Que sera sera!

It was the perfect example of how unpredictable things can be. Nothing went as planned for the Indian evening. Heavy and incessant rains ruined our plans for a grand Indian evening with an expected audience of approximately 100 people including the Consul-general of France and the Director of Alliance francaise. The roadway connecting the suburbs to central Mumbai were water-logged and the tracks were brimming with rain water. We were almost thinking of calling off the Indian evening since 60% of the host families were coming from the suburbs. However a sudden will not to give up overpowered better sense and Bijal, my friend and colleague in the committee, Mr. Karani , the Chairman and I decided that we will NOT cancel the Indian evening - We had never done it in the last 35 years. We decided to have the Indian evening - come what may. The enthusiasm and courage of our host families were commendable. Except 2 families which could not come (because the situation in their area was really worse because of the rains), all the other french guests along with their families turned up. Other friends and colleagues and member families also braved the rains and decided to come. Though the main attraction of the evening , the folk dance with 24 children couldnt happen since their parents were quite hesitant to send them, we tried our best to make the evening as fun-filled as possible. We had Brilliant performances by our friends from Samarth Vyayam Mandir of Mallakhamb, yoga pyramid and an impromptu bollywood dance by our friends, Rashmi and Ruchi. But the whole credit for the success of the soiree goes to our french group who made the evening memorable and exciting by their bubbly group songs, interactive poems and last but not the least the group dance, Chapeloise. After this dance, which almost resembles garba, they patiently taught us all the steps and believe it or not nearly EVERYONE from the audience participated and enjoyed the dance thoroughly. That was the time when Bijal and me thanked our stars that we did not cancel this most memorable Indian evening.

The group has left for Nashik today. Hope they have an equally memorable stay there. My guest Bertrand is going to sing Kal Ho Na Ho during the Indian evening there. He loves hindi songs, especially the title track of kal ho na ho, but he did not know the lyrics inspite of knowing the tune of the song very well. Dad and Bertrand practiced the song with the lyrics so many times that I can still hear it playing in my ears. I wish I was there to see him sing :).