A Sunday afternoon with a sundowner of Bollywood extravagance seemed to settle over me as I swanked my way into the Lyric Theater at Gold Reef City Casino.

The Johannesburg Yuvak Mandal, which also is in their 20^th year of running presented A Journey through India – Jai Ho, a uniquely themed Bollywood show. I was somewhat immune now to the song Jai Ho as it has settled over me time and again wanting me to slash my wrists and this time I would have hoped it be different.

The lobby of the theatre began to fill up very quickly as guests made their entrance in their droves from the bottom of the escalators and heartily passed the trays of delectable burfee with a few in hand and then opted to take a few more at the top of the escalator.

Typically, men to the left, the bar area and women to the right to have their pictures taken and some just sauntered straight into the theatre with their children in tow.

I spotted Sandeep Kaur, a Bengali who has emigrated to South Africa just over a week ago with her SA hubby. Sandeep, a friendly conversational ensued, Kaur mentioned that this was her first experience of Bollywood out of her own country and was not sure what to expect but nevertheless it was a good trip out from Midrand where they reside.  She also highlighted that she suspected I was an Indian national which was almost correct as I pointed out to her that my close lineage are from Varanasi – City of the Dead and Lahore, Pakistan which she acknowledged with a smile.

Leren Paul

I made my way to my seat front row might I add with glaring looks from people who wish they had the seats upfront and settled in but 2 seconds later I was spotted by Leren Paul, one of City Swank’s avid readers who had hubby in tow. We chatted about the current wave of Indian presence with the Shared Histories which is currently running all over the country and last weeks column on Tribhangi which she loved!  Shared Histories at Zoo Lake on Saturday left us both running on low as the event turned out to be such a drag. Our chat later returned to the impending Newtown Diwali Festival of which Leren Paul was looking forward to.

I returned to my seat but then noticed a JYM official hovering over me with an almost terrified look on his face. He eventually cracked a throat sound which I acknowledged. Literally 5 seconds later I had my hand taken and a backstage pass attached to it and a leather briefcase with an official letter from the JYM inserted in it for me extending their hearty thanks for my presence. I obliged them with accepting it and returned to my seat hoping for some peace and quiet. Ten seconds later another JYM official approached from the left this time Amit Purbhoo acknowledged me and started to make guests wonder as to why I was being attended to every few seconds or so. After that was settled hoping I did not have to wake up again, Leren Paul summoned my presence as Nivasha, SABC2’s marketing manager settled in next to her. Nivasha and I had a quick run down memory lane to our impromptu sushi nibbling we had a few years ago at CTFM in Sandton. I promised to meet with her later and quickly settled in again. By now the musical chairs stopped but I was nudged by another guest next to me in front row who was just too curious to find out who and why are people giving me so much attention. After I cleared up who I was conversation flowed nicely until the show began.

Extravagant lighting silenced the theatre whilst two JYM members lit up the lamps to officiate the beginning of the show, I was a bit disturbed to notice that one of the male officials still had his shoes on as he lit up the lamp at the feet of Ganapati (elephant faced God, Remover of Obstacles). Sureshnie Rider, compere of the evening graced the event in a shimmering light gold sari which looked fabulous on her. The show began promptly on time with the opening act of Jai Ho which brought the house down (for me I just wanted to die as this was just another painful display for me).

Much effort was placed into the choreography of the show which was primarily strung by a theatrical play of 4 South African youngsters who have the opportunity to backpack across India giving us a factual insight into the sights and sounds of Bharat Mahan with colourful displays of dance and song indigenous to those very parts that they visit from a brochure of Incredible India. An amazing amount of very interesting tourist information was passed on to the audience with comedy linking in Johannesburg Indian mannerisms, mainly Lenasia and some of India which was heartwarming. The stage was continuously set alight with flowing motion of stunning performers from all regions of the JYM reach all over Gauteng. Majority of the performers were children who tickled the fancy of all young and old as they confidently swayed across the theatre with graceful movements in sync with their cast which left me with much approval for their efforts.

The entire show direction was put into context that the audience could relate to which made the 3 hour show exciting and filled up seats to a completely sold out event. The elements of both our South African Indian culture rich and diverse blended into the pure Indian heritage splashed with some Western influence which was prevalent in both our Indian and South African context.

When the National Anthem of India was sung the entire house stood up and joined in, many left with teary and emotional displays and the Indian flag was raised by every single person. I had goosebumps at listening to the entire theatre hum with the anthem and left me also in tears at the unified stand of all who were present at the show.

I was left very impressed by the end of the evening, I quickly made my way backstage to catch up with the performers and to also try and get Sureshnie Rider to snap up a picture for City Swank but in one fluid movement Sureshnie disappeared backstage and out. An evening that left me inspired and ready to book my flights back to India.
For a day by day account as Yasantha and Naufal swank out Durban and Johannesburg either
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