By Parveen Chopra
New York, Sep 25 (IANS) Spoilt for choice, New Yorkers are getting their fill of India’s culture, fashion and food at multiple city venues thanks to the Incredible India@60 festival.
Bryant Park in the heart of Manhattan is now a convenient arena to begin experiencing India.
It’s Monday, day two of the five-day event. The programme opens with a performance by Langa and Maniar folk singers from Rajasthan at noon. Among the 200 onlookers were Kamraj and Jayanti, a young couple from Puducherry, who happen to just walk in.
“We were shopping nearby and noticed this programme. It makes us feel proud of being Indian.”
Up next is a Goan singer, whose number is accompanied by a fishermen’s dance.
The crowd has increased considerably by now – an equal number of Indians and others.
Suddenly, a cheer breaks out as the news flashes that India has beaten Pakistan to win the Twenty20 Cricket world championship in South Africa.
“Let us celebrate with Bollywood Live,” says the compere and introduces well-known Mumbai choreographer Saroj Khan.
“This is the first time Bollywood dancing is part of a major India festival abroad,” Saroj Khan tells IANS proudly.
But why is Bollywood dancing becoming popular?
“Because of the energy. Our costumes and sets are also appealing. Many people wish they could step into the dancers’ shoes. So they too want to learn this dance style,” she replies.
Her troupe of dancers wear flashy costumes and dance to a mix of new and not so new Bollywood songs – the rocking “Bidi”, the soft “Piya Bole” and the old favourite, “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala”.
A fitting finale is provided by the title track of “Chak De! India”, performed to the waving of national flags.
Some Indian girls who know the popular lyrics sing along.
“Bollywood’s appeal is music, dance and costumes; I love it,” says Sherry, an Indian-origin salesperson from Guyana.
Barbara, a textile designer of Italian parentage, says she likes Bollywood dancing because “it is lively, romantic, expressive and gives you joy”.
Bollywood Live is followed by a much gentler Yakshagana and you expect the crowd to thin out, but it does not.
“New Yorkers are more fascinated by the Indian folk forms which they have never been exposed to. Bollywood is more familiar,” explains the compere, who goes by the name Geeta Citygirl and is in show business.
She also tells you that the previous evening’s fusion music by Sivamani on drums was a hit.
And the fashion shows? “The shows by Ritu Kumar and Raghavendra Rathore were appreciated because of fusion of Indian and western styles.”
In between the performances, people check out the dozen stalls set up for display and demonstration of Indian handlooms and crafts with evocative names such as meenakari, patachitra and tarakashi. They are manned by National Award winning craftspersons.
Laxmi Narain Soni is from Bikaner. His expertise is engraving and enamel work on gold, silver and glass.
“Children and adults alike are excited to see my one square inch chessboard and animals in silver so small you need a magnifying glass to identify them,” Soni says.
Iqbal Ahmed’s specialisation is marble inlay work. “President Bill Clinton liked my work so much he made me accompany him during his visit to the Taj Mahal in 1999,” says the Agra based artisan.
The music and dance mix at Bryant Park is also available at South Street Seaport at the southernmost tip of Manhattan till Sep 26. An added attraction there is a taste of India’s culinary traditions.
Indian classical dances get an airing at the Lincoln Centre.