JOIN USCustomising fun to suit Indian tastes
India is home to every culture but when it comes to pop culture America is more than welcome. Belonging to the land of burgers and coke, this culture has found its place in the hearts of Indians.
Well, at least that is what the crowds believed who turned up in good numbers to celebrate 4th of July, the American Independence Day.
Usually associated with fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games and family reunions in addition to political speeches and ceremonies celebrating the history and traditions of the country when the celebration are within US, the official celebrations by American Centre, seems customised for Indian tastes.
Comprising glimpse of American music and dance (at times infused with Punjabi too) the celebrations and festivities gave the rest of the list a miss. The venue decorated in the colours of the American flag was overflowing with the crowd which came as much to participate as witness the fun and festivity.
The show began with a raffle draw which made a few lucky visitors win bags full of books. Then the US Ambassador to India, Nancy Powell who has just taken over the reins of at the embassy welcomed everyone to the celebration.
“Seeing you all here, helping us celebrate our Independence, only serves to confirm my feeling of closeness with India and Indian people. We have a shared colonial heritage and we each had to struggle for our freedom. Our democracies are vibrant and diverse, and our relationship is thriving.”
The USP of the evening was the second dance performance choreographed by Natya Nectar Dance Company, which presented a blend of Indian classical - Kathak and Bharatanatyam along with contemporary acro yoga on western fusion music.
The acro yoga postures and Kathak swirls by Goura Prema (lead dancer) and somersaults by her male troupe members, stole maximum applause from the audience.
The performance was splendid as expected. No wonders these youngsters opened the Lady Gaga act in India!
At the end, everybody present grooved to a mix of top Hollywood and Bollywood hits played by DJ Manish from Sound of Music. The atmosphere by then went completely into party mode and the Indian audience just loved it.
Urvashi Parmar, an employee with the central government who was actually coaxed by her son to attend the celebrations was rather glad that she allowed herself to agree. “This is the first time I have witnessed 4th of July celebrations in Delhi and I liked it.”
However, for those who are used to celebrations back home, the atmosphere proved to be contrary to expectations. Megah Grand, a US national said, “When in America, we usually go out for a quiet evening, drink beer and watch fireworks in a park.
This is the first time I am not in America and I realise that 4th of July here is quite different.”