Until the twentieth century, nets were made from natural fibres obtained from coir, palm leaf, hemp, and grasses. Later, cotton was also used. In the 1950s, natural fibres began to be replaced by synthetic polymeric fibres, which lasted longer, were cheaper and lighter, and allowed for mass production in factories.
The strength and efficiency of the structure depend on the integrity of the individual meshes. Repairing torn webbing means retying each knot and restoring the original pattern of the mesh. Generally, the repair twine should have the same diameter and be made from the same material as the netting. The key to good repair is to maintain the integrity of meshes.
Appropriately titled shahenshah, this net is regarded as the king of nets. It has three levels that ensnare fish of various sizes. Only a few people have the ability to craft this complex net, which takes a full day to fix and repair.
Kolis use an informal unit for measurement they call butti, indicating the number of finger widths needed to gauge the distance between consecutive knots.
The Kolis fish throughout the year, taking a break only for two months in the monsoon when all fishing activities are halted due to rough seas. The high fishing season starts in August and lasts until October, after which the catch volume declines. By January, it is the low season.
Fish drying is a common sight in Koliwadas. A significant part of the daily catch is processed as dry fish. The fish are cleaned and gutted before being hung on bamboo poles, strung on lines, or spread on flat ground, where they are left to dry in the sun for two or three days.
Rajesh Pardesi goes fishing in the morning and repairs nets in the afternoon. Every day, he repairs roughly two to three nets. As seen here, he stretches the net with his toe to make the net taut, which helps him weave the twine.
Historical records suggest that the Kolis have inhabited the Mumbai coastline for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Living in hamlets scattered along the coastline, they earn their living primarily through fishing, trading, and other maritime activities, although some Kolis also engage in farming.
A Koli man is wearing a T-shirt with the image of Ekvira Devi. The Koli community holds Ekvira Devi in high regard and seeks her blessings for protection, prosperity, and fulfilment of wishes. A temple dedicated to Ekvira Devi is situated in Karla, near Lonavala. This temple is a significant pilgrimage site for Kolis, especially during the festival of Navratri, during which thousands of worshippers flock there to seek her blessings.