Bringing Don Julio Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages’ Day of the Dead event to life, Mumbai style

Mumbai doesn't really do understated celebrations. Give us a reason to get dressed up, a good playlist, some flowers, and a room full of people, and we'll find a way to turn it into an occasion. Mexico, as it turns out, might just be our kind of place.

Beyond the tacos and mariachi music, Mexican culture has a tradition that makes an interesting case for celebrating life: Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, it’s a centuries-old tradition dedicated to remembering loved ones who have passed away. But forget everything you associate with a conventional memorial. This one involves elaborate altars, delicious food, a parade, candles, music, and an extraordinary amount of colour.

The idea is simple, yet beautiful. Death isn't seen as the end of a relationship. Instead, it's believed that loved ones return for a brief visit during the celebrations, and families make sure they have a warm welcome waiting. Bright orange and yellow marigolds, known as cempasúchil, are placed along pathways to guide spirits home. Monarch butterflies, which migrate to Mexico around this time of year, are also associated with the souls of the departed. And the altars, or ofrendas, are filled with personal objects and items their loved ones enjoyed in life. This entire experience was brought to life at the Don Julio Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages’ Day of the Dead gathering.

It's a tradition that makes remembering someone feel less like looking backward and more like keeping them part of the present. A little food, a little music, a ton of flowers, and a whole lot of love. Not such a foreign concept to us, is it?

And that's exactly what made "Mexico Meets Mumbai," hosted by Don Julio Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages, feel like such a natural cultural crossover. For one evening, the spirit of Día de los Muertos found a home at Mukesh Mills, bringing together two cultures that know a thing or two about making a celebration count.

If you've ever walked into a Mumbai celebration and thought, "Well, someone's gone all out," you'll understand the mood at Mukesh Mills that evening. The industrial space was transformed with a sweeping bridge dressed in bright marigolds, larger-than-life projections, and specially crafted Don Julio Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages serves.

The marigolds, as it turns out, weren't just there for the aesthetic. In Mexican tradition, they're believed to guide spirits back to their families, making them one of the most recognizable symbols of Día de los Muertos. The monarch butterflies had their own moment, fluttering their way into the venue's immersive visual experiences. Seeing these elements take over the space was a reminder that the details behind a celebration can carry stories that go well beyond aesthetics. Speaking of aesthetics, Mumbai brought its own style interpretation to the evening.

The brief was hints of black and red, and the guests clearly weren't planning on playing it safe. Think dramatic silhouettes, structured black corsets, statement red florals, bold accessories, and outfits that sat somewhere between dark romance and full-blown theatrical glamour. It was less about turning up in a costume and more about taking the theme and making it your own.

The countlessly dramatic details made this event truly unforgettable. A dramatic floral accessory here, a striking silhouette there, and enough inspiration to fill a few party-season moodboards. A face-painting station brought in another recognizable element of the Mexican celebration, featuring calavera (skull) motifs inspired by the iconic painted faces of Día de los Muertos.

Meanwhile, a mariachi band set the mood before a live parade made its way through the crowd. And when the evening needed a change of pace, Satori took over the decks. Because while cultural traditions deserve their moment of appreciation, nobody said you couldn't dance the night away afterward.

What made the evening interesting was the story behind all the spectacle. Día de los Muertos is a tradition that finds joy in remembrance, turning something as universal as missing someone into an occasion for people to come together. It's a reminder that the best celebrations aren't always about what's happening in the room, but about what brings everyone there in the first place.

And that's where the Mexico-Mumbai connection makes the most sense. We might have different rituals, music, and different ways of setting the table, but the instinct to celebrate the people, memories, and moments that matter is pretty universal.

For one evening, Don Julio Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages brought a little of that Mexican spirit to Mumbai. And if there's one thing the city took away from it, it's that sometimes, the best way to remember life is to celebrate it a little louder.