00:00Aani, Shevati, Ekach, Prashan, Lal Baakcha Raja Kaur
00:12Every year, this movement sends Mumbai into a frenzy.
00:15The red curtains lift and the first glimpse of Lal Baakcha Raja,
00:19Mumbai's most famous Ganapati is revealed to the world.
00:22But do you know why he's called Nafsach Ganapati, the wish-fulfilling lord?
00:26And what secrets lie behind this 90-year-old tradition?
00:29Let's find out.
00:32Travel back to 1934 when Lal Baag was a vibrant hub of struggle and hope.
00:38The Kohli fishermen and traders of Peru Chol faced a dire threat.
00:42Their marketplace risked closure, endangering their livelihoods.
00:46In a profound act of faith, they made a Nawas, a sacred vow to Lord Ganesha.
00:52Grant us a permanent market and we will honor you with a magnificent idol.
00:57Their prayers were answered when a landlord gifted them land.
01:00On September 12, 1934, the first Lal Baakcha Raja idol was unveiled, launching a tradition that resonates today.
01:06But what many don't know is that the face you see today, that iconic calm, the royal posture has remained unchanged for almost 90 years.
01:15Why? Because it's the work of one family, the Kamali household.
01:20It began with Ratnakar Kamali in 1935.
01:22Today, his grandson, Santosh Kamali carries the tradition forward.
01:25Year after year, their workshop breathes life into this idol.
01:28Every curve of the crown, every fold of the dhoti, every serene smile crafted by hand.
01:33Here's the fascinating part.
01:35The mould for Lal Baakcha Raja has never been changed.
01:39Every idol you've seen, every viral photo, every darshan, it all comes from the same design, preserved like a legacy.
01:46The reason?
01:47Devotees believe the posture and the face hold the spiritual essence of the original vow.
01:51And this design is so sacred, it's now copyrighted to protect its originality.
01:56Bollywood stars, cricketers, industrialists, from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan, from Sachin Tendulkar to Mukesh Ambani, all line up for blessings.
02:05And unlike most Ganpat, the idols, Lal Baakcha Raja never takes part in a regular Visarchan procession.
02:10Instead, he is carried in a special palki, straight for immersion, maintaining his royal status till the very end.
02:17Next time you're there for that first darshan, remember Lal Baakcha Raja is not just an idol.
02:21He's Mumbai's 90-year-old promise, standing tall for every wish and every hope.
02:26For more no-fluff explainers like this one, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
02:31I'm Manisha Dikari.
02:32Thank you for watching The Culture Project On More.
Be the first to comment