Mar 15, 2008 09:53 PM
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Franchise or no Franchise, Wagholi based Choki Dhani may not be a comparable version of the Original Choki Dhani of Rajasthan - but it certainly is not any least in terms of its offering.
Located on the Pune - Nagar Highway, on the outskirts of the city, Choki Dhani is a Rajasthani Village Resort that tries to take its visitors into a land where lehengas, padgis, jalebis(sweets in the shape of maze fried in sweet cyrup) and all that forms part of a traditional Rajasthani village.
A recent visit to the infrastructure-struck airport and sudden uproar of local Maratha Feeling struck Pune brought nothing much excitement, so one of my colleague suggested a visit to this place. Frankly, after studying the COLI(Cost of Living Index) of Pune, I expected it to be quite expensive - especially after hearing that the entry fee is the only payment one has to pay - and it includes all the food you can eat(and trust me it is unlimited) and coupons for the local rides.
The travel was definitely a pain in the back, and I literally mean the same. The road from the highway takes several turns on a dusty, bumpy, dark, desolate area that makes you feel that you may not be in a city any more. The long drive is like a mini roller coaster ride, so I recommend all to bear the pain. The sides of the road gives the feeling of driving into a bushy lowland, with sparse habitat and even less presence of electricity. In fact, at some point of time you begin to wonder if you would have left Maharashtra and ventured into actual Rajasthan, or whether you will encounter a snake or fox on the path. Trust me, there is nothing like that - its just to set you in the mood.
And at the end of the journey, you see a traditional killa(fort) with a whole set of traditional Rajasthani dress clad men and women welcoming you to experience mhare desh(our land). Parking is of no issue as there is a huge open place in front of the fort entrance. As you step inside, you are greeted warmly(and kinda loudly) by a guy - Ram Ram Sethji, Ram Ram Sethaniji. In fact throughout the trip you will hear the same a lot. You are expected to greet back with a Ram Ram, as per common courtesy. After the tilak to offically welcome you in, you are greeted by the lalas(money dealers / accountants) whohelp you with the tickets. Rs. 400 per head gives you around 20 coupons, access to all the shows and food unlimited(Rs. 200 for the kids).
With the coupons as you enter, the sound of the drums becomes clearer. It is the drums to usher the dancers dressed as riding horseman. They swirl and make motion as if to ride out to greet the new guests. As you walk down, a host greets you and offers to take you around. You can roam around on your own as well - though it is a bit tough as they will try to ensure you see everything.
The place is set like a piece of mela amidst a village. You find everything from a village potter to a puppet show to a high-pole walker. You must try the potter. He will actually show you how to make shapes out of his potters wheel, and even lets you keep your masterpiece. It is so simple for him to just carve out pots and vases of different sizes. We tried our hands and frankly, after breaking few moulds, managed to put some shape.
As you wander, you find the chawks with the dancers and singers who perform the tradional dances of the girls with their multi-colour lehengas, brightly painted earthern pots placed 4 to 6 at a time on top of each other on her head, and the thumkas and the dance games. The girl goes round and round and even gestures the women in the crowd to join her on the platform. After demonstrating few steps, she lets you join her in dancing a tradional tune. As you go round and round, manage to watch how she moves her hand. The entire art of this dance is on the hands and hips, and the control she has on her body with all those pots on her head. And after the dance show, she lets you take photos in different dancing position with her and the singers.
As you move on, you find the usual games of throws, darts and shoots. The shops lines up to sell the jhumkas, bajubandhs, tarbaris, bhojalis and other accessories that define Rajasthan. I recommend the cloth and jewellery as the daggers didnt look that authenticate or impressive. Of course you can purchase the puppets from the puppet shop before catching the puppet show. Here of course bollywood has its presence. The puppeteer shows Aishwarya's thumkas and Daler Mehendis ta-ra-ra.
Just like a Village Mela, you have the Giant Ferry Wheel, Bioscope and Magic Show. But one very attractive item is the soothsayers. There were 2 of them in different corners, and we tried each one of them. And trust me, I am still revelling at the experience of meeting them. They were quite correct in guessing the past and intrigued me with their prediction of the future. Of course, be wise before purchasing the kawaz from them to ward off evils, unless you really believe and want the same.
As you proceed, you can try the hand-made, warm from the tawa, bajre ki roti and lasoon chutney. The lady even lets you try a hand in making the same. And the crowning treat is at the end - where you are welcomed at the grand house where you join many others to taste a full fledged Rajasthani Meal. This is the best part as you are seated on the floor and served on the tool, with several side dishes which are a part and parcel of the Rajasthani Daily Meal. The thich pooris, achars and dals is a welcome change from the usual continental, north or south indian treats. And the end comes with jalebis. Here comes the enthusiastic bunch of servers, who makes you eat one piece of jalebi in the name of a person you love. And they will keep on giving one piece after another for the sake of someone. So you eat one for the Sethani, one for your best friend, one for you next best friend, one for the server himself, one for his helper. and before you know, you have probably eaten 7 pieces in one shot. Its fun, but diabetics beware. They are quite a charmer.
As you move on, you really bring back a sense of happy memories. Probably a gang will create nice memories, especially when you gather around the jyotish listening to him foretelling items which you can later pull the legs of the poor friend(and vice versa). Maybe I missed out on the camel and peacock, as it was night when I visited - which are an integral part of the Rajasthani fauna.
As you get ready to head back on the bumpy road, you must close with the pan from the shop outside and bid the dancers goodbye.
Look up for Choki Dhani the next time you are in Pune, and if you are bored to see only a cosmopolitan setting. Its a different experience for those who probably to re-live their past trips to Rajasthan, or for those like me who are yet to experience the same.
Priyank
