JOIN USStars descend on the City
In the evenings, all roads in the City are leading to Basavanagudi where the Utsava is being held.
Year after year, the Utsava has been garnering popularity and drawing in crowds. This time, the fest took off in a grand manner with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda inaugurating it by offering puja to the majestic Ganesha idol installed by Sri Vidyaranya Yuvaka Sangha at the APS Grounds.
Usha Uthup performed with great energy on the opening day of the festival to a packed audience. She rendered her evergreen songs like Dum Maro Dum, Ramba Ho, Koi Yahaan Nache Nache and the most recent hit ‘Daarling’ from 7 Khoon Maaf. She also tried some Kannada hits like Huttidare Kannada Naadal, Yaare Koogadali, Maama, Akka Alla and the folk fusion Yavva Yavva Na Henge Balale.
After that, Raghu Dixit enthralled the audience with his unique folk fusion songs like Ninna Poojege Bande and Neene Beku. Mano Murthy and Rajesh Krishnan made the second day’s festivities much more appealing to the audience with their soulful music. Rajesh Krishnan also sang his all-time favourite Nooru Janmakoo from America America and ‘Let’s Dance’ from Ee Bandhana.
Popular singers Chetan, Hemant, Nandita, Chaithra and Ananya also crooned songs amidst huge cheers. On the third day of the ‘Utsava, which was Sunday, one witnessed a whole lot of colourful events at the National College Grounds, Basavanagudi with Kareena Kapoor and Govinda dancing all the way into the hearts of their fans. The day began with the performance of Shaan.The 39-year-old singer once again proved that he is a favourite with Bangaloreans.
He sang Behti Hawa Sa Tha, Jab Se Tera Naina, Chand Sifarish, and moved on to fast tracks like ‘It’s A Time To Disco’, ‘Where’s The Party Tonight’. He also offered some Kannada songs like Eno Onthara and Kudi Notave. June Banerjee gave him able support by presenting some memorable songs.
‘Comedy King’ Govinda, too didn’t disappoint his fans and shook his legs for ‘Do You Wanna Partner’, Haseena Maan Jayegi and Kissi Disco Me Jaye. People loved his new avatar and kept cheering him.
Clad in a black suit, Govinda was at his best. Meanwhile, to catch a glimpse of Kareena, the crowd waited for nearly four hours. Their patience paid off as Kareena had come with some brilliant dance pieces to entertain them. She looked stunning in a white lehenga and set the stage on fire with her hits Zoobi Doobi and Mar Jaani Mar Jaani.
“She is more gorgeous in real life than she is on screen. The ease with which she dances is really amazing. I am thankful to Sri Vidyaranya Yuvaka Sangha for arranging such a grand festival,” says Vidya Manvithe, a member of the audience. Pavithra Rishta fame actors Sushant and Ankita also danced to some popular numbers. The Bengaluru Ganesha Utsava will be on till September 11 at APS College Grounds.