Kolyanchi Sunn Shraddha has leveraged her strength as a skilled speaker to encourage Koli women (Kolins) to break free from self-doubt and utilize their unique creative abilities. Her goal is for every young woman in the community to assert her existence and pursue her ambitions with a level of independence that was previously discouraged.
KOLYANCHI SUNN podcast soon to be launched
To be launched very shortly is the KOLYANCHI SUNN podcast that will feature successful, zestful, wise, pioneer and experienced Koli personalities giving guidance and inspirations with live stories of their experiences for the youth. The podcast is expected to celebrate the voices of Koli people who have already changed their lives and inspired the community. Shraddha’s vision is to empower Koli women and girls to step out of the shadows and explore the vast opportunities the world offers.
An inspiration for the Indian women
The International Women’s Day is a celebration of the Koli woman who wears her identity with pride while dreaming of global impact. It is the day for inspiration for Indian women.
Speaking on this International Women’s Day, Shraddha has observed dramatic changes between her mother’s generation and today’s girls (Kolins), “See, the first generation used to, what used to they do, they used to catch the fish and make the home cook the food, give to the children and this was the usual thing of every house within the house. But now the things have changed with the Gen Z Koli girls and women.
My mother’s generation used to follow the traditional practices of cooking the fish and feeding the household. Now the new gen is creative in their lifestyle, blending ancestral culinary techniques with modern influences, transforming traditional “home food” into a sophisticated regional cuisine. “
Koli women brave through the Dual Burden
Historically, the Koli women have been the face of business and household decision-making. Kolyanchi Sunn Shraddha shares this legacy of female independence, “Like the typical Indian homemakers, we handle the domestic sphere as well as are primary breadwinner and household manager. It is the zest for life, to support the family, her man, children and the house, that keeps the Koli woman energetic right from before dawn till the end of the day.
Most of the city is asleep when a Koli Woman’s day begins
Walking us through those quiet morning hours — the tea, the silent prayer to the sea and the transition into your role as a businesswoman, she answered, “Since my childhood, I have seen my mother get up early around 4 in the morning that is the ‘Brahma Muhurta’ as widely believed. The most auspicious period of the day. We begin with our inner rituals of bonding with the divine that includes chanting and prayers with some meditation, ending up with introspection and planning.”
“Then comes preparing breakfast and packing lunch for the husband who has to venture into the sea for his livelihood. After tip-toeing everything, the Koli woman either accompanies her husband in the sea to secure the fresh catch, cleaning, sorting and then proceeds to the market to sell the fish.”
Handling fierce financial independence
Koli women manage the entire economic system within the Koliwadas. Speaking about the sense of agency she feels while navigating a space where men are often the minority, she observed, “They not only manage the household finances, but also the entire economic system of Koliwadas controlling cash flow, budgets and business decisions. It is not only the duty of the man of the house to manage the daily chores. It is equally that of the woman
Nauvari saree & Gold jewellery – Symbol of a Kolin’s pride
Speaking about the iconic symbols of Koli community, Shraddha explains what do these traditions represent, “When a Kolin steps into the market each day she is attired in the Nauvari (nine yards) saree. This would be complemented with the traditional fold jewellery. Though others would call it flaunting. I wouldn’t disagree fully but importantly it is to feel that she has earned it herself. Traditionally the Koli woman prefers to save her earnings in the form rather than having it in banks. It is a symbol of her pride, dignity and a hard-earned symbol of triumph.
Kolins venturing into creativity
With the rise of online grocery stores and declining fish catches, the new generation is adapting to their traditional business to stay competitive. “Some Koli women are now turning into entrepreneurs in tourism and specialized cuisine. These new paths empower the women of Koli community even further apart. The current generation has moved beyond selling raw fish in markets to selling ‘experience’ and ‘cooked products’.”
Highlighting the innovativeness of Koli girls, Shraddha elaborates, “Many of the young Kolins have launched cloud kitchens and home-dining experiences through portals where they serve multi-course Koli meals. We are now seeing Annual Seafood Festivals like the Versova Koli Sea Food Festival that showcase 20–25 varieties of prepared fish, with younger women taking the lead in marketing and taking orders from a massive influx of tourists. Most popular among contemporary Koli Dishes are Bambooke Bombil, Sode Dudhi, Prawn Tikhat, Kolim Stir-fry.”
Connection with the Divine Goddess and the Sea
Kolins are very spiritual and God fearing. Ekvira Devi is the Kuladevi (family deity) of the Koli community and is worshipped for strength, courage and protection. She is depicted as a warrior goddess, often riding a tiger, holding a trident (Trishul).
While most Kolins in Mumbai pray to Mumbadevi who is regarded as a form of the Earth Mother, protecting the original inhabitants (Kolis and Agris) of the city’s seven islands which were merged and now known as Mumbai.
Speaking about her personal relationship with the divine and the sea, Kolyanchi Sunn gives a spiritual reply, “It is the sea that gives and takes it away! For the Koli community, sea is everything. It gives us everything. Sea is our livelihood. Our home. Okay. But if you see the flip part also, the sea can also take a part from it. If the sea gives us, it also takes us… Snatches it away whatever at the right time, whenever it feels like. That is destiny.
