HELLO! India Exclusive: Mahjong mania taking over Mumbai

Goodbye, kitty parties. Hello, mahjong! We spent an afternoon with five women who are multitasking between 21st-century parenting, ventures, in-laws and spouses, and still finding the bandwidth to vanish into this tiled universe. Clearly, this is a nouveau addiction sweeping over India and the world! Netflix dramas like Crazy Rich Asians project the elegance with which Oriental women play the game, especially during festivities. Harking back to 19th-century China’s Qing dynasty, mahjong rose to a fad in the post-WWI 1920s, after Joseph P. Babcock popularised it. The game also has a standardised American version developed in 1937 by the National Mah Jongg League. So in the 2020s, we’re looking at a century-old craze!

If you aren’t intrigued yet, read on as a host of our women-about-town from Mumbai get together to play, match strategic powers, and talk about the most uplifting hours of their busy weeks.

RICHA BEGANI

WHO: Born to Ravi and Neelam Kohli, Richa is a fashion and lifestyle influencer, and a fourth-generation Kuwait girl, whose father has a history with corporate gifting and running restaurants. Richa’s husband, Rohan Begani, founded Begani Jewels when he joined the family business (Diatex International) in 2008.

THE MAHJONG TAKEOVER: “I was very interested to learn something new. So, last November, I got together with some friends… We got a teacher on board, and there was no looking back. There are days where hours just go by playing. We don’t look at our phones; we don’t stress about telling the staff what to cook! We play two to three times a week. In fact, I hosted a Diwali mahjong just for our core 12 girls. And we play with money!”

A CAREER WOMAN: “I’m a fashion and lifestyle influencer. I had started as a mom-fluencer, which was amazing during the pandemic. But my kids grew shy as they started getting older… I love combining luxury with street style, but I’m not competitive and am happier prioritising my kids. I also help my husband out with Begani Jewels — I’m like his muse! I call for new jewels for every party, be it a necklace, rings or earrings.”

MEET CUTE: “During my internship with Wizcraft in Mumbai, I met Rohan through a common friend. We just started chatting. I was 21, he was `23. It was every bit a love marriage. My parents were like, ‘You live in Kuwait. How will this relationship work?’ This December, we will complete 16 years of our marriage!”

GEN-NEXT: “I have a 14 -year-old son, Arsh, and a nine-year-old daughter, Aira. I have so many friends older than me with babies and toddlers. I tell them this is the best time to leave their children with nannies, and for the parents to do their thing! It’s when the kids are over nine that they want you around as a sounding board and mentor.”

NIHARIKA MIGLANI

WHO: Born to a family originally from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Niharika’s parents, Surendra and Kavita Garg, were shipbreakers. They moved to Mumbai, where Niharika was born and raised. Married to Parikshit Praveen Miglani, Managing Director of the family-owned Uttam Food Infrastructure, which operates one of the largest contract manufacturing units of biscuits and flour in India.

THE MAHJONG TAKEOVER: “We started playing as four moms who met at our children’s school. We were just out of the pandemic and longing for a deeper connection. We decided to play while the kids were in school. We even looked for a mahjong teacher. I got my table made by a carpenter, since the tools of the game were unavailable in India… We found this American online store, where you find jewellery, purses, bag charms, all inspired by mahjong. It’s a cult!”

OTHER PASSIONS: “I’ve also taken to paddle. Remember how our parents met friends through kitty parties and rummy groups? These are modern ways for friends to get together. Mom has been judging me for the longest time, but now she says, ‘Can you teach me mahjong?’ I had to tell her it costs some Rs 20,000 to learn this!

GEN-NEXT: “I have twin boys, Rudransh and Riyaardh. They are 11 years old, studying at The Cathedral and John Connon School… Life is a balancing act. I really respect the women who can work, run a home, be supermoms, reach paddle appointments, and in time for mahjong…”

PRIUM SETH

WHO: Prium is the daughter of Saroj and Bharat Shah, who own B. Arvindkumar Diamonds and Adara Jewels. She worked at these businesses to gain some understanding of design and later pivoted to leading accounts at Avinya Group Real Estate, her husband Shrenik Seth’s firm. Prium now runs her own passion project, Mojo Mahjong.

