. Native Catholics established a church of the same name at Magathane around half a mile east of the present Kandivli Railway station in 1630. This church was the precursor to the present Our Lady of Assumption Church at Kandivli village.
Ramnath Keny used to maintain a cow shed at his home, which no longer exists. The decline in livestock rearing has led to the disappearance of these once-common spaces in the village. Most houses have repurposed their former livestock sheds into an extension of their living areas.
In present-day Kandivli village, fishing activities are notably absent despite a sizeable Koli community residing there. Yashwant Keni, though no longer a fisherman, was actively engaged in the fishing business during his younger years. He sourced fish from the Borivali fish market and sold them in Kandivli village to make a living.
The wall of Shri Shiv Shankar Mandir wall bears the old name Kandivligaon, written in Devanagari script. The architecture of the temple is an eclectic mix. The temple’s north Indian-style shikhara (spire) appears to be a modern addition, rising incongruously over the sloped roof superstructure typical of Konkani vernacular architecture.
Residents of Kandivli village, primarily from the Koli, Pathare Prabhu, and Agri communities, tie threads around the banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis). Hindus consider the banyan tree sacred due to its long lifespan, symbolizing everlasting longevity.