Dinesh Kamath's news 'Yakshagana at Lion’s Cultural Evening' that was published in Newsband

Yakshagana at Lion’s Cultural Evening

By Dinesh Kamath (As shared by Veena Adige)

NAVI MUMBAI: A grand program organised by Lion Savitha Nayak was held at Marathi Sahitya Mandal on Friday. Yakshagana, the folk dance of Karnataka, became a glamourous event during the cultural evening organized by the Lions Club International District 323 A2 on Friday evening. Sahana Bharadwaj and her four young pupils of Sahana Institute of Performing Arts presented the dance in perfect rhythm and coordination. Their dresses, jewellery and hairstyles were well researched and reproduced perfectly as per the traditional ones. The houseful audience was spellbound by the unique and superb rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ which was specially choreographed by Sahana herself who also danced as the main lead.

Earlier, the cultural event started with young children, lionesses from Ghatkopar, NRI and other chapters performing special dances relating to Sankranti, Lohri and Pongal. Punjabi dances rubbed shoulders with pahadi dances, and a svelte lioness performed ‘apsara aali’ a popular lavni with ease and practice. There was even a sixty plus grandmother who took the stage by storm by her performance. Senior Lions and others graced the occasion and rose to the occasion by giving crisp speeches and distributing prizes and mementoes to the performers. Senior lion Mrs Parwana made the audience tap their feet and bring their hands together to cheer her by her beautiful lohri song.

Lion Savitha H Joshi, MJF in charge of the Cultural and Community Services had organised drawing competitions in various schools and the children joyfully accepted the prizes and presented their entries on the stage. She organized and coordinated the whole programme ably supported by her behind-the-scenes team.

People from all walks of life came from Vashi, Airoli, Thane, Ghatkopar and other places specially for the programme. ‘I am overwhelmbed by the response,’ confessed Savitha Nayak.

‘Grand program’ said Savitha Joshy and her friends who had specially come for the program. Several prominent people had graced the occasion.