THE MAHJONG TAKEOVER: “I have been playing mahjong for the past two years, and it suddenly seems to have taken over! Mahjong groups are everywhere, but you tend to be happier in your core group. We get together to play about once or twice a week. For Diwali, there was a school mahjong group. Remember when we had 60-odd people in one group, all playing Sudoku? This is that sort of blazing trend.”

OTHER PASSIONS: “I love reading and am part of a book club. It’s very refreshing to meet people of the same interests, sharing ideas and learning.”

MEET CUTE: “Shrenik and I had an arranged marriage. Initially, we resisted the marriage, but later we realised how well we worked together and how our values and ideas resonated.”

GEN-NEXT: “We have two kids — Maahir, who is eight-and-a-half, and Araaya, who is five. We play in the mornings, and I like to be home when they return at 2.30pm. I get an hour or two with them before they head out for their classes. Then we hang out at dinner and bedtime.”

MONETISING MAHJONG: “Given that mahjong stores are all online, I thought of bridging this gap. My brand, Mojo Mahjong, has proved to be a value-add — we create the tiles and also personalise them. So far, we’ve made a jade collection, and even a mother-of-pearl line. The choice of designs and colours is yours!

NIHARIKA AGARWAL

WHO: The daughter of Rajesh and Minu K apoor, Niharika handles merchandising and design for her father’s export house, Stello, and also founded her own kidswear brand, Aabacus. She’s married to Karan Agarwal, son of Rita and Sanjay Agarwal, who run luxury travel company, Eastquest.

THE MAHJONG TAKEOVER: “Mahjong started as something that everyone was into, but it’s become an integral part of my week. I end up playing at least thrice a week, two hours at a stretch. It’s the only thing I do for myself, so it is guilt-free, stress-free, gossip-free. I think the game has a lot of strategy, where noticing is your main strategy.”

OTHER PASSIONS: “Aabacus, my festive wear brand for kids, is my dream project. My son Ayaan inspired it some nine years ago. My children found fancy Indianwear uncomfortable, so I created a counter-brand. I’m involved at every stage, from the designing to the production. We sell offline, mostly at popular pop-ups, and also on an e-portal. We cater to newborns right up to age 16. And yes, my babies are always my guinea pigs!”

GEN-NEXT: “I’m a mother of two. My son Ayaan is 13 and Aanya is eight… My day starts early with a workout, and then I’m in office by 9.30am. I’m home by 3pm. I spend 30 to 40 minutes with the kids before they head out for their activities. Then I play mahjong!”

RADHIKA MITTAL

WHO: Radhika’s father Sudhir Khaitan founded Mahalaxmi Saws, while her mother Rashmi runs a silver business, Chrysanthemum. She’s married to Prateek Mittal — son of Shalini and Anil Mittal — who helms Cremeitalia Cheese and also works with Mittal Builders, the family business.

THE MAHJONG TAKEOVER: “Since I balance so many things, I don’t end up playing more than once a week, from 4 to 6pm. So I work half a day and meet the girls after. When it comes to gambling in general, my husband and I love to hit the casinos when we travel, be it in Singapore, Macau, or even the Bahamas!”

OTHER PASSIONS: “I used to have a company called WorkshopQ, where we made art installations out of waste and scrap. We had done a lot of work for Starbucks, Bisleri, etc. I wanted to explore designing interiors after I decorated my own home. My husband encouraged me, and I’m soon going to launch my own line of furniture. I also have a deep affection for animals, and do what I can to donate and volunteer to help strays. I’ve had pets all my life.”

MEET CUTE: “My husband and I met through the typical arranged marriage system. My uncle knew my father-in-law and got the meeting arranged!”

GEN-NEXT: “Ahana is eight, and Aryan is four.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN MARTIS

CREATIVE DIRECTION: AVANTIKKA KILACHAND

RAJU STYLING: ANUSHREE SARDESAI

HAIR & MAKEUP: KAUSER LATIF

DÉCOR & FLORALS: THE BOTANIST’S STORY BY POOJA CHAUHAN

JEWELLERY COURTESY: BEGANI JEWELS

MAHJONG SETS: MOJO MAHJONG

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 5 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.