JOIN USThe Overseas Women Club (OWC) recently organised an ‘India Night’ at the Leela Palace. The evening was a good blend of music, dance, partying, and most importantly, charity.
The expats who were attired in Indian outfits presented quite a picture and the lively music and folk dance added to the atmosphere. There was also a silent auction, in which around 34 items were put up for bidding. This included holiday packages, jewellery and clothes, among other things.
Lisa Bohner, from the USA, said, “I decided to join this club because I wanted to do something for Bangalore and for India. Today, in the auction, I am bidding for a three-day holiday package.
I want to go to a resort and have a good time with my husband. There is some traditional jewellery up for auction this evening, which I would like to buy. Indians give a lot of importance to jewellery — rightly so, as much of it is so beautiful. I have been in Bangalore for two years now and I find the City very cosmopolitan; it also has good weather. And most importantly, I have joined cooking classes to learn Indian dishes as my husband loves them.”
The evening was a great platform for the expatriates to meet people of their own community. Jens Cattarius, an American who came dressed in a classic sherwani, said,
“I love Indian dresses — they look so beautiful and they are very comfortable. I have been in Bangalore for 15 months now, and find this platform to be a great way to get
introduced to people in our community. Initially, when I had come, I had difficulties settling down in Bangalore. Other expatriates helped me a great deal. I think, soon, there should be an ‘Overseas Men’s Club’ like this!”
Yakshagana, a traditional Karnataka folk dance, was performed by a group of artistes. Tapping his foot to the rhythm, Christian Schoenherr, from Germany, said, “I love Indian music and folk culture — it is so vibrant, diverse and joyful. I want to explore more Indian literature. I must say that Bangaloreans’ methodology, analytical and IT skills are brilliant.
I am getting to learn a lot here.”