For a large number of Mulundkars, the Navratri celebrations did not quite open on the right note as the organisers of the Falguni Pathak show at Yogi Hills on Sept 24 failed to pull it off.

The show started at 8.30 pm instead of 7.30 pm as scheduled on the ticket. There was only one entry point to the venue, which had a capacity to accomodate over 5,000 people. As a result, the crowd had to stand in long queues; even at 9 pm there was a huge crowd waiting to get in.

Even Falguni Pathaks infectious enthusiam failed to inspire audiences who could not play dandiya on the slushy ground. Amidst Falgunis renditions of Pari Hu Mein and Babuji Zara Dhire Chalo, the crowd made angry comments against the organisers.

Says Viren Thakker, resident of Yogi Hills, I paid Rs 100 for the ticket, and a few thousands for my costume. I threw away my dandiya sticks and just stood in the corner observing the nonsense. The least the organisers could have done was put a carpet on the ground after all the money they have made.

Much to the crowds dismay, the show came an end at 10 pm, though the timing as shown on the ticket was from 7 to 10.30 pm.

The crowd refused to disperse demanding that the organisers continue the show as they had promised. At this point, the organisers came up and apologised saying the Supreme Court order made it mandatory that the show be wrapped up at 10 pm.

Eventually, the crowd moved out of the ground, showering abuses on the organisers. It was a waste of time and energy. It only spoiled my costume and shoes. I hope I can make up for this loss in the next nine days, says Amin Vaidya, resident of Navghar Road.

When contacted, Sarika Joshi, spokesperson for Sana Entertainments, the organisers of the show says, The rains were unexpected. We couldnt have possibly controlled nature.

Sana Entertainments obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the police only three hours before the show was about to begin. The Mulund police station denied permission.

Says Ravindra Patkar, senior inspector, Mulund station, The application came to me only in the evening of Sept 23. The application should have come to me at least seven days before the show.

The procedure is lengthy, we have to inspect the site and then forward it to the ACP, DCP and to the commissioners office, which finally issues the NOC. I did not want to take any risk. Eventually, the NOC for the show came through a special order from the commissioners office at about 4 pm on Sept 24.

Meanwhile, the police have also issued a notice to the organisers for advertising show timings before obtaining permission from 7 pm to 10.30 pm. The Supreme Court has made it mandatory that shows cannot go on later than 10 pm. But the organisers advertised the show timings before obtaining police permission, adds Patkar.

babu@mid-day.com