26 August,2026 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Devendra Ponnalagar (in white shirt) and his team of Govindas. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Almost all of the people in our crew have excelled in one sport or the other, so making a group for the Janmashtami Dahi Handi seemed like the next best thing," said Devendra Ponnalagar from a 35-member group of visually impaired people who have been participating in Dahi Handi programmes since 2013. The group - Nayan Foundation First Dhristiheen Govinda Pathak - has been doing four-layered pyramids in all the years they have participated with the exception of 2021 and 2025, when they made five-layer pyramids.
The group practises formation of a four-layered pyramid
According to Ponnalagar, before 2013, he had been participating along with other groups. "Many people I knew who are also visually impaired wanted to join. We finally made the group in 2013, with us being official participants in multiple programs from 2014.
[popcorn number="2013" desc="Year the group was formed" class="Default"]
Over the years, many members left due to job, family, etc, but many have joined as well. Apart from our team of 35 men, we also have a team of 15 women who participate in the programmes." Primarily a social worker, Ponnalagar is the president of Nayan Foundation, where he helps people with their personal troubles. Others in the team range from people who have office jobs to hawkers and vendors.
The group participates in a dahi handi event
Ponnalagar said the team trainer gives out exercises and diets to all those participating. "It is important that all are in a physically fit state, as every layer stands on the shoulders of the one below, with members in each layer keeping their body fully straight. Any mistake can cause serious injury, so training starts weeks, before Dahi Handi."
Ponnalagar's team has rules to prevent, reduce injuries. "No one breaks the formation even if a higher layer is destabilised or someone is falling. This is because if one of the lower layers fumbles, everyone else will also get injured. Our alert volunteers are always ready to catch someone who is falling, so those in the pyramid need not worry," he said.
The team also has a Rs 10 lakh insurance policy against injuries. "Though we have the insurance, we want to make sure no one gets injured. We do this purely for enjoyment," Ponnalagar said.
Every year, starting from Dadar, this team goes to Worli, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Thane, covering about 10 to 12 programmes on the Dahi Handi day. "We take a bus and go to each site with all the necessary refreshments. This year, we are practising a five-layered pyramid, but might end up with our usual four-layered. Since all the members of our team have full-time day jobs, we have changed our practice schedule to every weekend and holiday so that all can attend."
Devendra Ponnalagar, Nayan Foundation
âWe, along with our trainer, have come up with audio clues for movement and coordination. At each location we tell the organisers, no matter how big they are, to turn off all the audio systems including the mics, and we have volunteers who tell the crowd to be silent till the pyramid is made and then dismantled. With each layer, our trainer whistles, which is the cue for the next layer. So any other loud sounds can distract us, causing mistakes and injuries.'
