Drenched in the deep glow of red and amber, Mumbai’s Mukesh Mills came alive on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with the spirit of Mexico. Projections of Calavera Catrinas (skeleton-inspired figures that symbolize death with dignity and whimsy) danced across the walls, mariachi horns blared with festive flair, candles lit every pathway with a flickering warmth, and the scent of marigolds hung thick in the air. For one surreal night, one of the city’s most storied ruins became a living altar to music and memory, as Don Julio Non Alcoholic Beverages brought the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, to Mumbai.
A celebration of the idea that life and death are deeply intertwined, Día de los Muertos, in Mexican culture, is about remembering those beyond our realm with joy. It’s the one night a year when the departed are believed to return, drawn home by the glow of candles, the pull of familiar music, and trails of cempasúchil or marigold, whose scent guides them back. Every element of the evening carried that intention forward, from the costumes to the sonic curation to the Ofrenda-style altars — traditional offerings decorated with candles, flowers, and photos to honor loved ones who’ve passed.
One of the highlights of the evening was a trio of installations by renowned Mexican artist Lourdes Villagómez, whose work captures the pulse of her country through geometric patterns and vibrant symbolism. Each piece reimagined an enduring icon of the festival as a visual bridge between Mumbai and Mexico. The Catrina stood beneath a marigold arch, her form inspired by the monarch butterfly, a symbol representing the returning souls of ancestors who come back each year. Another, modeled after Diego Rivera’s mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central,” reimagined José Guadalupe Posada’s original La Catrina with Rivera’s signature hat and agave leaves — a nod to the sacred plant that births tequila. The third, titled The Musician, depicted a figure mid-song, guitar in hand, dressed in traditional attire, reminding guests how music is the thread that binds the living and the departed.
In keeping with that spirit, Don Julio Non Alcoholic Beverages brought down Stephan Bodzin, the German melodic techno legend whose work often explores the space between existence and infinity. His set unfolded like a séance of sound, the Melody Man turning the dancefloor into a liminal space between the living and the departed. Dropping signature tracks like “Singularity” and “Healing,” Bodzin hit that sharp balance of melancholy and transcendence, with synth lines that trembled and soared in equal measure. Known for sculpting loops, twisting knobs, and shaping his sound on the fly, his set tugged at something primal, inviting the crowd to reflect, release, and revel together. Surrounded by a holographic skull that shimmered with every bassline and 3D Calavera Catrinas drifting ghost-like above the decks, the setting itself felt otherworldly.
By the time the closing DJ, Bullzeye, took over the booth and belted out his frenetic brand of techno, he kept pace with the explosive energy Stephan had already set in motion, pushing the crowd deeper into that collective high.
For all its scale and spectacle, the night felt like a deeply human celebration that was as luxurious as it was grounded, honoring the essence of Día de los Muertos as equal parts ritual and rave.
This story is a paid partnership with Don Julio Non Alcoholic Beverages.
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