The Saraswat community

The Saraswat Cultural ForumLEGEND has it that the Saraswat community derives its name from the river Saraswati on whose banks the members of this community are believed to have settled. It is also believed that this community migrated southward till it came to settle in the coastal towns of Karnataka and it is from these towns that most Saraswats derive their surnames. The Chitrapur Saraswat community owes allegiance to the Chitrapur Math at Shirali where the spiritual head of the community resides.

8220;In Pune there are some 350 Chitrapur Saraswat families. Many people of the community felt the need to separate the religious functions from social ones. The cultural forum was started in 1984 with a seed money of Rs 15,000,8221; says Ramesh Nadkarni of the Saraswat Cultural Forum. And what activities does the forum conduct? 8220;Certain annual functions are conducted on a regular basis. On Children8217;s Day, a variety entertainment programme is put up entirely by the tiny tots. On Makar Sankranti, a women8217;s get-together is organised. To provide opportunity to the younger generation to showcase their talents, an annual cultural programme for the youth along with a cooking competition is also held then,8221; he says. The forum organises an annual excursion to nearby place and a picnic on Republic Day. To cater to those musically inclined a classical music programme is also planned every year. Lectures on topics such as consumer guidance, cardiac diseases and cancer detection along with medical camps are also conducted.Future plans of the forum have already been outlined. 8220;We want to set up a medical emergency fund. In case members suffer from a medical emergency and cannot meet the hospital8217;s deposit at the time this fund will serve as a guarantee. We have already collected Rs 43,000 and hopefully will be able to reach the target Rs 1 lakh,8221; says Nadkarni.

The Samyukta Konkani Sabha There are an estimated 850 Gaud Saraswat Brahmin families in Pune and to cater to their cultural needs the Samyukta Konkani Sabha was formed almost 25 years ago. To nurture their unique cultural identity meetings and get-togethers of the community are held regularly. The community sets store by a sound education as is evident from the educational fund set up to help needy students. 8220;Free medical check up camps, picnics and excursions are a part of the GSB social calendar,8221; says Sudhakar Pai, secretary of the sabha. Religious occasions like Naralipurnima are also celebrated with gatherings. Bhajans held every alternate Sunday at the community hall on Prabhat Road are among the other activities that the sabha conducts.