Consulate’s cultural festival ‘Kala Utsav’ is a huge hit

CHICAGO, IL — The Consulate General of India organized the 5th edition of Kala Utsav, the annual cultural festival, on July 29 at Harris Theatre, 205 East Randoph Street, Chicago to showcase the talent and rich heritage of Indian art and culture in various forms from the US Mid-West.

The event provided a platform for renowned as well as new Indian artistes from dance schools across the US Mid-West like St. Louis and Indiana to show their talents through various performances.

This year’s Kala Utsav theme called ‘Khul Ja Sim Sim’ focused on values of humanity such as honesty, courage, truth, love/affection, forgiveness, power, peace, happiness, respect and justice, equality and freedom and each performance was based on one of these themes.

The festival, which was inaugurated by Consul General of India Neeta Bhushan, was graced by Smita Shah, chairperson of the Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, Deepak Kant Vyas, chairman of Red Berri Foundation, Sunil Shah, founder-president of FIA, Rohit Joshi of United Senior Pariwar and Keerthi Ravoori, prominent community leader.

Jigar Shah, director of Technology, Healthcare Consulting Firm and member of South Asian Film Festival was the Artistic and Cultural Director of the Kala Utsav 2018. He, along with Dr. Prerna Arya, teacher of Indian culture, emceed the event. Nearly 1000 people comprising the Indian-American Diaspora hailing from different parts of US Midwest, including many US nationals and different ethnic groups, attended the event.

In her inaugural address, Bhushan underlined that India is a land of diverse cultures, ethnicity, languages, food and costumes. She added that Kala Utsav shows glimpses of India’s unique heritage which depicts how various traditions, art forms, music and dance have flourished over thousands of years.
She added that Kala Utsav was also celebrated as Illinois Bicentennial celebrations. She thanked Harris Theatre for co-sponsoring the event.

The function started with a scintillating performance of “Chenda Melam” by the Chicago Kalakshetra which is the best known and most popular kshetram vadyam (temple percussion) game followed by a sequence of captivating dance performances representing the classical, fold, modern dance forms of India from different dance schools.

In all, 19 dance schools participated with different forms of dance from classical to folk to Bollywood fusion and skit on different themes. All the performances were beautiful with excellent choreography and fantastic music.

The first prize winner was Trishakti Bharatnatyam by Natya Dance Theatre, the second prize went to Nirbhaya Kali by Kalapadma Dance Academy and the third prize was bagged by Kathak Kamali Divine Love by I-Radha Group as well as Raas Garba by Mother and Daughter Team from St. Louis.

All the winning dance groups were given gifts and certificates by the Consul General.

Other participants were, Chicago Kalashetra–Aji Bhaskaran, Dilshad Dance Academy–Ustad Dishad Khan, Bharatm Academy of Dance Arts–Vanitha veeeravalli, Raas Garba–team from St. Louis, Yakshahejje School of Yakshagana and performing arts, Indiana–Dr. Rajendra Kedlaya, Traditional Kerala Dance–team from St. Louis- Mr Haridas Kartha, Rhytms & Grace Dance studios–Shalini Dixit, Natya Dance Theater–Hema Rajagopalan, Danspirations Fusion Academy–Rina Thakur and Elena Mitchell, I-Radha–Kiran Chouhan, Kalapriya Dance Academy–Mridu Shekar and Ahila Devi Vigneshwaran, Yoni ki Baat–Promila Kumar, Shingari’s School of Dance–Chinu Thottam, Rina Rockers–Rina Thakur, Kalapadama Dance Academy–Ruth Varghese, Maharashtra Mandal of Chicago–Manisha Athalye, Taal Dance Company– Amruta Mate.

Overall, the event was a huge success and well appreciated by all the participants and the attendees for the wonderful organization of the event.