Culture
Pathare Prabhu are known for their love for cuisine, arts, religion, education and philosophy. The population of this community is today dwindling in Mumbai due to strict adherence to family planning, however a non-conservative estimate of their numbers is around 7000.
The Pathare Prabhus are a few of the oldest residents of Mumbai.
Members of Pathare Prabhus community owned places in Mumbai-India, like Fort, Palav Road (present Girgaum Road), Laini (present Princess Street), Girgaon Back Road (present V. P. Road) & Navi Wadi. Likewise places in Malad, Goregaon, Bhayendar, Kashi-Meera, Uttan, Uran, Kelve Mahim (now Mahim), Chene were also owned by them. A major part of present day Khar is still owned by the Pathare Prabhus.
When the social reforms movement started in Bombay, in the mid-nineteenth century, young literate Pathare Prabhus were part of the Paramhansa Sabha (present Prarthana Samaj). In fact, for many years its officiating person was Shri Ramchandra Balkrishna Jaykar. Some other distinguished personalities are; the founder and president of the Townhall Asiatic library (first native general library of Bombay) was Shri Raobahadur, Narayan Dinanath Velkar, Magistrate Raobahadur Nana Moroji Trilokekar (first native Magistrate), Bhujangrao Mankar (father of Marathi & Gujarati shorthand) & Gajanan Bhaskar Vaidya (first Hindu Missionary), the list continues.
The typical Pathare Prabhus nickname is 'Sokaji', meaning, one who wants to enjoy life. The true nature of their richness comes from the way they preserve and carry out their traditions. Clannish, traditional and religious, yet at the same time, preserving modern outlook.
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