Don’t be surprised if you spot groups of two or three asking bystanders for directions, with chits in hand, as they crawl through the bylanes of Dadar and Lower Parel this Sunday. Parnavi Karandikar, the founder of the creative platform, Open Bracket, is organising a treasure hunt, where participants will unearth the history behind these narrow lanes that criss-cross these areas.
The walk entails a hunt for stories. People and places in the area serve as clues. Parnavi says, “The whole trail is about hunting for stories and trivia around the city.” The treasure hunt is in collaboration with the People Place Project, a publication that maps cities and places through personal narratives.
Here’s how the trail works: A group of two or three will start the trail at Todi Mill Social. Each team has to solve clues and finish tasks, which will take them to the precincts of Dadar and Lower Parel. She says, “Lower Parel and Dadar have played major roles in history and evolution of Mumbai as it is today. The places that will be covered in the treasure hunt reflect this history in the form of places and people, which we want the participants to see.” The team to complete these tasks successfully will earn bragging rights, and a free city walks with Khaki Tours. “It’s a hunt for tales. It is only when you engage with people who shape the place that you truly appreciate Mumbai. Though we read books and watch videos/movies about that celebrate the city, how often have you taken the effort to see what the city has to offer?” she questions. The team has spent a little more than a month, trying to create a trail for the event.
Parnavi ensures that the two and a half hour event won’t end up being to hard on the body. “I do believe that it’s only through walking that people will end up discovering places and people. But bits of the hunt will require them to use some mode of public transport,” she concludes.
In association with Khaki Tours, On December 11, 9 am onwards At Todi Mill Social, Lower Parel, Contact: 9820100117
