At Mumbai’s Koliwadas, it’s the time of the year when the city’s oldest inhabitants come together to celebrate Holi. The festival commemorates the victory of good over evil and, at Worli’s sea-facing enclave, it is marked by freestyle dancing, blaring music and elaborate feasts. According to Prahlad Worlikar, secretary of the Worli Koliwada Owners Welfare Cooperative Society, the turnout was over a lakh last year. “It’s so crowded that there’s no place to stand. People especially come here to tuck into crispy fried fish made in Koli style. The festivities might happen at Koliwadas, but everybody is welcome to join. People from across the city partake in the celebrations.”

A handful of members lighting a small pyre before the state banned all Holi celebations. Pic/Atul Kamble