he Essence of India event, now in its third year, concluded on an exuberant note at NARA Park in Acton on Saturday, August 16th.  Over 2,000 people of various ethnicities attended and participated on this glorious afternoon.  The sarangi artist Michael Dwan Singh later commented, “I have to say...the dance performances were some of the finer and best-organized I've seen to date.”

The event organizers Sunanda Sahay and Seema Kapoor set very high standards from the very start.  Their vision was to build a platform that would bring together local and immigrant communities of all stripes in a joyous outdoor setting where they would discover the Timeless Arts and Vibrant Cultures of world civilizations.  Cultural Councils of several neighboring towns, including those of Acton-Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Littleton and Westford pitched in financial support.  Strong emphasis was placed on maintaining purity of classical performing arts and folk traditions, and on highlighting the elements of surprise and discovery, so that the events offered both fun and education.

The program consisted of three separate strands – dance and music performances on the stage, a pavilion of states showcasing unique aspects of various provinces of India, and a set of activity booths for children and adults.  Food, jewelry, clothes, henna, and educational booths completed the charming lineup of nearly 40 different groups of vendors and volunteers.  Several families worked hard to assemble historical, folk and cultural artifacts from different provinces of India including West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Gujrat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.  Drs. Nidhi Lal and Kavitha Gazula set up a free health clinic while Gopika Narula and Padma Balaji indulged boys and girls with creative crafts.  Other repeat volunteers included Sandhya Gupta with her spice booth and the Young Einstein Science Club that exhibited detailed charts on ancient Indian medicine, Ayurveda and Yoga.

The core theme of the performances was Indian Classical Dances.  The two emcees Suman Adiseshu and Soumya Raghunath, themselves classical dance teachers and performers, did an exceptional job explaining the arts and introducing the artists.  The program started with invocation from the venerated music teacher Tara Anand and her disciple Sahana Srinivasan.  Thereafter, young performers Pranav Ghatraju and Tarun Bangalore presented a mesmerizing duel on percussion instruments.  Janani Swamy, Sowparnika School and Triveni School teams presented different dance styles with exquisite grace.  Komal Prakash presented the Mayur Painting Dance – a highly skilled performance in which the dancer paints the shape of a peacock with her feet as she dances on a blank white sheet.

Dancers presented creative fusion of different classical styles.  Urmi Samdar, Kirthana Bhat and Manita Bhat presented an energetic medley of Kathak, Odissi and Bharatnatyam.  Young children from the Upasana School showed exquisite grace as they danced to the rhythms of instrumental music.  Aakriti School dancers interpreted a Yoga/Dance fusion that was both lyrical and ebullient.  And Jeyanthi Ghatraju and Shamoyita Mukerhjee, dancing in Bharatnatyam and Odissi styles respectively, presented a riveting performance of Shiv Tandava Nritya that was palpably supple yet overpowering.

The program also featured an Indian string instrument that is an increasingly rare sight.  Though Sarangi has been played both as solo classical instrument and to accompany to vocal music, musicians are increasingly choosing instruments that are less demanding.  Hence, it was a treat to listen to Gurpreet Singh and Michael Dwan Singh.  The program concluded with folks dances by the young girls of Aangikam School, and a sinuous and flowing Bihu dance by the ladies of Assam led by Rupa Sarma.

As the evening descended on the overflowing crowd, the organizers were asked about their future plans.  Seema responded, “This event has grown beyond us and now belongs to the community, so the show must go on.”  Sunanda added with a mischievous smile, “Each year we add a new dimension to the program.  Next year you’ll see performers from other countries but I can’t break that surprise now.”

Can’t wait to see what plans Seema and Sunanda have up their sleeves!