On September 24th 2011, NEKK celebrated Ganeshotsava with a kaleidoscope of performances, aptly matched by the food and the crowd. The greatly augmented committee put together nine performances using both local talent and artists invited from other states and India. The evening began with an auspicious Ganesha Puja and continued with a Carnatic vocal concert by Deepti Navaratna, an NEKK member. Her dulcimer tones were accompanied by the talented Ullas Rao on the Mridangam. This was followed by a colorful folk piece coordinated by yet another talented artist member of NEKK, Shobha Hiremath. After a glittering display of Karnataka fashion through the years and across the map by members, we were treated to a popular music concert lead by Prof.S Mallana and featured the Hindi Manch Youth Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner, Anusha Kulkarni. The group presented both movie and folk music from Karnataka.  

Taking a break from music, the program then staged a comedy play the “New England Naalayakaru” group. With a humorous façade, “Lokayuta Chitragupta” made a poignant point about corruption and loss of basic humanity in the world today.

Making yet another segue, the program proceeded with a Bharatanatyam performance by Namita Desai, who electrified the audience with her visceral Abhinaya and graceful Nritta in a rendition of “Mahadeva Shiva Shambho”. Her portrayal of Meera in the Meera Bhajan that followed, invoked the devotion and suffering of the great saint poet in a heartfelt performance. Noteworthy was the song itself, which Namita herself sang and recorded for the performance.

Namita’s performance was well matched by her spouse, who gave us a scintillating music recital. Ganesh Desai, an exponent in both Hindustani and Carnatic classical music, he can also play the Tabla and the Harmonium. He has many compositions under his belt and can execute a fluid Yakshagana move all at once! The multifaceted artist wowed the audience with his showmanship as much as he did with his golden voice.  He ended the hour-long concert with an impromptu song in the ghazal style that brought forth his humility as he thanked his audience for listening.

The evening was capped off by an energetic Yakshagana performance from the “Yakshagana Kalavrinda” of North America. With recorded “himella” or background music, the “mumella” or dance and dialog group, deftly led us through the story of Maagadha Vadha. Through witty dialog and philosophical parleys, the patradharis showed us the defeat of Maagadha or Jarasandha at the hands of Bheema. The dancers often referred to the present and addressed the audience directly making the dialog universal and enabling the audience to participate in the weaving of the intricate tale. Whether it was Krishna’s amusing exchanges with Satyabhama , the Pandavas, and Jarasandha, or it was Bheemas display of valour, the patradhari’s marched in step with each other in nimbly executed dance moves and nifty dialog delivery. When one of the characters alluded to the delicious dinner, the audience could only nod and heartily agree. For just before the Yakshagana performance, we were treated to a delicious dinner catered by Madras Grill.
The fare included exotic items like masala wada and modakam!

The event was attended by nearly 500 people! Kudos to the 40 plus committee members headed by Praveen Naduthota, for stringing together this patchwork of colorful entertainment. With one event to their credit; it will only get better from here.

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