The smell of fresh fried pakodas and sounds of merriment greeted me when I walked into the Bedford hall where BANA( Bihar association of North America) had gathered to celebrate that exhuberant of festivals, ‘Holi’. I spotted Pushpa Srivatsava, the current president of BANA bustling about greeting everybody and getting ready to start the cultural program. Warm greetings and cheer filled the air as everyone got ready for the show to begin.

Sadhana Upadhya stated the program with a delightful Bhajan and the MC for the evening Dr. B.N Srivatsava welcomed everyone to the event.

A hilarious skit ‘ Jhumri Tilaiya Shikhar Warta’ regaled the audience and kept us all in splits. The cast was superb and the acting skills commendable, as each and every line was met with loud chuckles and applause. Sadhana Upadhya as Satto, the fiery Punjabin and Pushpa Srivatsav as Lalloo who lusts after Satto were great as were Ranjani Saigal as Dhamal and Raksha Soni as Nooruddin. Appreciative claps filled the air when Dhamal chased the poor hapless old Nooruddin with her impressive Bharathanatyam steps.

The skit was penned by the talented 'Jumritilaiya Mahila Samaj' comprising the team of Pushpa Srivatsava, Ranjani Saigal, Raksha Soni and Sadhana Upadhaya. The group performs one play each year and this is their fifth successful play.Under the inspirational leadership of Pushpa Shrivastav, this group tries to present some difficult issues in a lighter vein.

Ratna Singh and Prakash Jha, both talented impromptu stand up comedians, kept the program lively with their jokes and mimicry as the stage was set for a dances by Shruti Shyam, Sharda Gupta and Arti Karna. ‘Nimuda Nimuda’, a favorite song with this reviewer , was danced to with great grace and charm by Arti Karna. Uttam’s break dance was met with much applause as was a solo song by Pushpa Karna and a Bhojpuri somg by Pushpa Karna and Pushpa Srivatsava. Sri Raman and his group transported everyone to the homeland with their rendering of the traditional Bihari Holi song, Fagua. The very popular Bihari Holi dance called Tarara was presented by Prakash Jha and his group.

This reviewer had to leave, reluctantly albeit, early, owing to pressing family obligations but the food,according to reports was delicious as always. The Pulao, Puri Chole, Bhujia, aaloo Parwal , Dahi bara, Kheer and Carrot Halwa, got great reviews from those who partook of the feast. The event started at 4 pm and the revelries went on till 10 in the night.

BANA, originated in 1996 , has about twenty active families as members, who come together every year to organize the Holi function, a picnic and Durga Puja Havan. There is no membership fee and all are welcome to join this happy enthusiastic group.

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