Flash mobs have been around for quite sometime now, making headlines in countries like US, though their Indian version took some time to surface. Inspired by positive responses from all circles, flash mobs today are fast becoming a way of life for all those rebellious Indian souls out there. Keeping such considerations in mind, here’s a sneak peek into five most memorable flash mobs of Indians, by Indians and for Indians!
27 Nov, 2011: Fresh start to flash mob at CST, Mumbai
November 26, 2008, 21:30: Hundreds of mumabaikars are returning home after a day’s work with no knowledge whatsoever that in the next minutes their lives will change forever. Armed with AK-47s two people enter the passenger hall of Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and open fire. The assault continues for more than an hour, killing 58 and leaving 104 injured.
Now cut to November 27, 2011: Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus is once again witness to a strange extravaganza. Only this time, the event echoes happiness and joy instead of violence and death. Thanks to Shonan Kothari, a crowd of 200 people got together, swayed and danced in Mumbai’s busiest railway junction as speakers cheerily pumped out ‘Rang De Basanti’. Kothari, however, refuses to associate the flash mob with the 2008 Mumbai attacks in any manner whatsoever. “We just wanted to have fun”, quipped the 23 year old. Her bold initiative went viral on social networking sites with the likes of Rohan Sippy and Abhishek Bachchan tweeting the video link. The mob has been a closely guarded secret all through and if sources are to be believed, was not meant for commercial popularity. Kothari’s initiative, however, was appreciated by people, left, right and center.
16 Dec, 2011: Kochi peace flash mob
Finding crowd in a plush shopping mall isn’t strange. However, when that crowd suddenly breaks into spontaneous jigs, it makes headlines. For a nation, where the word “mob” literally sparks images of massive blockades and vehement protests, such gatherings are certainly not easy to digest at the outset. But, when a group of people have gathered to chant “Not Keralites, not Tamilians but Indians” slogans, you just cannot help but smile.
The Kochi flash mob, tagged with a no hate mate mantra, therefore, had people smiling all the way. Over 150 youngsters participated in the grand event led by MBA student Sharath George Benny and Mathew John, a development manager. The mob danced to the tunes of popular Bollywood numbers while being egged on by by-standers. The video of the flash mob, it goes without saying, went viral on the internet.
8 January, 2012: Flash mob with ‘going green’ cause
After peace and national unity, ecology seemed to be the next happening “flash mob” idea in mind. The concept, which has the entire world going gaga over it, found takers in a group of college kids from Hyderabad. The Hyderabad version was staged at People’s plaza on Necklace Road. Surrounded by hundreds of spectators, around 500 people, mostly college kids, danced to several numbers. Going green was the message these youngsters held close to heart before finally calling it a day. The participants had a gala time swinging to the tunes of ‘Give Me Everything(Tonight)’ or ‘Kolaveri Di’. Spectators, a little way into the mob, were no longer just bystanders as they too, charged with enthusiasm, joined in.
28 Mar, 2012: Mumbai 143 flash mob against terrorism at gateway of India
After Shonan Kothari’s flash mob, Mumbaikars got another opportunity to be a part of a noble gathering when youths, in hundreds, flooded the roads near Gateway of India on March 27, 2012. For many, it would have been a tear jerking moment to see the spot of the dreadful 2006 attacks turned into a cheery stage for dancing youngsters. The event, according to reports, was the biggest flash mob organized in Mumbai. The mob saw hordes of youngsters dancing near the iconic structure much to the delight of passersby. Hope to see more such gatherings coming up elsewhere in the country-that’s all we can say.
6 April, 2012: All senior flash mob at Delhi on.
If young guns can hit the middle of the road, crooning to popular numbers, their parents or grand parents can do so, as well. Select city mall in South Delhi was packed with visitors and shoppers when all of a sudden life came to a stand still. Bystanders watched mesmerized as a group of ladies aged 60-77 walked in and broke into sways and swings. Within minutes, the ladies were joined by a group of men, seemingly in their 60s or 80s. For once at least, arthritis or blood pressure did not get in the way as these “youth”, danced and crooned all the way, with the speaker belting out timeless retro numbers. So, what could be the motto behind such an interesting mob? “Celebrating life” was what drove the crowd
