Indian Museum may be closed by the time you arrive’ was the customary notification on Google Maps on Wednesday evening. The Central Courtyard of the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Road address was, however, buzzing with activity and happy energy and almost resembled a playground with a gathering of children and adults of all age groups. Mothers queued up for tea or gupshup as the kids lined up on stage for rehearsals under the watchful eyes of Dona Ganguly, all gearing up for the March 5 celebrations — Vasant Utsav. The Telegraph spent an evening soaking in the joyful vibes.
The majestic Indian Museum came alive to the rhythm of music as the students practised various formations.
The hour-long programme will see the girls and boys perform to a medley of including songs like Anandaloke mangalaloke, Ore bhai fagun legechhe bon e bon e, Khelbo Holi and folk and Hindi tunes.
“We have been organising this programme for the last five-six years. This is like Durga Puja in Kolkata. People eagerly wait to see this Holi festival at the Indian Museum where Dona Ganguly and her students perform. Every year we do unique workshops. The concept of museums is changing. We are now more inclusive and this is a cultural space, 209 years old, the oldest and largest museum of Asia. We are promoting intangible heritage. This time Prabha Khaitan Foundation is collaborating with us. Sundeep Bhutoria will be narrating a piece and thousands of people will be enjoying the festival of colours,” said Sayan Bhattacharya, education officer, Indian Museum, with Dona by his side.
The most heartening part of the evening was to witness varied participation and in large numbers.
MOOD AND MOMENTS OFFSTAGE...
Mothers trained their mobile phone cameras on the stage as their daughters prepped for the big show.
Laughter and banter in between rehearsals added to the feel-good vibe.
A strict taskmaster, there was no fooling around under Dona’s vigilant eyes.
Dona’s mother, Swapna Roy, cheered on from the sidelines.
Pictures: Rashbehari Das
