GEETHA PATIL
BOSTON: A near four-hour cultural event called “East Meets West” hosted by Milan Cultural Association and Essence of India September 14 at NARA Park, Acton, Massachusetts, proved highly entertaining and enthralled hundreds of attendees.
The event was unique as it was held in collaboration with various cultural organizations from India, Peru, Columbia, and Japan. The artists presented a multicultural experience to the hundreds coming to the program with their traditional, classical, and regional performances of music and dances
“East Meets West” was created for various countries of the world to interact with the mainstream America by highlighting and celebrating their rich traditional art and culture and provide them an opportunity to explore the similarities, differences, and uniqueness of the cultures through a series of ethos of the participating countries. The aim of this event was to underline cultural harmony that in turn brings in peace, harmony, and peaceful co-existence.
Incidentally, those gathered also paid homage to late Arun Jaitley , former Indian Finance Minister who passed away August 24. He was remembered as one of the finest politicians in the country, a great human being and an excellent orator
The main program started with the lighting of lamps and performance of a vibrant dance piece, “ASHPushpanjali” a Bharatanatyam repertoire by ASHWARIA group.
Young girls from Sanjana Pulaparthi Group presented a Bollywood dance. An award was presented to Anirudha Chandramouleeswaran, a nine-year-old fourth grader for his academic excellence by Mohini Bhutani and Kaushik Patel.
Rajesh Pai’s young students presented an amazing tabla piece. A musical band, Peru Sol Del Sol, presented an upbeat percussion item to the mellow sounds of the traditional pan flutes and other wind instruments. Noori (Shruti Pradeep) showcased a Kuchipudi dance item “Alokaye Shree Bala Krishnam” on Baby Krishna’s childhood.
Another wonderful piece on the invocation of Lord Shiva, Rudrashtakam, was performed by Anagha Gogate in a Kathak dance style. Sonia Sebastian illustrated praising of Lord Krishna through her dance that combined both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi styles.
Ballet Folklorico Colombiano Bajucol, a non-profit organization, presented a brilliant Colombian Salsa dance and a beautiful folk dance.
Suchilagna Panigrahi, a well-known performer, choreographer and a teacher of Odissi dance from Connecticut presented a mesmerizing performance. A different non-profit cultural association of Peru named Pumawari Tusuy showcased lovely traditional dances, Caporales, from the region Puno and Carnaval Marqueno from the region Junin. An amazing Columbian dance, Inspiracion, was presented by Bajucol, a non-profit organization.
Asha and Alok Shetty showcased their brilliant performances called, Thillana, a pure dance piece celebrating the unity of Shiva-Shakti, and Shamvho Nattanam which depicted the power, beauty, and grace of Lord Shiva. Both dances were choreographed by Kalaimamani Rama Vaidyanathan.
Students from Mona’s Dance Academy presented a Kathak dance piece on Krishna Raas Lila. Riya Singh was recognized with RISE Award for her contribution to sports by the Rajput Association of North America (RANA). She is ranked No 1 in New England for tennis. Sweta and her team presented an excellent Bhangra dance to the audiences.
A gifted family from Peru showed their talents by playing music, dancing, and singing, “The Huayno Valicha”, an emblematic Peruvian song, Festejo Cantando te Conocí with Afro-Peruvian music, and Marinera, a coastal dance. Michiko Kurata performed a traditional Japanese dance with her graceful moves and also conducted a short workshop of Japanese Ancestral Worship dance.
In their closing remarks, Suresh Sharma from Milan and Seema Kapoor from Essence of India thanked all the co-sponsors and supporters of the program. Including Oversees Friends of BJP Boston Chapter, Boston Sargam, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) and Rajput Association of North America.
