18th November 2013 to 23th November 2013. [Bada Ke Badhe Mazee]

Sharat send a message: ‘Catch the Kutch like never before’. A apt message to all CIS members who were going on trip to Bada Gaon, Kutch for shoting of Vineet-Aayushi wedding.

Dhwani in early morning mood at Gandhidham, Day One

This was first major event for Kashyap, so I also joined him. I was to be CIS staff, plus a Tourist and plus a Barati. Ti-Mukhi! I enjoyed myself in all three Avtars. Hands down this was a unique experience, for all of the 450 Baratis in Bada Gaon and 15 professionals shooting the event.

 

Main Entry Point of Bada Gaon

Kachi Community has grown in big way. The result of this progress is that their Gaon’s are turning into dead places, what a paradox! They have become rich and shifted to Mumbai as permanent residance, however they are holding on to ancestral properties, taking good care of the same, but not using those places. Bada Gaon has more the 500 houses, but around 450 houses are closed. Most houses are well painted and maintained, but decorated with Godrej Locks. The oldies of some families come and stay for few months between Oct – Feb. In such place, this Vinit Gala boy had planned his wedding’s 3 days events. Wow! The village does not have any Kirana shop worth its name, only having a small tapir for ‘Pan’ and little snacks. No bread, No Milk, No Mithaiwala, No No No…. Everything has to be planned and arranged from ‘Mandvi’, two hour drive from Bada!

He had great support of his family and friends, so the event turned out better than expected. I can vouch for it, as I heard many positive comments from the returning 'Baratees' who were with us in return journey from Kutch to Bandra for more than 15 hours.

Lets talk about the Jain food.

 

Morning Breakfast without Kheplas!

Jains believe that after sunset food intake should be banned. So the ‘Mahajan Wadi’ where the caterer served us meals, served till 6.0 clock in evening. Food was according to me an excellent selection. We sindhi’s like to eat heavy food like panneers, pastas, Kotfas etc dipped in ghee with lot of spices. No such thing here, food was decent and filling, believe me I enjoyed it. Morning breakfast started at 7.0 clock. Usually it was filling and I treated it as my lunch. Breakfast consisted of one main item’s, along with different sweet every day plus dry snack and Tea or Coffee.

As a precaution, Dhwani has taken one big bag, filled with ‘Bakerwadi’, wafers, 'Chewadas', 'Biscuits' etc, but we never used one item from it! There was no need. Tummy was filed with tasty light and healthy food, atmosphere was pollution free [air as well as noise] and unique experience of attending wedding in gaon, where was time to feel hungry!

by P G Dodeja