Celebrate Bandra

In addition to local journals and newspapers , now-a-days local cultural festivals too, are becoming a regular feature in India. I have read about the Mylapore fest centered in and around Kapaleeswarar temple, bringing out the culture and tradition of Mylaporites. I have yet to attend that festival, but being a Bandraite, I have been enjoying "Celebrate Bandra" , a biennial fest organised by Bandraites. This year, it has attracted good sponsors and what I find interesting is the location and the wide variety of programs one gets to attend. The venue, close to our residence, is Reclamation Promenade. A stage is set close to the seaside promenade and in the evenings, now with the added glitter of the sealink, the setting is really ideal for one to sit back and enjoy good music or a dance program, free of cost.

It's nice that a predominantly Anglo-Indian community is exposed to Carnatic and Hindustani music along with rock and pop music. It was pleasant to hear Thygaraja krithis and Papanasam Sivan songs in a dance recital. Programs involving common people, like the Antakshari and Karaoke singing too, are part of the agenda. The maximum crowd is for the dance competition involving local groups.

I feel such localised cultural fests are a good way to get to know all types of art and music forms for people, who cannot afford to pay exorbitant rates that the sabhas charge, to attend such programs. Attending such programs with neighbours and friends is like a get together at a common place in our area and that makes it all the more interesting. So hats off to "Celebrate Bandra" fest and all other such local fests!