Masked Madness

It isnt likely that the Celts thought that their traditional festival of Samhain would,two centuries later,be reduced to inebriated revelry.

Written by MangalDalal

October 29, 2009 10:24 PM IST

3 min read

Watch out for costumed party animals as the city celebrates Halloween this Saturday

It isnt likely that the Celts thought that their traditional festival of Samhain would,two centuries later,be reduced to inebriated revelry. The Celtic tradition was to respectfully mark the eve of their New Year,a night they believed the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. The festival has evolved over time,borrowed from the Christian All Saints Day,and the modern version called Halloween is most celebrated every year on October 31 for the opportunity to don costumes,scary

or otherwise.

Mumbai,while not quite there yet,is getting progressively adventurous; reflected by the increased number of Halloween parties this year. Bonobo,a casual bar in Bandra,is yet to complete a year but hosted a Jungle-themed party a few months back. I never expected the effort everyone made at that party; around 90 per cent of guests had dressed up in costumes. For Halloween,we are going all out with our décor will have big thematic walls,and an area for people to click pictures with a backdrop, says Nevil Timbadia,one of the partners at Bonobo. Valhalla,at Churchgate,offers masks,unlimited drinks and starters,but we expect it to be more elegant than extreme in a reflection of SoBo snootiness. Merlins,the bar at the Orchid,promises to screen horror DVDs and its staff will wear Zombie masks. HQs the re-incarnated nightclub at Regal,is hosting a Glamour Graveyard night; given that the venue was hugely popular a decade ago,perhaps something from those years would be apt. Hard Rock Café is hosting possibly the scariest Halloween party of them all a tribute to Michael Jackson; lock your children at home.

If youre wondering what to wear,there are several places to buy costumes and make-up. We consulted with Mansi Poddar and Kanika Parab of bpbweekend.com We are really excited that this year,Mumbai too is waking up and smelling the pumpkins. Instead of resorting to the same old Bollywood get-ups from Maganlal Dresswala (the rudest shop in the city) there are now options for cool costumes to rent or buy,especially in Bandra. Sparkle ( 26491968) stocks accessories like headgear and masks,rather than full costumes; Party Hunterz (26057237) is more comprehensive,and offers full costumes. Dont worry if you forget your costume,though,places like Bonobo will help you out once you get there: We have makeup artists and accessories for those who turn up without any costume, Timbadia says reassuringly.

The key is,of course,to make an effort but yet be able to enjoy the entire night. I normally avoid masks or tight costumes as they get very hot; make up,especially around the eyes,adds a lot and works much better than a mask, says Amrita Singh,a New York University graduate.

Be afraid. Be mildly afraid.

Bonobo,Bandra (W) 26055353; Valhalla,Churchgate,67353535; HQs,opp. Regal Cinema,22883982 Merlins,The Orchid,Vile Parle (E),26164040; Hard Rock Café,Worli,66155959

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Masked Madness

It isnt likely that the Celts thought that their traditional festival of Samhain would,two centuries later,be reduced to inebriated revelry.

It isnt likely that the Celts thought that their traditional festival of Samhain would,two centuries later,be reduced to inebriated revelry.