The Dance at Dusk organized on 26th April by PNLIT together with the Snehadhara Foundation was truly an event with a difference. Attended by over 60 people, most of them adults, the Gazebo was cramped for space. Some mothers held back their children for safety but ironically, the evening began with a three year old running into the middle of the ring of dancers and twirling her yellow frilly frock. Geetu of Snehadhara persuaded the child to join the group and the music began to play.
After a warming up slow number, Lakshmi from Snehadhara engaged the participants in a brief but lively discussion on the importance of lakes and the need for the community to engage in its restoration and maintenance. This after all, was what the event (and PNLIT) all about – celebrating Nature through community participation.
The music began once again and the dancers took their positions. The South African oldie goldie “Pata Pata” raised the enthusiasm of the dancers to a new level. It was followed by the Russian Troika dance, the popular Drunken Sailor tune and a Greek number.
Before each dance, Geetu demonstrated the steps and rest followed. The repertoire was varied, the music fast paced and the dancers many. It wasn’t only the dancers who had all the fun though. The many who opted out for want of space were joined by the regular evening walkers who stopped by to watch, some with curiosity, many with a smile. The heat of the day gave way to a breeze which cooled off the sweat of the dancers, young and old but not their enthusiasm.
Three cheers to Snehadhara and especially to all the participants. While most of them were from the locality,a few came from as far away as Banashankari 2nd stage and Mantri Elegance, Bannerghatta Road. As Geetu commented, all of us came together without knowing one another and yet had a great deal of fun. Isn’t this the essence of community spirit?
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