Punit Balan’s DJ-Free Joint Dahi Handi Draws Massive Crowd, Pune Witnesses a Historic Celebration
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi and Priyanshu Banerjee
Pune, 5th September 2026: A DJ-free joint Dahi Handi celebration organised by the Punit Balan Group drew a large crowd to the historic Lal Mahal Chowk in Pune on Saturday, with traditional dhol-tasha, halgi and other musical performances taking centre stage.
The Shivtej Dahi Handi Pathak successfully broke the Dahi Handi at around 9.45 pm after forming a seven-tier human pyramid. The team won a cash prize of Rs 1.11 lakh and a trophy.
As many as 31 public Ganesh mandals from Pune participated in the joint Dahi Handi celebration, while more than 21 Govinda teams formed five- to seven-tier human pyramids during the event.
The celebrations began with a performance by Prabhat Band, followed by tributes at Shrimant Peshwe Ganesh Temple and the historic Lal Mahal. Performances by Manavandana, Ramanbaug, Gajar Pratishthan, Shivajna Dhol, ShivYoddha Mardani Akhada, Aavartan, Samarth and Shivmudra groups added to the festive atmosphere.
The Shivajna group presented a traditional display featuring a bagad associated with village fairs and a palkhi procession dedicated to Shrinath Baba. Pakhawaj performances by Warkari musicians added a devotional touch, while traditional halgi performances further energised the gathering.
The Dahi Handi venue on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road was decorated with lighting and a cold-fire display. Several Govinda teams, including the women’s Shivkanya group, Kasba Pune, Mhasoba Dahi Handi Sangh, Pandharinath Seva Mandal, Punyeshwar Kasba Peth, Ganesh Mitra Mandal Kasba Peth, Rashtra Pratham Kasba Peth, Bhoiraj Sangh, Aamhi Aamche Raje from Mumbai and Shivtej, participated in the celebrations.
The Punit Balan Group organised the DJ-free Dahi Handi for the second consecutive year. The organisers said the initiative was aimed at promoting traditional musical forms and reducing noise pollution during festival celebrations.
The event was held amid an ongoing debate in Pune and across Maharashtra over the use of DJs and high-powered sound systems during festivals.
Several dignitaries attended the celebration, while foreign tourists were also present at the venue.
Punit Balan, president of the Punit Balan Group and trustee and festival chief of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, said the response demonstrated that Dahi Handi could be celebrated with traditional music and cultural programmes.
“Pune residents responded enthusiastically to the DJ-free Dahi Handi for the second consecutive year, and I am grateful to them for making the celebration successful. The festival can be celebrated with equal enthusiasm through traditional instruments, dhol-tasha, halgi and cultural programmes instead of DJs. This also helps reduce noise pollution and provides employment opportunities to traditional musicians. We are committed to celebrating the upcoming Ganeshotsav in a similar manner,” Balan said.
