Punarjani 2018

Bangalore, Sunday, 7 October. The Metrological Department had predicted heavy rains in Bangalore for the weekend. Fear engulfed the organizers foreseeing yet another postponement.

As it turned out, the day was bright and sunny with audience in fact looking for shade as the day progressed. Yes, that is the way Nature cooperated with Punarjani 2018, the fundraising event, in sharp contrast to the havoc it played earlier in Kerala and Kodagu bringing untold misery.

Originally slated as SFV’s annual Onam celebration for 9 September, it was postponed to yesterday and rechristened to Punarjani (Rebirth) 2018 in view of the floods, and setting aside a major chunk of the collections for flood relief operations of both in both places.  Laudable efforts indeed, and SFV Malayalees deserve full compliments. And no less, SFVians for proving equal to the occasion. Is that what they call Vasudeva Kutumbakam?

Given the changed circumstances of the event, one felt the event would be on a low key. But how sadly - and welcomingly - we were mistaken.

Change is constant, they say, and so it was. The founding fathers set the stage two years ago to celebrate Onam festival in SFV. And the new team set the stage to improve upon it, with erecting a magnificent stage, to begin with.

Stalls were lined up - food court, clothing, automobiles, fancy goods, and one by Sobha. Now wait a miniute. No, not manned by the Customer Relations department to listen to the grievances of residents, but the marketing staff on a prowl for its upcoming ventures.

Both the morning and evening sessions started way behind schedule. Maybe, but the entertaining and engaging items that unfolded themselves, amply compensated for the wait. First they gave the audience a touching visual account of the devastation the floods had caused.

The morning session explored talents from within SFV, proving beyond doubt that we lack them in no way. And the evening by professionals, from outside, giving a glimpse of what the amateurs could turn themselves into given total dedication.

The delayed start had its impact down the line, the lunch to say the least. But one felt it was worth the wait. Normally nothing works on an empty stomach, they say. But not so the food, more so served by Krishna Das caterers (?). A sample survey of those who had had their meals and those who were on the attack, showed that the dishes were delicious and, more important, were served with gay abandon.

Now the stocktaking - which item of the day would you rate the best? Well, here is the response I got from a cross section – without a mike in hand: “The dance performances - Mohini Attam, Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi,” said a middle-aged lady. “We liked the breathtaking acrobatics by the young group of boys and a girl,” said a group of adolescents, without a second thought. “I would give it to the morning session which proved there is no dearth of in-house talents, and we should encourage them,” responded an ardent lover of art and music.

“The compere takes the cake for keeping alive the audience interest,” quipped a calm and composed resident in his 50s.   “Vaishnav Girish’s renderings, in particular Bin Tere, and the soulful Kal Ho Na Ho as a tribute to the young violinist Balabhaskar was the best,” said another, who himself is a singer of a sort.  Another with his wits at his end, said, “As is wont in such functions the public address system manages to disown their masters at the nick of time. But this time it was not so, and that is the best part.” Not to be outdone, a senior overhearing the ‘interview’, said, “I liked the Bank stall offering 8.75% interest on FD.”

“For me, it is the Kannada number by the lady. She could attract audience participation as well,” interjected a lady from behind. The best response I personally liked, however, was from a 92-year old lady on wheel chair: “The total programme as such, like a good meal, with neither Sambar, Rasam, Avial, Pickle, nor Payasam, staking the claim. What a way to explain! Did someone not say, variety is the spice of life?

Anyway, thank you sooooooo much organizers.