Vile Parle

Vile Parle (Marathi:विलेपार्ले), also known as "Parle" or "Parla", is a suburb of Mumbai. Vile Parle is also the name of the railway station in this suburb, on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway (India) railway line.

Geography

Vile Parle is divided into two parts: Vile Parle (East) and Vile Parle (West) separated by the western railway line. The east-west boundaries of Vile Parle are from Juhu (West) to Sahar, Andheri (East).

History

The name 'Vile Parle' is derived from the names of small villages that included "Idlai - Padlai". Around 1897, some of the rich businessmen came down to the Western Suburbs and bought real estate on a large scale. Some middle class families and government officers also came to Vile Parle to settle down. The railway station was built in 1906 or 1907.

A wealthy businessman, Gokuldas Tejpal, bought a huge piece of land near railway station (east) and built a palatial bungalow called "Mor Bangla" in 1904. Many Maharashtrian families bought land and constructed bungalows and chawls in Vile Parle (E). Dr. Dada Kambli started a charitable trust. He also built small shops alongside the railway line.

The Paranjape family started a silver trading business. Shri Baburao Paranjape, the main founder of cooperative housing societies in Vile Parle, began a construction business as well. He recognized the housing needs of middle class small families and helped them settle down in Vile Parle by making small flats available in affordable prices. Paranjape also built the famous Parleshwar Mandir.

In 1921, Parle Tilak Vidyalaya was founded as a tribute to the late Shri Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1924, Lokmanya Seva Sangh (Tilak Mandir) came into existence. Both of these institutions have greatly contributed to the education of a younger generation of Vile Parle residents to make them the responsible citizens of this country, by founding Parle College (now called as Sathye College) in 1959 as well as M.L. Dahanukar College of Commerce, Mulund College of Commerce and Dahanukar Institute of Management. Instruction is available in Marathi and English.

In 1928 Vile Parle Flying Club was founded in Juhu area and in 1932 late Shri J. R. D. Tata landed his 'Pussmoth' plane at the Juhu Airport. Vile Parle has several social and business houses known internationally, such as Parle Biscuit Factory and the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON).

Up to the 1970s, the area around Vile Parle used to be mostly rice fields with bunds built around them for people to walk. During the monsoon season, the area became waterlogged and snakes appeared due to the flooding. Starting in the late 70's the area was transformed as the real estate boom pushed northward of Mumbai. At that time the area consisted of just a few hamlets, and the population was mostly Maharashtrian. After the transformation, Gujarati and Marwari communities settled in the area. The area was later patronised by the film community, including many Marathi thespians, as it was near Juhu.

Entertainment

The cultural activities in Vile Parle started around 1927 when some of the artists founded 'Natyapremi Mandal' performing Marathi historical and social dramas on stage. Vile Parle has three famous drama theaters - Deenanath Natyagruha, Bhaidas Hall and Prithvi Theatre for Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati plays to perform.
*Sun City Multiplex, Vile Parle(E)
*Chandan-Movie Theatre,Vile Parle(W)
*PVR Multiplex, Vile Parle (W)

People

Vile Parle has produced some of the eminent personalities like late Shri P.L. Deshpande, Vijay Tendulkar, Vasant Sarwate, Vikram Gokhale, and late Shree Datta Bhat, late Shree Satish Dubhashi among many others. Noted actors from the Hindi Film industry like Paresh Rawal and Sachin Khedekar are born and brought up in Vile Parle (East).Many of the prominent personalities of the Indian film industry like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra live in the Juhu area in Vile Parle (West). Noted Marathi actors like Vikram Gokhale, Pradeep Welankar etc. also reside in Vile Parle (East). Vile Parle is supposed to be 'Sankritik Hub' of the suburbs.It also has its share to fields of education, culture and sports. Late Mr N R Sahstrabudde, Principal of Parle Tilak Vidyalaya, Late Mr Madhavrao Gadkari, editor of Loksatta have made Vile Parle a well known place. Captain Makarand Ghanekar and Captain Vinayak Gore have made the supreme sacrifice for our great country. These brave young men have made Vile Parle proud.

Airports

Chatrapati Shivaji Domestic Airport, Mumbai's domestic airport is in Vile Parle (East). The Juhu aerodrome is in the western part of Vile Parle. It was the first airport to be built in India. It witnessed JRD Tata become the first Indian to fly a plane from Karachi to Mumbai via Ahmedabad in October 1932. After the Santacruz Airport was built, this airport stopped handling planes. However it still serves as a flying club and a helipad. To Vile Parle's east lies the Sahar International Airport, the international terminals 2A and 2C.

Business

One of the leading Indian brands of confectionery and biscuits, "Parle Biscuits" was started in Vile Parle. There is still a factory in Vile Parle East and it is commonly known as Parle Biscuit Factory.Vile Parle also houses the Garware platics factory on its outskirts.

Cultural activities

Vile Parle is a hub of cultural activities throughout the year. Dinanath Mangeshkar sabhagrugha, one of the oldest and prestigious auditoriums in Mumbai, showcases Marathi theater and music programs. Institutions like Lokmanya Seva Sangh, Nadkari Sabhagruha and Parle Tilak Vidyalaya have been assisting programs since 1922. Activities include Majestic Gappa (a forum where prominent personalities from all fields are open-interviewed) , Bal-Jallosh (cultural activities for children), matrimonials, counselling for parents and students and many more.

Vile Parle is also known for its numerous educational institutes. Utpal Shanghvi School, Jamnabai Narsee school and Chatrabhuj Narsee memorial school being the most reputed of the institutions. The St. Xavier's High School is a reputed school in Vile Parle West and provides the best education to its students through its finest faculty. The St. Xavier's High School Church is supposed to have its historic importance. The reputed schools in Vile Parle East include Parle Tilak Vidyalaya English Medium School, Parle Tilak Vidyalaya Marathi Medium School, Lion's Juhu High School and Madhavrao Bhagwat High School.Other Institutes in Vile Parle.1. Mithibai College.2. NMIMS3. DJ Sanghvi College of Engg4. DJ Sanghvi College of Homeopathy5. Maneckji Cooper School

Major Hospitals1. Cooper Hospital2. Nanvati Hospotal3. Arogyanidhi

Postal codes for Vile Parle are 400057 for east and 400056 for west.

There is a huge slum area called Nehru Nagar in JVPD Scheme. There is a famous temple "Sanyas Ashram" in Vile Parle West where many famous movies have been filmed.
* [http://www.parleonline.com/ Parle Online]
* [http://www.myvileparle.com MyVileParle.com]

* Parle Tilak Vidyalaya English Medium School
* Jamnabai Narsee School
* Mithibai College
* Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics
* Parle Tilak Vidyalaya
* Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering - SVKM college in Mumbai
* Narsee Monjee Institute of Management and Higher Studies - NMIMS Deemed University