Pune: No Financial Aid for Loud DJ-Playing Ganpati Mandals, Announces Punit Balan
Pune: No Financial Aid for DJ-Playing Ganpati Mandals, Announces Punit Balan
Pune, July 8: Ganpati mandals in Pune that use loud DJ music during the Ganesh festival will no longer receive financial support or advertisements from the Punit Balan Group (PBG). The announcement was made by PBG President Punit Balan during a programme organised by Samarth Pratishthan to honour the musical instruments of their Dhol-Tasha Pathak.
Speaking at the event, Balan emphasised the need to preserve the religious and cultural essence of Pune’s 132-year-old Ganeshotsav. He stated that the tradition, once initiated by Lokmanya Tilak and Bhausaheb Rangari during the freedom movement, is now being overshadowed by loud music and vulgar songs played by some mandals.
“Many mandals have started setting up massive speaker walls and playing obscene songs, which tarnishes the image of this sacred festival,” Balan said. “This is not part of our culture. Going forward, mandals engaging in such practices will not receive advertisement support from our group.”
He urged mandals to celebrate Ganeshotsav in a respectful and traditional manner, free from disruptive DJ music. The Punit Balan Group and Manikchand Oxyrich have been key sponsors for several mandals over the years, offering substantial financial aid.
Balan’s remarks received strong support from various quarters, including Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni and Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasane, who were present at the event. The move has also been welcomed by citizens from different sections of society, calling it a step toward restoring the festival’s spiritual and cultural roots.
