By Deepa Damle

Yet another successful year for the Moomba festival in Melbourne. Dating back to when it originated in 1951 when fifty years of Federation was celebrated, Moomba is one of the longest running festivals in Melbourne.

Rumour has it that the annual festival was named so because of the belief that ‘Moomba’ was an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Let’s get together and have fun’.

Led by the Moomba King – Melbourne Victory legend Archie Thomson, and the Moomba Queen – Channel 9’s weather presenter Jane Bunn, the 2019 Moomba parade kicked off an exhilarating parade which saw many communities come together to celebrate their inclusion in the festival. In the current world scenario, it was heart-warming to see people of different communities make that special effort to showcase themselves, with the emphasis being on feeling like ‘one’ people.

There was colour, lots of it too. Elaborate costumes and quirky floats, designed by kids this year. There was music and dance…and there was the ‘dhol’, showcased on behalf of the Indian community, by the Janagarjana Dhol Pathak, with the beautiful ladies playing the traditional ‘Taal’. On a special request by the organisers, the Dhol troupe was asked to continue even after the parade had ended to provided extended entertainment…and they delivered entertainment for sure. The ladies in their traditional Maharashtrian ‘Nau-waari’ saarees, and the dhol, almost felt like I was a part of procession on a street in India. Onlookers joined in and the dancing continued to the dhol beats long after the parade had ended. There were bound to be some sore feet that night for sure…not to mention the arms of the dhol players. The Indian community was also very well represented by the troupe from Shiamak Davar’s academy….Indians surely do know how to shake a leg !!!!

What was interesting to note, given this was my first year of participation in the parade itself, as to how organised everything was. The security personnel, the Victorian police, Moomba volunteers, the participants and even the general public. It’s not easy given the attendance records say thousands attended on day one itself, but I guess that’s what makes it so special.

Age, colour, background, religion, race and gender….no bar….just a pure sense of celebrating community togetherness. The fun filled activities, free rides and the vigour continued over the Labour Day long weekend. If you haven’t been to one, watching or participating in the Moomba festival is highly recommended…it won’t disappoint. The wait begins….for Moomba 2020!