A show to remember(+ photos)

The Yuva Kala Utsav proved to be a grand and impressive affair, with sterling performances by all those who took part in it.

The event was held at Little Theatre, Lower Hutt, March 15, 2008, 6.30 to 10 pm, with a 20-minute break.

The idea of the whole programme was to provide a platform for our local young talent and they did us proud.

We were fortunate enough to have the Indian High Commissioner to NZ, Shri K P Ernest as the Chief Guest. Mr Ernest inaugurated the evening by lighting a kuthuvilakku. He also presented gift certificates to all the participants at the end of the evening.

Mr Ernest was kind enough to say a few words and in his speech, highlighted the importance of preserving Indian culture and tradition and appreciated the performance of all the participants greatly.

The following was the programme order.

Inauguration by High Commissioner of India Shri K P
Ernest

Solo Carnatic music recitals by:

Shwetha Wevita

Chander Ravi

Diganth Bhagavan

Mahathi Balajee

Radhika Ravi

Bharathanatyam recital by Varshini Suresh

Kuchipudi dance recital by Anita Patil (guest artiste from Auckland)

Intermission

Group Carnatic music recital by Anuttam Suresh, Nandana Guda, Priya Retna, Lavanya Palani, Varshini Suresh, Sanmit Kaimal and Sujay Suresh.

Bharatanatyam recitals by:

Shwetha Wevita and Aarabi Yogarajah

Varshini Suresh

Lavanya Palani

Violin recital by Mahathi Balajee

Kathak dance performance by Anita Patil

Bharatanatyam dance by Pavithra Arulrajah

Vande mataram on the violin by Mahathi Balajee

Speech by High Commissioner

Presentation of gift certificates to all participants by Shri K P Ernest

Vote of thanks by Radhika Ravi, NZIFS president.

The whole show was compered by youngsters Maithreyi Sundaresan and Sriram Venkatesh.

NZIFS thanks the Hutt City Council for the funding through the Creative Communities NZ Fund that made this show possible.

Thanks are also due to volunteers who did a splendid job of sound and lighting and who took care of the usual chores like food stall, setting up and dismantling stage, sound system etc.

Our thanks also to all the participants and their parents for their time. A very special thanks to those who came along for the show even if their children were not performing.

We have put up some photos which are the only ones available. If anyone has any more photos and are happy to have them put up on this blog, please contact us.

This committee’s term ends on 31 March 2008.