New York :  The spectators wondered if they were in Manhattan or Maharashtra when the folk artists took the centre stage at Times Square in New York and instantly about more than 3.5 lakh people fell into the charms of Lavani dance and beats of Dhol-Tasha on Sunday when the Maharashtra Tourism’s promotional event started with a mega success.

The tourists and visitors from all over the world who visited Times Square on Sunday left with more of Maharashtra than USA as they seemed enjoying the colours of Kolhapuri turbans to dresses of Lavani performers straight from the various parts of Maharashtra. The crowd went gaga over the saffron turbans and queued up to get one for them. Similarly, the pointed moustache masks were another crowd-puller. ‘Maharashtra – pride of India’, printed on Gandhi caps, was the slogan people caught upon when they were distributed to the public. The mesmerizing tourist present at times square spent the entire day watching the show.

When the musical instruments like Tutari and Dhol-Tasha set the tempo right in the beginning to make New Yorkers dance on their tunes, the sensuous Lavani dances left the audience’s eyes glued to the performances. The groups like Sangharsh and Sankalp promoted Govinda festival by forming human pyramids. The music maestro Shankar Mahadevan also created a sensation through his voice and musical troupe which has also worked in the TV commercial of Maharashtra Tourism.

Honourable Tourism Minister of Maharashtra, Shree Chhagan Bhujbal also acknowledged the efforts of Maharashtra tourism and other stakeholders involved in this event.

Indians, from various parts of USA and Canada, were gathered in a large number here. Even the heart-throb of Indian movie lovers Ranbir Kapoor who was present at the show along with his father Rishi Kapoor could not hold his excitement and went up to the stage to congratulate Maharashtra Tourism for its achievement. His father Rishi Kapoor said, “I am proud to be a part of Maharashtra.”

Maharashtra Mandals from across the parts of USA, Canada and Mexico and high-networth Indian professionals from medical and legal fraternities visited the show in a big number. The event was publicized on digital, TV radio print media in USA. The concert had also displayed an orchestrated laser light show and fireworks on big screens. The Cultural Festival included Indian food, dance, Diya/ Rangoli painting, Indian arts and crafts, fashion show, photo booths with ethnic outfits, celebrity Autograph/Photo Booth, Dahi Handi/Mallkhamb and a lot more.

Source : Poonam Shrungare